Preserving, maintaining, and proclaiming at the Synod of the RPCNA

The Reformed Presbyterian Church gives thanks to the Lord for His grace and power evident in the 180th meeting of the Reformed Presbyterian Synod. Nearly 150 ruling and teaching elders convened at Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU) in Marion, Ind. as the highest court of this branch of the visible church. These meetings not only attended to the needs of Christ’s church but also served as a “dry run” to explore the remarkable facilities and services the denomination will enjoy at IWU during the RP International Conference July 21–27, 2012.

Synod delegates considered minor changes to the Directory for Church Government and Directory of Public Worship, heard many reports about the church’s own internal functions and mission works, and received delegates from other branches of Christ’s church in North America with whom we have fraternal relations. It was a week where the labors of the church in the world were evident, where the fellowship of the saints was delightful, and where the presence of Christ’s Spirit was palpable. We can say as the retiring moderator Jerry O’Neill prayed in the keynote sermon: “Lord, give us more of your Spirit.”

The Reformed Presbyterian Testimony (25.2) says, “It is the mission of the Church to preserve, maintain and proclaim to the whole world the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the whole counsel of God…and in every way to seek the advancement of the Kingdom of God on earth.”

Preserving

The gospel of Jesus Christ permeated the week as Synod convened each day with worship, including the preaching of the Word. Pastors Nathan Eshelman (Los Angeles, Calif., RPC), Rut Etheridge (South Hills [Pittsburgh, Pa.] RPC and Paul Patrick (ARP Chaplain, Erskine College, Due West, S.C.) preached the Word of God from the book of Colossians, and God’s songs were sung with joy and gladness. On Monday evening Ruling Elder Steve McMahan of the Clay Center, Kan., RPC was elected moderator of this 180th meeting of Synod, only the second ruling-elder moderator in the history of the RPCNA. Throughout this Synod, ruling elders were featured and appreciated. That first evening, moving memorials were read for RPCNA teaching elders who departed to heaven this year: Garland Kincaid (Indianapolis, Ind., RPC), David Carson (Eastvale [Beaver Falls, Pa.] RPC), Kenneth Hoffman (Tusca Area [Beaver, Pa.] RPC), and Charles H. Chao (Reformation Translation Fellowship).

On Tuesday, Synod labored to further the worship ministry of the RPCNA by finalizing changes to The Book of Psalms for Worship (http://www.psalter.org). This means the next edition (the psalter is already in its fifth printing) will omit 19C, 47C, 150CD and part of 24B. These selections are not to be used in public worship. Psalm 136D (“without omission”) will also be added. We can together thank the Lord for a quality psalter in contemporary language for use within the churches.

With minor revisions, Synod adopted a 45-page paper entitled Contemporary Perspectives on Sexual Orientation, which directly but winsomely stands against prevailing cultural theories on homosexual orientation. The report noted: It is widely believed by [activists] that, if homosexuality is shown to have biological and/or sociological causes (thereby proving the “homosexual orientation” hypothesis), then this would be indication that homosexuality is part of God’s natural order. However, this conclusion would not follow, of necessity, from such proof. While we believe that such discoveries would have significant implications for understanding and pastoring men and women with these struggles, an orthodox understanding of Scripture, and particularly its teaching on the effects of original sin upon human nature, do not support the logic of [such writers].

Such a report presented in such a format is needed in today’s culture, and plans are already underway for Crown & Covenant to publish this document. Pray the Lord would give this document a significant audience in the years to come.

Maintaining

On Tuesday evening presbytery clerks reported on the state of each presbytery and congregation. These reports recounted both the hard and happy providences of God in the lives of His people across the denomination. Encouraging accounts were given of the faithful worship of God’s people, of the orderly functioning of the churches, of the exploration of potential church plants, and of the general travails and suffering of Christ’s church to the glory of His name. (These presbytery reports are useful in fueling intercession for one another’s congregations.) The RPCNA stated clerk James McFarland reported “a general upward trend” in denominational attendance, congregations, and worship attendance.

In the spring of this year the Home Mission Board received six “sizeable and worthy requests” for aid in planting new churches. This board reminded Synod of the ambitious 20/20 Vision adopted in 2005 (http://rphomemissions.org/planting), praying that God would build this denomination from 83 congregations and mission stations in 2005 to 100 by 2020. God has caused us to grow to 88 works with many promising possibilities before us. Pray God would go before existing congregations (including those without pastors) and stir us all to pray and labor for His glory in the new worshiping assemblies including: Laramie, Wyo.; Providence, R.I. (Christ Church); Gibsonia, Pa.; Northminster, Ga.; Enid, Okla.; Endicott N.Y. (Christian Heritage); Terre Haute, Ind.; Marion, Ind.; Tucson, Ariz.; Monument, Colo.; Manhattan, Kan.; and Berkshire, Mass.

One of the final reports of the day was from the Committee on Understanding the Times, which reminded Synod of many of the significant events of the past year. The report concluded, “Wars, revolts, natural disasters, and human sin have characterized 2011. Yet Christ’s kingdom continues to grow. Gospel soil seems to be most fertile in East Asia, Africa and Latin America. The King has exalted valleys and has made low mountains and hills. Kingdoms rise and fall; empires ascend and descend; yet Christ and His kingdom remain, for ‘he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet’” (1 Cor. 15:25).

On Wednesday the Synod received reports from the Committee on Vital Churches, whose mission is “to assist elders, pastors, congregations and presbyteries in locating and effectively using the resources required to create and maintain a strong spiritual life, a vibrant ministry and witness, and effective local leadership within their churches.” The committee once again verbalized its belief that one key to renewed churches is renewed pastors. The committee has carefully gathered resources useful in pursuing vitality in local churches. In addition, delegates were given a list of conferences and seminars available to a local church pursuing greater vitality. The report of the Presbyterian and Reformed Joint Commission on Chaplains and Military Personnel included updates from several ministers currently serving as chaplains. Retired Army Chaplain Doug Lee addressed delegates on cultural pressures and legal protections on Reformed military chaplains in light of the repeal of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. He also emphasized the great need for hundreds more chaplains throughout the armed forces, especially among U.S. reserve forces. Updates on the RP Home (rphome.org) were brought by Laura Duncan, CEO of the Reformed Presbyterian Woman’s Association. She informed Synod of the great challenges facing the Home in a shifting regulatory and funds landscape.

On Wednesday evening Synod received updates from the Interchurch Committee on our denomination’s involvement with the North American Presbyterian and Reformed Council (naparc.org). Then Synod heard from delegates of nine denominations with whom we have fraternal relations, including the Reformed Presbyterian churches of Australia (Alastair McEwen) and Scotland (Andrew Quigley). The Lord continues to strengthen gospel bonds among these denominations and clarify differences in biblical understandings that impede further fellowship. Synod moved to strengthen the bonds with other RP denominations around the world by appointing two delegates to a committee on global cooperation.

Proclaiming

On Thursday Synod turned its attention to the educational ministry of the RPCNA. Trustees of the RP Seminary (rpts.edu) reported on the encouraging early recruitment for this next academic year and helped the Synod anticipate the eventual retirement of Dr. Denny Prutow (2014), Dr. George Scipione (2016), and Dr. Jerry O’Neill (2017) so that the denomination can prepare for the important transitions. Pray that the Lord would raise up wise and discerning men to faithfully lead the seminary in its third century of labor. The board also noted the growth and ministry of the Biblical Counseling Institute with three local pastors serving as volunteer counselors (rpts.edu/bci/bci.php). Currently the RPCNA has 40 theological students, including four certified to preach and 15 eligible to receive a call. Geneva College reported progress in its new governance structure, as well as the encouraging trend of the largest enrollment in the school’s history in 2010-11.

In other news on the educational front, appreciation was expressed for the announcement of plans for the 2012 RP International Conference. Dr. Joel Beeke, president of Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary, will be the keynote speaker. The week’s theme will be “How to Live the Christian Life.” Registration for the conference opens Sept. 6, and much more information is available at http://rpinternationaconference.org.

Plans are underway to add digital editions of the Reformed Presbyterian Witness (rpwitness.org), also reducing the number of monthly issues but increasing the number of pages in each published issue. The Board of Education & Publication also announced a successful beginning to its joint effort in the publication of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Psalter, which sold out its first printing in several days. Pray that this psalter might be a blessing to our friends in the ARP denomination. Perhaps the most exciting and mind-stretching developments at the Synod of 2011 were developments overseas in Japan and Cyprus, Sudan, East Asia, and in the Reformed Presbyterian Missions program (http://rpmissions.org) for young people pursuing short-term mission opportunities.

In Japan, four of the five RP churches in and around Kobe currently have pastors. More than $150,000 was given through North American RP churches to the RP Global Missions disaster relief fund. Pastor Katsunori Endo reported on Japan Presbytery’s efforts to minister to the church and the nation in the wake of the tsunami that devastated the Sendai region in March.

The Reformed Presbyterian Church of Southern Sudan (RPCSS) saw remarkable growth in the past year. Just over a year ago the RPCSS became an indigenous church with three mission churches and 300 members. Today there are some 1,700 members in nine churches and missions. These churches are aggressively working on a Dinka translation of the psalter for singing in the churches and for broadcast over the Weer Bei FM radio station. Pastor Dave Long (Lafayette, Ind., RPC) presented a video from a recent trip featuring new members of the RPCSS burning their household idols in a bonfire while singings psalms of praise to God. This followed a worship service where 50 people were baptized during a three-hour service which included the administration of the Lord’s supper by an indigenous RP pastor with assistance from RPCNA missionary-pastor Vince Ward.

On the heels of the RP Global Missions report, Synod was informed by the East Asia Committee about dozens of leaders (representing thousands of worshipers) in that region of the world who are being theologically trained with the assistance of the RPCNA. In 2010 Synod established a committee to oversee this task. Reports this year included the news of dozens of leaders being trained in Reformed doctrine, that dozens of these congregations (each ranging anywhere from 50 to 20,000 souls) are growing in their love for and commitment to Reformed worship, including a cappella singing (currently from The Book of Psalms for Singing and soon from The Book of Psalms for Worship) in their native languages. After hearing the glowing reports, Synod voted to form this committee into a commission able to act with the authority of Synod in this remarkable and sensitive ministry. The important work of Reformation Translation Fellowship (rtf-usa.com) continues on in this field as well.

The Lord Jesus Christ was heard in the preaching of His Word, petitioned in the spirited and lively prayer times (led by Pastors Shigeru Takiura and Charles Leach), and honored in Synod’s worship, decorum, and labors. Next year’s Synod meetings were set for June 27–29, 2012, at Geneva College in Beaver Falls, Pa. Due to the RP International Conference in July, Synod will adopt an abbreviated three-day schedule.

The 2011 State of the Church committee wrapped up this 180th meeting of RPCNA Synod by stating that “in summary, King Jesus has made the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America more global than ever before and it is seeing wonderful blessings from God, both in other nations as well as at home. To God alone be the glory! Our prayer is, ‘O God, give us more of your rich blessings.’”