Date: Mon, 17 Nov 1997 03:44:59 -0500 (EST) From: Darrell128@aol.com Subject: NR 97126: CRC Faces Possible Expulsion from NAPARC NR #1997-126: Christian Reformed Church Faces Possible Expulsion from North American Presbyterian and Reformed Council This week, the Christian Reformed Church faces likely suspension from the fellowship of conservative Reformed and Presbyterian denominations in North America because of the CRC's 1995 decision to allow the ordination of women ministers and elders. When the North American Presbyterian and Reformed Council meets on November 18 and 19 in Atlanta, the organization will take up a proposal made last year by the Presbyterian Church in America to suspend the CRC's membership. NR 1997-126: For Immediate Release Christian Reformed Church Faces Possible Expulsion from North American Presbyterian and Reformed Council * Conservative Interdenominational Fellowship Opposes Women's Ordination by Darrell Todd Maurina, Press Officer United Reformed News Service (November 17, 1997) URNS -- This week, the Christian Reformed Church faces likely suspension from the fellowship of conservative Reformed and Presbyterian denominations in North America because of the CRC's 1995 decision to allow the ordination of women ministers and elders. When the North American Presbyterian and Reformed Council meets on November 18 and 19 in Atlanta, the organization will take up a proposal made last year by the Presbyterian Church in America to suspend the CRC's membership. "It is the feeling of the General Assembly that the CRC, in departing from the authority of Scripture, is departing from the teaching of the Scripture also on women in office," said PCA stated clerk Dr. Paul Gilchrist. "The further element underlying the issue is not just the matter of women in office. Underlying the whole thing is the CRC's departure from understanding the inspiration and authority of the Scriptures to include the concept of inerrancy and infallibility of Scripture." The 285,000-member CRC is the largest denomination NAPARC, which it helped to begin 23 years ago. At 271,000 members, the PCA is NAPARC's second-largest member. Gilchrist emphasized that his denomination took no pleasure from proposing discipline of the CRC. "I only wish there were some way of turning the clock back for the CRC," said Gilchrist. The top official of the Christian Reformed Church called the PCA proposal a "terrible motion." "As I've said before in some of my fraternal addresses to the Orthodox Presbyterian Church and the PCA, the Christian Reformed Church and these other churches are more alike than they are different, and consequently should be striving and working together," said CRC general secretary Dr. David Engelhard. "It's unfortunate, in my judgment, that the one solidly Reformed body in North America has had to spend all its time in internal bickering and hasn't really been very productive." Gilchrist saw things differently. "We had warned them early on that we were under a mandate from two or three years ago that if they did not change their views on women in office that we would have to begin taking formal steps to remove them," said Gilchrist. "The first step in removal is suspension from NAPARC." A motion to suspend or expel the CRC requires approval from two-thirds of the delegates and approval within three years by two-thirds of the national synods or general assemblies of the seven member denominations. So far, three NAPARC members -- the PCA, the OPC, and the Korean American Presbyterian Church -- have cut ties with the CRC over the issue of ordaining women, and the Reformed Church in the United States decided not to establish ties with the CRC for the same reason. The other two NAPARC members, the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church and the Reformed Presbyterian Church in North America, have expressed concerns about the CRC but have not cut ties. "I have not been informed that the ARP's have stated their mind on the matter, the RPCNA has not stated their position either, so there is some suspense as to what the decision will be next week," said Engelhard. "Surely our delegation hopes the ARP's and the Reformed Presbyterians will vote with us, many of the others have their hands tied by the actions of their general assemblies." NAPARC chairman Rev. Jack Whytock said that both he and vice-chair Rev. Gordon Keddie were committed to running the meeting fairly and in strict adherence to the written rules. Whytock, an Associate Reformed Presbyterian, and Keddie, a Reformed Presbyterian, are both members of denominations which have not taken official positions concerning the CRC's fitness for NAPARC membership. "We are experiencing some tensions at the moment in NAPARC, but we are only 23 years and that's only to be expected," said Whytock. "As you grow you have to expect we will have certain controversies arise." Whytock said he hoped an open debate over the CRC's membership in NAPARC would strengthen rather than hurt the organization. "It should strengthen the arm of the North American churches that are committed to being evangelical and that are Reformed in faith and in government," said Whytock. Cross-References to Related Articles: #1994-017: Immigrant Korean Leader Criticizes Christian Reformed, Presbyterian Church in America Influence at NAPARC #1994-058: NAPARC Admits New Denomination; Thanks God for Christian Reformed Decision Against Ordaining Women; Rev. Myung Doh Kim Becomes First Korean Chairman of North American Presbyterian and Reformed Council; Reformed Church in the United States Admitted Amidst Strong Criticism of Alliance of Reformed Churches #1995-070: Christian Reformed Classes Permitted to Declare Church Order Ban on Women's Ordination "Inoperative"; Synod Decision Given Immediate Effect without Two-Year Ratification Process #1995-080: Presbyterian Church in America General Assembly Unanimously Warns CRC to "Repent and Rescind" Women in Office Decision #1996-065: Women in Office Leads Orthodox Presbyterians to Suspend Ties with CRC, Will Terminate in 1997 Unless CRC Changes #1996-076: CRC Synod Rejects 25 Overtures and Communications Calling for End to Classical Option on Ordination of Women #1996-121B: Conservative Interchurch Council Will Study Discipline of Christian Reformed Church for Women's Ordination Contact List: Rev. Donald Duff, Secretary, North American Presbyterian and Reformed Council 614 Roberts Ave., Glenside PA 19038-3711 O: (215) 956-0123 * H: (215) 887-4901 * FAX: (215) 957-6286 Dr. David Engelhard, General Secretary, Christian Reformed Church in North America 2850 Kalamazoo Ave. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49560 O: (616) 246-0744 * H: (616) 243-2418 * FAX: (616) 246-0834 * E-Mail: engelhad@crcnet.mhs.CompuServe.com Dr. Paul Gilchrist, Stated Clerk, Presbyterian Church in America 1852 Century Place, Suite 190, Atlanta GA 30345 O: (404) 320-3366 Rev. Jack Whytock, Chairman, North American Presbyterian and Reformed Council 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: nr97-126.txt .