The 185th Synod of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America convened June 27 at 3:30 p.m. on the campus of Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, Ind.
Synod began by singing Psalm 25B and then heard a keynote address from Pastor Robert Hemphill (Laramie, Wyo., RPC), the retiring moderator. His thematic message, “Why Fasting and Prayer Now?” particularly emphasized the dangers of fasting and the reasons for fasting found in Matthew 6:1-18. The dangers of fasting include doing it to be seen, trusting in it for righteousness, or being quick to condemn others’ practice of it. Reasons for fasting include repentance from sin and seeking the Lord. We in the RPCNA should consider that we have many troubles and dangers about which we could fast, but also that we may fast so that we do not grow haughty about successes.
Following the worship service, Synod welcomed 6 teaching elders and 10 ruling elders as first-time delegates.
Pastor J. Bruce Martin (Ridgefield Park, N.J.) was elected moderator. Having just retired as Synod clerk after 25 years, he moved immediately from the clerk’s seat to the moderator’s podium. John McFarland (pastor, Lawrence, Kan., RPC), was elected clerk and Charles Brown (pastor, Rose Point [New Castle, Pa.] RPC), was elected assistant clerk.
A brief memorial service was held remembering servants of the church who have died since the last meeting of Synod, including 7 ministers (see list at bottom).
The Business of Synod Committee reported on communications (or papers) that have been received by this court on various issues. Communication 16-1, from Geneva College Board of Corporators, recommended that Synod “approve the Geneva College policy on sexual identity as consistent with the position of the RPCNA.” That vote was scheduled to occur during the report of the Geneva Corporators. The second recommendation of 16-1 asked for a “study committee to write a position statement on sexual identity.” Synod approved a recommendation to appoint a committee to report to the 2017 Synod.
Communication 16-2 originated from some members of a congregation filing a complaint against their session and presbytery related to the use of wine in the Lord’s supper. The issue will be considered by a special judicial committee reporting back to this Synod.
Communications 16-3 and 16-4 were a complaint and appeal, respectively, from retired minister Bruce Hemphill regarding the constitutionality of presbytery actions that resulted in his temporary suspension from office. These will be addressed by a special judicial committee reporting back to this Synod.
Missions Updates
Moving to some mission-related business, the RPCNA Home Mission Board reported next. With the addition of the Dayton, Tenn., RP Mission Church in March, the RPCNA has reached its goal of 100 congregations by the year 2020. The 20/20 vision had been proposed by the Home Mission Board and adopted by Synod in 2005. It represents an increase of 30% in the number of congregations. The board also distributed a Handbook for Church Planters.
Last year a new RP mission field officially opened in Pakistan, and that work has developed rapidly. A mission church was established in March, and there is hope for 2-3 more mission churches in the next few years. Longer-term goals include the training of church planters, the adoption of an RP Testimony for Pakistan, and an independent RP denomination in Pakistan. The Global Mission Board emphasized that its own focus in that country will be on theological education and church planting rather than on supporting buildings and salaries.
The board anticipates that a new mission field in the region of South Asia will be formally commissioned at the RP International Conference July 23-29. There is a team already at work hoping to plant mission churches. The board noted the increasing persecution of Christians in that region. There was also very encouraging news from the RP congregations in East Asia.
The Reformed Presbyterian denomination in South Sudan continues to stand in need of a missionary to train pastors. Cush Christian School continues its growth. The economic state of South Sudan continues to worsen, putting missionaries and members there in increasingly difficult situations.
Missionary Patricia Boyle will be retiring Sept. 30 after 11 years of service in Japan.
The Japan Presbytery and the RP Global Mission Board continue to work on a cooperative agreement.
This is the 20th year of Reformed Presbyterian short-term missions (rpmissions.org). The Global Mission Board noted the tremendous amount of cooperation among denominational agencies that make these trips possible, as well as growing cooperation with other Reformed churches that want to serve with us.
The board noted the great loss of Pastor Dave Long, who had served key roles in global missions for 20 years and who had been appointed as the board’s executive secretary prior to his death in January.
Reformation Translation Fellowship is in its 67th year of translating and producing Reformed books. Because of increased demand, some print runs are now 20,000 copies.
Synod’s Committee on Vital Churches will be leading several workshops at the RP International Conference on the theme “Reaching Together for True Revival.” Based on good feedback from a 2014 pastors’ retreat in the Pittsburgh, Pa., area, the committee announced a similar retreat for Sept. 19-21 in Midwest Presbytery for up to 10 pastors and their wives. The committee also oversees a matching grant program to help with congregational renewal.
Chaplains & Selective Service
The longest discussion of the evening came during the report of the Representatives to Presbyterian and Reformed Commission on Chaplains and Military Personnel. The overall commission has 205 military chaplains and 65 endorsed civilian chaplains. Brief updates from RP chaplains were included in the written report, from Chaplain (Colonel) Kelly Moore, US Army at Fort Bragg, N.C.; Chaplain (Captain) Patrick Stefan, U.S. Army Reserve in Webster, N.Y.; and Chaplain Candidate (1st Lieutenant) Derek Moore with the Wyoming National Guard.
The commission recommended that Synod encourage sessions to counsel young women in their congregations: “a) To understand the distinct possibility of their being assigned to a combat unit if they enter military service; b) to register for Selective Service if required by law to do so; c) to understand that declaring conscientious objection under the doctrine of the liberty of conscience is available to women if they be drafted to military service; and d) to understand what the Scripture teaches regarding women serving in a combat role so that they can make biblically informed decisions regarding military service.” After a number of Synod delegates stated objections even to having women register for military service, the recommendation was defeated unanimously.
Following a season of prayer, Synod adjourned for the evening at 9 p.m. on this first day of a planned three-day Synod. Many of tomorrow’s reports focus on education, presbytery work, or administration.
—Drew Gordon, editor, Reformed Presbyterian Witness
Memorials
Memorial tributes to servants of the church who passed away in the previous year included the following:
Teaching Elders: Raymond F. Dymond , Robert A. Henning, David W. Long, Melville W. Martin, and Roger Adams, as well as Donald McClurkin and Tom Houston who were not in the RPCNA at the time of their passing.
Ruling Elders: Hikoshi Yamaguchi, Robert Heimburger, Roy Bessell, Wayne Mann, Maurice Reed
Pastors’ wives: Mrs. Toshio (Eiko) Masunaga, Mrs. David (Margaret) Carson, Mrs. Charles (Dorothy) Sterrett