The Irish RP Church had its final day of Synod meetings on Wednesday 11th June. The morning session, as is typically the case, was given over almost entirely to worship. Rev. Joey Dunlap (Loughbrickland RP Church) preached a deeply convicting and thought-provoking sermon from Joel 2:12-17, highlighting the need for the spiritual leaders of God’s people to set an example in dedicated public prayer, fasting and humiliation in the face of ‘tokens of judgment’ from the Lord. Following Mr Dunlap’s preaching Synod spent the morning praying together, confessing sin, giving thanks and offering petitions for the needs of the Church.
Business resumed shortly before lunch and continued afterwards, with reports from the Covenanter Bookshop Committee, Board of Trustees, RP Global Alliance Advisory Committee and others considered. Further time was given over to prayer before the Moderator, Rev. John Coates, dissolved Synod later in the afternoon.
Synod 2026 is planned for Monday 8th – Wednesday 10th June 2026, hosted by the Ballyclabber congregation.
We give thanks for a spirit of unity, humility and prayerfulness at Synod. These are challenging times for many churches and denominations but there are always reasons to be hopeful. We do well to prioritise bringing all our needs to the Lord in prayer; “Who knows whether he will not turn and relent, and leave a blessing behind him…?” – Joel 2:14a
Rev. Phil Dunwoody
