By discussion, the delegates aired various difficulties experienced in home and foreign missions whereas others expressed some hesitation with the establishment of a federation level functionary for the purpose of mission coordination. After Synod engaged in fraternal and thorough deliberation, it organized a Missions Committee and created the position of a Missions Coordinator.

As the rising sun illuminated the early morning hours of the third full day of Synod, tired but faithful delegates committed themselves with diligence to another full day of deliberations. The day was characterized by slow but steady progress through parts of the remaining agenda.

Financial Details

Synod began its day with attention to numerous rather routine financial matters flowing out of the reports of the Canadian and US Board of Directors and the respective treasurers. However, one note of complex discussion was the matter of the legal transferring of funds from Canada to charitable causes within the United States given current Canadian legislation. While the delegates wrestled with the legal aspects of this matter, the body acknowledged that the Board of the URCNA Corporation (Canada) can no longer function as a body for collecting and distributing funds to US causes.

Fraternal Relations

Once again the day gave Synod the joyous opportunity to receive fraternal addresses from delegates and observers from the Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC), the Heritage Reformed Churches (HRC), the Free Reformed Churches (FRC), the Calvinist Reformed Church in Indonesia (GGRC-NTT) and the Reformed Churches in the Netherlands – Liberated (GKv).

More Music

Throughout the day, Synod continued to address previously presented overtures concerning the progress of the Psalter Hymnal Committee. With careful deliberation, Synod sought to find the best way to process the various communications from the churches while giving the Psalter Hymnal Committee direction as they go forward in their work.

Mission Matters

In the afternoon hours of the day, Synod turned its full attention to mission matters in response to numerous recommendations of a report from an Ad Hoc Study Committee. By discussion, the delegates aired various difficulties experienced in home and foreign missions whereas others expressed some hesitation with the establishment of a federation level functionary for the purpose of mission coordination. After Synod engaged in fraternal and thorough deliberation, it organized a Missions Committee and created the position of a Missions Coordinator.

Evening Hours

Given the amount of remaining work, Synod cut its dinner time short and returned to an evening of work. During this time, Synod addressed its on-going relationship with the Presbyterian and Reformed Joint Commission on Chaplains and Military Personnel (PRJC) and appointed the consistory of Faith URC of Beecher, IL as a liaison with this body.

Synod also received a study committee’s report concerning “the level of doctrinal commitment advisable for communicant membership in our churches” as pastoral advice. In addition, the body gave further direction to the Proposed Joint Church Order Committee instructing it to process any forthcoming information regarding the “Proposed Synodical Regulations for use in a joint federation.” It also encouraged the churches to review the Proposed Joint Church Order and suggest changes to the committee.

Furthermore, the assembly dealt with the status, support and oversight of the credentials of emeritus ministers of the Word and Sacraments. Debate centered upon which church retains the credentials of an emeritus minister and in what manner he is to be supported financially. Eventually, after extending the order of the day, Synod decided to amend the Church Order Article 10 in an attempt to clarify this issue for the churches [subject to ratification]. Synod also established a new committee to further study the “compensation and retirement concerns faced by URCNA ministers.”

In the late hours of the night, the body recessed with the duty and hope of completing its remaining work during the following day, DV.

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