MORNING SESSION - TUESDAY, MAY 19, 1998

Article 100

Reopening

The chairman asks that Psalm 81: 1, 2, 3 be sung, reads from 2 John, leads in prayer. Roll call shows that all are present except br. J. Schouten who is absent with notice.

Article 101

Adoption of the Acts

Articles 91 - 99 of the Acts were adopted.

Articles 102 - 104 were dealt with in closed session.

Article 105

Theological College: Board of Governors

Committee IV presents Agenda items I.B.1, II.Z, IV.U

1. MATERIAL

   1. Nominations for the Board of Governors from Regional Synod West, December 2, 1997 and Regional Synod East, November 12, 1997 .

   2. Report of the Board of Governors to General Synod 1998

   3. Letters from Ebenezer Canadian Reformed Church (Burlington-East)

   4. Letter from the Canadian Reformed Church at Lincoln

2. OBSERVATIONS

   1. With respect to the appointments to the Board of Governors, Synod observes:

      1. General Synod 1995 appointed brothers R. Aasman, M. Kampen and J. VanderWoude to the board;

      2. Brother A. VanEgmond, one of the governors of the college passed away, after having served on the board for eight years, and needs to be replaced;

      3. Brothers van Spronsen and Veldkamp have completed their terms as governors and need to be replaced;

      4. The Board of Governors recommends that Synod "appoint, elect, or re-appoint six active ministers to hold office until the next General Synod and to appoint at least three substitutes from each Regional Synod are."

      5. Regional Synod West December 2, 1997 nominated the following ministers to serve as Governors of the Theological College: R. Aasman, J. Moesker , J. Visscher; alternates (in order): R.A. Schouten, W.B. Slomp, E.J. Tiggelaar.

      6. Regional Synod East November 12, 1997 nominated the following ministers to serve as Governors of the Theological College: D.G.J. Agema, W. den Hollander, P.G. Feenstra; alternates (in order): G. Nederveen, P. Aasman, C. Bosch.

      7. The Report of the Governors makes the following recommendations with regard to the Governors who will serve on the Finance and Property Committee:

         1. to re-appoint brother H.J. Sloots as Governor for a term from the date of his re-appointment until the first General synod held after the date of his re-appointment;

         2. to re-appoint the brothers M. Kampen and J. VanderWoude as Governors for a term from the date of their re-appointment until the second General Synod held after the date of their re-appointment;

         3. to appoint the brothers W.Oostdyk and T. VanPopta for a term from the date of their appointments until the third General Synod held after the date of their reappointment (with as alternates the brothers H. van der Velde (for W. Oostdyk) and W. Smouter (for T. Van Popta).

   2. With respect to the appointments to the Board of Governors, Ebenezer Canadian Reformed Church observes that all the ministers nominated by Regional Synod East are due to retire in 2001. They suggest that the Board would be able to perform its duties better if the retirement dates were staggered to ensure more continuity.

   3. The church at Lincoln expresses support for all the appointments proposed by the board.

3. CONSIDERATIONS

   1. In accordance with section 3.04(a) of By-Law Number 1 (as amended by By-Law number 3), General Synod shall appoint or re-appoint six active ministers to the Board of Governors.

   2. In accordance with By-Law Number 1, section 3.04(b), General Synod shall appoint or re-appoint five brothers who are not ministers.

   3. Because the Property and Finance Committee is involved in the general operation of the college, it is advantageous to have those governors live in the vicinity of the Theological College. The proposal to expand the college make this even more important.

   4. Ebenezer Canadian Reformed Church (Burlington-E) is correct when they observe that all ministers nominated by Regional Synod East are due to retire in 2001. According to the by-laws of the College, the Board may "provide for the election and retirement of Governors in rotation, but no such by-law shall come into effect until it has been confirmed by synod." This is a matter that Regional Synod could have addressed. The Board of Governors has not indicated that this is a concern.

4. RECOMMENDATIONS

   Synod decide:

   1. Not to intervene in the matter raised by the Ebenezer Canadian Reformed Church (Burlington-East) with respect to the retirement schedule of ministers from the Board of Governors of the Theological College.

   2. To acknowledge the expiration of the term of office of the brs. C. VanSpronsen and K. Veldkamp with grateful acknowledgement of their labours.

   3. To acknowledge with thankfulness the work that brother A. Van Egmond did as Governor of the college.

   4. To re-appoint as Governors of the Theological College the following active ministers and their alternates: From Eastern Canada: D.G.J. Agema, W. den Hollander, P.G. Feenstra; alternates (in order): G. Nederveen, P. Aasman and C. Bosch.

   5. To re-appoint as Governors of the Theological College the following active ministers and their alternates: From Western Canada: R. Aasman, J. Visscher; and to appoint: J. Moesker. To appoint as alternates (in order): R.A. Schouten, W.B. Slomp, E.J. Tiggelaar.

   6. To re-appoint br. H.J. Sloots as Governor for a term from the date of his re-appointment until the first General Synod held after the date of his re-appointment.

   7. To re-appoint brs. M. Kampen and J. VanderWoude as governors for a term from the date of their re-appointment until the second General Synod held after the date of their re-appointment.

   8. To appoint the brs. W. Oostdyk of Guelph and W. Smouter of Ancaster as Governors for a term from the date of their appointments until the third General Synod held after the date of their appointment (with as alternate for W. Oostdyk, br. H.T. VanderVelde of Attercliffe and as alternate for br. W. Smouter, br. T. VanPopta of Langley).

ADOPTED

It is noted that members of synod appointed to positions above abstained from voting. The discussion re IV H was done in closed session.

EVENING SESSION - TUESDAY, MAY 19, 1998

Article 106

Reopening

The chairman asks that Psalm 104:1, 2 be sung. Roll call shows that all are present.

Article 107

Theological College: Pastoral Proficiency Program

Committee IV presents Agenda Items I.B.1, I.B.3, II.Z, II.BB, IV.O, IV.U, IV.V, IV.Z.

1. MATERIAL

   1. Report of the Board of Governors to General Synod Fergus.

   2. Proposal from the Board of Governors re: Certificate of Pastoral Proficiency.

   3. Letters from the Ebenezer Canadian Reformed Church at Burlington-East, the Fellowship Church at Burlington-South, and the churches at Willoughby Heights, Lincoln, Taber and Elora.

2. OBSERVATIONS:

   1. The current proposal from the Board of Governors is the response to feedback received from students, consistories and ministers expressing the desire for "some more practical orientation" in the program of studies offered at the college. The proposed program is intended especially for those students who have misgivings concerning the nature of the work of the ministry

   2. A proposal for a Certificate of Pastoral Proficiency was submitted to the churches. Ninety percent of the thirty churches that responded were in favour of this proposal. Some of the suggestions that came from the churches have been incorporated into the current proposal. The Board has considered two options: integrate the program into the overall program of the College, or leave it in the jurisdiction of the churches, eg. to be implemented by means of classical deputies.

   3. The Board asks for the proposed certificate to be considered part of the requirements for admission to the ministry as regulated by the Church Order, Art. 4.B.1.

   4. The Board acknowledges that there are still outstanding matters which have to be looked at, but it is of the opinion that they can best be evaluated by the Senate and the Board as the program is implemented.

   5. The Board proposal includes a three month internship added to the regular training, leading to a Certificate of Pastoral Proficiency. This would not be part of the Master of Divinity degree, but an additional notation to the degree, strictly for ecclesiastical purposes.

   6. The Board insists that the professor of diaconiology and ecclesiology should not be burdened with the organization of this program. The Board proposes that it be authorized to appoint an experienced minister to this task. He should be instructed to work in consultation with the professor of diaconiology, and be accountable to the Senate.

   7. The Board has submitted a proposed curriculum to Synod, outlining what would be required of the students in every year of their study. The details of this program are contained in the Proposal to Synod 1998 re: Certificate of Pastoral Proficiency program.

   8. The Board proposes that a coordinator, in consultation with the professor of diaconiology will draw up a list of ministers who can suitably function as designated mentors for students during their terms of internship in a congregation.

   9. The Ebenezer Canadian Reformed Church (Burlington-East) supports the aim of this report, but expresses several reservations regarding the implementation of the program:

      1. The administration structure and the students evaluation procedure is confusing and muddled.

      2. Much of the pastoral work can only be done effectively and legitimately by office bearers.

      3. It is not necessary that students prepare sermon outlines or deliver sermons for this certificate, since sermon outlines are already prepared for the Theological College, and experience in sermon delivery is also possible if a student has preaching consent from classis.

      4. The experience that can be acquired in this program is very limited because it would generally take place in the summer months when ministers take their vacations and consistories are generally less active.

      5. To require that the designated church financially support the student during this internship is not really proper, because there would be little real benefit to the particular church.

      6. The necessity or advisability of having a separate program is questionable.

      7. This practical training component rightly falls within the responsibilities of the Diaconiology Department of the college. What is mainly needed is to make these means compulsory for fourth year students and to devise evaluation procedures for them.

   10. The church at Willoughby Heights is of the opinion that this 'Certificate of Pastoral Proficiency' is an unnecessary addition to the present requirements for students seeking to be declared eligible for a call to the ministry, and therefore they urge synod not to adopt this proposal. They raise the following objections:

       1. The implementation of this program will require a change to the Church Order.

       2. This whole proposal originates from the Board of Governors, and not from one of the churches;

       3. There is a questionable application of the Theological College Act, Art. 11 C and D because the work of the program coordinator does not fall in the category of administrators, but approaches that of a faculty member.

       4. The coordinator has considerable input as to whether a student should be granted a Certificate of Pastoral Proficiency, and yet the churches (via General Synod) have no say in his appointment. If anything, General Synod should be involved in his appointment.

       5. Some of the components of this program appear to be superficial. For example, the presence of a student with a minister would silence confidential conversation.

       6. The concept of 'internship' is rather clinical, because the student does the work of ministry without being called to that office.

       7. It is questionable whether someone can be called pastorally proficient after three months.

       8. Many components of this course naturally belong in the diaconiological and Church Polity courses presently taught at the college.

       9. Consistories and churches, and especially the professors at the Theological College should be pastoral enough to address young men who are academically competent yet unsuitable for the office.

   11. The Fellowship Canadian Reformed Church (Burlington-South) supports the recommendations of the Board of Governors, but expresses the following opinion:

       1. Part of the program should take place during the Fall or Winter, so that students may be exposed to 'regular' congregational life.

       2. The program is really an extension of the Theological College, and therefore it should be supervised by the professor of diaconiology. This would also allow the practical component to dovetail with the academic portion of the course taught.

       3. It is unrealistic to expect a minister to add the responsibility of coordinating this project to his own workload.

   12. The Canadian Reformed Church at Lincoln is of the opinion that this program is unnecessary. They raise the following objections:

       1. The cost factor has not been presented in depth. The churches will finally end up paying for both the coordinator as well as the student, regardless of whether it occurs through the Theological College assessment, or through the churches being served by the students, if necessary in conjunction with the Fund for Needy Students.

       2. The most challenging pastoral visits are not open to the student since they involve confidential matters;

       3. Students can obtain the same experience by visiting the sick and the lonely in the congregations of which they are a member. This would be less of a financial burden to the churches and the same experience could still be obtained.

   13. The church at Taber is convinced of the need for a pastoral proficiency program.

   14. The church at Elora encourages synod to accept the Board's proposal.

3. CONSIDERATIONS:

   1. The task that the churches have entrusted to the Theological College is that of training young men for the ministry (Article 19, C.O.)

   2. There is at present already the option for students to obtain some measure of practical experience in the future work of ministry through teaching catechism classes or speaking an edifying word in the churches.

   3. Article 4B1 of the CO stipulates that those presenting themselves for a preparatory examination by the classis must "prove that they are members in good standing of one of the churches and have successfully completed a course of study as required by the churches." The Board of Governors in co-operation with the Senate of the Theological College have been given the mandate to ensure that young men are properly trained for the work of the ministry. It can be left up to them how to certify that the necessary course of study approved of by Synod has been completed, whether by means of an M.Div. degree only, an M.Div. degree with an additional notation, or an M.Div. degree with an additional certificate. It is however questionable whether a student should be declared pastorally "proficient" by means of a separate certificate, since the word suggests a high level of expertise or skill, whereas there would only have been a relatively brief exposure to some of the practical aspects of the work of a minister.

   4. Churches already pay students for teaching catechism and for speaking an edifying word. Whether students should be reimbursed for other activities must be left to the discretion of the churches.

   5. The task of the coordinator is more than an administrative one. There are elements in it which have direct connections with work being done in the Diaconiological department of the Theological College, e.g. assessing the evaluations of the mentors, consistories, and others involved in this program, consulting with the professor of diaconiology regarding this evaluation and together with him making recommendations to the Senate on the participation and work of the students in the program. Evaluation procedures must be developed and discussed with both the students and the designated ministers and consistories assigned to supervise the students.

   6. The Board of Governors must contemplate the addition of another faculty member for the diaconiological department. If the Board proceeds with the appointment of a 'coordinator' such an appointment must be kept temporary until a future synod determines what the financial consequences are. Furthermore, it must be demonstrated that the task is only administrative. Otherwise a future synod should be involved in this appointment.

   7. Although direct supervision of a student by a minister is an advantage for a student, it must be remembered that the work of a minister is also subject to the supervision of his consistory and that his work is done in co-operation with his fellow elders. From this perspective, a case could be made to expand the provisions of the program to allow for the possibility of a student being exposed to the work of the ministry under the supervision of a consistory in a vacant church in conjunction with its counsellor (Art. 45, C.O.), or in a church while the local minister is on vacation.

   8. Various practical concerns pertaining to visits undertaken by the student with or without a minister have been raised. These concerns indicate the limited value of an internship. They are factors which will need ongoing attention and evaluation if the program is to be implemented. Other avenues need to be explored next to or even in the place of such an internship in order to facilitate the entry of the student into the pastoral work he will be required to do in the future.

   9. Whereas the churches already have experience with students teaching catechism classes and speaking an edifying word, the concept of an internship is a relatively new element in a more practice-oriented approach. Its practical implications are not yet fully evident. The provisional character of the present proposal must therefore be stressed. In this regard we take note of a statement in the report of the Board of Governors: "The Board is well aware that this proposal is not the final word, but rather a start of something that the Board and, going by the responses, also the churches would like to see implemented."

4. RECOMMENDATIONS

   Synod decide:

   1. To express gratitude for the proposed changes to course content and orientation, allowing for the presence of guest lecturers, seminars and workshops, to give a more practical orientation and content to the training for the ministry.

   2. To express thankfulness to the Board of Governors for this report.

   3. To direct the Board of Governors:

      1. to proceed with the components of the proposed program, including the internship, on a trial basis, assessing their effectiveness and considering possible alternatives without making them prerequisites for entrance to the ministry at this time (Art. 4.B.1 CO);

      2. to consider how elements of this proposed program can best be integrated with the academic courses presently being taught at the college, and whether this can be accommodated without extending the present course beyond four years;

      3. to consider the addition of another faculty member for the diaconiological department;

      4. to serve the next General Synod with a report to be sent to the churches at least six months prior to the beginning of synod.

ADOPTED

Article 108

Grand Rapids Appeal re Presbyterian Church of Korea

Committee III presents agenda item III W.

1. MATERIAL

   An appeal from the Church at Grand Rapids re: Presbyterian Church of Korea

2. ADMISSIBILITY

   Synod decides that the submission of the church at Grand Rapids is admissible since it is an appeal of Acts 1995 Article 106 VI H.

3. OBSERVATIONS

   1. The church at Grand Rapids requests Synod 1998 to judge

      1. that the decision to establish Ecclesiastical Fellowship with the PCK be rescinded

      2. that an explanation and apology be sent to the PCK…

      3. that we reaffirm to the PCK our desire to continue contact with them with a view to resolving all impediments remaining which prevent full Ecclesiastical Fellowship,

      4. that the CRCA be instructed to investigate the two issues of supervision of the Lord's table and confessional membership and report to another General Synod.

   2. A similar appeal was made to Synod Abbotsford 1995. Synod 1995 denied the appeal of the Church at Grand Rapids based on the following considerations:

      1. "The requests to rescind the decision to have Ecclesiastical Fellowship or to declare that Ecclesiastical Fellowship with the FCS and PCK was premature is based on the assumption that these two federations have the same position as the OPC which to date has prevented Ecclesiastical Fellowship with the OPC. This assumption has been addressed under Consideration A.1.b" (Synod 1995, Article 106, Consideration D.2).

      2. "It must be admitted that with respect to the PCK Synod is not able to evaluate the situation with the information available to us" (Synod 1995, Article 106, Consideration A.2).

   3. The church at Grand Rapids considers that "Synod 1995 gave no reason for denial" of their appeal to rescind the decision of Synod 1992 regarding the PCK.

4. CONSIDERATIONS

   1. The church at Grand Rapids appeals the decision of Synod Lincoln 1992 with respect to the PCK on the grounds that the OPC has charged our churches with having a double standard on the issues of confessional membership and the admission to the Lord's Supper. The OPC's CEIR stated "both the PCK and the FCS have essentially the same position as the OPC in matters of confessional membership and the supervision of the Lord's Table"(Synod 1995, Appendix V.II.B.1). The Committee for Contact with the OPC asked for more evidence that this is indeed true (Acts Synod 1995, Appendix V.II.B.4). To date such evidence has not been provided by the OPC.

   2. The church at Grand Rapids also does not provide Synod with any new information which would justify severing ties with the PCK.

   3. Grand Rapids is correct that these two issues should have been resolved prior to a relationship. There is, however, no justification for reversing the decision to have Ecclesiastical Fellowship with the PCK simply on the basis of third party information. Synod 1995 should, however, have made these concerns part of the mandate of the CRCA.

5. RECOMMENDATIONS

   Synod decide:

   1. To deny points 1, 2, and 3 of the appeal of the Church at Grand Rapids

   2. To include in the mandate of the CRCA a further investigation of the practices regarding the fencing of the Lord's Supper and confessional membership in the PCK and report to the next Synod.

ADOPTED

Article 109

Appeal of Burlington Ebenezer re Women's Voting

Committee IV presents agenda item II.C.2.

1. MATERIAL

   Appeal from Ebenezer Church at Burlington-East re: Women's participation in election of office bearers.

2. ADMISSIBILITY

   Synod declares this appeal admissible.

3. OBSERVATIONS

   1. Synod Abbotsford 1995, in Article 51, declared an overture from sister C. VanEerden on the subject of women's voting rights to be inadmissible on the following grounds:

      1. "That according to Art. 33 C.O. matters once decided upon may not be proposed again unless they are substantiated by new grounds;

      2. A new matter which has not been previously presented to that major assembly may be put on the agenda only when the minor assembly has dealt with it (Art. 30 C.O.)."

   2. The council of Ebenezer Church in Burlington asserts that:

      1. Synod Abbotsford 1995 tried to side-step the issue of women voting "while it implicitly made the decision that the practice of our Dutch sister churches is scriptural";

      2. this decision (to the effect that the practice of our Dutch sister churches is scriptural) is implicit in the fact that, in spite of this decision of the Dutch churches, Synod nevertheless concluded that "these churches are faithful to the Word of God, the Confessions and the Church Order [Acts art. 19.IV.A];"

      3. if the Dutch churches are right, then there are new grounds for us to consider, and therefore General Synod should have granted the request of Sr. VanEerden; if the Dutch churches are wrong, on the other hand, then we must correct our Dutch sister churches of the error of their ways;

      4. that the 1996 General Synod at Berkel has upheld the decision of Ommen.

   3. The council of Ebenezer Church in Burlington overtures Synod 1998 "to appoint a committee to study the matter and report to the churches no later than six months prior to General Synod 2001."

4. CONSIDERATIONS

   1. The submission of Sr. VanEerden submitted to General Synod Abbotsford 1995 was not an appeal but an overture. Thus it was, "a new matter"(Article 30.C.O.) and for this reason it was inadmissible.

   2. If the Ebenezer Church in Burlington questions the legitimacy of our continuing relationship with our Dutch sister-churches in the light of their decision to allow women to vote, they may appeal this matter. If the Ebenezer Church wants to deal with the matter of women's voting rights again, the Church Orderly path must be followed. A proposal must proceed through the minor assemblies until it reaches General Synod.

5. RECOMMENDATION

   Synod decide:

   1. to declare that General Synod Abbotsford 1995 did not err when the overture of Sr. C. VanEerden was declared inadmissible.

   2. not to appoint a committee as requested by the council of the Ebenezer Canadian Reformed Church at Burlington-East.

ADOPTED

Article 110

Appeal of Burlington Fellowship re Women's Voting

Committee IV presents agenda item III.P.

1. MATERIAL:

   An appeal from Fellowship Canadian Reformed Church in Burlington regarding Article 51 of Synod Abbotsford 1995.

2. ADMISSIBILITY:

   Synod declares this appeal admissible.

3. OBSERVATIONS:

   1. The Council of Fellowship Canadian Reformed Church appeals the decision found in Article 51 of the Acts of General Synod Abbotsford 1995 on the following grounds:

      1. This decision contradicts earlier Synod decisions with respect to the jurisdiction of synod. This is substantiated by the following arguments:

         1. the matter of women's voting was not a new matter, and has been dealt with (at) various Synods directly: see Synod Coaldale, 1977, Art 27; Synod Smithville, 1980, Art. 83; Synod Cloverdale 1983, Art. 160;

         2. the request to appoint (re-establish) a committee is not an appeal, but an overture, and the request was not within the province of a minor assembly.

         3. matters which belong to the jurisdiction of the federated churches (i.e. matters involving the churches in common) can be placed directly on the agenda of General Synod: see Synod Abbotsford 1995, Art. 73 III b.

      2. Synod incorrectly declared the overture inadmissible on the basis that there were no new grounds. This is substantiated (partly) as follows:

         having decided that the matter was inadmissible for lack of jurisdiction, it was inconsistent and incorrect for Synod Abbotsford to then consider the merits of the request, including the consideration of whether there are new grounds.

   2. The Council of Fellowship Canadian Reformed Church requests that, if this appeal is granted, General Synod Fergus 1998 "establish a committee with the mandate to study once more the matter of women's voting rights, having regard to the developments since 1983, which committee is to present a report with its specific recommendations to the next Synod."

4. CONSIDERATIONS:

   1. It is true that 'Women's participation in the election of office bearers' is not a new matter in the sense that it has never been dealt with by the churches before. Yet the submission of Sr. C. VanEerden was not an appeal against a decision of a previous assembly; instead it was submitted to General Synod as a new matter to be dealt with. It is "a new matter"(Article 30, C.O.).

   2. It is also true that previous general synods have dealt with matters even when minor assemblies had not dealt with them. The appellants are also correct in their assertions that synods have, on occasions, defended this course of action on the basis that these matters 'belong to the churches in common.' This is not normative, however, because it is contrary to the adopted Church Order.

   3. It is unfortunate that these precedents have given the appellants the impression that when matters belong to the churches in common, it is no longer necessary for the minor assembly to deal with them first. The fact that Article 30 CO was not always applied properly in the past, however, does not mean that we should violate the adopted order today.

   4. It is also true, as the appellant observes, that the request was not within the province of a common assembly. This does not mean, however, that these minor assemblies do not have to deal with them first. On the contrary: it is first necessary that a consistory place a matter on the agenda of a classis; and only if a classis is convinced of the validity of the proposal will it be placed on the agenda of Regional Synod. If Regional Synod is convinced that the proposal is valid, it will place the matter on the agenda of General Synod.

   5. When an overture is declared inadmissible on the basis of Article 30, C.O., it is not appropriate for synod to interact with the substance of the overture.

5. RECOMMENDATIONS:

   General Synod decide:

   1. to declare that General Synod Abbotsford 1995 did not err when it declared the overture of Sr. C. VanEerden inadmissible on the ground of Article 30 C.O.

   2. to declare that General Synod Abbotsford 1995 erred when it used Article 33 C.O. as a second ground to declare the overture of Sr. C. VanEerden inadmissible.

   3. To deny the appeal of the Fellowship Canadian Reformed Church at Burlington South.

ADOPTED

Article 111

Overture of Aldergrove re Women's Voting

Committee IV presents agenda item II.I

1. MATERIAL:

   Overture from the Church at Aldergrove regarding the matter of Women's Participation in Election of Office Bearers.

2. ADMISSIBILITY:

   This is an overture from a church directly to General Synod and consequently it is inadmissible on the ground that "a new matter which has not previously been presented to that major assembly may be put on the agenda only when the minor assembly has dealt with it." (Article 30 C.O.)

3. RECOMMENDATION:

   Synod declare this overture inadmissible on the ground of Article 30 of the Church Order.

ADOPTED

Article 112

Overture of Burlington Fellowship re Women's Voting

Committee IV presents:

Agenda item II.RR

1. MATERIAL:

   Overture from the Fellowship Church at Burlington-South regarding the involvement of sisters of the congregation in the election of officebearers.

2. ADMISSIBILITY:

   This is not an appeal, but an overture that comes directly from a church to General Synod. The subject matter does concern the churches in common, but it is a new matter, and therefore Article 30 of the Church Order applies: "A new matter which has not previously been presented to that major assembly may be put on the agenda only when the minor assembly has dealt with it."

3. RECOMMENDATION:

   Synod declare this overture inadmissible on the ground of Article 30 of the Church Order.

ADOPTED

Article 113

Adjournment

Rev. R.J. Eikelboom requests that Psalm 90: 1, 3 be sung, and leads in prayer. Synod adjourns.