Members of the study committee on Doctrinal Commitment were evenly divided on the issue when the committee reported to Synod 2010 in London and were directed to come back this year with another report. They did. And Synod Nyack 2012 pretty much liked it. The recommendations from the advisory committee underwent some editorial changes, but … Continue reading URCNA Synod 2012-12: Doctrinal Commitment
URCNA Synod 2012-11 Chaplains
The URCNA has one chaplain, Andrew Spriensma, currently serving in Germany. But another chaplain who has close ties to the URCNA has been present on campus during Synod Nyack 2012. OPC Chaplain Paul Berghaus, currently stationed at the US Military Academy at West Point, visited the Nyack campus on Wednesday evening, after leading a tour of delegate … Continue reading URCNA Synod 2012-11 Chaplains
URCNA Synod 2012-10: Missions
The URCNA has suffered from a lack of coordinated efforts in missions and church planting efforts and Synod London 2010 set up a study committee to research and make recommendations regarding a permanent missions committee and coordinator options. The study committee’s report recommended the establishment of a permanent committee, representing all classes, and a full-time … Continue reading URCNA Synod 2012-10: Missions
URCNA Synod 2012-9: Pictures
Remember the childhood excitement of "Picture Day"? Yesterday was picture day at Synod. Immediately before lunch, the delegates stood in the auditorium for this group picture, which I took while standing in the balcony. The campus is hilly and provides lots of excellent (several steep) slopes, but the problem was getting the photographer high enough in front … Continue reading URCNA Synod 2012-9: Pictures
URCNA Synod 2012-8: Finances
Delegates debated outdoors whether the large birds shrieking in nearby trees today were hawks or eagles. I vote for hawks, but they looked a lot larger than the red-tailed variety common in the Midwest. One appeared to be a parent and two looked like juveniles. The URCNA has churches in Canada and the United States and has … Continue reading URCNA Synod 2012-8: Finances
URCNA Synod-7: Phase 2 with RPCNA and songbook
The sun came out this afternoon, and I tried to get some pictures of the Nyack College campus while walking between the dining hall and the auditorium. I'll paste a few in this post. In Synod's late afternoon session today, Rev. Ron Scheuers gave Rev. John Bouwers the opportunity to function as chair. He led discussion regarding … Continue reading URCNA Synod-7: Phase 2 with RPCNA and songbook
URCNA Synod-6: Guidelines, forms, and definitions
Some delegates were surprised at the quick adoption of the recommendation to accept the OPC's offer to work together on a songbook, especially when the discussion about what comprises a "thoroughly Reformed theological education" generated extensive discussion. Concerns were expressed that the language of "courses" could have unintended consequences for both seminarians and seminaries. A motion made to refer … Continue reading URCNA Synod-6: Guidelines, forms, and definitions
URCNA Synod-5: Songbook (A)
The Synod of the United Reformed Churches in North America today accepted the invitation of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church to work together toward the publication of a songbook to be used by both federations. In God's providence, the URCNA songbook committee has done a great deal of work on the hymn section of their proposed songbook, while the … Continue reading URCNA Synod-5: Songbook (A)
URCNA Synod-4: California, here we come!
Today Synod accepted the offer of Trinity United Reformed Church to host the next Synod. I vote that it be scheduled during January. To liven up this post, I'm adding some pictures from the refreshment time last evening, sponsored by Mid-America Reformed Seminary, held after the prayer service. I love it when the chairman of … Continue reading URCNA Synod-4: California, here we come!
URCNA Synod-3: Getting down to business
It's been a rather rainy afternoon here on the campus of Nyack College, but most delegates have been out of the rain while sequestered in advisory committee meetings. When Synod reconvened in plenary session at 3:30, a few committees had already submitted some reports. Some had even finished their work (at least for now). These … Continue reading URCNA Synod-3: Getting down to business
Glenda Faye Mathes 