All Articles For Church Unity, Reformed Synods, and Independency

In a letter published in the previous issue of this magazine, a correspondent in Liverpool, England asked for clarification of an earlier editorial on “The Binding Decisions of a Reformed Synod” (cf. the Standard Bearer, June 1, 1991). Aware of the attack on synods (or general assemblies) in Reformed circles in our day, he was really asking for a further defense of churches banding together in synodical union. Reformed and Presbyterian churches have always grounded synodical union in the unity of the church of Christ. The spiritual unity of the body of Christ must come to visible, institutional manifestation. This...

An astute reader of the Standard Bearer in England asks some penetrating questions about Reformed church government (cf. the letter, “Reformed Synods and Independency,” elsewhere in this issue). Basically he asks for a defense of the synod, or general assembly as it is called in the Presbyterian churches, in the system of Reformed church government. He is moved to do this by the attack on the synod within Reformed circles today and by instances, real or alleged, of the abuse of their authority by synods to the detriment of the local churches and their members. He also asks the practical...

A friend lent me the March, April, and May 1991 issues of the Outlook, which contain articles called “Synod-ocracy: Cause and Cure.” The writer’s complaint is that the synod of his church (the Christian Reformed Church) had opened the doors of local church office to women. His solution is virtually a modified form of independency, unless I read him wrongly. . . . Have you read the articles in the Outlook? I would value a response to “Synod-ocracy: Cause and Cure,” unless you agree with the articles, of course. Shall There Be Synod? This was the request of a correspondent...