Studies & Actions
of the General Assembly of
The Presbyterian Church in America
NAPARC'S AGREEMENT ON
TRANSFER OF MEMBERS
[16th General Assembly (1988), 16-25, III, p. 116.]
NAPARC'S AGREEMENT ON TRANSFER OF MEMBERS
5a. That the 16th General Assembly adopt NAPARC's Agreement on Transfer
of Members and Congregations" sent to each of the NAPARC denominations
for their adoption:
"Recognizing that the churches of NAPARC have on occasion unintentionally
received members or ordained officers who were under various states of
discipline in another NAPARC church, thus creating tension between the
churches, and at the same time recognizing the need for mutual freedom
and openness on the part of the churches, we agree to respect the procedures
of discipline and pastoral concern of the other denominations as follows:
1. Regular Transfer of Membership
That in the regular transfer of membership between NAPARC churches, the
session/consistory or presbytery/classis not receive a member until the
appropriate document of transfer is in the hands of the receiving church.
2. Transfer with Irregularities
a. That upon request for transfer of membership by a person under discipline,
the sending session/consistory or presbytery/classis inform the receiving
body of the nature an extent of the disciplinary procedure before implementing
the requested transfer, thus enabling informal consultation between the
pastors and elders of both churches.
b. That such a person not be received officially until the judicatory/assembly
of the receiving church has taken into serious account the discipline
of and the information supplied by the sending church.
c. That such a person not be received officially until the judicatory/assembly
of the receiving church is satisfied that proper restitution has been
made and/or reconciliation has been seriously attempted.
d. That a "fugitive from discipline" who no longer is a member of a church
or who is no longer on the roll of a presbytery shall not be received
until the former judicatory/assembly has been contacted to determine if
proper restitution has been made and/or reconciliation has been attempted.
3. Recourse and Appeal
Where communication or action regarding the sending/receiving of a member
or ordained officer/office bearer does not satisfy either the dismissing
or receiving judicatory/assembly, communication may be submitted to the
interchurch relations committees of the denominations involved with a
view to mediation of the problem. If this proves unsatisfactory, the session/consistory
or presbytery/classis may register its concern to the appropriate judicatory/assembly
of the other denomination.
4. Congregational Transfer
That a congregation seeking to leave a NAPARC church to become affiliated
with another NAPARC denomination be received only after it has complied
with the requirements of the form of government of the church from which
it is separating, and the receiving church shall be responsible to see
that this is done."
Adopted |