Agreement of Cooperation

Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church and Evangelical Presbyterian Church
Approved by General Synod, Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church
June 10, 1992

Being persuaded from Scripture that all Christians are united together as one body in Christ, we acknowledge our responsibility to God and one another to labor together in the work of Christ so as to promote the peace, purity and unity of the church, and the advancement of Christ's Kingdom in the world.
We share a common understanding of the Scriptures, as expressed in the Westminster Confession of Faith and Catechisms, for laboring together in ministry. Recognizing that some differences exist between us in our understanding of certain issues concerning God's will for His church, we also recognize that which we hold in common far outweighs that which differentiates. It is understood that our common labors shall not compromise the consciences of either church. The integrity of each church concerning its standards and policies must be maintained and respected.
We therefore pledge ourselves to labor in love to advance the work of Christ in both our common and separate ministries, seeking to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the body of peace. We promise that if ever we offend one another in our common labors, we shall do everything possible to resolve the matter to maintain cooperation. We commit ourselves to labor in support of our church courts, faithfully reporting our activities to the appropriate board or agency, and our respective committees concerning inter-church relations.
We further believe that such practical fraternity, apart from any quest for organizational union will be pleasing to God and promote the advancement of the Gospel in this world. For these reasons we commit ourselves to this Agreement of Cooperation, which is to be attached to the joint statement previously adopted by our churches.

1992 Minutes of the General Synod of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, p. 97