The Chairman invites Synod to sing Psalm 98:1,2, 4, read Malachi 3:16 to 4:6 and leads in prayer

Agenda item 9.14 Proposal from Mt Nasura

To accede to the request of Mt Nasura that deputies be appointed to look into the possibility of having an edition of the Book of Praise printed for the Australian churches. Such an edition would include the Bible references in the prose section from the New King James Version, the particulars of the Australian Churches in the confessions (eg the word Christian) in the Apostles’ Creed and the wording of the Form for Ordination of elders and Deacons as well as the Australian Church Order.

1. An Australian Synod (1996) endorsed the use of the New King James Version as the faithful and reliable translation for use in the churches.
2. With today’s use of computer technology in printing such a special edition of the Book of Praise may be well possible.

Mt Nasura proposes:

Synod add as new article to the Church Order with the title "Indigenous Missionary Ministers of the Word" namely:

For mission work overseas, the churches may call and ordain a person indigenous to the area as a Minister of the word for the extraordinary task of preaching, administering the sacraments and working towards the institution of churches. He shall remain under the discipline and supervision of the sending church. His calling and task as Minister of the Word shall be limited to the area to which he is indigenous and has been called to labour.

Only those persons shall be eligible for ordination in the office of Minister of the Word for this extraordinary task as an indigenous missionary who:

1. Are members of good standing of one of the churches;
2. Have shown evidence of steadfastness in faith;
3. Received favourable approbation of the calling congregation;
4. Satisfied classis (Synod) of the sufficiency of their theological training; and
5. Have been examined by classis (Synod) with respect to their ability and faithfulness to carry out this extraordinary task.

For the ordination, the adopted Form for the Ordination (or Installation) of Missionaries shall be used.

On a point of order, a motion was made to first vote on the proposal of Mt Nasura.

A request from Mt Nasura to add an article to the Church Order to ordain a person indigenous to the area as a Minister of the Word for the extraordinary task of preaching, administration of sacraments and working towards the institution of churches.

Synod decides not to change the Church Order but to add the following rule to those adopted by Synod 1970, Art 47:

iv Regarding indigenous men called to do mission work overseas, and who have not studied at the Theological college of our sister churches, they shall be examined by the classis prior to ordination. Their calling and task as Minister of the Word shall be limited to the area to which they are indigenous.

1. Synod does not deem a change in the Church Order necessary in order to answer Mt Nasura’s request about indigenous ministers.
2. Synod supports the ordination of indigenous ministers so that they can preach the Word and administer the sacraments subject to the successful completion of an examination following of the Church Order.

Articles 35 to 52 are adopted.

Br L van Burgel requests Synod to sing Psalm 46:1,2 and leads in prayer. The Chairman adjourns Synod until Monday at 10.30 am.

Last modified: July 13, 2000