Definition
The SMJM guides the governance of the church council and presbytery meetings to be the manifestation of Christ’s governance through his Word and Spirit.
Composition
The Synod appoints a Judicial Ministry, which functions as a commission for the revision of stipulations and regulations. It consists of six members: the actuarius as an ex officio member and scribe, and five other members, with secundi. The Ministry has the right to co-opt additional members, preferably people with a legal qualification.
Responsibilities
- Giving guidance and advice to smaller meetings (mindere vergaderings) regarding problematic situations which may lead to litigation in civil courts;
- In exceptional cases legal advice may be obtained at the cost of the Cape Synod;
- Sending the proposals for the revision of the Church Order, stipulations and regulations, which he received in time (see stipulation 51.11.1 up to 51.11.5), to the Scribe of the Synod;
- The ministry’s report, containing its advice on these proposals, is tabled during one of the first sessions of the Synod meeting;
- All proposals for the revision of stipulations and regulations must be sent to the Scribe of the Ministry at least four months before the meeting of Synod (see stipulation 59.12);
- Licensing (legitimering) all the candidates for the ministry who successfully completed a colloquium doctum and are recommended by the Assessment Committee of the Ministerial Formation Task Team (Curatorium) [final examination commission (eindeksamenkommissie)].
- Regular training in the principles of church law for church council members and reverends;
- Regular empowering of church council members and reverends in the practical implementation of the Church Order;
- Nurture the well-being of congregations by resolving conflict in accordance with the CORE VALUES of URCSA;
- Understanding the influence of courts’ judgments and the common law on the transformation of our African Reformed Church polity;
- To provide teaching material on the Provisional Order PPT Presentation.
Goals
- To establish joint congregations, presbyteries and ministries between the DRC and URCSA Cape Region in accordance with the PROVISIONAL ORDER and the MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT;
- To assist the DRC and URCSA Cape Region’s moderatures to plan and implement regular convents about church unity;
- To assist URCSA CAPE congregations in living the Confession of Belhar and to avoid conflict.
Contact
Rev. Lucas Plaatjie
(+27) 78 076 7283
[email protected]
*Preferred communication is by email please.