Reformed Presbyterian Minutes of Synod 1993

118 1993 MINUTES OF THE SYNOD OF THEBruce Stewart led in prayer as Synod took recess at 4:30 p.m.THURSDAY, JULY 15,1993,7:00 P.M.Synod reconvened at 7:00 p.m. singing Psalm 122B and being ledin prayer by Ed Hindman.The roll was passed.The minutes of the Thursday afternoon meeting were read andapproved.The report of the Committee to Resolve the Impasse on OrdinationQuery #8 was taken up. Item 5 was amended and adopted as amended.Item 6 was adopted.It was moved, seconded and carried that the following statementconcerning the vote on item 4 of the report of the Committee to Resolvethe Impasse on Ordination Query #8 be included in the Minutes asfollows:While we believe that the Scriptures clearly warn against the danof beverage alcohol, and while we hold that an elder should not use orencourage the use of alcohol or any other mind-altering drugs, and whilewe believe it would be more consistent for the church to maintain this standby keeping present Query #8 we recognize that a majority of our brothersin Synod do not hold this position.Therefore, in order to promote the peace and unity of the church, andto help to resolve the frustration felt because of the impasse on Query #8,we want to record that we abstained from voting on the proposed changesin ordination queries.Bruce C. StewartRobert B. McCrackenRobert McCracken read a further statement on the matter asfollows:In Synod's vote on Recommendation #4,1 chose to abstain from votiand desire to explain my rationale.I could not in good conscience vote for removal of total abstinence fromQuery #8 because I believe the Scripture supports the necessity of thisrequirement for officers in Christ's church in America today.However I felt I could not vote against this recommendation becausedoing so might further complicate the impasse which has divided the