GS 2016 Article 79 – URCNA (United Reformed Churches in North America) – Committee for Church Unity – Subcommittee for Theological Education (CCU-STE)

1. Material

  • 1.1    Report of the Subcommittee for Theological Education of the Committee for Church Unity (CCU-STE) (8.2.7)
  • 1.2    Letters from the following CanRC: Fergus-Maranatha (8.3.3.2), Hamilton-Blessings (8.3.3.4), Lincoln (8.3.3.6)

2. Observations

  • 2.1    The CCU-STE was appointed to work with a corresponding committee from the United Reformed Churches in North America (URCNA), should one be reappointed by Synod Visalia 2014. Since Synod Visalia did not reappoint a corresponding committee, the CCU-STE reports that it made no progress in the matter of theological education in a unified federation.
  • 2.2    Hamilton-Blessings recommends suspending the subcommittees, including the theological subcommittee, while the CCU and the churches “seek ways to facilitate the work of building unity at the local level.”
  • 2.3    Fergus-Maranatha and Lincoln agree with the recommendation from the CCU to maintain a STE. Lincoln states that “we believe that reappointing the subcommittee helps to communicate our continued desire to pursue unity with the URCNA.”

3. Considerations

  • 3.1    The CCU subcommittees are needed in the event that the URCNA decide to continue work towards Phase 3A.

4. Recommendations

That Synod decide:

  • 4.1    To reappoint the Subcommittee for Theological Education of the Committee for Church Unity (CCU-STE) to be available to work with a corresponding committee of the United Reformed Churches in North America (URCNA) should an upcoming URCNA Synod reappoint the corresponding committee;
  • 4.2    To mandate the CCU-STE to re-examine and discuss with our brothers in the URCNA the possibilities of operating at least one theological seminary by and for the churches, to ensure that such a seminary is accountable to and properly governed by the churches. Further, that the committee promote adequate funding for such an institution(s) by means of assessment per communicant member.

ADOPTED