GS 2025 Article 157 – SCBP (Book of Praise) Report Section One, Parts 8-12 and Three, Parts 15, 16 (Administrative)
1. Material
- 1.1 Report of the Standing Committee for the Publication of the Book of Praise, Section One, Parts 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and Section Three, Parts 15, 16 (8.2.8.1).
- 1.2 SCBP Appendix 3 – Protocol for making changes to the Australian Book of Praise. (8.2.8.1).
2. Admissibility
- 2.1 The report Section One, Parts 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12, along with Appendix 3, as well as Section Three Parts 15, 16 were declared admissible.
- Grounds: The report is from a standing synodical committee and was received on time.
3. Observations
- 3.1 GS 2022 (art. 120) gave the following mandate:
- 3.1.1 To continue maintaining its archives (at CRTS) and website www.bookofpraise.ca.
- 3.1.2 To maintain good contact with the Standing Committee for the Australian Book of Praise (SCABP).
- 3.1.3 To maintain its corporate status for the purpose of protecting the interests of the Canadian Reformed Churches in matters concerning the Book of Praise.
- 3.1.4 To appoint one of its members to validate and submit to the treasurer of the General Fund all expenses being submitted for committee work.
- 3.1.5 To submit its report to the churches 6 months prior to the convening of the next general synod.
- 3.2 The SCBP provided the churches with its permanent mailing address:
- Standing Committee for the Publication of the Book of Praise (SCBP)
- c/o Canadian Reformed Theological Seminary
- 110 West 27th Street
- Hamilton, Ontario,
- L9C 5A1
- 3.3 The SCBP provided the churches with its email address: bookofpraise@canrc.org.
4. Considerations
- 4.1 GS 2025 acknowledges with thankfulness the work of the SCBP in executing the mandate it received from GS 2022 with respect to Section One, items 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and Section Three items 15 and 16.
5. Recommendations
That Synod decide:
- 5.1 To thank the Standing Committee for the Publication of the Book of Praise (SCBP) for its work over the last 3 years in maintaining contact with the Standing Committee for the Australian Book of Praise (SCABP) and for agreeing to their draft proposal for a protocol agreement for making changes to the Australian Book of Praise (cf. Appendix 3 of the SCBP report to GS 2025);
- 5.2 To give thanks that Synod-FRCA 2024 decided to maintain good contact with the SCBP;
- 5.3 To thank the SCBP for maintaining its status as a corporation, ensuring all necessary documents are kept up to date;
- 5.4 To thank the SCBP for maintaining archives in the CRTS library and for conducting the triennial inspection of the archives;
- 5.5 To thank the SCBP for continuing to maintain its website in support of the efforts of promotion and awareness for the Book of Praise;
- 5.6 To thank the SCBP for appointing Mr. Brian Vanderhout to validate and submit to the treasurer of the General Fund all expenses being submitted for committee work;
- 5.7 To thank the members of the SCBP for their commitment and the work they have accomplished over the last three years. Synod especially notes with thankfulness the work and dedication of the following brothers who are retiring from the committee: Rev. D. Agema and Mr. M. Jongsma;
- 5.8 To express appreciation to the following brothers who provided expert advice to the SCBP in their respective areas of expertise: Mr. A. den Hollander, Dr. J. Smith, and Rev. D. Wynia;
- 5.9 To mandate the SCBP:
- 5.9.1 To maintain good contact with the Standing Committee for the Australian Book of Praise;
- 5.9.2 To continue maintaining its archives (at CRTS) and website: www.bookofpraise.ca;
- 5.9.3 To maintain its corporate status for the purpose of protecting the interests of the Canadian Reformed Churches in matters concerning the Book of Praise;
- 5.9.4 To appoint one of its members to validate and submit to the treasurer of the General Fund all expenses being submitted for committee work;
- 5.9.5 To submit its report to the churches no later than six (6) months prior to the convening of the next general synod.