Office Bearers

GS 2025 Article 77 – FRCA (Free Reformed Churches of Australia)

1.   Material

  • 1.1    Committee for Ecumenical Relations (CER) Report 13: Free Reformed Churches of Australia (FRCA) (8.2.10.13).

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. 169) decided:
    • [3.1]    To continue the relationship of Ecclesiastical Fellowship (EF) with the Free Reformed Churches of Australia (FRCA) under the adopted rules;
    • [3.2]    To express thankfulness and appreciation for the FRCA’s ongoing support for and interest in the Canadian Reformed Theological Seminary (CRTS), including financial support;
    • [3.3]    To encourage the Board of Governors and Senate of the CRTS to continue contact with the deputyship for theological education in the FRCA to explore the feasibility and benefits of delivering theological education in Australia;
    • [3.4]    To mandate the Committee on Ecumenical Relations (CER):
      • [3.4.1]    To maintain close contact with the deputyship of the FRCA in matters of relations with sister-churches abroad and informing the FRCA of changes or developments in third-party relationships;
      • [3.4.2]    To invite the various deputyships of the FRCA to seek direct contact with the corresponding CanRC committees (e.g., our Standing Committee for the Publication of the Book of Praise, Committee on Bible Translations) in areas of mutual interest where the CER’s mandate does not reach;
      • [3.4.3]    To communicate to the FRCA the value of the International Conference of Reformed Churches (ICRC) and encourage them to consider membership;
      • [3.4.4]    To send a delegation to the next FRCA synod in 2024;
      • [3.4.5]    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     The CanRC enjoys a close bond with the FRCA involving a very similar history and are of mutual support.
    • 3.2.2    The FRCA send their theological students to the CRTS, contribute substantially to its support, and are thankful for the high quality of the training and its faithfulness to Scripture.           
  • 3.3    The CER recommends that synod decide:
    • 3.3.1    To express thankfulness and appreciation for the FRCA’s ongoing prayerful and financial support for the Canadian Reformed Theological Seminary (CRTS);
    • 3.3.2    To continue the relationship of Ecclesiastical Fellowship (EF) Category A with the Free Reformed Churches of Australia (FRCA) under the adopted rules;
    • 3.3.3    To express appreciation for the fact that the FRCA has decided to send observers to the next International Conference of Reformed Churches (ICRC), and to continue to encourage the FRCA to consider membership in the ICRC;
    • 3.3.4    To mandate the CER:
      • 3.3.4.1   To maintain close contact with the deputyships of the FRCA in matters of common interest, such as, e.g., ecumenical relations and changes in third party relationships;
      • 3.3.4.2   To submit its report on its activities with respect to the FRCA to the churches 6 months prior to the convening of the next general synod.

4.   Considerations

  • 4.1    The Free Reformed Churches of Australia (FRCA) 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 FRCA is mutually beneficial.
  • 4.2    As the ICRC is a forum where churches meet who profess and seek to be faithful to Scripture as summarized in Reformed confessions, FRCA membership in the ICRC would be of benefit to ICRC member churches and to the FRCA itself.

5.   Recommendations

That Synod decide:

  • 5.1    To express thankfulness and appreciation for the Free Reformed Churches of Australia (FRCA)’s ongoing prayerful and financial support for the Canadian Reformed Theological Seminary (CRTS);
  • 5.2    To continue the relationship of Ecclesiastical Fellowship (EF) Category A with the Free Reformed Churches of Australia (FRCA) under the adopted rules;
  • 5.3    To express appreciation for the fact that the Free Reformed Churches of Australia (FRCA) has decided to send observers to the next International Conference of Reformed Churches (ICRC), and to continue to encourage the FRCA to consider membership in the ICRC;
  • 5.4    To mandate the CER:
    • 5.4.1    To maintain close contact with the deputyships of the Free Reformed Churches of Australia (FRCA) in matters of common interest, such as, e.g., common ecumenical relations and changes in third party relationships;
    • 5.4.2    To submit its report on its activities with respect to the FRCA to the churches no later than six (6) months prior to the convening of the next general synod.

ADOPTED