Reformed Presbyterian Minutes of Synod 1997 - Rparchives.org

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82 MINUTES OF THE 1997 SYNOD OF THE be politically correct Have we succumbed to an alternative, right-wing, politi correctness, sleeping with what we hope is the better enemy) In and of itself, however, culture war Christian activism only amounts to the treatment of symptoms. We must never lose sight of the fact that the deeper problem - and, thus, the real solution - is spiritual, and that discipling the nation begins with the cleansing water of baptism in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Respectfully Submitted For the Committee, Andrew Schep Members: David Carson, Chairman Aubrey Ayer Andrew Schep The report of the Committee to Consider Communication 97-10 regarding the special resolution from the Japan Presbytery was taken up. It was agreed to take the recommendations as a whole. Items 1 -9 were adopted. The report as a whole was approved and is as follows: COMMITTEE RESPONSE TO PAPER 97-10 The Petition of the Japan Presbytery asks for assurances in the following areas from the Synod of 1997: 1. The Japan Presbytery wishes to be assured of the continuing commitment of the RPCNA to the Japan Mission. The Japan Mission Field consists of the Japan Presbytery and the Covenanter Book Room work. 2. The Japan Presbytery wishes to have the RPCNA send and support long term missionaries, trained in the Japanese language, to help in the work in Japan. 3. The Japan Presbytery recognizes the importance of the Kobe Theological Hall, and desires the assistance of missionaries as theologians and educators. KTH is supervised by the Japan Presbytery. 4. The Japan Presbytery requests a formal covenant between the Synod of the RPCNA (FMB) and the Japan Presbytery. 5. Finally, the Japan Presbytery expects formal and written communications between the Foreign Mission Board and the Japan Presbytery as they work together for the Japan Mission. The five items above summarize the concerns of the Petition of Paper 97-10, as we understand them. Also included within the Petition of the Japan Presbytery to the Synod of 1997 are references to the following Church bodies which have influenced the work in Japan: I.) Synod 2.) Japan Mission 3.) The Board of Foreign Missions and 4.) the Japan Presbytery. Absent from the Petition is any reference to the Japan Commission which functioned alongside the FMB until the formation of the Japan Presbytery in 1995. In responding to the Petitions of Paper 97-10 your committee makes the following observations:
REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF NORTH AMERICA 83 1.) A combination of changes have upset the Japanese Churches. These changes are the departure of the Leach Family from Japan, the early retirement of Paster Masunaga due to illness, the deposition and excommunication of Pastor Youn, the Kobe earthquake, the departure of the Sterrett Family to Cyprus, new leadership on the Foreign Mission Board, the possible retirement of Pastor Gene Spear, the establishment of the Japan Presbytery, the declining of two calls from the Japan Presbytery by Pastor Miwa; and the fact that although the FMB has tried to find missionaries to go to Japan, no pastors have as of this report come forward to serve. When ineffective communications between leaders is added to these changes, the Synod can understand some of the reasons for the Petitions in the Paper 97-10. 2.) Because of a number of hours of face to face conversation between Pastor Takiura and the Foreign Mission Board, a number of the concerns in the Petition Paper 97-10 have been addressed. Your Committee has greatly benefited from several hours of conversation with members of the FMB, Pastor Takiura, and people well acquainted with the Japan Church. Your Committee acknowledges the help of many people in this response. Two documents attached to this report may also be helpful to the Synod. The first is an agreement already entered into by Kobe Theological Hall and the Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary. The second is a written summary by the FMB of a lengthy conversation between Pastor Takiura and the Foreign Mission Board which took place at this Synod. This paper of two pages speaks to a number of questions and concerns found in Paper 97-10. Other questions not answered in paper from the FMB will be addressed specifically in this Report. One issue your Committee considers very important is the status of the relationship between the RPCNA Synod, the Foreign Mission Board, and the Japan Presbytery. The relationship has changed as follows: Before the formation of the Japan Presbytery, the affairs of the Church in Japan were governed by the Foreign Mission Board, and the Japan Commission. The Japan Commission was made up of ordained missionary personnel and pastors and elders from each congregation in Japan. The members of the Commission were appointed annually by the Synod. The Foreign Mission Board was made up of Christians in America elected to the Board by the Synod of the RPCNA. There were in essence two governing bodies under this system. The missionaries on the field related to each governing body in very specific ways. Nearly all of the missionaries operated under the Japan Commission. Women missionaries and short term missionaries also operated under the Japan Commission. The Commission gradually accepted more and more responsibility as the Japanese Church developed. The FMB and the Mission Association gradually reduced their oversight of the Japan Mission. At the time of the formation of the Japan Presbytery the Commission was aaing in many ways as a presbytery.
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