Date: Tue, 18 Nov 1997 04:18:29 -0500 (EST) From: Darrell128@aol.com Subject: NR 97113: Regional Mission Conferences, Seeking Advice Urged by ICRC NR #1997-113: Regional Mission Conferences, Seeking Advice on Doctrinal Issues, Improved Interdenominational Cooperation Urged by International Conference of Reformed Churches Since its beginning in 1985, the International Conference of Reformed Churches has met every four years. What, if anything, should be done to encourage closer fellowship between the member denominations in the interval between the quadrennial meetings? If a series of proposals urged by Orthodox Presbyterian Church delegate Rev. John Galbraith is successful, the answer will include regional conferences of ICRC member denominations focusing on mission work, as well as seeking advice of other denominations before making changes in doctrinal basis or ethical practices. NR 1997-113: For Immediate Release Regional Mission Conferences, Seeking Advice on Doctrinal Issues, Improved Interdenominational Cooperation Urged by International Conference of Reformed Churches by Darrell Todd Maurina, Press Officer United Reformed News Service SEOUL, South Korea (October 23, 1997) URNS -- Since its beginning in 1985, the International Conference of Reformed Churches has met every four years. What, if anything, should be done to encourage closer fellowship between the member denominations in the interval between the quadrennial meetings? If a series of proposals urged by Orthodox Presbyterian Church delegate Rev. John Galbraith is successful, the answer will include regional conferences of ICRC member denominations focusing on mission work, as well as seeking advice of other denominations before making changes in doctrinal basis or ethical practices. In a series of decisions on October 20, the ICRC voted to "suggest to the member churches that they keep in mind the benefit of regional conferences on particular, timely topics and plan such conferences when deemed appropriate," to "request the Missions Committee to encourage the member churches to hold regional mission conferences and assist the member churches in holding and coordinating such conferences," and to suggest that member denominations "would do well to seek cooperation in areas such as evangelization, missions, and diaconal assistance, and to promote contacts and exchanges between institutions for training for the ministry." The next day, ICRC delegates voted to put some "teeth" in the proposal by establishing an $8000 annual budget to be administered by the missions committee to assist in holding regional mission conferences. Adoption of the proposals was by no means assured. In the ICRC interim committee report, the committee noted that only three member denominations had responded to a 1993 request for input on the desirability of regional conferences, and two of the three didn't support the idea. As a result, the interim committee indicated that the reactions of member churches "do not give the Interim Committee reasons to advise the Conference to pursue the matter of regional conferences." The advisory committee dealing with the matter disagreed, arguing that "conferences dealing with particular matters, such as missions, or doctrinal, church polity, or ethical questions could well be of value and interest to the member churches." The advisory committee also took note of correspondence from the Gereformeerde Kerken in Nederland (Vrijgemaakt) warning of the need to "more concretely and effectively" express the stated unity of the churches and from the Orthodox Presbyterian Church warning against "our moving in different and divisive directions" as a result of lack of communication and cooperation. The ICRC also voted to suggest that each member denomination adopt a policy specifying that "when a matter arises that would affect the relationship of the ICRC member churches to each other, such as a change being contemplated by a church in its doctrinal basis or ethical practices," the denomination should take three steps: inform the other denominations' interchurch relations committees, ask for their denominations' official positions, advice, and help, and keep the other churches informed of developments. Speaking after the vote, Galbraith said the votes on interdenominational cooperation were the most important of the entire conference. "I think that position we took is absolutely crucial to the survival of an organization that wants to be Reformed, because otherwise what's going to happen is what happened in the past, everyone goes his own way," said Galbraith. "The difference in that approach from what has always been done in the past is that it encourages churches to advise one another about things that might happen before they happen so as to avoid division." Galbraith said that the tendency to "go it alone" was a serious problem in fellowships of conservative churches and could easily lead a conservative church to become something quite different due to lack of opportunities for mutual admonition. "All of us really are the result of separation so we felt alone, there's nobody beside us to help us so we go it alone, and that's exactly what we do, we go it alone," said Galbraith. According to Galbraith, the adoption of the motions meant the ICRC could "be what the Reformed Ecumenical Synod turned away from, it's to provide a fellowship that wants to be Reformed." Galbraith said the decision to establish a budget for the missions committee to promote interdenominational cooperation was a strong sign that the ICRC took the need for mutual admonition seriously. "We're putting our money where our mouth is," said Galbraith. "I think the things that have been done are positive, I think there has been a good foundation laid for the future." Cross-References to Related Articles: #1997-103: International Conference of Conservative Reformed Denominations to Convene Next Week in Seoul, South Korea #1997-106: Former Reformed Ecumenical Synod Moderator Opens Prayer Service for International Conference of Reformed Churches #1997-107: International Council of Reformed Churches Convenes in Seoul, Elects Korean Chairman #1997-108: International Council of Reformed Churches Admits Seven New Denominations; Questions ARP Qualifications #1997-109: A New Member Responds: "What's the International Conference of Reformed Churches Good For?" #1997-110: International Conference of Reformed Churches Amends Constitution and Regulations #1997-111: International Conference of Reformed Churches to Promote Jewish Evangelistic Outreach #1997-112: Kosin Presbyterian Church of Korea: "Church of the Martyrs" Contact List: Rev. John P. Galbraith, Delegate, Orthodox Presbyterian Church Rydal Park, Jenkintown PA 19014 H: (215) 885-7981 * E-Mail: jpgopc@erols.com ---------------------------------------------------------- file: /pub/resources/text/reformed/archive97: nr97-113.txt .