GS 2019 Article 60 – RCUS (Reformed Church in the United States)

1.   Material

  • 1.1    Report of the Committee for Contact with Churches in North America (CCCNA) regarding the Reformed Church in the United States (RCUS) (8.2.3.1)
  • 1.2    Letter from Attercliffe (8.3.2.6)

2.   Observations

  • 2.1    GS 2016 (Art. 60) decided concerning the RCUS:
    • [4.1]    To thank the Lord for the faithfulness of the Reformed Church in the United States (RCUS) to the Word of God and the Reformed confessions;
    • [4.2]    To continue the relationship of EF with the RCUS under the adopted rules.
  • 2.2    The CCCNA has fulfilled its mandate and has also sent a delegation to the RCUS 270th  Synod Bakersfield, CA (May16-19, 2016), RCUS 271st Synod, Kansas City, MO (May 15-18, 2017), and RCUS 272nd Synod, Golden Valley MN (May 21-24, 2018). In each of these years, the CCCNA also met with the RCUS ICR committee at NAPARC.
  • 2.3    The RCUS has stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the CanRC in regard to the issues confronting the GKv, a sister church to both church bodies. The RCUS very much appreciates the developing relationship with the CanRC. They especially appreciate having fraternal delegates attend a significant portion of the meeting at both classis and the synod level.
  • 2.4    Opportunities exist to work together on foreign mission projects, especially in the Philippines.
  • 2.5    The CCCNA has had discussions and will continue at opportune times to discuss differing church polity or practices.
  • 2.6    The CCCNA recommends continuing the relationship with the RCUS.
  • 2.7    The Attercliffe CanRC agrees with the EF we have with the RCUS. Attercliffe is unclear where we stand with the RCUS on matters of proper Lord’s Supper supervision, Sunday observance, and church doctrine (GS 1998 Art. 51).

3.   Considerations

  • 3.1    It is evident that the CCCNA has been diligent in fulfilling its mandate in regard to the RCUS.
  • 3.2    The RCUS is very appreciative of the relationship that they have with the CanRC.
  • 3.3    With gratitude the CCCNA could observe faithfulness within the RCUS and the fruitfulness of our contact together.
  • 3.4    It would be beneficial for the RCUS and the CanRC to continue to interact with each other in the possibility of foreign mission projects.
  • 3.5    The CCCNA has already interacted with the RCUS on the matters raised by Attercliffe. GS 2016 Art. 59 Cons. 3.4 should also be kept in mind.

4.   Recommendations

That Synod decide:

  • 4.1    To continue the relationship of Ecclesiastical Fellowship (EF) with the Reformed Church in the United States (RCUS);
  • 4.2    To mandate the Committee for Contact with Churches in North America (CCCNA):
  • 4.2.1    To maintain contact with the RCUS according to the adopted rules;
  • 4.2.2    To submit its report to the churches 5 months prior to the convening of the next general synod.

ADOPTED