For Synod highlights, it’s hard to top the birth of a Reformed Presbyterian denomination. Last year, Synod approved moving toward a Reformed Presbyterian Church of Canada that would include most of the Canadian congregations in the RPCNA. This year, on the last day of Synod, the Reformed Presbytery of Canada was commissioned with the authority to form a new denomination:

“On this 24th day of June, in the Year of our Lord Two Thousand and Twenty-Two, the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America does hereby send forth those congregations and mission works within the Presbytery of Canada with the authority to form a new denomination, committed to the Word of God, contained within the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments. As a theological foundation for this new denomination, we provide the subordinate standards of the Westminster Confession of Faith, the Larger and Shorter Catechisms, the Testimony, the Directory for Church Government, the Book of Discipline, and the Directory of Public Worship. Understanding the Authority of Christ as the Mediatorial King over the Church and Nations, we charge you to call the Magistrate of your land to repentance and to recognition of the Lordship of Christ over all nations. We encourage you to be faithful in your commitment to Public Covenanting and to faithfully maintain purity in your practice of worship as you seek to preach the Word of God to your nation.”

Most of Wednesday’s session was devoted to a very sober matter: the report, communications, and minutes related to the Synod Special Judicial Commission (SJC). This commission of ruling and teaching elders was created by the 2021 Synod to address the difficult issues surrounding the handling of a minor-on-minor sexual abuse case at Immanuel RP Church in West Lafayette, Ind. SJC moderator Keith Wing was given 30 minutes to present the commission’s findings and explain their actions.

The first related paper to be discussed was Communication 22-14 GLG Former IRPC Members, in which former members of Immanuel RPC argued in support of the SJC’s actions. The presenters were given 15 minutes to summarize their case, then the court was given time to ask clarifying questions. Then Communication 22-09 Olivetti Complaint vs. SJC came to the floor, and delegates learned that former pastor Jared Olivetti was present to summarize his complaint. He was given 15 minutes to lay forth his arguments; then members of the court were given time to ask clarifying questions of multiple parties. Synod then voted on the two points in the Olivetti complaint; neither was sustained.

Next came Communication 22-08. James Faris, the chief author, presented the complaint on behalf of more than 80 members within the bounds of the Great Lakes–Gulf Presbytery, with clarifying questions from the court. Then the SJC responded. Finally, a vote was taken. The complaint was not sustained. Similar consideration was given to Communication 22-07 GLG Bloomington Com-plaints vs. SJC, which also was not sustained.

Two communications were then taken up from individuals making complaints against the work of the SJC. The complaints of these papers also were not sustained. Synod overwhelmingly sustained the rulings of the SJC. The SJC was later dismissed, but former members of the commission will continue to serve in the upcoming year in key shepherding roles.

Tuesday evening the court had taken several actions on other papers that had been filed this year. Synod ruled in a complaint arising from actions of the Atlantic Presbytery (Communication 22-01), that the actions of the presbytery were in opposition to Westminster Confession 20.2-4 and RP Testimony 4.8 and 20.4-5 and 26.5, 8. The matter arose over a Covid-19 resolution from the presbytery following the inquiry of one congregation in particular. The presbytery had, prior to Synod, withdrawn the resolution and apologized for acting in haste.

Related to another paper, Synod decided not to accept proposed revisions to its Vows of Communicant Membership (Communication 22-05), which would have streamlined the vows with one query per section.

The Home Mission Board reported that, as of the start of Synod, there were 101 congregations in the RPCNA (89 organized congregations and 12 mission churches). In the Japan Presbytery, there are four congregations and one mission church. Since last summer the Oklahoma City Mission Church and the Houston Mission Church were established. Also, the mission church in Columbia, Mo., was organized as a congregation.

Later, the Global Mission Board focused attention on the courageous labors of missionaries and the fruits seen in the various RPCNA mission fields including Japan, South Sudan, Central Asia, and South Asia. RP Global Missions also has numerous short-term mission trips planned or underway. Numerous resources (including an RPGM newsletter) are available to inform local congregations.

The denomination’s stated clerk, Jim McFarland, reported a modest but healthy 2 percent growth of the denomination in the past calendar year. But he pointed out a 10 percent decline in the number of ruling elders in churches in the past 10 years. In connection with the RP Global Alliance report, Synod approved Oct. 2 as “an RP International Day of Prayer for the provision of ruling elders in the global RP Church.”

On Thursday, RP Seminary president Barry York spoke about this year’s 11 RP graduates and the ongoing need for additional laborers. Synod reelected RPTS professors Richard Gamble, C.J. Williams, and David Whitla. Geneva College president Calvin Troup reported that the college trustees adopted the vision statement: “Geneva College will be known nationally for advancing integration of faith and learning under Christ and His Word, preparing students for courageous engagement throughout their life’s work.”

A question that has been before Synod for a couple of years is how long-term prison inmates can be tied into the visible church. Synod’s study committee came back recommending this principle: “Under the right circumstances it can be in accord with Scripture’s teaching for a congregation to take into communicant membership someone who professes Gospel faith in Christ but still anticipates extended incarceration, providing the Session has the ability to provide oversight over the individual. If the Session is unable to baptize an unbaptized incarcerated believer at the institution where they are incarcerated, they should not proceed with membership.” After numerous questions about this principle statement, Synod adopted it for the encouragement and guidance of the church-es.

The Education & Publication Board announced the first three titles in the new Grassmarket Press imprint that are now in the final editing process: The Lord’s Day by Daniel Howe, I Have a Confession by Nathan Eshelman, and What Is Love? by Kyle Borg.

Thursday afternoon Synod heard from a number of study committees on various questions. It referred reports back to committees on Recusals in Discipline Cases and Vows and Queries for additional work. Synod adopted changes to its Book of Discipline, explicitly allowing for the use of videoconferencing in trials under certain circumstances but specifying that it is a less beneficial alternative.

On the final day of the 190th Synod, Canadian Pastor Matt Kingswood (Russell, Ont., RPC) preached God’s Word to delegates from Matt. 28:16–20. Then Moderator Harry Metzger invited the Canadian elders of the court to the front for the purpose of sending them forth. Moderators of presbyteries, boards, and institutions also joined them in the front for the purpose of extending the right hand of fellowship to these brothers. They were commissioned, and then, after prayer, Synod sang Psalm 72. The psalm has special significance for the Dominion of Canada, since its national motto A Marie Usque Ad Mare (From Sea to Sea) comes from Psalm 72:8. There were tears of joy over this multiplication, but also a sense of loss as these co-laborers go out.

The next Reformed Presbyterian Synod is called to convene June 20–23, 2023, once again at Indiana Wesleyan University. Looking ahead two years, the Synod will be held at Geneva College in Beaver Falls, Pa., while the RP International Conference that year will return to Indiana Wesleyan University.

For the daily digests of actions, including reports, actions, and links not mentioned in this summary article, go to www.rpwitness.org.