GS 2025 Article 49 – OPC (Orthodox Presbyterian Church)

1.   Material

• 1.1    Committee for Ecumenical Relations (CER) Report 8: Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC) – Agenda Item (8.2.10.8).

2. Admissibility

• 2.1    The report was declared admissible.
  • Grounds: It was mandated by the previous synod and was received on time.

3.   Observations

• 3.1    GS 2022 (art. 164) mandated the CER:
  • [3.1]    To continue the relationship of Ecclesiastical Fellowship (EF) with the Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC) under the adopted rules;
  • [3.2]    To mandate the Committee on Ecumenical Relations (CER) 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    Continued engagement with the Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC), including attendance at its General Assembly;
  • 3.2.2    “At this time, there has been a long and fruitful relationship between the CanRC and the OPC;”
  • 3.2.3    “Over the past number of years, our delegates have worked very closely within the context of the ICRC. This was particularly the case as the CanRC and OPC stood together, and worked together, in navigating the challenge of terminating the GKv’s membership in the ICRC.”
• 3.3    The CER recommends:
  • 3.3.1    To express our thankfulness for the blessing of enjoying a lengthy and fruitful relationship of Ecclesiastical Fellowship (EF) with the Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC);
  • 3.3.2    To continue EF Category A with the OPC according to the adopted rules;
  • 3.3.3    To mandate the CER to:
    • 3.3.3.1   To send a delegation to meetings of the OPC GA at least once every two years;
    • 3.3.3.2   To submit its report on its activities with respect to the OPC to the churches 6 months prior the convening of the next general synod.

4.   Considerations

• 4.1    The Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC) remains a confessionally Reformed church with which the CanRC shares a long-standing relationship.
• 4.2    The CER has diligently maintained contact and reported faithfully.

5.         Recommendations

That Synod decide:

• 5.1    To express our thankfulness for the blessing of enjoying a lengthy and fruitful relationship of Ecclesiastical Fellowship (EF) with the Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC);
• 5.2    To continue Ecclesiastical Fellowship (EF) Category A with the Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC) according to the adopted rules;
• 5.3    To mandate the CER to:
  • 5.3.1    To send a delegation to meetings of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC) General Assembly at least once every two years;
  • 5.3.2    To submit its report on its activities with respect to the OPC to the churches six (6) months prior the convening of the next general synod.

ADOPTED