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North American Presbyterian and Reformed Council
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The North American Presbyterian and Reformed Council (NAPARC) is an association of several Presbyterian and Reformed churches in the United States and Canada.[2] The Council meets annually.
It lists biblical inerrancy as its basis, along with the Six Forms of Unity: the Westminster Confession of Faith, the Belgic Confession, the Westminster Larger and Shorter Catechisms, the Heidelberg Catechism, and the Canons of Dordt.
The purpose of NAPARC is to "facilitate cross-denominational conversation and co-operation."[3]
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History and basis
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The first NAPARC meeting was held in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania in the fall of 1975, and had the Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC), the Christian Reformed Church of North America (CRCNA), the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America (RPCNA) and the Reformed Presbyterian Church, Evangelical Synod as its founding members.[4] In time, NAPARC would grow to include 13 Continental Reformed and Presbyterian denominations.
In 1997, the membership of the Christian Reformed Church was suspended, largely on the basis of its 1995 decision to open the offices of elder and minister of word and sacrament to women.[5][6][7] Later, in 2001, the denomination was excluded from the organization.[8]
Since 1999, several proposals to transform the NAPARC into a synod that would unify the member denominations have been discussed.[9]
In 2011, the 37th meeting discussed the differences between the organization's member denominations, seeking unity. Discussion of a possible merger between the denominations was encouraged. This was called the Reformed Ecclesiastical Dialogue (RED). However, this project received criticism for giving too much freedom to groups integrated into this possible denomination. [10]
In 2012, another debate about unity among the denominations occurred.[11] Again the plan was criticized by some leaders, but encouraged by others. It has been proposed that the union of churches is ideal, but it may be that the current churches are not yet prepared for it. [12]
In 2019, the Associated Reformed Presbyterian Church again questioned the merger of the denominations, arguing that the purpose of NAPARC should be to move toward merger.[13]
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Purpose and function
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The Constitution of NAPARC states that the Basis of the Council is "Confessing Jesus Christ as only Savior and Sovereign Lord over all of life, we affirm the basis of the fellowship of Presbyterian and Reformed Churches to be full commitment to the Bible in its entirety as the Word of God written, without error in all its parts and to its teaching as set forth in the Heidelberg Catechism, the Belgic Confession, the Canons of Dordt, the Westminster Confession of Faith, and the Westminster Larger and Shorter Catechisms. That the adopted basis of fellowship be regarded as warrant for the establishment of a formal relationship of the nature of a council, that is, a fellowship that enables the constituent churches to advise, counsel, and cooperate in various matters with one another and hold out before each other the desirability and need for organic union of churches that are of like faith and practice."
The objectives of the organization are:
- Facilitate discussion and consultation between member bodies on those issues and problems which divide them as well as on those which they face in common and by the sharing of insights "communicate advantages to one another" (Institutes IV, 2,1).
- Promote the appointment of joint committees to study matters of common interest and concern.
- Exercise mutual concern in the perpetuation, retention, and propagation of the Reformed faith.
- Promote co-operation wherever possible and feasible on the local and denominational level in such areas as missions, relief efforts, Christian schools, and church education.
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Possible member mergers
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In 1977, the Presbyterian Church in America absorbed the Reformed Presbyterian Church, Evangelical Synod, one of the founding members of the NAPARC.[14] Since then, the NAPARC routinely debate on new proposals for the unification of denominations.[13]
In 2008, United Reformed Churches in North America absorbed Orthodox Christian Reformed Churches in North America.[15]
Canadian and American Reformed Churches and United Reformed Churches in North America
The Canadian and American Reformed Churches and the United Reformed Churches in North America have been in dialogue about a possible merger since the 2010s. In 2016, the two denominations held simultaneous synods, in the same location.[16][17]
Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church and Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America
The Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church was formed by the union of two Presbyterian groups, which included most of the members of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America, in 1803.[18]
After the establishment of the NAPARC, the two denominations established a relationship. In 2015 and 2019, the two denominations held simultaneous synods in the same location and some members questioned the possibility of a future merger.[19]
Free Reformed Churches of North America and Heritage Reformed Congregations
The Free Reformed Churches of North America and Heritage Reformed Congregations have operated a seminary together since 1995 and are in dialogue about a possible merger. In 2017, they held simultaneous synods, in the same location.[20][21][22]
Presbyterian Church in America and Orthodox Presbyterian Church
The Presbyterian Church in America and Orthodox Presbyterian Church attempted, in 1956 and in 1972, denominational merger. However, in each of the attempts, the merger was not approved by the necessary quorum in the respective assemblies of one of the denominations.[14][23]
Member denominations
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Observer denominations
References
External links
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