Reformed Presbyterian Minutes of Synod 1995 - Rparchives.org

150 MINUTES OF THE SYNOD OF THEREPORT OF THE COMMITTEETO REVISE THE DIRECTORY FOR WORSHIPIn response to a paper from the Ohio-Illinois Presbytery, the 1990Synod instructed your Committee to revise the Directory for Worship. Thethrust of the paper as well as the discussion on the floor of Synod pointed usin the direction of using the present Directory as a basis for making currentapplication of the Biblical principles of worship.The Committee presented a proposed revision to the Synod of 1991.Both in correspondence and in discussion on the floor of Synod, there wasconcurrence that we should not merely update the wording of the document,but also incorporate a tone which would more positively express thereverence and joy and thanksgiving of our approach as we respond to ourGod's gracious call to worship. The Synod approved this approach, and theCommittee was asked to bring in another Revision of the Directory. Wewere also asked to include an explanation of what constitutes worship andnon-worship situations or activities in the use of the Psalms; since decisions ofthe 1972 Synod relate to these distinctions, it was recommended that weincorporate material which was approved by that Synod.Subsequent revisions were brought to both the 1993 and 1994 Synods.We have followed the precedent of the Committee to Revise the Form ofChurch Government in making the proposed Directory for Worship a manualof definitions, procedures and guidelines for families and congregations intheir family and corporate worship. The proposed Directory upholds thedoctrinal position of the Church regarding worship, but relegates theargumentation of that doctrine to the Westminster Standards and ourTestimony.The initial revision of the Directory of Worship must be approved by atwo-thirds vote of the Synod, and by overture to the sessions of the Church.When approved, the revised Directory is to be received as a subordinatestandard declaring the law and order of the Church. Following its adoption,the Directory may be amended by any Synod by a two-thirds majority vote.If, however, Synod considers that the item before it should have theconsideration and discussion of the sessions, it can by a simple majority votedecide to use the procedure of sending proposed amendments down inoverture. Such amendments must be adopted by a two-thirds vote of theSynod before they can be sent down in overture to the Sessions.At the 1993 Synod there was opportunity for discussion and forrecommendations to the Committee. In 1994, pressure of other businessprevented discussion of the Revision which was brought to that Synod.Members of Synod were asked to send additional recommendations to thecommittee. Four Members of Synod responded: two suggested severalchanges to the 1994 Revision; two suggested a different approach flowingfrom the historical Westminster Directory for Worship.While we know that the Church would like to have the new Directory ForWorship available, and while your Committee would like to complete this taskas soon as possible, we want to have a document which will clearly inform the