Date: Wed, 17 Jun 1998 09:23:44 -0400 From: Darrell Todd Maurina Organization: Christian Renewal/United Reformed News Service Subject: NR 98042: OPC Invites URC to Enter Ecclesiastical Fellowship NR #1998-042: Orthodox Presbyterian Church Invites United Reformed to Enter Ecclesiastical Fellowship Meeting from May 27 to June 2 at Reformed Bible College in Grand Rapids, the Orthodox Presbyterian Church voted to invite the United Reformed Churches in North America, the largest group of churches which have seceded from the Christian Reformed Church, "to enter into a relationship of ecclesiastical fellowship with the OPC." "This is a group of churches that have stood for the confessional standards and have had to make the break," said Rev. Jack Peterson, chairman of the OPC's Committee on Ecumenicity and Interchurch Relations. "We haven't found in talking to them what I expected, 'death to the CRC.' We have found them to be a Reformed church that wants to bring its Reformed faith to the world." NR #1998-042: For Immediate Release: Orthodox Presbyterian Church Invites United Reformed to Enter Ecclesiastical Fellowship by Darrell Todd Maurina, Press Officer United Reformed News Service GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. (June 10, 1998) URNS - Meeting from May 27 to June 2 at Reformed Bible College in Grand Rapids, the Orthodox Presbyterian Church voted to invite the United Reformed Churches in North America, the largest group of churches which have seceded from the Christian Reformed Church, "to enter into a relationship of ecclesiastical fellowship with the OPC." The OPC cited four grounds: that the URC holds the Heidelberg Catechism, Belgic Confession, and Canons of Dort as its confessional standards, that "they seek to maintain a vigorous faithfulness to their standards in their church life," that the URC is a member of the International Council of Reformed Churches along with the OPC, and that "their synod has expressed the desire to work more closely with us." "This is a group of churches that have stood for the confessional standards and have had to make the break," said Rev. Jack Peterson, chairman of the OPC's Committee on Ecumenicity and Interchurch Relations. "We haven't found in talking to them what I expected, 'death to the CRC.' We have found them to be a Reformed church that wants to bring its Reformed faith to the world." Peterson, who had for many years opposed breaking ties with the CRC, said the OPC finally had no choice when the CRC voted to open its offices to women. "It's not that we have to declare the CRC is no longer a true church, we didn't get into that game," said Peterson. "Once we severed relationships with the CRC we were free to talk, discuss, and work with the seceders." The United Reformed interchurch relations committee will next meet on June 18 and is expected to consider the OPC invitation. In related business, the OPC voted to approve the November 1997 action of the North American Presbyterian and Reformed Council in suspending the CRC from membership. The NAPARC decision will take effect if ratified by two-thirds of the seven NAPARC members within the next three years. Cross-References to Related Articles: #1998-033: Three Reformed Denominations to Hold General Assemblies or Synods this Year in West Michigan Contact List: 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. Peter Vellenga, Chairman, URC Interchurch Relations Committee PO Box 21, Auburn, ON N0M 1E0 H/O/FAX: (519) 482-7523 ---------------------------------------------------------- file: /pub/resources/text/reformed/archive98: nr98-042.txt .