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Preface

 

Almost twenty years ago I wrote and published the first edition of this booklet, after ten years followed by a second.
They were intended to serve “the second generation” of our membership, and in particular the office-bearers.
Today we can speak of “the third generation”.
Whatever we may call today’s membership, a brief commentary on our Church Order is always helpful.

There are two facts that made a third edition needed. First of all: the second edition is no longer available. The other reason is that, especially following Synod Rockingham 2003, our Church Order has undergone a number of changes.

The text of the previous editions has been maintained as far as possible.
This also means that I may repeat what I wrote in the Preface of the first edition:

The author gratefully acknowledges the assistance rendered by Mrs. M. Woonings in editing this book.

In the second edition I mentioned the name of my friend, Mr K.E. Hipkins. Also for this new edition he assisted me linguistically.

I appreciate the fact that this third edition appears in the New Series of “The Reformed Guardian”.

Again I express the hope that this booklet may serve the well-being of the congregations under the blessing of the Head of the Church, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

 

Secret Harbour, Western Australia

August 2005