Fraternal Relations

The Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church maintains relationships of Fraternal Fellowship with the denominations approved by the General Synod. This relationship of Fraternal Fellowship is appropriate for Churches:

(A) which are other branches of the ARP Church outside the United States, recognized by our General Synod, including the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church in Mexico; the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church in Pakistan; and other Associate Reformed Churches which may be formed in the future (NOTE: Relationships which involve a channeling of financial or people resources in programs overseas are the responsibility of the Board of World Witness.);
(B) which are Reformed in confession (i.e., churches that adhere to the Westminster Confession and Catechisms and/or the Heidelberg Catechism, the Belgic Confession, and the Canons of the Synod of Dordt), polity, and liturgy, as determined not only by their formal standards, but also by their actual practice.

This relationship is understood to involve:

(1) exchange of fraternal delegates at major assemblies;
(2) occasional pulpit fellowship under the oversight of Presbytery (where the minister in question would satisfy the ordination requirements of the ARP Church);
(3) intercommunion under the oversight of the local session [i.e., fellowship at the table of the Lord];
(4) joint action in areas of common responsibility;
(5) communication on major issues of joint concern;
(6) the exercise of mutual concern and admonition with a view to promoting the fundamentals of Christian unity.

NOTE: Denominations approved are

the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church in Pakistan,
the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church in Mexico,
the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America,
the Presbyterian Church in America,
the Orthodox Presbyterian Church,
the Christian Reformed Church in North America,
and the Korean-American Presbyterian Church.
(1999 Minutes of Synod, p.355)

The Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church maintains relationships of Fraternal Correspondence with the denominations approved by the General Synod. This relationship involves correspondence and, where appropriate:

(1) the exchange of official representatives at major assemblies;
(2) joint action in areas of common concern;
(3) consultation on issues of joint concern, and;
(4) intercommunion with the oversight of the local session [i.e., fellowship at the table of the Lord]. NOTE: Denominations approved are the Presbyterian Church, U.S.A.,
the Cumberland Presbyterian Church,
and the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America.
(1999 Minutes of Synod, p.355)

In addition, the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church holds membership in: