The Chairman requests Synod to sing Hymn 11:1, 2, reads Scripture at Malachi 3:1-12 and leads in prayer. All delegates are present.

Delegates from Launceston request item 4 of the Classis Formation previously decided on be revisited.

Upon listening to the reasons presented synod decides to allow further discussion and on possible revision of item 4.

Proposal:

4. Synod decide to establish a boundary for the division of Classes into Classes A and B with newly instituted churches added in such away so that Classis remain nearly equal.

Committee 3 proposal:

5. To adopt the italicised portion of Article 45 Church Order so that it reads: "... Each consistory shall delegate one minister and one elder to Synod..."

This allows all the churches to maintain contact with each other, which is still possible while our churches are relatively few in number.

A counter proposal is presented:

5. As long as there are two classes each classis shall delegate three ministers and three elders.

Owing to the smallness of the bond of churches a synod shall have a minimum of 12 members.

Amendment to proposal:

To replace the words "three ministers and three elders" in the proposal by the words "four ministers and four elders". In the ground "12" is replaced with "16".

The new counter proposal now reads:

5. As long as there are two classes each classis shall delegate four ministers and four elders.

Owing to the smallness of the bond of churches a synod shall have a minimum of 16 members.

Committee 3 presents proposals 6 to 9 (see articles 36 and 41)

6. To reimburse the travelling costs of the churches for classes, pulpit exchanges, and church visitations from the synodical treasury.

A cost sharing arrangement is necessary because otherwise Classis North would have to bear the burden of travel costs between Tasmania and Perth on its own.

Counter Proposal: to delete proposal 6.

The original proposal is then presented.

Counter proposal:

6. Concerning travelling cost if necessary classes can ask for reimbursement from the synodical treasury.

A cost sharing arrangement may be necessary because otherwise Classis North would have to bear the burden of travel costs between Tasmania and Perth on its own.

7. To delete the italicised words in the Church Order, as well as the indented sentence at the end of Article 41, and to amend the Ecclesiastical Documents where necessary (Acts 1996, Appendix N).

With the introduction of classes, it is necessary to update the Church Order and the Ecclesiastical Documents to reflect our new situation.

8. To appoint the FRC of Launceston as the convening church of Classis North, and the FRC of Armadale as the convening church of Classis South to host the first classis meetings in October, 2000.

1. Since the Tasmanian delegates have just travelled to the West, it is good to have the first meeting of Classis North in Tasmania. Since the Perth Metro delegates have just travelled to Albany, it is good to have the first meeting of Classis South in the Metro area. The particular churches chosen are first in alphabetical order in those regions.
2. October and April are good months for classis to normally meet. They are neither too close to the beginning of the year, nor too close to the end.

Amendment no 1:

To change the words " host the first classis meetings in October " by the words "host the first classis in August 2000"

Delete ground 2.

Amendment no 2:

Replace the words "in October" by "within next three months".

The original proposal is presented.

9. To leave it in the freedom of the former classis churches whether they deal with outstanding matters presented to them, or pass them on to be dealt with by the classis as a whole. Any matter dealt with by a classis church may be appealed to classis.

In the transition from the former method of church government to a classis model, it is wise to allow the former classis churches discretion in how to deal with outstanding matters presented to them.

The appeal process should not be hindered during the transitional period. At a classis more churches are involved in making a judgment.

1. To thank the deputies for their work done and to discharge them.
2. To pass the report of deputies on to the classes.

Since classes have been formed by this Synod, and since this is a matter for classes, it is proper that this report with all the work done be passed on to classes for their benefit.

Committee 2 presents its proposal for discussion.

Committee 2 takes back the proposal for further consideration.

Agenda item 12.4.2.4 Deputies Report

1. To continue sister relations with the GGRI in accordance with the adopted rules;
2. To continue to visit the Synods of the GGRI subject to available finance;
3. To support the GGRI in a well-considered and responsible way with the intention of building up the reformed character of these churches;
4. To support financially Pilo Njuka and his family to allow Pila Njuka to study at Hamilton and to monitor his progress;
5. To adopt the "Guidelines for Support" and to ask deputies to keep refining these guidelines;
6. To encourage the churches and their members to provide the means of support for the activities of deputies as mentioned in 3 and 4 above;
7. To confirm the decision of deputies to pay from the synodical treasury the travel costs of Reverend Mada Biha; and
8. To send delegates to the next Conference of the Reformed Churches in Indonesia.

1. The Gereja-Gereja Reformasi Indonesia give evidence of continuing faithfulness to the Word of God, maintaining the Reformed Confessions and Church Order.
2. The churches are in a position to support these sister churches in training future leaders and building up the congregations. For this reason, visits to the Gereja-Gereja Reformasi Indonesia are in place also.
3. Synod 1998 decided to support financially Pila Njuka and his family to enable him to study at Hamilton. This commitment should continue, subject to satisfactory progress.
4. Previous deputies reports had mentioned problems relating to providing support and guidelines will be beneficial.
5. Since the Conference of Reformed Churches in Indonesia will discuss important matters, including theological training which concerns us, it is good to send delegates.

Synod is reopened in evening session. The Chairman asks Synod to sing Psalm 102: 5,6,10,11.

Acts Article 18 to 34 are adopted.

Agenda Item 12.4.2.4 Deputies Report

1. To continue to visit the synods of the GGMR subject to finance;
2. To support the GGMR in a well considered and responsible way with the intention of building up the reformed character of these churches;
3. To monitor and report developments in the GGMR;
4. To provide limited support for Rev Yonson Dethan to ensure continued effective communication with him;
5. To encourage the churches and their members to provide the means of support for the activities of deputies as mentioned in 2 and 4 above.

1. The churches are in a position to help the GGMR develop in a reformed manner and building up the congregations. For this reason, visits to the Gereja-Gereja Musyafir Reformasi are in place also.
2. The GGMR needs to be stabilised before recommendations regarding sister church relationships can be considered.
3. Rev Yonson Dethan has in the past been supported by the FRCA for theological training and it is appropriate to continue the support in a limited but meaningful manner.

Synod decides to accede to Rev van Rongen’s request to use a copy of the Acts to enable him to publish a supplement to his book on the Church Order and standing decisions of synods of the FRCA

Agenda item 9.3 Byford’s appeal on Article 122 re the Law

Committee 2 presents a revised proposal.

To deny Byford’s request to judge that Art 122 Decision 1 is "not a fully consistent and logical result of the evaluation as mentioned in the Acts."

Byford argues on the premise that the judgment "not in accordance with Scripture and confession" is "much clearer, stronger and more direct" than the judgment "distorts the full biblical message". This premise is faulty since Scripture teaches that twisting or distorting the gospel message is also most serious (cf 2 Peter 3:16). Furthermore, a distorted view is itself "contrary to Scripture and confession" as the evaluations 1-4 of Synod 1998 make clear.

To deny Byford’s appeal to judge that Synod Launceston 1998 in Art 122 made a wrong decision in accepting the unpublished book of Rev F J van Hulst merely as background information.

"In order to do full justice to the doctrinal matters raised in the correspondence between Legana and Rev van Hulst", the Church of Legana requested Synod "to take on board as an appendix to its request dated 20 May 1998 Rev van Hulst’s book De Achillespees van het Calvinisme" (letter from Legana to Synod dated 28 May 1998). With this request, Legana did not ask Synod to do a complete examination of the book itself. The purpose of submitting a copy of the unpublished book was simply to ensure that any necessary background information was legally on Synod’s table.

Not to accede to Byford’s proposal that in addition to and in correction of the decisions of Synod Launceston Art 122, the appended teachings of Rev van Hulst about the law are not in accordance with Scripture and confession.

The purpose of further examination of Rev van Hulst on the law was to assist Legana in the pastoral care of the congregation. Synod’s investigation was sufficient to satisfy the church of Legana.

Byford pursues correction and clarity because they "are of the opinion that our congregations and the churches in general are in need of clear and scriptural guidance by our major assembly". If Byford needs assistance in matters concerning the law, the manner of obtaining this assistance is not through appealing a decision with which Legana is satisfied, but rather by submitting their own specific request.

Not to forward this evaluation to Rev van Hulst, the consistory of his own group and to the consistories of the churches in Launceston and Legana.

Synod has decided not to accede to Byford’s request to add further judgments regarding the teachings of Rev van Hulst.

Last modified: July 10, 2000