Office Bearers

GS 2025 Article 58 – Appeal against GS 2022 art. 143 dec. 3.2 & 3.4: Preparatory Examinations

1.   Material

  • 1.1    Appeal from Coaldale re Preparatory Examination (8.6.4.1).

2. Admissibility

  • 2.1    The appeal was declared admissible.
    • Grounds: It concerns a decision of the previous general synod.

3.   Observations

  • 3.1    The Coaldale CanRC appeals GS 2022 art. 143 dec. 3.2 which changed the Regulations for Ecclesiastical Exams to read:
    • The preparatory examination is to occur in the classis where the church that sent the student’s original attestation to the federational seminary belongs. The preparatory examination for a student not originating within the Canadian & American Reformed Churches is to occur in the classis where he lives.
  • 3.2    Coaldale proposes to delete the word “federational,” claiming that by specifying a federational seminary, the amendment closes any pathway for classical examination if a man were to study at a non-federational seminary.
  • 3.3    Coaldale proposes that the Regulation Ecclesiastical Exams, GS 1958 art. 188 part I.1 (GS 2022, Appendix 23) be amended to read:
  • To be eligible for call in one of the churches, one must have successfully sustained the preparatory examination. The preparatory examination will take place in the classis where the church that sent the student’s original attestation to the seminary belongs. The preparatory examination for a student not originating within the Canadian & American Reformed Churches is to occur in the classis where the student resides.
  • 3.4    Coaldale appeals GS 2022 art. 143 dec. 3.4 which amended CO art. 4B to read:
  • Only those shall be declared eligible for call within the churches who (1) have passed a preparatory examination by classis….
  • 3.5    Coaldale claims that this article is not clear with respect to which classis ought to examine the student and is open to abuse, allowing for a student to select the classis he wishes to be examined by.
  • 3.6    Coaldale proposes CO art. 4B to be amended to:
    • Only those shall be declared eligible for call within the churches who (1) have passed a preparatory examination by classis where the church that sent the student’s original attestation to the seminary belongs . . .

4.   Considerations

  • 4.1    The Coaldale CanRC is incorrect that the wording adopted by GS 2022 art. 143 dec. 3.2 closes any pathway for classical examination if a man were to study at a non-federational seminary. GS 1968 art. 171 indicates that a student from another seminary needs a certificate from the teaching staff of the CRTS as a condition of requesting a preparatory examination by classis:
    • To be admitted to the ecclesiastical examinations candidates shall submit proof that they have completed their studies at our own Theological College. Candidates who took their theological training at other institutions shall present a Certificate issued by the Staff of the Theological College of the Canadian Reformed Churches stating that they have followed and/or complemented a course of studies conforming with the training provided by the Theological College of the Canadian Reformed Churches.
  •  4.2   The Coaldale CanRC is incorrect when it claims that CO art. 4B requires more clarity as to which classis examines a student requesting preparatory examination. CO art. 4B gives the general principles while the details are specified in the Regulations for Ecclesiastical Exams (GS 2022 Appendix 23 [I.1]).

5.   Recommendations

That Synod decide:

  • 5.1    To deny the Coaldale CanRC appeal against GS 2022 art. 143 dec. 3.2 (Preparatory Examinations).

ADOPTED