Date: Tue, 18 Nov 1997 04:22:35 -0500 (EST) From: Darrell128@aol.com Subject: NR 97114: Restructuring Ecclesiastical Fellowship Among Conservative Calvinists NR #1997-114: Restructuring Ecclesiastical Fellowship Among Conservative Calvinist Denominations The Orthodox Presbyterian Church thinks it "flunked" the test of dealing with the Christian Reformed Church and wants to avoid making the same set of mistakes twice. That was the message brought by the OPC interchurch relations committee chairman, Rev. Jack Peterson, to the October 21 session of the International Conference of Reformed Churches. As a result of its experience dealing with the CRC, the OPC intends to establish three tiers of relations with other churches: an entry level, a restricted fellowship, and finally full fellowship, and sought the advice of other ICRC members on whether this is a good method to handle ecclesiastical relations. NR 1997-114: For Immediate Release Restructuring Ecclesiastical Fellowship Among Conservative Calvinist Denominations by Darrell Todd Maurina, Press Officer United Reformed News Service SEOUL, South Korea (October 23, 1997) URNS -- The Orthodox Presbyterian Church thinks it "flunked" the test of dealing with the Christian Reformed Church and wants to avoid making the same set of mistakes twice. That was the message brought by the OPC interchurch relations committee chairman, Rev. Jack Peterson, to the October 21 session of the International Conference of Reformed Churches. As a result of its experience dealing with the CRC, the OPC intends to establish three tiers of relations with other churches: an entry level, a restricted fellowship, and finally full fellowship, and sought the advice of other ICRC members on whether this is a good method to handle ecclesiastical relations. The OPC didn't get much in the way of unified advice from the October 21 discussion and saw the advisory committee report sent back to committee. On October 23, the ICRC took up the matter again. "All we are saying is this is our present thinking," said OPC delegate Rev. John Galbraith. "What is your reaction? Is this good? If not, what's wrong with it?" Rev. Paul Den Butter from the Christelijke Gereformeerde Kerken in Nederland said he liked the proposal but could only speak for himself since his denomination's interchurch relations committee hadn't had the opportunity to discuss the matter. "As far as we can see it looks like a good thing and is in accord with our own hopes for ecumenical activity," said Den Butter. Similar sentiments of appreciation for multiple levels of fraternal relations were voiced by Rev. Lawrence Bilkes from the Free Reformed Churches of North America, a sister denomination of the CGKN. Rev. Jack Whytock of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church in North America complimented the OPC not only on the content of its proposal but also its detail. "This is very well organized and it makes our procedures in the ARP look very ill-organized by comparison," said Whytock. Other delegates were less enthusiastic. "If you are on the American continent you think everyone speaks English, you see people come to your country, they learn English, and if you go to their country they speak English," said Dr. N.H. Gootjes of the Canadian Reformed Churches. "The knowledge of English in other countries varies and I wonder if this will work outside the English-speaking world. My reaction is, try this, see if it works, but you will have trouble implementing it fully." ICRC chairman Dr. Soon Gil Hur, president of Kosin Theological Seminary in Seoul, echoed Gootjes' concern. Hur, a graduate of the Vrijgemaakt seminary in Kampen, noted that the Kosin Presbyterian Church maintained full ecclesiastical relations with the GKN-Vrijgemaakt and with the Reformed Church in Japan despite significant differences between the two denominations. "Our people in Korea could not understand fully this relation," said Hur. "Is this a corresponding relationship or full relationship? We are actually confused. The structure which was offered by the OPC seems to be very useful, but we were worried how we may carry out the task of restructure." Despite the concerns of some delegates and the indications of others that they would not be changing their current procedures, the ICRC adopted a six-point advisory committee report on the matter. Among the points adopted were motions to "commend the letter of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church to the member churches for their attention in ways which seem appropriate in each case" and to "urge the member churches to be mindful of the diversity of circumstances in the churches and to seek to further relationships with due humility." OPC delegate Rev. John Galbraith said he appreciated the attention given to the OPC proposals. "I appreciate very much the attitude of our brothers at this meeting that they consider the subject important," Galbraith told the assembled delegates. In other interchurch relations matters, the ICRC approved a letter of response to the Free Reformed Churches of Australia, which withdrew from the ICRC. The ICRC letter urged the Australian denomination to return to membership. 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. Paul Den Butter, Delegate, Christelijke Gereformeerde Kerken in Nederland Oranjelaan 12, 3971 HG Driebergen, NETHERLANDS O: 03438-21101 Rev. John P. Galbraith, Delegate, Orthodox Presbyterian Church Rydal Park, Jenkintown PA 19014 H: (215) 885-7981 * E-Mail: jpgopc@erols.com Dr. Soon Gil Hur, President, Kosin Theological Seminary Amnan-Dong 34, Su-Koo, Pusan, 602-030, SOUTH KOREA O: [82] 51-2575131 * FAX: [82] 51-2535133 * E-Mail: KTSNET@chollian.dacom.co.kr Rev. Jack Peterson, Chairman, OPC Committee on Ecumenicity and Interchurch Relations 1315 White Rock Drive, San Antonio, TX 78245 O: (210) 690-6360 * H: (210) 675-9097 Rev. Jack Whytock, Delegate, Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church 155 Charles Lutes Rd., Magnetic Hill, RR #7, Moncton, New Brunswick, E1C 8Z4 CANADA O: (506) 853-7898 * H: (506) 855-7722 ---------------------------------------------------------- file: /pub/resources/text/reformed/archive97: nr97-114.txt .