| Membership: |
At Large: Nine members, one of whom shall be nominated from a name or names submitted by ARP Women's Ministries
Advisory: Moderator of Synod, Moderator-Elect of Synod, Coordinator of the General Synod, Principal Clerk of Synod. [Synod, 2005]
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| Terms of Service: |
At Large: Six years.
Advisory: As determined by the office to which elected or appointed.
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| Stated Meetings: |
At least annually.
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| Organization: |
Officers: Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary.
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| Authority: |
The Committee on Inter-Church Relations is responsible for maintaining relations with Church bodies and interdenominational agencies as specified by the General Synod.
In the exercise of its authority, the Committee on Inter-Church Relations shall comply with the Standards of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church
Policies with regard to inter-church relations previously approved by the General Synod which are not in conflict with these revisions of the Manual of Authorities and Duties shall continue in full force unless and until revoked.
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| Duties: |
1. To present to the General Synod the name of a teaching or ruling elder for consideration as the at-large delegate to the annual meeting of the North American Presbyterian and Reformed Council (other delegates include the Moderator, Moderator-Elect (or their respective Vice-Moderators as alternates) and a representative of the Inter-Church Relations Committee); and to receive and review the report from NAPARC as well as from the delegates and disseminate information from these reports through the denominational magazine. (1992 General Synod)
2. To present to the General Synod names of teaching or ruling elders for consideration for nominations as fraternal delegates for assignment during the following calendar year to the Synods of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church in Mexico and Pakistan and other denominational bodies as directed by the Synod. In the event a selected delegate is unable to serve it shall be the duty of the Chairman of the Committee on Inter-Church Relations to make a suitable appointment of a substitute. Fraternal delegates and representatives to other General Synod or General Assemblies shall be ordained ruling or teaching elders of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church.
3. To maintain relationships of Fraternal Fellowship with the denominations approved by the General Synod. This relationship of Fraternal Fellowship is appropriate for churches: (A) which are other branches of the ARP Church outside of the United States, recognized by our General Synod, including the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church in Mexico; the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church in Pakistan; and other Associate Reformed Presbyterian Churches which may be formed in the future (NOTE: Relationships which involve a channeling of financial or people resources in programs overseas are the responsibility of the Board of World Witness.); (B) which are Reformed as to confession (i.e., churches that adhere to the Westminster Confession and Catechisms, and/or the Heidelberg Catechism, the Belgic Confession, and the Canons of the Synod of Dordt), polity, and liturgy, as determined not only by their formal standards, but also by their actual practice. This relationships is understood to involve: (1) exchange of fraternal delegates at major assemblies; (2) occasional pulpit fellowship under the oversight of presbytery (where the ministers in question would satisfy the ordination requirements of the ARP Church); (3) intercommunion under the oversight of the local session [i.e., fellowship at the table of the Lord]; (4) joint action in areas of common responsibility; (5) communication on major issues of joint concern; (6) the exercise of mutual concern and admonition with a view to promoting the fundamentals of Christian unity. (NOTE: Denominations approved are the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church of Pakistan, the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church of Mexico, the Evangelical Presbyterian Church [fraternal delegates exchanged on an annual basis], the Reformed Presbyterian Church in North America, the Presbyterian Church in America [fraternal delegates exchanged on an annual basis], the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, the Christian Reformed Church in North America, and the Korean-American Presbyterian Church.) (1999 Minutes of Synod, p. 356)
4. To maintain relationships of Fraternal Correspondence with the denominations approved by the General Synod. This relationship involves correspondence and, where appropriate: (1) the exchange of official representatives at major assemblies; (2) joint action in areas of common concern; (3) consultation on issues of joint concern; and (4) intercommunion with the oversight of the local Session, i.e., fellowship at the table of the Lord. (NOTE: Denominations approved are the Presbyterian Church, U.S.A., the Reformed Church in America, the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America.) (1999 Minutes of Synod, p. 348, 356)
5. To present to the General Synod names of teaching or ruling elders for assignment as fraternal delegates to those denominations approved by the General Synod; and to receive and review reports from the fraternal delegates and disseminate information from these reports.
6. To appoint a teaching or ruling elder as a delegate to attend any concurrent meeting of one or more Assemblies/Synods of NAPARC denominations; and to receive and review a report from the delegate.
7. In consultation with the Moderator of Synod, to appoint the General Synod representative(s) to NAPARC Study Committees. (1994 Minutes of Synod, p. 663)
8. To exchange official minutes with those denominations approved by the General Synod.
9 To investigate and study ecumenical relations that would be beneficial to Synod and to make recommendations accordingly.
10. To evaluate present relations of our church with other church bodies and interdenominational agencies and to make recommendations accordingly.
11. To prepare an annual budget for submission to the General Synod, which shall include membership fees for interdenominational bodies, our fraternal delegates' and representatives' expenses, hospitality for fraternal delegates and representatives attending our General Synod (but not their travel expenses), Inter-Church Relations Committee meeting and travel expense, and when necessary, assistance in bringing Mexican and Pakistan delegates to our General Synod.
12. To host delegates from organizations mentioned herein and present them to the General Synod.
13. To insure that persons serving as a representative or delegate submit written reports (including a summary/text of their address) to the Chairman and Secretary of the Committee. (2000 Minutes of Synod, p. 678)
14. To insure that when written greetings are sent to the annual meeting of another denomination, the letter (prepared by the Committee Secretary) be prepared for the signature of the Committee Chairman and the Principal Clerk of Synod.
15. To make an annual report to the General Synod including an index listing of all reports received by the Committee during the year.
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BASIS AND GUIDELINES FOR INTER-CHURCH RELATIONS
Adopted by 1973 General Synod.
Included in Manual at the Direction of the 1980 General Synod
The basis for inter-church relations is our belief in the holy catholic church, as set forth in the Scriptures, proclaimed by the Westminster Confession of Faith, and reiterated in our Constitution: "There is but one Church set forth in the Scriptures." (Form of Government, Chapter I,B.1)
The unity of the church does not require uniformity. Rather, it is a marvelous unity that allows for diversity of ministry, of thought, and of action. Our relationship to other churches does not require complete agreement on doctrine, but depends on our mutual relation to Jesus Christ and God's Word (I Cor. 12).
The ministry of Jesus Christ has been given unto the universal church (Confession of Faith, XXV,iii). Therefore, insofar as we withhold fellowship from other true Christian bodies, we miss part of our own body, and the ministry of the church is weakened. In like manner, the rest of the body of Christ misses us, since as people of faith, we are essential to the life and service of the universal church.
The unity of the church is not an achievement of the church, but a gift from its Lord. Our participation in inter-church activities is an expression of this unity and an exploration for greater unity in growing toward the fullness of the stature of Christ (Eph. 4:15-16).
We, therefore, maintain relations with other church bodies because membership in the Church of Jesus Christ is constituted by faith in Jesus Christ, and not by membership in any one denomination; because those who profess faith in Jesus Christ are our brothers and sisters to whom we are united in love; and because we share a unity that transcends denominational lines.
1. The fundamental guideline for inter-church relations is the confession of faith in Jesus Christ.
2. The General Synod will seek to practice our confession of belief in the holy catholic church by a declaration of our underlying unity with all churches who confess Jesus Christ as Lord, according to the Scriptures, and by recognizing the mutual dependence of all church bodies throughout the world in carrying out our ministry.
3. The General Synod will seek a clearer understanding of the expressions of faith of other churches by a willingness to interpret such expressions of faith in the best light instead of their worst, and by a willingness to revise continually our understanding of the expressions of faith of others. At the same time we will be realistic in evaluating either the validity or non-validity of such expressions of faith.
4. The General Synod will seek to face openly the issues which have caused separation.
5. The General Synod will seek to maintain its own integrity. The goal of inter-church relations is not to water down our own standards, but to offer the advantages of our own heritage to the church at large.
6. The General Synod will seek to maintain formal ties with the Reformed family of churches, which while including most denominations which are presbyterian in government, does not exclude churches who may subscribe to other forms of government, but do share our Reformed heritage.
7. The General Synod will seek to maintain special ties with churches with whom we have a historical relationship; especially those churches formed through our missionary endeavor.
8. The General Synod will be aware of special geographical considerations which may make it practical to share the life and service of the church.
9. The General Synod will seek to cooperate with other church bodies whenever and wherever practicable for the fulfillment of the mission and ministry of the church.
Under the general topic of "Unity of the Church" there are three rudiments or first principles which we need to state in a very concise manner. These rudiments are: the Vision, the Basis, and the Disposition.
The Vision
Before proceeding into any discussion of church unions, etc., the vision or mandate from Scripture must be taken seriously. Scripture teaches that the invisible church is one and consists of the elect "that have been, are, or shall be gathered into one." In this invisible church there is essential oneness of the Church in the Old and New Testaments. Indeed, we should praise God for this great mystical truth and the power of His grace in the creation of the catholic church.
Being limited creatures in this life, we see the visible church with all its imperfections and impurities. Yet Christ prayed that we might reflect the unity of the Church even in this temporal, visible church. "May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me..." (John 17:23a NIV). Jesus is clearly praying for a unity amongst His believers that they may be a witness to the world. All Christians must acknowledge this desire before the Lord and be desirous to be sanctified more and more to this end. It is a tremendous vision, "How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!" (Psalm 133:1 NIV)
The Basis
Nowhere does Scripture teach unity at any price. For two denominations within the visible church to unite there must be "Doctrinal consensus." Scripture speaks repeatedly of holding to and maintaining the truth in love, e.g. Acts 2:42, Jude 3, and I John 2:21-27, etc. Furthermore, we believe that the Westminster Confession and Catechisms are good biblical theology and therefore we would have no desire to depart from such in terms of theology and polity. The basis of unions must then be upon the "doctrinal consensus" of all the parties concerned, namely these Subordinate Standards. If there is not a doctrinal consensus then all attempts at unity are really "paper thin." Doctrinal distinctives are not bare and cold agreements on articles of religion, acts of worship and discipline alone. "Love must cement the union which faith has formed." Likewise, peace and unity are not always the infallible marks of a true and pure church. Sacrifices in the name of union can be made which give "undue latitude" simply in order to procure peace and unity with fellow Christians.
The Disposition
Finally, Christians desirous to speak of unity in the church and those open to strengthening the unity of the visible church need to possess certain dispositions. They must "Love the truth and peace." (Zech. 8:19) There must be a love for the truth of the Word and a love of peace and gentleness, not a contentious spirit. Other qualities necessary are: a disposition to be open, ready to hear what may be advanced, free from equivocation, no concealment of truth (in essence, Christian candor). The gifts of knowledge and wisdom must be sought of the Lord along with a spirit that will stand for the right and not for self-interest and worldly gain.
There are two extremes to be aware of. The first extreme is indifference. We are not to be "hard-hearted" and "unmoved" by the wounds of the Church, but rather we must desire to pour healing oil. Secondly, beware of the "Spirit of error" that would cause one to fall away from standing for the truth and honoring the vows he has made before the Lord. Finally, guard against an impatient disposition. God's providential time is beyond our comprehension of the moment.
Adopted by 1991 General Synod as
"Our guiding document for Inter-Church Relations"
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