PCA HISTORICAL CENTER
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Documents of Synod: Studies of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, Evangelical Synod (1965 to 1982) PROPOSED ACTION RELATING TO "J & R" [160th General Synod Minutes, 11 June 1982; Documents of Synod, pp. 476-477.] WHEREAS, we believe that especially in today's world when secularism is widespread and apostasy is rife in the denominations of our country, it would be a worthy testimony to the Lord if Presbyterian churches loyal to the Scripture and the Reformed faith could present a united front to an unbelieving world, and whereas we believe that a union of like-minded Presbyterian denominations would increase their effectiveness in serving the Lord, and enlarge their fellowship and unity in the Spirit; and WHEREAS, the 158th General Synod of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, Evangelical Synod, by a vote of 157 for and 4 against (95.6%) began consideration of being received into the Presbyterian Church in America, presented to the Reformed Presbyterian Church, Evangelical Synod, in a letter dated June 30, 1980, signed by the Rev. Paul G. Settle, which calls upon the Reformed Presbyterian Church, Evangelical Synod , to ". . . come with us for the purpose of effecting and perfecting one Church among us"; and WHEREAS, the 159th General Synod of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, Evangelical Synod, by a vote of 243 for, 85 against and 4 abstentions (74.1%) began the constitutional process of accepting the invitation by sending it to the presbyteries of the church for their consideration; and WHEREAS, between the 159th and the 160th General Synod of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, Evangelical Synod, the seventeen presbyteries, by a vote of 13 for and 4 against (76.4%) completed the second step of the constitutional process by mandating that the 160th General Synod of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, Evangelical Synod, consider the invitation from the PCA; and WHEREAS, the boards and agencies of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, Evangelical Synod, have determined that there are no insurmountable obstacles to accepting the invitation, and that, in their judgment, those ministries will continue, unimpaired and in some cases enhanced; and WHEREAS, the retained legal counsel has expressed his opinion that the proper use of the Form of Government will make possible the transfer of all fiduciary responsibilities so as properly to maintain those responsibilities while indemnifying the present trustees against charges of irresponsibility; and WHEREAS, the Presbyterian Church in America in its Ninth General Assembly meeting, June 1981, has accepted the report of its Ad Interim Committee (pages 57 - 65, Minutes 159th General Assembly, RPCES), which declares in part: "In receiving these denominations, the Presbyterian Church in America recognizes the history of the respective denominations as part of her total history and receives their historical documents as valuable and significant material which will be used in perfecting the church"; and WHEREAS, the Presbyterian Church in America has proposed presbytery boundaries which apparently are compatible to our ministers and churches; NOW, THEREFORE,
WE RECOMMEND that the 160th General Synod of the Reformed Presbyterian
Church, Evangelical Synod take the final constitutional step in accord
with the Form of Government, chapter VI, section 2, to take effect
at the time of the official announcement of reception by the 10th General
Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America which is scheduled for
1 p.m., Monday, June 14, 1982, to:
[Documents of Synod, pages 476-477.] Back to the Table of Contents of Documents of Synod |