GS 2025 Article 134 – RPCC (Reformed Presbyterian Church of Canada)

1.   Material

• 1.1    Committee for Ecumenical Relations (CER) Report 11: Reformed Presbyterian Church of Canada (RPCC) (8.2.10.11).
• 1.2    Letter from Guelph (Emmanuel) (8.3.10.11).

2.   Admissibility

• 2.1    The report was declared admissible.
  • Ground: It was mandated by the previous synod and received on time.
• 2.2    The letter was declared admissible.
  • Ground: It interacts with a report to GS 2025 and was received on time.

3.   Observations

• 3.1    GS 2022 (art. 166) decided:
  • [3.1]    To mandate the Committee on Ecumenical Relations (CER):
    • [3.1.2]    To take up dialogue and contact with the new Reformed Presbyterian Church of Canada (RPCC) once it is formed;
    • [3.1.3]    To submit its report to the churches six months prior to the convening of the next general synod.
  • [3.2]    To not be a sponsoring church for the RPCC if it applies for membership in NAPARC.
• 3.2    From the CER report, the following:
  • 3.2.1    There has only been limited success to formal and informal efforts to become acquainted. 
  • 3.2.2    Since the RPCC formed, their initial administrative loads have hindered their ecumenical contact.
  • 3.2.3    The grassroots fellowship formerly enjoyed with the RPCNA now continues with the RPCC.
  • 3.2.4    The RPCC has no plans to make use of The Testimony, nor to allow for women deacons.
• 3.3    The CER recommends that synod decide:
  • 3.3.1    To mandate the Committee on Ecumenical Relations (CER):
    • 3.3.1.1   To pursue discussion and further exploration with the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Canada (RPCC);
    • 3.3.1.2   To investigate thoroughly in order to make an appropriate recommendation regarding ecumenical relations with the RPCC;
    • 3.3.1.3   To submit its report on its findings with respect to the RPCC to the churches 6 months prior to the convening of the next general synod.
• 3.4    Guelph (Emmanuel) requests that the same relationship status as with the RPCNA be adopted.

4.   Considerations

• 4.1    Considering our previous history with the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America (RPCNA), and the decisions of GS 2022 to mandate the CER “To take up dialogue and contact with the new Reformed Presbyterian Church of Canada (RPCC) once it is formed” (GS 2022 art. 166 dec. 3.1.2) continuing discussion and exploration with the RPCC with a view to making a recommendation makes sense. This is in line with the thinking of Guelph (Emmanuel).

5.   Recommendations

That Synod decide:

• 5.1    To mandate the Committee on Ecumenical Relations (CER):
  • 5.1.1    To pursue Ecclesiastical Contact with the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Canada (RPCC);
  • 5.1.2    Make an appropriate recommendation regarding ecumenical relations with the RPCC;
  • 5.1.3    To submit its report on its findings with respect to the RPCC to the churches 6 months prior the convening of the next general synod.

ADOPTED