20 Feb GS 1977 art 70

GS 1977 ARTICLE 70 – Appeal Edmonton re: Article 89, Acts, Toronto 1974

Committee I presents:

Material

– Agenda 8, K. 1

– (First part of) Appeal of the Church at Edmonton, re: Article 89, Acts, General Synod Toronto 1974.

Observations

• 1. The consistory of the Church at Edmonton complains about the fact that General Synod Toronto 1974 declared the letter of Br. J. Werkman admissible.
• 2. The grounds on which this letter should have been declared inadmissible as given by the consistory are the following:
  • a. the consistory did not receive a copy of this letter;
  • b. Br. J. Werkman by-passed the consistory, the classis and the Regional Synod in complaining to the General Synod directly;
  • c. General Synod Toronto 1974 in dealing with this letter was in conflict with Arti­cles 30and 31, Church Order;
  • d. the grounds adduced by General Synod Toronto 1974 to deal with this letter were invalid, unjust and setting a precedent for others in similar situations.

Considerations

• 1. That Br. J. Werkman did not send a copy of his letter to Synod to his consistory is not decisive in this matter.
• 2. The letter of Br. J. Werkman does not show that he approached the consistory, classis or Regional Synod with his complaints. The information of the Church at Edmonton confirms that he by-passed the minor assemblies.
• 3. It is not according to Articles 30 and 31, Church Order, to appeal to a General Synod while by-passing the minor assemblies.

Recommendation

Synod decide to declare that Synod Toronto 1974 should have declared the letter of Br. J. Werkman inadmissible on the ground of Articles 30 and 31, Church Order.

ADOPTED