PCA Historical Center

Documents of Synod:
Study Papers of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, Evangelical Synod (1965 to 1982)

160th GS MINUTES, JUNE 11, 1982 from Fraternal Relations Committee Report

PROPOSED ACTION RELATING TO "J AND R"

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:
1) Accept the invitation of the Presbyterian Church in America to join them, to effect and perfect one church on the basis of their receiving the Reformed Presbyterian Church, Evangelical Synod, through the procedure outlined in their Book of Church Order, Chapter 14-6: ". . . to receive under one jurisdiction those ecclesiastical bodies whose organization is conformed to the doctrine and order of this church;"
2) Declare that the basis of such an acceptance be the two churches' common commitment to the inerrancy of Scripture, to the same standards of doctrine and government, and to the doctrine of the purity of the church, together with specific details contained in the Report to the Ninth General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America of the Ad Interim Committee to Discuss . . .; (see Minutes of the 159th General Synod, pp. 57-65);
3) Amend the existing doctrinal standards and Form of Government of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, Evangelical Synod, by substituting for them the doctrinal standards and Book of Church Order of the Presbyterian Church in America; and
4) Resolve that the following corporate actions shall occur:

1. Corporations: The Presbyterian Church in America will determine that these corporation shall be active: "Presbyterian Church in America (a Corporation)." a corporation of the State of Delaware, "Presbyterian Church in America Foundation, Inc.," a corporation of the State of Georgia, "Ridge Haven Inc.," a North Carolina corporation; "Covenant College," a corporation of the State of Missouri domesticated under the laws of the State of Georgia, "Covenant Theological Seminary," a corporation of the State of Missouri, "Reformed Presbyterian Foundation," a Missouri corporation. These corporations shall be merged into and become a part of the "Presbyterian Church in America (a Corporation)": "Christian Training Inc.," a Delaware corporation, "World Presbyterian Missions Inc.," a Delaware corporation, "Board of Home Ministries," a Michigan corporation, and " Reformed Presbyterian Church, Evangelical Synod," a corporation of the State of Pennsylvania, "Pension Fund of RPCES, " an Illinois corporation. 2. Board of Directors: The Committee on Administration of the Presbyterian Church in America shall serve as the Board of Directors of the corporations to be merged into the "Presbyterian Church in America (a Corporation)," for the purpose of accomplishing the mergers and winding up the affairs of each corporation, seeing to it that all duties, commitments, responsibilities and obligations, fiduciary and otherwise, of the various corporations are strictly observed. 3. The Reformed Presbyterian Foundation: The "Reformed Presbyterian Foundation" shall be merged into and become a part of the "Presbyterian Church in America Foundation Inc." as rapidly as facts and circumstances permit. The Trustees of the Reformed Presbyterian Foundation, elected as provided in the by-laws of the corporation and places in classes for specific term of years, and the Board of Directors of the Presbyterian Church in America Foundation Inc. elected by the General Assembly of the PCA, shall constitute the Board of Directors of the Reformed Presbyterian Foundation during the interim period.

[Documents of Synod, pages 476-477.]

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