10 Sep GS 2022 art 148

Posted at 14:18h in CanRC, GS 2022 by

GS 2022 Article 148 – DGK (The Reformed Churches [The Netherlands])

1.   Material

  • 1.1    CRCA Report 6: The Netherlands (GKv, DGK, GKN) (8.2.1.6).
  • 1.2    Supplementary Report CRCA (8.2.1.6.1) regarding the DGK’s relationship with the Liberated Reformed Church at Abbotsford (LRCA).
  • 1.3    Letter from the Glanbrook-Trinity CanRC (8.3.1.2) encouraging prayer and a tone of compassion and encouragement regarding the brothers and sisters in the DGK.

2.   Admissibility

  • 2.1    The reports and letter were declared admissible.

3.   Decisions

Synod decided:

  • 3.1    To maintain contact with The Reformed Churches (DGK);
  • 3.2    To express gratitude for how the DGK is dealing with the LRCA.
  • 3.3    To mandate the Committee on Ecumenical Relations (CER):
    • 3.3.1   To continue to monitor developments within this federation, paying special attention to:
      • 3.3.1.1   The relationship between the DGK and the Reformed Churches The Netherlands (GKN);
      • 3.3.1.2   The relationship between the DGK and the LRCA;
    • 3.3.2   To be available for dialogue with the DGK;
    • 3.3.3   To submit its report to the churches six months prior to the convening of the next general synod.

4.   Grounds

  • 4.1    The DGK display the marks of the true church of Jesus Christ in their preaching, worship, and governance.
  • 4.2    There has been good contact with the DGK-BBK (DGK committee for Relations with Churches Abroad). The DGK have recognized the Reformed character of the Westminster Standards and thus the legitimacy of recognizing Presbyterian churches as churches of the Lord Jesus Christ.
  • 4.3    Although at their GS 2021-2022 the DGK decided to continue a sister-church relationship with the LRCA, they at the same time called on the LRCA to return unconditionally to the CanRC recognizing the catholicity of the church.
  • 4.4    The DGK have recognized the GKN as a true and faithful church of Jesus Christ and are working on merging with the GKN.
  • 4.5    When working towards Ecclesiastical Fellowship (EF) with two federations of churches in the same geographical location who are working on merging, it is wisest to wait until the new federation has formed. If EF is deemed necessary prior to the merger, EF should be entered into with both federations at the same time. The situation between the GKN and DGK is structurally similar to one GS 2019 dealt with (cf. GS 2019 Art. 120 Cons. 3.10).
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