The 181st Synod of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America met Wed., June 27–29 on the campus of Geneva College in Beaver Falls, Pa. Synod was scheduled for three days rather than the typical five, since it is an International Conference year; thus some procedures were eliminated or shortened.

During the opening-night ceremonies. Pastor David Long of the Lafayette, Ind., RPC was elected moderator. A large group of first-time delegates was introduced to the court, including 9 ministers and 8 elders.

There was a brief memorial service to remember and give thanks for the lives of saints who have passed away in the last year, including ministers Christian Adjemian and John McMillan, 6 ruling elders, 6 pastors wives, and missionary Elizabeth Hutcheson.

A “biblical testimony” on the subject of homosexuality, that was adopted by last year’s Synod was recently published in book form by Crown & Covenant Publications. The synod committee that produced that material recently wrote a summary pamphlet that will also be published. The book, The Gospel & Sexual Orientation, has already been lauded in some sister denominations.

Geneva College reported on its ongoing legal battle challenging the government-mandated health care that would force institutions to pay for health care that included abortifacient drugs. Synod voted to express its support for Geneva College. The Synod directed its other institutions to review their heath plans to be sure that they do not participate in coverage that allows abortions. 

The denomination’s stated clerk reported another year of very modest growth in RPCNA membership and number of congregations. Over the past 10 years the total growth has been 10 percent, in addition to a new denomination being planted in Sudan. Over 35 percent of the RPCNA now resides in congregations planted in the past 30 years.

Nearly all presbyteries reported starting new mission churches or receiving new congregations this year, or both.However, the Home Mission Board has been stretched to the point that it needs to raise more funds or eventually cut back on funding some new works. On the Global Missions front, the Reformed Presbyterian Church of South Sudan, a daughter church of the RPCNA, was accepted officially as a denomination in fraternal relationship with the RPCNA. God has blessed the work there, and training of indigenous leadership is a critical priority. Sudan missionary Vince Ward was in attendance.

Synod’s judicial committee was given the assignment of clarifying the place of the Japan Mission and Japan Presbytery in the current structure of the church. Both are currently are under the oversight of the RP Global Mission Board. Language and cultural barriers as well as challenges of distance can make coordination very challenging. The judicial committee “noted the desire on the part of both [the Japan Presbytery and the Global Mission Board] for the Japan Presbytery to continue becoming more self-supporting, self-governing and self-sustaining. The representatives of the Japan Presbytery were also concerned to see that the relationship between their presbytery and the denomination remain strong and supportive. The Global Mission board will to continue to oversee the presbytery for the next 10 years, over which time there will be a schedule of reducing aid (as is typically done in home missions situations).

This year Pastor Barry York (Sycamore [Kokomo, Ind.] RPC) was considered by Synod and elected for the Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary position of professor of pastoral theology. RPTS anticipates future professor elections in 2015-16.

The Business of Synod committee proposed evaluating some key relationships the RP Church has with organizations like the Reformed Presbyterian Home. A committee motion passed calling for a study committee to clarify that relationship. That vote was bolstered by the chief financial officer of the Home expressing that the motion could benefit the relationship of the Home with the RPCNA. In its own report, the RP Woman’s Association reported adopting new mission, vision, and values statements.

The International Conference Advisory Committee reported on the blessings and challenges of the record-setting RP International Conference in July. Expectations were for 1,600 conferees this year, but over 2,100 registered. This represents approximately one-third of the households of the RPCNA.

Japan Presbytery gave thanks for the generous outpouring of donations to the Japan Relief Fund, surpassing $200,000.