When the General Synod of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church (ARP) met from June 5-7, 2012, at Bonclarken Conference Center in Flat Rock, NC, discussion was dominated by one thing: Erskine. Erskine refers to Erskine College and its related Erskine Theological Seminary in Due West, SC, governed by a Board of Trustees whose relationship with … Continue reading ARP 2012 Synod dominated by Erskine
OPC GA held concurrently with diaconal summit
When the 79th General Assembly of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC) met from June 6-12, 2012, at Wheaton College in Illinois, the denomination’s diaconal summit was held at the same time on the same campus. Commissioners and deacons met together twice in formal venues. The 189 deacons joined approximately 150 commissioners during the Friday evening … Continue reading OPC GA held concurrently with diaconal summit
Scenic setting for RCUS Synod
Natural beauty and patriotism meet at Mt.Rushmore, near Rapid City, SD, where carvings of four presidents overlook pine-clad mountains. That scenic area was the setting for the 266th Synod of the Reformed Church in the United States (RCUS), hosted by Grace Reformed Church from May 21-24, 2012. Rev. James Sawtelle was elected President, Rev. Frank … Continue reading Scenic setting for RCUS Synod
Synod adopts “Doctrinal Commitment” affirmations
In response to an overture, Synod Schererville 2007 appointed a study committee to report on the level of doctrinal commitment necessary for membership in the URCNA. That committee brought an evenly divided report to Synod London 2010, which accepted neither opinion, but asked the committee to come back to the next synod with a new … Continue reading Synod adopts “Doctrinal Commitment” affirmations
URCNA Synod: Defining the meaning of synodical actions
Those who have attended previous synods know the confusion created by the adoption of documents without a clear definition of how they are to be regarded by the churches. Synod London 2010 had asked the Ad Hoc Synodical Rules Committee to address this issue. That committee drafted a document that defines synodical actions and describes … Continue reading URCNA Synod: Defining the meaning of synodical actions
URNCA ecumenical relationships: Phase Two with the RPCNA awaits ratification
The URCNA has two standing committees dealing with ecumenical relationships. CERCU (Committee for Ecumenical Relations and Church Unity) and CECCA (Committee for Ecumenical Contact with Churches Abroad). Both committees brought to Synod reports containing recommendations, which advisory committees passed on to the floor. Although most recommendations were adopted quickly and unanimously, it seemed like Synod … Continue reading URNCA ecumenical relationships: Phase Two with the RPCNA awaits ratification
Sorting out the emeritation process
When a retiring minister moves to another location and begins attending a different church, there may be some confusion as to which church ought to be holding his ministerial credentials. Additionally, there exists within the URCNA a wide range of discrepancy in the practice of funding ministers’ retirement funds. One study committee brought its recommendations … Continue reading Sorting out the emeritation process
The changing face of URCNA missions organization
In the URCNA, missions is a given. What was not a given, however, was how to do it, organizationally, that is. That delegates clearly desired to promote missions and church planting was evidenced by the quick adoption of the recommendations to establish a Missions Committee and to ask the existing Ad Hoc committee to serve … Continue reading The changing face of URCNA missions organization
URC to collaborate with OPC on songbook
Participants and observers say that one of the best things about Synod is the singing. Hearing hundreds of men wholeheartedly praising God fills hearts with grateful awe. The URCNA loves singing aesthetically pleasing arrangements of biblically articulate hymns and psalms. And over the next few years, the URCNA will be cooperating with the OPC toward … Continue reading URC to collaborate with OPC on songbook
URCNA Synod 2012: A prayer-full gathering near the Hudson
Although it's rather old news by now, I intend to post my Christian Renewal reports on the URCNA Synod Nyack 2012 now that they've appeared in print. The following overview appeared on pages 6-7 and 10 of the July 11, 2012, issue of Christian Renewal. My picture of the delegates appeared as a nice two-page spread (pp 8-9), large … Continue reading URCNA Synod 2012: A prayer-full gathering near the Hudson
Glenda Faye Mathes 