Reformed Presbyterian Minutes of Synod 1993

142 1993 MINUTES OF THE SYNOD OF THEcongregations within them, and related conespondence from two elderswho were members of one or the other of the two presbyteries. Thechairman prepared and sent out an "Initial Approach and Proposal"statement, which contained a bibliography of Confession and Testimonystatements and recent actions recorded in several of Synod's Minutes.Most importantly, the committee was charged with the responsibility forearnest prayer that in the face of what has appeared to be an insolubledilemma, God would use our work to lead Synod and the Church to asolution which will bring unity, direction and joy, and will allow ourbeloved Church to move on to vital denominational concerns needing itsearnest attention.The committee held its one on-site meeting in Colorado Springs, Colo.,on March 22-23,1993, during which time all fiveappointees were present.Attached to this report, the committee is presenting, unanimously, one setof recommendations. In discussing the doctrinal controversies involved,we discovered two procedural questions, especially revolving around:1. The question of whether the ordination vows are part of the "fundamentallaw" of the Church, or whether they are attached to it. (See theConstitution, Title Page, where the "Standards subordinate to the Word ofGod, the Confession of Faith, the Larger and Snorter Catechisms, theTestimony, the Directory for Church Government, the Book ofDiscipline,and the Directory for the Worship of God' are listed, and then these wordsare added, "Together with Official Vows and Forms"). Your committee,on the basis of precedence (see 7959 Minutes, p. 119, Para. 1) proceededon the assumption that ordination vows are indeed a part of the "fundamentallaw." We address this matter no further. 2. The question of who votesin overtures. Our investigation indicated that there remains some confusionon this matter (though Synod has approved certain policies in the past[7975 Minutes, pp. 84-85]). We are bringing a recommendation regardingovertures to try to remove any confusion and clarify the procedure.HISTORICAL REVIEWSynod should be reminded of the amazing amount of time,energy, andcost which the question of total abstinence, applied to the whole membershipof the denomination, or applied to its ordained officers only, hasrequired of the church courts. A brief historical review of the earlier periodin the Church is noted below. In the last twenty years the debate hasintensified. In addition to the papers presented, investment of committeestudy, reports written, and overtures sent down, one congregation left thedenomination in part over these issues. Members of Synod may study thesereferences in recent Synod Minutes and in the Confession and Testimonylisted in the bibliography at the end of this report.