Reformed Presbyterian Minutes of Synod 1947

REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 117The plan foUows:PLAN OF COOPERATION BETWEEN THE CHURCHOF SCOTLAND IN PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND ANDTHE REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OFNORTH AMERICA.Owing to common beliefs and methods of worship, based uponthe Westminster Standards, shared by the Church of Scotland inPrince Edward Island and the Reformed Presbyterian Church ofNorth America, we deem it desirable that some appropriate affiliationbe established between these two denominations.In order to establish a basis of cooperation, we suggest thefollowing plan of action:1. Each denomination shall maintain its separate identity, withseparate charters, boards committees, etc.2. Ministers of both churches shall be free to present the doctrinesof the Word of God as interpreted by the Westminster Standards,with the provision that they shall not interfere with the distinctivebeliefs of the denomination to which thiiy minister.3. Ministers and their ministry shall be interchangeable, except inthe actual administration of the sacraments.4. The denominations shall cooperate in such matters as supportingmissions and providing a ministry commensurate with the needs.5. This plan shall become effective when approved and adopted byboth denominations, and shall continue as long as both partiescomply with the conditions.To meet the needs of an aggressive and enlarged program weneed an enlarged leadership. Our ministry in the United States andCanada numbers one hundred and five. Of these sixty-one are pastorsand stated supplies over seventy-eight congregations and missionstations, nineteen are engaged in church work, nine are in otherwork and sixteen are inactive. Our present seminary enrollment istwo. Not for many years has there been such a desperate need forleaders. I feel it keenly in ministering to the small and weak congregations.If, as some suggest, I should go to any given station andwork for several months to build it up, where shall I find a ministerto keep it built up ? If, as some suggest, work is begun in newlocalities and a nucleus of a new congregation be formed, who shallcarry on the work so started? When vacant congregations ask mewhere to get a pastor, what have I to tell them except, "Call a manfrom a congregation or from the general work of the church"? Andlet it be accepted that the men in the general work of the churchshould be as truly open to be called as are those now in the pastorate.I wish to record my thanks, first to the Heavenly Father forall His mercies and blessings, for graciously supplying all our needs,for blessings in the home and by the way. That God hears andanswers prayer has been most manifest to me during the past year.Over and over again He has answered "exceeding abundantly aboveall that we ask or think." I also ask His forgiveness through JesusChrist for all my failures and my sins.Second, I thank the congregations where I was asked to minister,the homes whose hospitatlity I richly enjoyed, and the pastors whose