The introduction to this series of news reports about Synod Nyack 2012 compared Synod to a young adult, settling into positive patterns and making wise decisions. Each of the four synods I have observed demonstrated increasing maturity and unity, and these characteristics were more obvious this year. One of the reasons for the maturity and … Continue reading The battle for the church will never stop (Synod 2012)
The buck stops at the border
A federation with churches in two countries—Canada and the United States—faces the problem of money flow. In this case the flow of money from north to south, from Canada to the U.S., is becoming increasingly clogged, and the mechanism in place to meet the challenge is no longer sufficient. The Joint Venture Agreement (JCA) of … Continue reading The buck stops at the border
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
URCNA Synod 2012-13: Emeritation
Emeritation may seem an obscure word, but it simply has to do with retirement, and in the case of this year’s URCNA Synod, the retirement of ministers. Synod London 2010 formed a committee to study the issue and that committee brought its report to Synod Nyack 2012. The advisory committee made several editorial changes and … Continue reading URCNA Synod 2012-13: Emeritation
Glenda Faye Mathes 