The Chairman asks Synod to sing Psalm 50:7,8 and 10, reads Mark 6:1-23 and leads in prayer.
Synod goes into closed session.

Synod re-opens in open session.

Br H Dekker, as advisor to Synod under rule 5.1, is requested to stand to indicate his agreement to the Three Forms of Unity.

Agenda item 12.4.4.4 Deputies report
Agenda item 12.4.5.2 Supplementary Report of Deputies

To continue sister relations with the Reformed Churches of the Netherlands, requesting deputies to give specific attention to Rules 1 and 2 of the adopted Rules for Sister Relations, viz:

Sister relations shall be used mutually to assist, encourage and exhort one another to live as churches of God in this world;
The churches shall mutually care for each other that they do not depart from the reformed faith in doctrine, church polity, discipline and liturgy;

To mandate deputies to attend the next Synod of the Reformed Churches of the Netherlands;
To expand the deputyship with the appointment of at least two ministers to this deputyship.

While evidence exists in the Reformed Churches of the Netherlands that they strive to be faithful to the Word of God, the Confessions of the Church and the adopted Church Order, evidence also surfaces that require sister churches to take seriously their obligation to be the "brother’s keeper". One thinks here, for example of the adopted Marriage Form, the decision re the Day of Rest, Lord’s Supper celebration in special circumstances, the patronising approach of the Dutch churches towards their historic sister churches in inter-church relations, etc.

Face to face discussions are generally more helpful than communications from a distance. Particularly in moments of need, going the extra mile to offer assistance is the right thing to do.

Doing justice of the concerns expressed above requires more manpower.

An alternative proposal was tabled.

Remove:

(d) "Convey to the PCEA that we were wrong in stating that the RCN does not discuss areas of concern at all with their (presbyterian) sisters" and;

ground 4 "The RCN requests us to retract some statements we made towards the PCEA, ie, that the RCN does not discuss areas of concern at all with (presbyterian) sisters, but just leaves them. In correspondence with our deputies, RCN deputies actually wrote in such a way that one would adopt that conclusion. It is good to stand corrected on this matter, and this correction should be conveyed to the PCEA" from this alternative proposal and to give this mandate to PCEA deputies.

The alternative proposal as amended is presented:

Agenda item 12.4.4.4 Deputies report
Agenda item 12.4.5.2 Supplementary Report of Deputies

To continue sister-relations with the Reformed Churches in the Netherlands according to the adopted Rules for Sister-Relations;

To discharge deputies and to appoint new deputies with the mandate to:

Exercise sister-relations with the RCN according to the adopted rules;
According to the rules, discuss with the RCN deputies some concerns as to the developments within the RCN;
Authorise deputies to attend the next general Synod of the RCN;
Report to next Synod;

To expand the deputyship by one additional minister.

The RCN gives evidence of continuing faithfulness to the Word of God, their Reformed Confessions and the Church Order.

Deputies have pointed out and given some evidence about some specific concerns. These should be addressed, according to the rules.

Personal visits (to Synods) is more helpful than correspondence from a distance. It also improves relations.

The number of items to be studied and discussed increases, and they require exegetical skills. Thus the request for an additional minister is understandable.

Material:

Supplementary report- Letter of deputies BBK

To instruct deputies for the PCEA to convey to the PCEA that we were wrong in stating that the RCN does not discuss areas of concern at all with their (presbyterian) sisters.

Ground:

The RCN requests us to retract some statements we made to the PCEA, ie that the RCN does not discuss areas of concern at all with (presbyterian) sisters, but just leaves them. In correspondence with our deputies, RCN deputies actually wrote in such a way that one would adopt that conclusion. It is good to stand corrected on this matter, and this correction should be conveyed to the PCEA.

Discussion continues on the proposals presented.

The Chairman asked Synod to sing Hymn 2:1-3.

The Acts articles 71 to 83 are approved.

Rev C Bouwman addressed Synod to reply to the greetings given by Rev ter Beek on behalf of the Reformed Churches of Netherlands. The address is attached in appendix.

Agenda item 12.4.2.2 Deputies Report
Agenda item 9.10 FRC West Albany proposal regarding relations with the RCNZ
Agenda item 9.11 FRC Albany proposal regarding relations with RCNZ

Not to accede with the proposals of Albany and West Albany, and to adopt the recommendations of the deputies which read:

To renew the mandate of deputies to strive relations with the Reformed Churches of New Zealand by:

a) Encouraging the RCNZ to study the appeal sent to the RCA in order to understand why the FRCA has principle objections in establishing relations with the RCA and therefore this continues as an impediment to acknowledging the RCNZ,

Continuing dialogue with the RCNZ in particular, to explain why the RCNZ’s relation with the RCA proves to be an impediment.

Authorising two delegates to attend the next Synod of the RCNZ to be held, the Lord willing in 2001, in order to convey greetings, discuss matters or mutual interest with the RCNZ IRC.

Inviting delegates of the RCNZ to our next Synod as observers with the privileges mentioned in rules 6 of our "Rules for Synods" (Acts 1998, Appendix 12).

It becomes evident from the discussions at Synod that there is not a consensus to go forward in our relations with the RCNZ at this time, and therefore Synod decides to adopt the deputies recommendations.

To recognise the Reformed Churches of New Zealand as true and faithful churches of our Lord Jesus Christ.

To offer to enter into a fraternal relationship with the RCNZ according to the following rules:

Fraternal relations shall be used to promote ecclesiastical fellowship with churches with which we do not yet have sister church relations;

The churches shall inform each other of the decisions taken by their broadest assemblies, if possible by sending each other their Acts or their Minutes and, otherwise, at least by sending the decisions relevant to their respective churches (if possible in translation);

The churches shall give account to each other concerning the establishing of relations with third parties;

The churches shall accept one another’s attestations, which also means admitting the members of the respective churches to the sacraments upon presentation of these attestations;

The churches shall give account to each other concerning substantial changes or additions to the confession, church order or liturgical forms;

The churches shall receive each other’s delegates at their broadest assemblies and invite them to sit as fraternal delegates.

To continue to strive for a sister relationship with the RCNZ, recognising that it may take some time for the third party relationship between the RCNZ and the Christian Reformed Churches of Australia (former RCA) to be resolved.

To thank deputies for the work they have done and charge them with the following mandate:

To communicate Synod’s decision to the RCNZ, offering the RCNZ a fraternal relationship under the proposed rules;

To indicate to the RCNZ a willingness to further discuss the nature of a fraternal relationship and/or the proposed rules if they so desire;

To encourage the RCNZ to study the appeal sent to the CRCA in order to understand why the FRCA has principle objections in establishing relations with the CRCA and why this continues to be an impediment to establishing a full sister church relationship with the RCNZ.

To continue dialogue with the RCNZ to explain why the RCNZ’s relation with the CRCA proves to be an impediment;

To authorise two delegates to attend the next Synod of the RCNZ to be held, the Lord Willing in 2001, in order to convey greetings and discuss matters of mutual interest with the RCNZ IRC; and

To invite delegates of the RCNZ to our next Synod as Fraternal delegates with the privileges mentioned in rule 6.2 of our "Rules for Synod" (Acts of the 1998 Synod, Appendix 12).

Deputies have indicated that in doctrine, worship and church government, the RCNZ must be considered a true and faithful church of the Lord Jesus Christ (see Acts of 1996 Synod, art 53). Not acknowledging the RCNZ as true and faithful churches of the Lord Jesus Christ has caused them much disappointment (Deputies report to Synod 2000).

In our contacts with other churches, we basically have two levels of relationship: a corresponding relationship and a sister church relationship. Currently our rules do not allow for any progress in a relationship. The establishment of fraternal relations would allow for the recognition of a church as a true and faithful church of the Lord Jesus Christ, while acknowledging that historical developments may well give cause to stumbling blocks that prevent the establishment of a full sister church relationship (see Acts of the 1985 Synod, Art 67).

The reason for establishing a fraternal relationship with the RCNZ is not to take away from the goal of a full sister church relationship. Rather, it is to serve as a means of accomplishing this goal.

This decision is in line with Synod’s decision to concentrate on relations with churches who are geographically closer to us (see Acts of the 1990 Synod, Art 58).

To agree in principle to the proposal of West Albany, but to postpone the implementation of this decision until next Synod in order to give deputies the opportunity:

to see whether the RCNZ will enter into fraternal relationship with the FRCA;
to elicit and assess responses from the churches regarding this decision;

to consider what changes will need to be made to the CO (eg. Art 57) and other ecclesiastical rules and regulations regarding the establishment of fraternal relations;

To appoint deputies with the new mandate:

Encourage the RCNZ to study the appeal sent to the CRCA in order to understand why the FRCA has principle objections in establishing relations with the CRCA and therefore this continues the impediment to forming sister relations with the RCNZ.
Continue to dialogue with the RCNZ on matters of common concern.
Authorise two delegates to attend the next Synod of the RCNZ.
Invite delegates of the RCNZ to our next Synod.
Keep the churches informed of any developments in the RCNZ.

The delegate from the RCNZ has stated that the RCNZ do not have a second level of inter-church relations.

Although the proposal of West Albany is in accordance with previous Synod decisions which have seen the RCNZ’s relationship with the CRCA as an impediment to sister church relations, and is in agreement with Art 67 of Acts 1985, the churches have not had a great deal of time to interact with West Albany’s proposal since it was submitted to the churches just prior to the closing date for submissions to Synod.

3. Although the proposal of West Albany received the majority of support from the churches, it is the desire of Synod to work towards a greater consensus by ongoing discussion, according to the rules of Synod.

After requesting the Synod to sing Hymn 31:3-5, Rev J Poppe closed in prayer. The Chairman adjourned the Synod until 9.00 am on Thursday.

Last modified: July 16, 2000