The 187th Synod of the RPCNA has adjourned, having completed a full docket of reports and two lengthy discipline cases.
Pastor Joseph Friedly of Tri-Lakes (Monument, Colo.) RPC began the day with a devotional message based on Romans 8:28-39: “God’s Perfect, Personal, Perpetual Love.” He pointed out that, as a married person receives not only the spouse’s general love for humanity but also focused, personal love, so God’s people receive not only God’s general love for mankind but His special, focused love. At all times and in all circumstances, even gloomy ones, God’s steadfast love is there; and nothing in all creation is able to separate us from that.
Early in the day, Synod adopted a committee report on “Reasons for the Hemphill Court Decision,” designed to communicate its rationale for the actions on this complex and difficult case (for that report, see the addendum to Day 2’s article).
The Geneva College board of trustees reported that the college’s president, Dr. Calvin Troup, “is doing an excellent job of leading the college through the multitude of challenges faced by explicitly Christian private colleges.” Dr. Troup addressed the Synod and issued a call to potential students throughout the RPCNA: “We want you at Geneva.”
In finishing up the Business of Synod Committee report, it was reported that future synods will be held June 11-14, 2019, at Geneva College, concurrent with the ARP Church, and on June 23-26, 2020, at Indiana Wesleyan University. The 2020 RP International Conference will also be held there that summer. Synod gave a standing ovation to Synod manager Herb McCracken.
The Trustees of Synod recognized treasurer and stated clerk Jim McFarland for 20 years of service, and Synod gave him a standing ovation. Synod passed a policy that would allow forgiveness of outstanding assessments of a needy congregation in certain cases, provided there is presbytery approval and support.
The Finance Committee reported that, with the help of good congregational giving as well as one-time contributions and a bequest, the Reformed Presbyterian Mission & Ministry goal was exceeded in 2017 (with a total of $416,000). Videos of the work of agencies receiving RPM&M funds are available here, and DVD copies are also available upon request. There was a discussion about raising the assessment versus limiting the ministry work of denominational committees. After considerable debate, a proposed increase in the congregational assessment from 2.0% to 2.5% was changed to 2.2%. The assessment covers not only funding for the denominational pension fund and Synod travel but also to meet costs of Synod committees as well as two newer ministries like the Central and South America committee, which is helping to equip Reformed/Presbyterian congregations in that part of the world.
Communication 18-2 proposed that repentance is owed to leaders involved with the former Park City, Kan., RPC for alleged offenses occurring over 45 years ago after it was received into the RPCNA. The paper was referred to a three-man judicial commission to study the paper and take whatever action is required on Synod’s behalf.
Last year, Synod passed a constitutional change that would allow latitude in how congregational meetings are run so that they could be moderated either by the sessions or by congregational officers under the oversight of session. That Synod decision was sent to RPCNA sessions for ratification. It was announced that the measure passed overwhelmingly (66 of 75 sessions in favor; 278 of 301 elders in favor), so it has now become the law and order of the church.
Stated Clerk Jim McFarland reported that the denomination grew by 1.6 percent in 2017, finishing the year with 90 congregations and 9 mission churches. This was a net increase of one congregation, with the Enid, Okla., RPC closing and the Irvine, Calif., RPC and Las Vegas, Nev., RPC being received/organized. At the end of the reporting period, there were 13 mission churches and were 13 congregations without a pastor.
The Nominating Committee announced the election results, including the election of Rev. David Whitla as professor of church history at the RP Seminary. Rev. Whitla was given a standing ovation.
Discussion ensued of a joint statement of the Home Mission Board and the RP Global Mission Board that seeks to establish boundaries and mission philosophy given the increase in non-English-speaking work in the U.S. and Canada, immigration of people groups, etc. The statement also involved the Japan Presbytery of the RPCNA, which sent Communication 18-9 to this Synod. Both the proposed statement and Communication 18-9 were tabled until next Synod with the anticipation that these three bodies will have further discussion prior to adoption of a statement.
Reports (see notes, below) from all six North American presbyteries as well as the Japan Presbytery and two other East Asia presbyteries were heard and were followed by a time of prayer.
The RP International Conference Committee announced that Pastor Warren Peel of Trinity (Belfast, Ireland) RPC will be the keynote speaker for the conference. The conference had to be scheduled slightly later than the traditional timeframe: July 29–August 4, 2020.
Reformation Translation Fellowship has made over 10 new titles available in the Chinese language and hopes to print 250,000 new volumes this year in a more restrictive environment.
The Reformed Presbyterian Woman’s Association announced a collaboration needed to keep up with increasing regulations; an agreement was made with Baptist Senior Services to provide an administrator, subject to the RPWA board’s approval. The RP Home provided over $1.7 million in benevolent and uncompensated care in 2017 but was able to finish the year in the black because of donations and bequests. The board recently revitalized its board to address disability concerns and is calling it the RPWA Disabilities Ministry, which will be in touch with RPCNA congregations to help assess their disability needs.
At the close of the Synod, a resolution of thanks to God was given.
The moderator was thanked by the court with a standing ovation for his service, his transparency, and bearing of Synod’s burdens. The moderator closed in prayer and Synod sang Psalm 133A.
–Drew Gordon, editor
RPWitness.org
Notes from Presbytery Reports
Alleghenies—One congregation has established a Mandarin-speaking worship service. The Candidates Committee has been charged with developing alternative methods for conducting and scheduling exams. [They] will debate these proposals in the fall of 2018. The Candidates Committee has developed a manual for students-under-care. It has been expanded to give guidelines/counsel to sessions that have men under care. At the April 2018 meeting a set of final revisions to the manual were adopted.
Atlantic—The Hazleton Area Church, with the support of Presbytery, has begun work in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania…A Spanish-language church in that area has shown interest in this work (and the Presbytery has appointed the Candidates and Credentials Committee to shepherd their pastor, James Machuca, into the RPCNA). Gabriel Wingfield has been called to be an associate pastor for Christ RPC.
Great Lakes-Gulf—The mission church in Dayton, Tenn., was reduced to a preaching station at the spring meeting. Starting in February 2018, the Atlanta Presbyterian Fellowship added a morning worship service. The Lord has further provided in the prospect of Phillip McCollum joining as a second pastor [at Bloomington, Ind., RPC] later this coming year. Since [their] last report, Marion, Ind., RPC has been blessed with a new building. The presbytery, at the request of Ian Wise and the Pageland TGB, has changed Ian’s position from pastor to pulpit supply. The Second (Indianapolis, Ind.) RPC is thankful that the Lord added David Mauser and Denny Prutow to the session in 2017 and now associate pastor Joel Hart.
Japan—experienced the loss of the late Seigo Kitani of Kasumigaoka RPC, who also served as a board member and the bookstore manager of Covenanter Bookstore (now being renamed as Covenanter Book Room). Kobe Theological Hall also participated in the West Japan Division of the 1 Japan Evangelical Theological Society and also took part in the work of newly published (in 2017) Japanese translation of the Bible. The Psalter Committee completed translation of at least one part of all 150 Psalms into a metrical Japanese version with the Psalter’s Addendum (28 new tunes) to the current Japanese Psalter. Now we have 100 completed Psalms and 50 partial Psalms in 250 tunes. The Committee proceeded to prepare a revised publication of the Japanese Psalter including 28 additions in a book. Reminded that the word Kobe, the city where the Japan Presbytery is centered, means “God’s gate,” the clerk encouraged delegates to pray that it would truly be realized for Christ’s kingdom.
Midwest—This past year we rejoiced to see Pastor Jonathan Leach receive approval to commence the Reformed Presbyterian Church in San Antonio (www.rpcsa.org) as a preaching station, with anticipated petitioning to become a mission church in late 2018. Every pulpit will soon be filled, with petitions from two outside congregations to join the denomination and presbytery.
Pacific Coast—The presbytery has a Mandarin-speaking church plant. All Saints (Irvine, Calif.) RPC, was established as a congregation on Dec. 16. Las Vegas RP Mission Church became a fully organized congregation on Aug. 27. The Squamish, B.C., work was established as a mission church. The Presbytery is investigating a church-planting opportunity in Reno, Nev. The presbytery has about twice as many congregations as it did a decade ago.
St Lawrence—The Shelter congregation, as of the Synod, has been transferred to the Pacific Coast Presbytery. Andrew Quigley will soon lead the Ottawa, Ont., RPC.