Covenanter Witness Vol. 55 - Rparchives.org

stakes."winning."Recommendations of SynodThe following is a Summaryof thesuggestions passed by the Synod. Readcarefully, consider prayerfullyform faithfully.Coordinating Committeeand perThat the budget for 1955 be set at$120,000.00.Committee on Future Covenanting1. That this year the subject for special studyChurch,"be "The Nature of theand that a series of articleson this subject be published in the Covenanter Witness.2. That Pastors and people be requested to make use of the Brief Covenant one Sabbath each quarter as a partof the morning warship.Jewish MissionThat no action be taken for revival ofa Jewish Mission, and that the funds ofthe mission be used for the liquidationof existing obligations.Bible Reading CommitteeThat the prices for all Readers be increased as follows: single copies 10c,ten or more copies 5c each, one hundredor more 4c each.Temperance Committee1. That pastors be encouraged to continue the practice of preaching at leastone sermon each year on keeping purefrom the use of tobacco and alcoholicbeverages.2. That congregations be commendedfor their promotions of commitment tototal abstinence and for their generousofferings taken on the last Sabbath ofOctober for the work of the committee.3. That the attention of our youth bedrawn to the danger to health involvedin the use of cigarettes.Publication BoardThat each department of the churchgive attention to its public relation obligations, and aim to make its reportsgraphic with photographs, etc.Witness Committee1. That pastors and congregations continue to make the work of the WitnessCommittee a project of prayer, publicity, and financial support, including theChristian Patriot, and the program "TheWay Out."2. That members of congregationswrite letters of commendation to thoseCongressmen who have introduced theChristian Amendment resolutions.August 10, 1955Home Mission and Young People's Secretary1. That a committee be appointed tocarry on the work of preparing Biblestudies and receive suggestions for theimprovement of studies.2. That permission be given to makea special appeal for funds for the Leadership Training Project after the closeof Synod's books and before the nextChurch Budget is set up.3. That we thank God for a growingministry and for the hope of a sufficientministry in the next few years, and thatwe prayand labor to "strengthen ourCommittee on Evangelism1. Be ever busy at the work of "soul2. Use the Bible Study courses prepared by Dr. R. I. Robb and his Committee.3. "Visitation Evangelism"4. Bible Mastery month in January1956 on book of Titus.5. A regular program of teaching theStandards of the Church.Committee on Signs of the Times1. That all members of the church beencouraged to walk worthy of the Lordand to proclaim the truth.2. That the appointed days forThanksgiving be faithfully observed andthat the appropriate day in the weekof prayer be observed as a daymiliation and prayer.Elder's Conferenceof hu1. That Synod appeal for 30 youngmen to enter the ministry in the nextfive years: 5for mission work, 5 forvacant congregations, and 20 for newfields.2. That each congregation hold itsannual meeting as soon as possible afterthe conclusion of its fiscal year in orderto speed completion of the statisticalreport due April 15.3. That each congregation make itsstatistical report balance from year toyear.National Reform1. That pastors, officers and membersof the church be encouraged to assistthe National Reform Association in thedistribution of its literature and in thepromoting of its program locally.2. That each congregation be urged toname a representative from among itsmembers to serve as an agent in securing subscriptions to the Christian Statesman and to handle the distribution ofliterature.3. That pastors and congregationalagents be urged to place copies of Dr.Elliott's Daily Bible Readings in thehands of teachers of the local schools,and also copies of the latest Facts aboutIntoxicating Liquors.4. That all members be urged to participate actively in the Crusade AgainstLiquor Advertisingin this Crusade.and to enlist others5. That congregations be requested tokeep open their pulpits to representatives of the Association and to assist inarranging openings for its speakers intheir communities.6. That the first Sabbath of November be designated for taking the N.R.A.annual offering, and that $10,000 bedesignated as the goal.7. That our people be urged to prayfor the Association and its workers.Oath CommitteeThat the use of the Explanatory Declaration be extended to the Enlistedman's oath in cases of conscientiousscruples.Committee on Church UnionThat negotiations continue with theseseven denominations during the comingyear: Associate Reformed Presbyterian,Associate Presbyterian, Bible Presbyterian, Christian Reformed, ReformedPresbyterian General Synod, OrthodoxPresbyterian, United Presbyterian.Committee on Bible TranslationsThat in view of modern translationsand versions which contain glaring inaccuracies and show a dangerous biastoward heterodoxy, or other translationswhich contain paraphrases rather thantrue translations of the original text,or some which contain irreverent colloquial expressions not in keeping withthe dignity of Bible language, Synodurges the Covenanter Churches to beconstantlyalert to the important matters of accuracy and dignity in Englishtranslations which they use.Committee to consider a paper on theCommunion IssueThat through the year the Covenanter Witness be asked to publish as manyas two selected articles per month ondifferent viewpoints of requirements foradmission to the Lord's Table.Traveling Fund CommitteeThat the Traveling Fund assessmentshould be one dollar per communicantmember for the year 1956.93