GS 2022 Article 62 – Appeal against GS 2004 Art. 115 and GS 2019 Art. 142 (Hymn Cap)

1.   Material

• 1.1    Appeal of the Winnipeg-Redeemer CanRC (8.6.1.1) against GS 2004, Art. 115 and GS 2019 Art. 142 re Hymn Cap:
  • 1.1.1   Winnipeg-Redeemer appeals the decision of GS 2004 Art.115 “to set the limit of hymns at 100” and the decision of GS 2019 Art. 142 to mandate the SCBP “to compile a list of such hymns keeping in mind that at this time the final number of hymns in the Book of Praise should not exceed 100 (as per GS 2004);”
  • 1.1.2   This appeal presents two new grounds for removing the limit of 100 hymns: (1) A limit on the number of hymns does not ensure a predominant place of Psalm-singing in the liturgy of the Reformed churches, and (2) the limit of 100 hymns is quite arbitrary.

2.   Admissibility

• 2.1    The appeal is declared admissible.

3. Decision

Synod decided:

• 3.1    To deny the appeal of the Winnipeg-Redeemer CanRC against GS 2004 Art. 115 and GS 2019 Art. 142.

4.   Grounds:

• 4.1    The appeal does not demonstrate how the decisions were in conflict with the Word of God or the Church Order (CO Art. 31);
• 4.2    Previous decisions can be revisited as proposals substantiated by new grounds (CO Art. 33).