Tuesday Afternoon Business
the time to recognize those who worked behind the scenes to make Synod happen, including the Bonclarken staff. Retiring Moderator Alan Broyles gave his speech, describing the tough year it has been. He presented Moderator David Walkup the shield and turned the meeting over to him.
The Special Committee on the Canadian Presbyterydevelop a documented frame-
areas of common evangelical interests and, further, that this report be presented to the General Synod in June 2025 and further, that there be at least two members
From the meetings and discussions with the Canadian Presbytery, the following recommendations were approved during Synod. 1. We recommend that the Committee on Inter-Church Relations recommend to the General Synod of the ARP that the highest level of fraternal relationship be established between the General Synod of the ARP Church and the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church in Canada.
2. We recommend that the General Synod of the ARP concur with the agreement between World Witness and the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church in Canada to have a Canadian member serve on the World Witness Board.
3. We recommend that the General Synod of the ARP Church sponsor the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church in Canada to be a member of NAPARC.
4. We recommend that the General Synod of the ARP Church direct the Committee on Inter-Church Relations to study the establishment of a formal relationship between the American ARP Synod, the Mexican ARP Synod, the Pakistan ARP Synod, and the Canadian ARP Synod similar to the Global Alliance established by the RPCNA church bodies.
5. We recommend that the General Synod of the ARP Church encourage the General Synod and the Associate Reformed Church in Canada church ministry.
Martin Dendekker, Canadian Delegate, addressed the court on behalf of the Canadian Presbytery. “I am thankful for this synod, for this de- nomination, and for Christian brothers and sisters on this side of the border. Though we may have trade challenges and hockey rivalries, and many different opinions, let our unity in our Lord triumph over it all. Let us not stand with pride when we see downfall in one another’s nations, but humbly pray for each other’s witness in that downfall. The name of Canada is the Dominion of Canada, and our motto is From Sea to Sea - all taken from Psalm 72 about our Lord Jesus Christ, who will have dominion from sea to sea. It’s language we have included in our Canadian national anthem. Now, I’m not going to ask the court to sing our national anthem. But “dominion” language is in a lesser-known verse of our anthem, written by the same author as the main verse. It is as follows - and may it be our prayer together, and inform this court’s prayers for us in Canada:
Ruler supreme, Who hearest humble prayer, Hold our Dominion in Thy loving care. A lasting rich reward, As waiting for the better day, we stand on guard.
Mr. Moderator, Canada and America need far more than soldiers and citizens to stand on guard - Canada and America need Christians and the
church to stand on guard by preaching a full gospel of King Jesus to humble and save and form worshipers of the living God. For both our lands, The next on the agenda was the Special Committee to investigate Allegations against Tom Shoger. After a thorough investigation and report to Synod, the committee recommended that the allegations against Rev. Shoger be dismissed. This was approved by Synod. A motion was passed to obscure the language found in this report for the printing of the Minutes of Synod. James McManus offered a prayer
for Tom Shoger.
Special Committee to Investigate Second Presbytery’s Handling of Allegations Against Wilson and the Special Committee for Net Asset Reallocation did not present a report.
The Special Committee to study the Nancy Fulwood Hospital Society report became a moot point. The committee decided that while the formation of the NFHS as a standing committee of the General Synod may be feasible, it is not advisable at this time. did not present a report. The Special Committee on Trinitarian Concerns in the Position Paper on “Women in the Life of the Church” reported that this position pa-
the impression that the ARP Church believes what is contained therein. Therefore, the committee recommended amendments in several places. Family Bible Conference speakers for 2025 are Rev. Ben Glaser, Bethany ARP Church, and Rev. Jeff Kingswood, Grace Presbyterian Church.
4 The Associate Reformed Presbyterian
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