Instructions for Writing and Submitting

Instructions for Writing and Submitting

INSTRUCTIONS FOR WRITING AND SUBMITTING

OVERTURES TO GENERAL SYNOD 2008

A.Definition

1.An overture is a request for action made by an assembly to a higher assembly.

2.A board of elders or a consistory may overture classis; a classis may overture regional synod or General Synod; a regional synod may overture General Synod.

B.Format

1.The first part of the overture is a statement of three parts:

a. who overtures whom (e.g., the Classis of Ontario overtures General Synod)

b. what specific action is being requested (e.g., to instruct the General Synod Council to study...)

c. what mode of implementation is being requested (e.g., to report to the 2007 General Synod)

  1. The second part of the overture is a presentation of reasons in support of the action being requested. Unless such reasons are extremely brief, the reasons are customarily itemized.
  2. If the overture affects the rate of General Synod assessments, include an approximation of the costs involved and the impact on assessments (MGS1990, R-5, p. 388 and MGS 1995, R-4, p.348).

4.Be as succinct as possible while still making the overture definitive.

5.If the Bible is quoted, the version used must be cited.

  1. If another publication is quoted or referred to, it must be referenced. If the Minutes of General Synod are referred to, list the title MGS, year, recommendation number if there is one, and the page number (e.g., MGS 2002, R-66, p. 255).

C.Cautions

1.Overtures which deal with matters under adjudication or which make direct or implied charges against persons will not be received (BCO Chapter 3, Part II, Article 2, Section 7).

2.The General Synod "discourages any classis or other...judicatory from presenting any overture involving personalities, agencies, or controversial issues and making either direct or implied charges against persons or agencies, without thorough investigation of the charges made and adequate authentication of the sources of evidence upon which the charges rest" (MGS 1958, pp. 135-36).

3."...use caution before hastily laying a matter before the entire church. When disagreements arise, the parties involved should first approach one another directly or by correspondence, turning to General Synod only after this has been done and the disagreement not resolved" (MGS 1960, p. 116).

D.Procedure

1.An overture being submitted is to be accompanied by a cover letter, stating the place and date of the meeting of the assembly at which the overture was adopted; the letter is to be signed by the stated clerk and/or president.

2.If more than one overture is being submitted, each should begin on a separate page. A single cover letter will suffice.

  1. Classical overtures to General Synod are due on March 31. Any overtures received with a postmark after March 31 will not be accepted. Regional synod overtures to the General Synod are due ten days following the annual meeting of regional synod (BCO, Chapter 3, Part II, Article 2, Section 7).
  2. Your assembly may send two representatives as resource persons to speak about the overture to the appropriate advisory committee. If a representative(s) will be serving as a resource person for your overture, please notify the Manager of Administrative Services so that the advisory committee moderator can be sure to provide a time for your representative to speak (BCO Chapter 3, Part I, Article 7, Section 3d).

E.Sample Overture

Following is an overture presented to the 2002 General Synod (MGS 2002, p. 179). It is included here as an example of the succinctness, clarity of request, and format which properly characterize overtures.

Dialogue with the Christian Reformed Church in North America

1. The Synod of the Great Lakes overtures the General Synod to encourage agencies of the General Synod of the Reformed Church in America as well as the Commission on Christian Unity to enter into a greater dialogue with the Christian Reformed Church in North America and its Inter-Church Relations Committee for the purpose of exploring ways to move toward a seamless ministry and mission of the Christian Reformed Church with the Reformed Church in America.

Reasons:

  1. The RCA and CRC share the same confessions, a common tradition and history, and a shared mission to reach the world in the name of Jesus Christ.

2. The mission of the Church would be better served by a seamless ministry
and mission of the two churches.

Q:\Stated Clerks\2007 Aug-Sept mailing GS 08\overtures-APPENDIX H for clerks.doc

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