Verslag - NG Kerk in Oos-Kaapland

BYLAAG A
BESLUIT VAN DIE VERENIGENDE GEREFORMEERDE KERK IN SUIDER-AFRIKA OOR
STRUKTURELE KERKHERENIGING OP GRONDVLAK
The Gospel of Jesus Christ, the basic tenets of our Reformed faith, the foundational truths of the
Confession of Belhar, and especially our obedience to our Lord compel us to pursue genuine unity
with the DRC family of churches and the churches within the Reformed tradition in all Southern
Africa. On this point Synod believes that our own integrity and faithfulness are at stake.
In order to fulfil this calling and in response to this gift General Synod acknowledges that our method of
pursuing unity through talks at leadership level only has not produced the desired results. We further
believe that the emphasis in our search for unity should be shifted to the levels where it really matters and
where unity can most visibly and most authentically be experienced and realised: that of regional synod,
presbytery, and local congregation.
Therefore General Synod decides to forthwith approve the necessary Church Orderly Regulations (cf.
Reglement: Kombinasie van werksaamhede van gemeentes, ringe en sinodes uit verskillende
kerkverbande, Agenda, p.531-533) to enable Regional Synods, Presbyteries and local congregations who
desire to do so on the basis of the acceptance of the Confession of Belhar, to unite to the fullest extent
possible in ministry, even if structural unity, because of church orderly impediments, is not yet possible.
This General Synod instructs the Permanent Judicial Commission to urgently give attention to the enabling
legislation to make structural union possible.
In doing so, the URCSA will enable authentic unity which will give expression to our own commitment and
obedience to the prayer of Jesus, and in so doing inspire our churches as a whole in our efforts towards the
realisation of full, organic church unity in Southern Africa.
General Synod not only condones such unions, it encourages and supports them wholeheartedly.
Mindful of the charge laid upon us by the Gospel, the Confession of Belhar itself and the Accompanying
Letter to the DRC, General Synod regards these actions as an integral part of the URCSA's pastoral
responsibility on the journey to full, organic church union and instructs its Executive Committee to conduct
all its discussions with the DRC, the DRCA and the RCA within this context.
BYLAAG B
KOMBINASIE VAN WERKSAAMHEDE VAN GEMEENTES, RINGE EN SINODES/KOMMISSIES VAN
SINODES UIT VERSKILLENDE KERKVERBANDE
Kombinasie beteken hier dat twee of meer kerkvergaderinge van verskillende kerkverbande, of
kommissies van kerkvergaderinge, as deel van die soeke na kerklike eenheid in die NG Kerkfamilie,
ten bate van die koninkryk van God en as gelyke deelgenote van mekaar, kontraktuele ooreenkomste
aangaan vir die uitvoering van sekere gemeenskaplike werksaamhede.
5.1 Praktiese en kerkregtelike riglyne
5.1.1 Die aspekte of saak ten opsigte waarvan die partye n kombinasie beoog, moet duidelik omskryf
word.
5.1.2 n Skriftelike ooreenkoms word opgestel wat alle regte, pligte en verantwoordelikhede (insluitende
finansies) van die partye duidelik omskryf.
5.1.3 Die bestaande Reglement 9 wat handel oor Kerklike Eiendomme, Goedere en Fondse, moet by die
opstel van die ooreenkoms in berekening gebring word.
5.1.4 Waar die standplaas of ander pos van n leraar kragtens die beoogde kontrak in gedrang kan kom,
moet Artikel 12 van die Kerkorde in ag geneem word.
5.1.5 Indien dit die bedoeling is dat die gekombineerde liggaam die reg sal hê om sake te hanteer soos
die beroep en indiensstelling van n leraar, moet aspekte soos konstituering, kworumvereistes, wyse van
besluitneming, stemreg, befondsing, verantwoordelikheid vir die standplaas of aanstelling, pensioen,
medies, administrasie ens noukeurig uitgeklaar word.
5.1.6 Die kontrak moet dit duidelik stel dat die daarstelling van die gemeenskaplike doelwitte kragtens die
kontraktuele ooreenkoms, nie die regte en verantwoordelikhede van die kontrakterende
kerkvergaderinge/kommissies kan ophef of tot niet verklaar nie.
5.1.7 Die ooreenkoms kan voor die verstryking van die vasgestelde termyn gewysig of beëindig word
indien die betrokke partye, na wedersydse kennisgewing, in hulle afsonderlike vergaderinge hulle
goedkeuring daaraan heg.
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