Watch for Synod 2008 Coverage in June

The 2008 Synod of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America is scheduled for June 23-27. It will once again be held at Geneva College in Beaver Falls, Pa.

For preview articles on the Synod as well as the full coverage in news and photos during Synod week, go here.

Also this summer will be the Reformed Presbyterian International Conference, a gathering of approximately 1,500 RPs from around the world that is held every four years. For information on that family conference, go here.

For RPCNA Synod 2007 News and Photos

The reports and photos from Synod 2007 can be found on ReformedPresbyterian.org, the official web site of the RPCNA. Just click on the "Synod Blog" menu.

Friday–Synod Adjourns

Closing the week’s devotional messages on the ministry of mercy, Pastor Barry York addressed the Synod. The ministry of mercy is a battle, he pointed out, using Isaiah 58 as a text. He impressed the importance of equipping our congregations for mercy ministry, but also of doing mercy ministry ourselves. He shared several of his own and his congregation’s experiences of the difficulties and blessings involved in reaching out to the poor, the homeless, the sick, and other needy people in our communities and families.

The report of the Judicial Committee regarding Communication 2006-06, which had been addressed yesterday, was taken up again today. The communication regarded the level of openness of session meetings to the members, as interpreting the Directory for Church Government. The report and decision of the Synod are to be communicated to the author of the original paper through his session.

Election results were announced for open spots on seven boards and ten committees.

Synod ended with a resolution of thanks and with small-group prayer for the congregations of the RPCNA, and then with corporate prayer and praise.

Synod adjourned, with a schedule to meet in 2007 on June 25-29.

Thursday (cont.)--Worship Discussion

Discussion of the report of the Committee to Revise the Directory for Worship spanned all three sessions of Synod today. The committee report listed 11 directives that it had agreed upon to guide its work, as well as a draft of a new worship directory. They said they desired that this directory would be based on the worship committee position paper that Synod adopted a few years ago.

The committee requested that 30 minutes be devoted to hearing “questions, reflections and comments from the members of Synod regarding the partial and preliminary draft submitted with this report.” The time period was extended twice due to the number of people seeking to give input, and to the lengthiness of their comments. There was high praise for the committee as well as minor suggestions and significant disagreement.

Questions and comments included the use of the term “teaching elder” over “minister,” the meaning of the Sabbath morning service being a “covenant renewal service,” the differences between morning and evening services, and whether suggested orders of service should be included. There was a request that this draft be based upon or compared to the current Directory for Worship, and a question about how carefully churches follow the directory they have.

No further action was taken on this report; so the committee will continue its work toward the goal of a proposed Directory for Worship.

The State of the Church report, which draws from presbytery reports to the Synod, drew an unusually high degree of debate for this annual report. Some who called the report and the debate valuable and stimulating also expressed that it did not accurately reflect or represent the denomination. Synod voted not to receive the report.

Two committees Synod had appointed earlier in the week reported back. In response to Communication 2006-01, the committee expressed its deep concern that a small congregation be heard in its request for aid to purchase a building; however, it did not think it feasible that any one agency could provide such a large sum, or that Synod was equipped better than its agencies to make this type of decision. The matter was referred to the congregation’s presbytery for further coordination in seeking a solution.

The other committee, a special judicial committee responding to communication 2006-04, made a final judgment on the case and commended the parties for their diligence in trying to reach a fully satisfactory conclusion.

Just a few reports remain for the final session of this Synod on Friday morning. One of those reports is the report of election results for boards, committees, and other positions.

Thursday (cont.)--Major Reports Completed, Others Near Completion

“Miraculous healing” was the title of the Thursday devotional message. Rev. Frank van Dalen, executive director of World Witness for the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church (ARP), delivered the message. A representative of the ARP had been invited to give one of the devotional messages this year. In addition, Rev. van Dalen gave a presentation on ARP mercy ministry later in the day.

Rev. van Dalen said in the devotional that the purposes of healing are to fulfill prophecies, to be a visible sign of Jesus as the Messiah, to be a sign of the coming of Christ’s kingdom, and to show the glories of heaven. With some of those aspects having been completed through Christ and with the foundation of the church being laid through the apostles, there is no longer a need for individual healers, he said. But God does still do miraculous healing, and integral to that healing is usually sincere prayer.

A communication dealt with by the Judicial Committee, Communication 2006-07, was an appeal by a member and forwarded by the Great Lakes-Gulf Presbytery. Though the committee found no specific statement of grounds for the appeal, they believed the intent was that a Synod study committee be formed to study “what the Bible requires for church membership.” The committee found no need for such a committee on the grounds that “the Synod has already engaged in extensive studies to determine the basis for church membership vows; the necessity for a new study is not demonstrated; and the committee denies that the present membership vows go beyond the requirement of Scripture.” The Judicial Committee affirmed the actions of the session and presbytery involved.

It was announced that Titus Martin had passed his exams by Presbytery of the Alleghenies in conjunction with this Synod meeting and will be ordained and installed as associate pastor at College Hill (Beaver Falls, Pa.) RPC in August.

The Finance Committee report, a long report with 16 recommendations, was approved with minimal discussion. Elder Steve McMahan, chairman, gave thanks for increased congregational giving to Reformed Presbyterian Mission & Ministry (RPM&M) and for the stewardship and generosity of some whose estates had provided gifts to the denomination in the past year.

While Synod is ahead of schedule, several reports still remain to be completed before adjournment. The scheduled adjournment is 12:15 p.m. tomorrow (Friday).

Thursday Morning--Revisions

Many eyes have been watching the progress of the Psalter Revision Committee to see how the new book will differ from the current Book of Psalms for Singing, first printed in 1973. The committee appeared before Synod today with the hope of having its plan approved for finalizing the psalter.

The committee’s primary recommendation was approved overwhelmingly, and with little discussion. The recommendation was that “as directed by [a previous] Synod, the Psalter Revision Committee continue its work to 'prepare and publish the next Book of Psalms for Singing’ according to past custom." The committee plan would place a near-final version before Synod next year, with publication in the following year.

Though there was little discussion on that recommendation, there was a long discussion of the revision in general, with dozens of delegates speaking to various issues. Many of the comments addressed tunes being used, and how “singable” they would be for congregations. There was little discussion of the texts themselves, with the texts and principles of translation having been discussed at length in earlier Synods.

The Synod also took up this morning a draft of a new Directory for Worship. Discussion of this, too, was brisk. This being the first year for the committee, they brought in a draft for input rather than a proposal for approval. The report was not completed prior to the lunch break.

A Step Toward the Future

In an effort to promote and more actively engage the denomination as a whole, the RP Witness this year is videotaping the devotional messages of Synod. Our first video comes from Pastor Bob Hemphill of Westminster, Colo. In his message on Luke 10 he examines Christ's portrayal of a charitable neighbor.

Wednesday P.M.--Legacy and Unity

The unfinished debate of Tuesday’s report on Understanding the Times was completed this afternoon. A thread in many of the comments was a desire that Reformed Presbyterians in Canada and Japan provide input to the report, since it typically addresses international matters. A member of the nominating committee informed delegates that there would be a Canadian delegate and a Japanese delegate on tomorrow’s ballot for the committee. A motion to permanently eliminate the Synod committee failed. A motion to receive this year’s Understanding the Times report, rather than to approve it as would typically be done, passed.

Mrs. Faith Martin, executive director of the RP Woman’s Association, reported on the Reformed Presbyterian Home and related ministries. A great joy recently was the groundbreaking of the Upper Rooms project, which will provide apartments for senior living adjacent to the current RP Home. Mrs. Martin is in the process of visiting each RP congregation to talk about the ministries of the Woman’s Association.

The History Committee announced a project to begin digitizing a great deal of material in the Reformed Presbyterian archives. The committee also sought Synod’s desire on planning a bicentennial celebration in Philadelphia in 2009, but a motion to research that possibility failed.

Casual acknowledgment of the existence of other Reformed and Presbyterian denominations was clearly not the tack taken by speakers tonight, as the Synod devoted the evening to interchurch relationships.

Speakers included not only members of the RPCNA’s Interchurch Committee, but also delegates from other denominations to this Synod. Each fraternal delegate was given five minutes to address the Synod: delegates from the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, the Korean American Presbyterian Church, the Presbyterian Church in America, the Reformed Church in the U.S., and the United Reformed Churches, as well as an observer from the Evangelical Presbyterian Church.

There are hopes for strengthening ties with sister Reformed Presbyterian denominations as well. The Interchurch Committee recommended, and Synod approved, a proposal to bring delegates from all Reformed Presbyterian denominations together to see how we might strengthen cooperative ties. Pastor Andrew Quigley of Airdrie, Scotland, RPC, addressed the Synod about the vision for faithfulness and fruitfulness in those two Scottish congregations. Pastor William Sterrett spoke on behalf of Trinity Christian Community Fellowship, a congregation in Cyprus whose constitution is based on the RPCNA Constitution.

Tomorrow the devotional speaker is an invited guest from the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. He will also be sharing about the ministry of mercy in the ARP. Synod approved the Interchurch Committee proposal for a similar arrangement at next year’s Synod.

While Synod is a bit ahead of schedule with just a day and a half left, there are several weighty reports yet to be considered. They include reports from the Committee to Revise the Directory for Worship, the Psalter Revision Committee, as well as judicial committees.

Wednesday Morning–Education and Mercy

The tremendous value of the truth God has entrusted to us was in sharp focus this morning, as well as the responsibility of sharing that truth with others who need to know.

Pastor Jon Maginn (Phoenix, Ariz., RPC) began by delivering a devotional message based on the story of the Ethiopian eunuch seeking scriptural answers from Philip in Acts 8. Pastor Maginn challenged everyone to spend time with people outside the Christian community who may be Christians but who need to be discipled in the doctrines of grace. He emphasized that that is, in fact, one ministry of mercy—to share these precious truths and bring light to families.

Educational ministries reported to the Synod this morning. The Board of Education & Publication highlighted web site development, including a new blog site on the mediatorial kingship of Christ, a dedicated site for RP Synod news, and sites in progress including one devoted to J. G. Vos and one for RPCNA media.

Geneva College reports to Synod through the college Board of Corporators elected by the Synod. Committee chairman Paul Finley and President Kenneth A. Smith talked about progress in academics under the leadership of Vice President Ken Carson and others. Two recent faculty hired are Reformed Presbyterians, and the college would like to see a higher percentage of RP faculty in the future. The chapel program of the college will again be mandatory for students. There was some discussion from delegates about whether chapel at the college should be conducted according to the regulative principle of worship, as would the worship of an RP congregation under its session; but no motion was made.

The Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary expressed thanks to have completed a year of transition, including significant faculty transition. A professor of New Testament is being sought for 2007, and the soliciting of nominations is beginning. The board recently approved plans to offer a doctor of ministry degree. The student full-time equivalent ratio rose in the past year by 25 percent.

There was a time of prayer for education in the church. There was also special prayer for a young man in the State College, Pa., RPC, Andrew McHenry, who had a severe allergic reaction today and was in a coma. Several hours later the Synod gave thanks to God to hear that Andrew had recovered remarkably.

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.

Tradition and Trajectory--Synod Begins Its Work

There is a lot represented in the faces of delegates to Synod--—many places, many congregations, many encouragements and disappointments. Jonathan Watt recognized that in his brief sermon tonight as retiring moderator of Synod.

The 175th meeting of the RPCNA Synod convened this evening in the Old Main Chapel of Geneva College. Geneva is a Reformed Presbyterian institution in Beaver Falls, Pa.

The approximately 150 delegates, as well as guests, began the evening by singing Psalm 1. Afterward, Jonathan Watt sought to encourage pastors and elders with a message focusing on Hebrews 6:10, "For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister."

He pointed out that "at times in Synod, issues can dwarf servants," and so he asked people to be careful to look at the servant, and to look at the congregation he is representing.

The first evening of Synod is always a night for tradition, one of which is the introduction of first-time delegates. There are about a dozen new delegates this year, including Rut Etheridge, pastor of Providence RPC in Pittsburgh, Pa., installed just a few weeks ago.

Another long tradition is the electing of Synod's moderator. Pastor Bruce Hemphill nominated Rev. James C. Pennington, recently retired missionary-pastor, who was elected by unanimous voice vote. Rev. Pennington has served five North American congregations over his career and served as a missionary-pastor in Japan.

Later, the legacies of servants of the church who have died in the past year were remembered. This includes three pastors, E. Raymond Hemphill, Raymond P. Joseph, and John O. Edgar; two ruling elders, Harold McCrory and James Humphries; and four pastors' wives, Bernice Caskey, Jean Martin, Peg Wilson, and Marion Vos.

There was an introduction of some of the work ahead, as the Business of Synod Committee revealed its recommendations regarding a large number of communications to the Synod this year. These communications, typically transferred through presbyteries for a ruling from the “higher court” of Synod, cover many topics. They include church property, church membership, wine in communion, and appeals of certain presbytery decisions.

Those topics will be taken up again tomorrow. Also on the agenda will be home and foreign missions and reports of the seven presbyteries. Synod is scheduled to meet through June 30.

--Drew Gordon, editor
Reformed Presbyterian Witness

(As always, your corrections to these articles are welcome. I'd rather that timeliness not get in the way of accuracy. Send corrections to drew@psalms4u.com.)