Reformed Presbyterian Minutes of Synod 1995 - Rparchives.org

REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 135However, no specific rules applying to this situation can be found in theConstitution.A motion to re-consider the overture tally of the 1994 Synodand to declare the expression of the overture to be the law and orderof the church was presented.The motion was ruled out of order by the parliamentarians. Theruling of the parliamentarians was brought into question. Synodsustained the ruling of the parliamentarians.By more than a two-thirds vote, the following motion wasconsidered by the Synod:Whereas we believe that the abstinence clause of ordination query #8 isnot part of the New Testament description of the characteristics of elders andgoes beyond the testimony of the church,and whereas a number of synods have voted to change this abstinenceclause to bringit into conformity with the Word of God,and whereas a majority of elders has repeatedly voted to change thisclause, while a minority of sessions has resisted reformation of ordinationquery #8,be it resolved by the Synod of 1995 that ecclesiastical discipline andexclusion from office be suspended for all who take exception to theabstinence clause of Query #8 for conscience's sake, provided that theycommit themselves to Christian sobriety and love for the brethren and thepeace of the church.James Carson led the court in prayer.The resolution was adopted.Bruce Parnell, Roy Blackwood, Don Birdsall, Andy McCrackenand Sam Boyle asked that their dissents to this action be recorded.The time was extended to complete the agenda.It was moved and seconded that the special resolution regardingthe suspension of discipline and exclusion from office be reconsideredand that we proceed to a vote without debate. The question wasdivided. Synod agreed to reconsider the resolution. Synod agreed todebate the resolution. After debate, the resolution was againadopted.Robert McCracken, Tim McCracken, Barry York, Mel Martin,Ken McBurney, Wade Mann, Harold McCrory John Smith, JackBaumgrtner, Scott McBurney, Ray Morton, Robert McMillan, JohnEdgar, Curtis Porter, Harold Faris, John Mitchell Jay Worsham, JerryO'Neill, Jim Wright and Bruce Adams recorded their dissents to thisaction. The dissents recorded before re-consideration were declaredto continue to stand.The chairman of the Committee to revise the Directory ForWorship brought the following recommendation which was approvedand is as follows: