Covenanter Witness Vol. 86 - Rparchives.org

1. The Minutes of Synod, 19702. The Constitution of the ReformedPresbyterian Church(a) Confession of Faith Chapt.31, page 53(b) Declaration and TestimonyChapt. 23, page 191(c) Church GovernmentChapt. 11, page 266One of the first meetings of leadersin the New Testament Church is recordedin the 15th chapter of Acts. While themeeting cannot be called a "synod" in thesense in which it is used today, it was acouncil where representatives of thechurch met to consider matters pertainingto doctrine and practice. The meeting wasPresbyterian in the sense that it wascomposed of apostles and elders who hadbeen chosen to hold office. There was adifference of opinion among members ofthe church concerning circumcision and ofmeats which had been offered to idols. Toresolve the problem, the leaders met to tryto determine what God's will might be.They sought the guidance of the HolySpirit, for in Acts 15:8 we read, "It seemedgood to the Holy Ghost and to us .. . ." It isto be noted that a decision was reachedand a declaration was made by James, thespokesman for the council. It is alsosignificant that the decision of the councilwas binding upon all the members of thechurch.The passage in I Corinthians setsforth the truth that all Christians are a partof the Body of Christ, which is the Church.The members of the church have differinggifts and these gifts are to be used in amanner that will bring honor to Christ andHis Church. The Synod of our church ismade up of ministers and elders who havebeen chosen to serve by reason of the factithat they have certain gifts andqualifications which are set forth in(Scripture. These qualifications are clearlystated in I Timothy 3:1-7. They are thejelected representatives who are chargedwith transacting the business of the church.Every session of Synod opens and^closes with prayer, in the name of Christ,who is the Head of the Church. Themeetings are conducted in a solemn,dignified manner, with special attentionbeing given to the Rules of Synod, whichare set forth in the "Book of ChurchGovernment," chapter 12.At the meeting of Synod, reports areIreceived from each of the standing boardsand committees of the church. Thesereports give information about work which.has been carried out, about problemswhich may have been encountered andusually give something of the plan of action! for the coming year. Sometimes a board orcommittee may present a specialresolution for action by Synod, such as tnatt presented last year by the Foreign MissionMAY 12, 1971Board concerning work in Taiwan.(Seel970 Minutes of Synod, pages 102-103)In order to facilitate the work ofSynod, the moderator appoints thefollowing committees: Nominations,Finance, Judicial, Records of Presbyteries,Resolutions, and Time and Place. Thesecommittees work during the meeting ofSynod and report before its close. Thereare also special committees which havebeen assigned to study particular subjects.These committees are usually appointed bythe previous Synod, but sometimes acommittee may be working on itsassignment for a period of years. A partiallist of the special committees to report atthe 1971 Synod, may be found in connectionwith the Report of theNominations Committee, 1970 Minutes ofSynod, page 107.Some other items which may comebefore Synod include, (a) MemorialService for ministers, minister's wives,missionaries, and elders who have diedsince the last meeting of Synod, (b) Thesetting up of the Church's financial budgetfor the next calendar year, (c) Hearing theReports of Presbyteries, (d) The hearing ofappeals which may come concerning theactions of a presbytery, (e) The exercise ofchurch discipline, (f) Consideration of anyproposed changes in the Standards of theChurch, (g) Hearing fraternal delegatesfrom other churches or organizations.Synod is that which has been writtenabove and much more. Space forbids goinginto detail. The Synod is the highest courtof our church. The decisions which aremade and the programs which areinitiated, may well determine the growthand witness of the Church asit goes forthbearing the precious seed. The decisions ofSynod directly affect each member of thechurch, and they may also have an effectupon the course of history in our nationand the world.Special Items For Prayer1. For the retiring moderator, as hegives the opening sermon, and for the newmoderator who will be chosen.2. For the standing boards andcommittees of Synod (Minutes pages 157-160).3. For the special committees (Min.Synod, page 107).4. For the Co-ordinating Committee,asit hears requests for money and sets upthe Budget for 1972.5. For congregations that may nothave a representative at Synod.6. That the Holy Spirit will direct inevery decision, and that a spirit ofChristian love will always be evident.7. That each congregation may feelthat through its elected representatives, ithas a voice in the decisions of Synod.ESSENTIAL FEATURESOF A CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHYOF EDUCATIONIn a Christian high school, English,mathematics, history, science, foreignlanguages and physical education aretaught, even as they are in the publicschools. Does then the adding of a coursein Bible make the difference between asecular and a Christian school? Certainlynot!If this were the case,it would be farless expensive to let the state furnish ouryouth with education in the first coursesmentioned and then have the church,following the regular school hours, teachthe Bible. Both the Jews and the Mormonsare following this plan.The problem is not solved as easily asthis. Youth then would still be subjected toa secular education which rejects God.This, of course, we are trying to get awayfrom.A Christian high school, ifit is to betruly Christian, must hold to the following:1. It must recognize that God is theCreator and that all Truth finds its origin inHim.2. It must hold to the fact of the Fallof man into sin and that the whole race issinful and seeking its own ways rather thanGod's. To hold to this fact is importantbecause if man has not sinned, he thenneeds no Savior from sin. He is thencapable of directing his own ways.3. It holds to the fact that educationcannot elevate man morally and spiritually.Rather this can be only by a new life impartedthrough the "new birth." A streamof water will never rise higher than itssource. Likewise, education by itself canonly lead man as high as he is, but this isnot high enough. To be accepted of Godwe must have His righteousness.4. Christian education will seek tohelp the individual (who is saved) bringharmony into his life which was disruptedby the influence of sin. To accomplish this,every course that is taught, every counselingsession, and every administrativeprocedure will be from a God-centeredpoint of view.5. Christian education includes as itsresponsibility the development of youthspiritually as well as physically, socially,and mentally. Secular schools assumeresponsibility only for the latter three. .(From the Western Voice)HOW TO CONVERT NOBODYToo much modern preaching is designed toplease everybody, offend nobody and sendpeople home feeling that "day by day inevery way they are getting better andbetter." Such preaching never converted asingle soul nor changed and transformed asingle life.13