If you want to see the breadth of work that a synod of a small but active denomination can be involved in, this might be the synod to follow. The 187th Synod of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America meets June 26-29 in Marion, Ind., with a full and diverse docket of work.

For those who think about the court function of a synod, there are many constitutional questions before this Synod. While most of them are minor, some are substantial, and a couple will involve proceedings similar to those in a civil court. Synod will hear an appeal and a complaint by two ministers regarding the same paper on scriptural interpretation of passages related to elders. One is the appeal of a retired minister who has been suspended on the charge of “believing and accepting a stance on women in the eldership, which is contrary to query four of his official vows of ordination….”

For those who think about doctrine and synod, there will be proposals for clarification on the matter of divorce, particularly relating to situations of desertion of one spouse. There is also a report of a committee on whether tithes and offerings must be collected during the worship service.

For those who think about missions in relation to synod, there will be reports from all areas of the globe. Some will be from official RPCNA missions, including in those countries where there were no previous RP congregations; and others will be from areas where RPs are actively working together to see how the church might be better equipped and unified. There are also many home mission works and initiatives, including those involving languages other than English.

For those who think about denominational institutions, there will be the interview of a candidate for professor of church history at the Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary, even as the seminary’s leadership transitions from retiring president Jerry O’Neill to new president Barry York.

For those who focus on numbers and dollars, there will be statistical and financial reports indicating, for example, that the RPCNA continues its modest growth at about 1-1/2 percent per year. The denomination’s RPM&M fund reached its financial goal for 2017, but the number of congregations that did not give to RPM&M was a disappointment.

For those who think about a synod’s role in uniting and helping presbyteries, there will be reports from those presbyteries indicating, again, modest growth, as well as expansion into new areas of the U.S. and Canada.

For those who think about the denomination’s relationship to other believers and churches, there will be reports from fraternal delegates as well as a preview of the 2019 Synod to be held concurrently with the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church at Geneva College in Beaver Falls, Pa.

The 187th Synod convenes on the campus of Indiana Wesleyan University at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 26, and is scheduled to adjourn that Friday at 4 p.m. For detailed daily reports of the proceedings, go to RPWitness.org. For some live reports and photos, go to Facebook.com/RPSynod.