Tuesday Wrapup
An apt way to start this day was to talk about loving God and loving one’s neighbor. That’s the way the second day of Synod started, with a devotional message on charity by Pastor Robert Hemphill (Westminster, Colo., RPC). The message was based on the parable of the good Samaritan in Luke 10:25-37. “True charity must not end until it reaches our neighbor,” Pastor Hemphill said.
Certainly there was no lack of charity throughout the day, as the Synod focused on the RPCNA’s missions and her presbyteries.
Charity was still in evidence at the end of the day, when the discussion was liveliest. That discussion and debate was over an oft-routine report called Understanding the Times. Some delegates expressed objections to political positions and commentary in the report, concerned that those statements might be understood as expressing the views of the RP Synod. Policies on the Iraq war, relations with Iran, and border security were just a few issues addressed.
Despite extending the time to try to finish that report, no decision was made; so it will come up again when there is room for unfinished business.
The Home Mission Board (HMB) reported the progress of its Resident in Training program, which accounts for 40 percent of its budget. There has been fruit already, with three pastors who have completed their terms involved in a church plant or congregation.
There are seven active church planting efforts that are likely to need HMB assistance in the near future.
The HMB launched a new web site, RPHomeMissions.org, that offers news and prayer requests.
With Vince and Julie Ward and Heather Huizing committed to the Sudan, the RPCNA now has an established mission field in Africa. Pastor Andrew Stringer and his family are considering a call to Sudan as well.
Progress in the Japan Presbytery continues, but the need for a missionary-pastor among the Kobe congregations was stated by the Foreign Mission Board as well as the Japan Presbytery.
The Reformation Translation Fellowship reported that it has published 250,000 volumes of theological works for China in the past three years, and that these books are given primarily to church leaders who can then train their members.
In addition to mission work and presbytery reports, there were some administrative reports. Jim McFarland, the stated clerk of Synod, reported another year of modest growth in the RPCNA. Membership grew by about one percent, and there are 450 more members in the denomination than there were nine years ago.
The Business of Synod Committee recommended the dates for the next two Synods, both of which will again be held the last week of June at Geneva College.
(For Tuesday's other news, see the two earlier posts below.)
Certainly there was no lack of charity throughout the day, as the Synod focused on the RPCNA’s missions and her presbyteries.
Charity was still in evidence at the end of the day, when the discussion was liveliest. That discussion and debate was over an oft-routine report called Understanding the Times. Some delegates expressed objections to political positions and commentary in the report, concerned that those statements might be understood as expressing the views of the RP Synod. Policies on the Iraq war, relations with Iran, and border security were just a few issues addressed.
Despite extending the time to try to finish that report, no decision was made; so it will come up again when there is room for unfinished business.
The Home Mission Board (HMB) reported the progress of its Resident in Training program, which accounts for 40 percent of its budget. There has been fruit already, with three pastors who have completed their terms involved in a church plant or congregation.
There are seven active church planting efforts that are likely to need HMB assistance in the near future.
The HMB launched a new web site, RPHomeMissions.org, that offers news and prayer requests.
With Vince and Julie Ward and Heather Huizing committed to the Sudan, the RPCNA now has an established mission field in Africa. Pastor Andrew Stringer and his family are considering a call to Sudan as well.
Progress in the Japan Presbytery continues, but the need for a missionary-pastor among the Kobe congregations was stated by the Foreign Mission Board as well as the Japan Presbytery.
The Reformation Translation Fellowship reported that it has published 250,000 volumes of theological works for China in the past three years, and that these books are given primarily to church leaders who can then train their members.
In addition to mission work and presbytery reports, there were some administrative reports. Jim McFarland, the stated clerk of Synod, reported another year of modest growth in the RPCNA. Membership grew by about one percent, and there are 450 more members in the denomination than there were nine years ago.
The Business of Synod Committee recommended the dates for the next two Synods, both of which will again be held the last week of June at Geneva College.
(For Tuesday's other news, see the two earlier posts below.)
posted by RP Witness at 10:04 PM
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