ACTS OF SYNOD WHEATON 2018 ELEVENTH SYNOD OF THE UNITED REFORMED CHURCHES IN NORTH AMERICA JUNE 11-15, AD 2018 Convened by the Consistory of Oak Glen United Reformed Church Lansing, Illinois at Wheaton College, Wheaton, Illinois Revision 1 Table of Contents Minutes ............................................................................................................... 1 Materials A. Provisional Agenda ............................................................................... 109 Report of the Convening Consistory ................................................. 112 Supplemental Report of the Convening Consistory ........................ 118 Appendix 1 – Stated Clerk’s Report ................................................... 120 Supplemental Report of the Stated Clerk .......................................... 126 B. Financial Matters U.S. Treasurer’s Reports 2016 Financial Report ................................................................... 128 2017 Financial Report ................................................................... 135 Synod Wyoming 2016 Financial Report ..................................... 142 Canadian Treasurer’s Reports 2016 Reports including JVA Report .......................................... 143 2017 Reports including JVA Report ........................................... 150 C. Overtures Classis Central U.S. 1. Add New Material on Appeals to Church Order as an Appendix ................................................................................ 158 2. Adopt “Marriage Affirmation and Gospel Testimony” ............................................................................................ 159 3. Amend CO Article 64 Regarding Membership Departure ............................................................................................ 164 4. Classical Rotation for Hosting Synods .............................. 168 Classis Eastern U.S. 5. Affirm URCNA Teaching on Marriage ............................ 169 6. Adopt an Appendix to the CO on Church Planting and Missions .................................................................................. 172 7. Establish a Second Missions Coordinator Position ........ 176 8. A Nomination for the Position of Domestic Missions Coordinator ........................................................................... 180 9. Electronic Publication of the Trinity Psalter Hymnal ..... 184 Classis Michigan 10. Adopt “Marriage Affirmation and Gospel Testimony” ............................................................................................ 186 Classis Ontario-East 11. Appoint Statistician .............................................................. 192 Classis Pacific Northwest 12. Adopt “Marriage Affirmation and Gospel Testimony” ............................................................................................ 200 Classis Southwestern Ontario 13. Amend CO Article 47 .......................................................... 205 Classis Southwest U.S. 14. Amend CO Article 55 .......................................................... 208 Classis Western Canada 15. Amend CO Articles 55 & 64 Regarding Membership Departure ............................................................................... 209 D. Appeal Appeal 1 ............................................................................................ 216 E. Communication Communication 1 .................................................................................. 224 F. Reports of Committees 1. Committee for Ecumenical Contact with Churches Abroad (CECCA) ......................................................................................... 225 2. Committee for Ecumenical Relations and Church Unity (CERCU) ......................................................................................... 269 3. Liturgical Forms Committee ........................................................ 301 4. Missions Committee ...................................................................... 305 5. Psalter Hymnal Committee .......................................................... 339 6. Web Oversight Committee ........................................................... 340 7. Oversight Consistory for the Website Oversight Committee . 351 8. Study Committee on Appeals ...................................................... 353 9. Report of Presbyterian and Reformed Joint Commission on Chaplains and Military Personnel (PRCC) ................................. 378 10. Canadian Board of Directors ....................................................... 381 11. United States Board of Directors ................................................ 386 G. Remarks by Ecumenical Observers and Fraternal Delegates ......... 389 H. Index of Advisory Committees ........................................................... 409 I. General Index ......................................................................................... 412 ACTS OF SYNOD WHEATON 2018 ELEVENTH SYNOD OF THE UNITED REFORMED CHURCHES IN NORTH AMERICA JUNE 11-15, A.D. 2018 Convened by Oak Glen United Reformed Church, Lansing, Illinois at Wheaton College, Wheaton, Illinois Monday, June 11, 2018 Evening Session ARTICLE 1 The brothers gather at Wheaton College, convening for an inaugural prayer meeting. This historic gathering unites in Scripture, prayer, and song the delegates from both the Orthodox Presbyterian Church and the United Reformed Churches in North America. Afterward, the men from both federations, along with their guests, adjourn for a time of food and fellowship. ARTICLE 2 The chairman pro tem, Elder Fred Colvin of Oak Glen United Reformed Church in Lansing, Illinois, calls the meeting to order. Rev. Kevin Hossink leads the opening devotional. He reads Psalm 11, leads in prayer, and calls the delegates to sing the hymn, How Firm A Foundation, from the new Trinity Psalter Hymnal. ARTICLE 3 The chairman pro tem welcomes all delegates, guests, and visitors. ARTICLE 4 The chairman pro tem calls the roll, which reveals that the following delegates are present: 1 Abbotsford, BC Immanuel Covenant Elder Ed Reformed Church Minderhoud Elder Richard Meyer Alto, MI Grace United Reformed Rev. Michael Schout Church Anaheim, CA Christ Reformed Rev. Dr. Kim Church Riddlebarger Rev. Brad Lenzner Apple Valley, CA High Desert United Rev. Tom Morrison Reformed Church Aylmer, ON Bethel United Reformed Rev. Jeremy Church of Aylmer Veldman Elder Dave Knaap Beecher, IL Faith United Reformed Rev. Ruben Sernas Church Elder Randall Swets Belgrade, MT Belgrade United Rev. Paul Reformed Church Lindemulder* Elder Jared Black* Bellingham, WA Bellingham United Rev. Benjamin Reformed Church Davenport Elder Todd Kooiman Boise, ID Cloverdale United Rev. Russell Herman Reformed Church Elder Michael Orr Boise, ID Dayspring Reformed Rev. Jonathan Van Church Hoogen Elder Al Crager Bowmanville, ON Salem United Reformed Elder Wim Vogel Church Elder Paul Lawton Brampton, ON Hope Reformed Church Rev. John Bouwers Elder Bruce Vrieling 2 Brantford, ON Living Water Reformed Rev. Greg Bylsma* Church Rev. Daniel Ventura* Brantford, ON Redeeming Grace Elder Ewout De Reformed Church Gelder Elder Andrew De Visser Brockville, ON Bethel United Reformed Rev. Pete Van’t Hoff Church Elder Henk Cazemier Burlington, WA Burlington United Rev. Mark Stewart Reformed Church Elder Ashley Sybrandy* Byron Center, MI Covenant United Rev. Greg Lubbers Reformed Church Elder Eric Van Der Molen Caledonia, MI Trinity United Rev. Brian Vos Reformed Church Elder Dennis Schreur Calgary, AB Bethel United Reformed Rev. Keith Davis Church Elder Michael Visser Cape Coral, FL Trinity Reformed Rev. Stephen Church Wetmore Elder Wayne Morosco Carbondale, PA Covenant Reformed Rev. Richard J. Church of Carbondale Miller Charlottetown, United Reformed PEI Church of PEI Chino, CA First United Reformed Rev. Bradd Nymeyer Church Elder Peter Nanninga 3 Coopersville, MI Eastmanville United Rev. Jephthah Nobel Reformed Church Elder Ike Spriensma De Motte, IN Immanuel United Rev. Nathan Reformed Church Brummel Elder Mark Van Der Molen Des Moines, IA Providence Reformed Rev. Jody Lucero Church Elder Cody Ellens Doon, IA Doon United Reformed Rev. John Vermeer Church Elder Brad Hofman Dunnville, ON Grace Reformed Rev. Henry Van Olst Church Elder Rick Elgersma Dutton, MI Dutton United Elder Rick Wierenga Reformed Church Elder Jerry Lobbezoo Dyer, IN Redeemer United Rev. Jacques Roets Reformed Church Rev. Dr. Cornelis Venema Edmonton, AB Cornerstone United Rev. Bill Pols Reformed Church of Elder Peter Wright Edmonton Escondido, CA Escondido United Rev. Stephen Reformed Church Donovan Elder Steve Howerzyl Fresno, CA Covenant United Elder Vladimir Reformed Church Mikulesku Grand Prairie, AB Covenant Reformed Rev. William Van Church der Woerd Grand Rapids, MI Sovereign Grace United Rev. Mitchell Dick Reformed Church 4 Grand Rapids, MI Walker United Rev. Corey Dykstra Reformed Church Elder Jim Kooyer Hamilton, ON Rehoboth United Rev. Steven Swets Reformed Church Elder Louis Andela Hills, MN Hills United Reformed Rev. Alan Camarigg Church Elder Steve Vis Holland, MI Faith United Reformed Rev. Matthew Church Nuiver Elder Russ Vande Griend Hudsonville, MI Cornerstone United Rev. Phil Vos Reformed Church Elder Bruce Nelson Jenison, MI Bethel United Reformed Rev. Jason Tuinstra Church Rev. Steve Postma Jordan, ON Immanuel United Rev. Ernest Reformed Church Langendoen Elder Albert Brouwer Kalamazoo, MI Covenant United Rev. Phillip Reformed Church Stoffregen Elder Myron Rau Kalamazoo, MI Immanuel