ACTS General Synod 1977 OF THE CANADIAN REFORMED CHURCHES COALDALE, ALBERTA Printed By: PREMIER PRINTING LTD., 1249 PLESSIS ROAD, WINNIPEG, MANITOBA R2C 3L9 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Acts of General Synod 1977 ......................................................................................................... 5 Appendices to the Acts of Synod I Three year financial statement of the Board of Trustees of the Theological College................................................................................................... 67 II Report to Synod of the Board of Governors of the Theological College................ 72 III Report to Synod of the Committee on the Church Book (Psalm and Hymn Section) ...................................................................................... 74 IV Report to Synod of the Committee on the Revised Standard Version................. 76 V Report to Synod of the Committee on Correspondence with Churches Abroad .. 80 VI Report to Synod of the Committee on Contact with the Orthodox Presbyterian Church (and letter of the Committee on Ecumenicity and Interchurch Rela­ tions of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, dated April 14,1976)........................ 94 VII Appeal to the Christian Reformed Church............................................................ 102 In d e x 116 THE MEMBERS OF GENERAL SYNOD COALDALE 1977 Front row: Rev. J. Geertsema (2nd clerk), Rev. M, van Beveren (assessor), Rev. W.W.J. VanOene (chairman), Rev. J. Mulder (1st clerk). Middle row: Elder J.G. Feenstra, Elder C. Walinga, Rev. W. Huizinga, Elder H.A. Berends, Elder C. VanSeters, Rev. S. DeBruin, Rev. C. Olij. Back row: Elder B.J. Harsevoort, Elder W.H. Bredenhof, Elder J. DeVos, Rev. D DeJong, Rev. J. Visscher (advisor), Elder J. Bol. ACTS GENERAL SYNOD of the CANADIAN REFORM ED CHURCHES held at COALDALE, ALBERTA MORNING SESSION — TUESDAY NOVEMBER 8,1977 ARTICLE 1 Opening On behalf of the convening Church at Coaldale, Alberta the Rev. J. Visscher calls the assembly to order. He requests to sing from the Book of Praise Psalm 84:1, 6 , reads Ephesians Chapter 1, and leads in prayer. He addresses the delegates as follows: “Esteemed Brothers, On behalf of the convening Church, the Church at Coaldale, I would like to welcome all of you to Southern Alberta, to the first Canadian Reformed Church instituted in this land 27M> years ago, and to the General Synod 1977. We are grateful that you have all arrived safely and we pray that the Lord will bless the work that you have been called upon to do here. You will have to deal with a number of m atters, very few of which are new, but all of which are relevant to the life of the Chur­ ches. Matters pertaining to the Theological College, to relations with other Churches, to the Book of Praise, to the Heidelberg Catechism, to Bible Translations, to the revision of the Church Order, to women’s voting rights and so on, all of these subjects will have to be handled in a wise, discerning and up-building way. And that is not an easy task. Therefore we pray, brothers, and the entire fellowship of the Canadian Reformed Churches prays, that the Lord will give you, to use the words of the apostle Paul, ‘a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him’ (verse 17). May you labour in the awareness that you are here to serve only one Person, and that is the Lord Jesus Christ. It was He whom God the Father raised from the dead and placed at ‘his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come, and he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the Church, which is his body, the fulness of him who fills all in all!’ It is this Lord and Head who has made you office-bearers in His Church and dele­ gates to this Synod. Be faithful to Him. Be dependent on His Spirit. Be mindful of His Word. Do everything to ‘the praise of His glory.’ The Lord bless you and make you a blessing to the Canadian (American) Reformed Churches and so to the Church of all ages.’’ ARTICLE 2 Credentials After Hymn 1 :1 and 2 has been sung the Chairman pro tempore calls upon Elder J. DeVos and Rev. J. Geertsema to examine the credentials. They report that the following delegates are present with proper credentials: From the Regional Synod, East, held September 21,1977: Ministers: J. Geertsema, W. Huizinga, C. Olij, W.W.J. VanOene; Elders: J. Bol, J.G. Feenstra, B.J. Harsevoort, C. Walinga. From the Regional Synod, West, held May 11,1977: Ministers: S. DeBruin, D. DeJong, J. Mulder, M. van Beveren; Elders: H.A. Berends, W.H. Bredenhof, J. DeVos, C. Van Seters. Since both Regional Synods are duly represented by the first delegates, General Synod can be constituted. 5 ARTICLE 3 Moderamen and Constitution The following officers are elected: Chairman: Hev. W.W.J. VanOene First Clerk: Rev. J. Mulder Second Clerk: Rev. J. Geertsema Assessor: Rev. M. van Beveren Synod is declared constituted. ARTICLE 4 Time-schedule; Procedure The Chairman addresses Synod, thanking the brethren for the confidence placed in the officers. He also expresses the gratitude of Synod for the way the convening Church of Coaldale has prepared this Synod: it was evident that Coaldale fulfilled its task with joy and dedication! Synod is adjourned to give the moderamen the opportunity to arrange a time- schedule and to set rules of procedure. After re-opening the following arrangements are adopted: a. Morning sessions 9:00- 12:30, Monday 10:00- 12:30; Afternoon sessions 2:00 - 5:00; Evening sessions 7:00-9:30; Saturday session(s) 9:00 - 12:30. This schedule applies also to meetings of Advisory Committees. If possible, the evening sessions will be used for plenary sessions. b. Mail received after 12:00 noon, Monday, November 14,1977, will not be dealt with by Synod. c. The Press Release will not be published until after Synod has adjourned. d. Motions and amendments shall be submitted in writing. e. The Advisory Committee shall provide each member with a copy of their reports prior to the session in which the matter will be dealt with. f. Also when the Advisory Committees meet, the meetings shall be opened and closed with prayer and thanksgiving in plenary session. g. There will be no smoking during the sessions and during the intermissions in the meeting room. h. Copies of the respective documents will be available for members of Synod, and for visitors at special request. ARTICLE 5 Adoption Agenda After some communications are added to the third Provisional Agenda, it is adopted as follows: 1. Opening on behalf of the convening Church. 2 . Examination of the Credentials. 3. Election of the Officers. 4. Constitution of the Synod. 5. Information from the convening Church. 6 . Adoption of the Agenda. 7. Arrangement of Procedure and Time Schedule, 8 . Incoming Mail: A, Theological College 1. Sixth Annual Report (for the year 1974) by the Board of Trustees to the General Synod and the Board of Governors. 2. Seventh Annual Report (for the year 1975) by the Board of Trustees to the General Synod and the Board of Governors. 3. Eighth Annual Report (for the year 1976) by the Board of Trustees to the General Synod and the Board of Governors. 6 4. Comprehensive Financial Statements for the years 1974,1975,1976. 5. Financial Statement for the year 1976. 6 . The Church at Smithers, B.C., re: standards of admission. 7. The Church at Burlington (Ebenezer), Ontario, re: information flow. 8. The Board of Governors, re: Tri-Annual Report to General Synod. 9. Trustee — A.J. Hordijk, re: salary levels for the Faculty. 10. Proposal Board of Trustees, re: salary of the Faculty and statement of con­ tributions by the Churches. 11. The Church at Hamilton, Ontario, re: standards of admission. B. Correspondence with Churches Abroad 1. Report of the Committee on Correspondence with Churches Abroad, and Addition. 2. The Church at Edmonton, Alberta, re: Contact with Other Churches, Letter of protest re : Article 20 and 64 of the Synod Toronto 1974. C. Book of Praise 1. Psalm and Hymn Section: a. Committee on the Church Book (Psalm and Hymn Section) — Report of activities during the last three years. b. The Church at Brampton, Ontario, re: Book of Praise. 2. Forms Section: a. Report of the Committee for Doctrinal and Liturgical Forms appointed by the General Synod of Toronto 1974. b. The Church at Burlington, (Ebenezer), Ontario, re: Form for the Or­ dination of Missionaries. c. The Classis Alberta - Manitoba, re: Form for the Excommunication of Members who, having not yet made Profession of Faith, are Living in Disobedience (Text for the First Public Admonition). d. The Church at Barrhead, Alberta, re: use of the R.S.V. in the Belgic Con­ fession and the Canons of Dort. e. The Church at Winnipeg, Manitoba, re: adoption draft translation. D. Translation of the Heidelberg Catechism 1. Report of the Committee appointed by the Synod of Toronto 1974. 2. The Church at Barrhead, Alberta, re: recommendations. 3. The Church at Brampton, Ontario, re: recommendations. E. Bible Translations 1 . Report of the Committee on the Revised Standard Version, appointed by Synod Toronto 1974. a. Appendix A — Suggested Improvements. b. Appendix B — Synod Decisions from 1954-1974. 2. The Church at Winnipeg, Manitoba, re: Study Committee on the N.I.V. and N.A.S.B. 3. The Church at London, Ontario, re: Study Committee on the N.A.S.B. 4. The Church at Hamilton, Ontario, re: Study Committee on the N.I.V. and N.A.S.B.