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.)

The Presbyteries--More News from Tuesday

Another focus of the day was the work of the RPCNA’s presbyteries—six of them in North America and one in Japan. Presbyteries met separately in the afternoon; then, in the evening they reported to the Synod. Here are some highlights from those presbytery reports:

Alleghenies—Gave thanks for the successful merger of the Geneva and First Beaver Falls congregations. There were two well-attended presbytery youth conferences in the last year, and there are eight theological students under care of the presbytery. Sadness was expressed over the need to suspend one pastor.

Atlantic—There has been nearly a 50 percent increase in deacons in the past year among the six congregations. There are two centers of outreach in the presbytery, both under the oversight of the Cambridge, Mass., RPC.

Great Lakes-Gulf—Has given the green light to exploratory work in Atlanta after a positive report from a presbytery commission. This is a key population center in the presbytery that has no RP congregation.

Japan Presbytery—Asked prayer for hard-working pastors in the presbytery, who are also teaching at Kobe Theological Hall (KTH). Some pastors and their families are facing health problems. Kobe Theological Hall has 14 students. Missionary Patricia Boyle is teaching English at a local university and is academic dean of KTH, in addition to other work in the congregations.

Midwest Presbytery—Stan Copeland accepted a call to Minneola, Kan., RPC, leaving just one vacant congregation among the 17.

Pacific Coast Presbytery—three mission teams visited the presbytery. This presbytery is also the current regional focus of the work of Synod’s Revitalization Committee.

St. Lawrence Presbytery—Received a new student under care today. Announced plans to organize the Russell, Ont., mission work as a congregation in October.

In the first major item of business today, the Business of Synod Committee gave its report on communications, most of which are related to decisions of presbyteries or were passed along by presbyteries for Synod decision.

Communication 06-1 is a request for financial help for the Hudson-St. Lazare, Quebec, RPC to expedite their purchase of a suitable building. A committee was appointed to review this and to report this week.

Communication 06-2 came from a committee of Midwest Presbytery and asks for Synod’s counsel regarding the re-ordination of a teaching elder. It was referred back to Midwest Presbytery as the court of original jurisdiction. Pastor Jeff Stivason pointed out that, according to the RPCNA Book of Discipline, consent of the presbytery that initiated the earlier deposition of this elder would also be needed.

Communication 06-3 requests a ruling on what the contents of the communion cup may be. It was referred back to Midwest Presbytery as having been answered by the 2002 Synod. Some questioned whether all the questions of this communication were answered by the 2002 decisions, but the recommendation of the Business of Synod committee was approved.

Communication 06-4 is from the Hebron, Kan., RPC requesting a ruling on a judicial action taken by Midwest Presbytery on a longstanding case. It was referred to a special judicial committee.

Communication 06-5 from the St. Lawrence Presbytery requests a ruling on what constitutes a true church as required in the Directory for Worship 3:9, in connection with who is able to take communion in session-controlled communion. This was declared to have been answered by the 1977 Synod. Two requests to entertain substitute motions failed.

Communication 06-6 regards the nature of session meetings and the level of their openness to the public, and is a “complaint” of a Great Lakes-Gulf Presbytery decision. It was referred to Synod’s judicial committee.

Communication 06-7 is an appeal of a decision of Great Lakes-Gulf Presbytery on an interpretation of the Covenant of Church membership. That, too, was referred to the judicial committee.