Office Bearers

GS 2025 Article 122 – URCNA (United Reformed Churches in North America)

1.   Material

  • 1.1    Committee for Ecumenical Relations (CER) Report 12: United Reformed Churches in North America (URCNA) (8.2.10.12).
  • 1.2    Letter from Tintern Spring Creek (8.3.10.23).

2. Admissibility

  • 2.1    The report was declared admissible.
    • Grounds: It was mandated by the previous synod and was received on time.
  • 2.2    The letter from the church was declared admissible.
    • Grounds: It interacts with an overture submitted to GS 2025 and was received on time.

3.   Observations

  • 3.1    GS 2022 (art. 167) decided:
    • [3.1]    To mandate the Committee on Ecumenical Relations (CER):
      • [3.1.1]    To continue Ecclesiastical Fellowship (EF) with the United Reformed Churches in North America (URCNA) according to the adopted rules;
      • [3.1.2]    To encourage the churches to continue to foster relationships with local URCNA churches; these activities could include, but are not limited to, pulpit exchanges, joint community and mission projects, and study opportunities;
      • [3.1.3]    To submit its report to the churches six months prior to the convening of the next general synod.
  • 3.2    From the CER report, the following:
    • 3.2.1    “…moving towards greater unity requires further grassroots movement building contact and trust.” Various challenges to building contact and trust exist within the CanRC and URCNA.
    • 3.2.2    “Since there is a substantial amount of interaction among our respective classes and local churches, the CER has begun to reach out to the CanRC classes to get a better idea of all that is presently happening between local CanRC and URCNA churches. Some classes have appointed committees to liaise with CER.”
    • 3.2.3    “URCNA Synod Escondido 2024 entertained a recommendation from [Committee for Ecumenical Relations and Church Unity (CERCU)] to set aside funds to remove financial hinderances for the pulpit exchanges between distant URC and CanRC. For various reasons the recommendation was not adopted.”
    • 3.2.4    “Discussions have taken place, and will continue at opportune times, on differing church polity or practices. The important determination is to remain a faithful church within the confines of Scripture and confessions allowing for a unity in the faith with a diversity of practice.”
  • 3.3    The CER recommends that synod decide:
    • 3.3.1    To continue Ecclesiastical Fellowship (EF) Category A with the United Reformed Churches in North America (URCNA) according to the adopted rules;
    • 3.3.2    To mandate the Committee on Ecumenical Relations (CER):
      • 3.3.2.1   To encourage the churches to continue to foster relationships with local URCNA churches. These activities could include, but are not limited to, pulpit exchanges, joint community and mission projects, and study opportunities;
      • 3.3.2.2   To submit its report on its activities with respect to the URCNA to the churches 6 months prior the convening of the next general synod.
  • 3.4    The Tintern Spring Creek CanRC raises concerns about specific comments in the CERCU report to Synod Escondido 2024, and requests the CER to clarify their position on these comments.

4.   Considerations

  • 4.1    The United Reformed Churches in North America (URCNA) continues to display the marks of a true and faithful church of Jesus Christ. Given frequent interaction and a shared recent history, a close relationship between the CanRC and URCNA is mutually beneficial.
  • 4.2    Given the continued desire on our part for the highest expression of unity with the URCNA and given the proximity of most CanRC churches to many URCNA churches, it is appropriate to encourage maximum interaction. The CER is well-positioned to repeatedly facilitate this encouragement.
  • 4.3    The concern, observed by Tintern Spring Creek, about an “identity crisis” in the CanRC reflects tensions acknowledged by the CER regarding internal changes; while the wording may have been unhelpful, it was meant to candidly express those challenges within a close relationship. Importantly, this does not present an impediment to continued growth in unity with the URCNA.

5.   Recommendations

That Synod decide:

  • 5.1    To continue Ecclesiastical Fellowship (EF) Category A with the United Reformed Churches in North America (URCNA) according to the adopted rules.
  • 5.2    To mandate the Committee on Ecumenical Relations (CER):
    • 5.2.1    To encourage the churches to continue to foster relationships with local United Reformed Churches in North America (URCNA) churches. These activities could include, but are not limited to, pulpit exchanges, joint community and mission projects, and study opportunities.
    • 5.2.2    To submit its report on its activities with respect to the URCNA to the churches no later than six (6) months prior the convening of the next general synod.

ADOPTED