This article was first pubilshed on https://rpwitness.org/ – shared with permission
On June 16-19, the Synod of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America returns to Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, Ind.—and probably for the last time. Though the university is well suited to accommodate not only the Synod meeting but also the last several RP International Conferences, scheduling and other issues have resulted in new locations being sought, including for the 2028 RP International. Next year’s Synod will meet at Geneva College.
Synod’s devotional theme will be ”Preaching Christ in the Assembly,” with Dr. Ed Blackwood opening the Synod with the retiring moderator’s address on Tuesday morning.
After a postponement last year, a Synod study committee will recommend a short but highly significant change to the Reformed Presbyterian Testimony: that the sentence “women as well as men may hold the office of deacon” be stricken. The committee’s judgment is that, if passed, this recommendation would continue to allow congregations to ordain women deacons, but that officers would no longer be required to assent to the practice as part of “the law … of the church.” The recommendation, if passed, would likely have to be ratified by sessions and elders over the next year.
Other study committees bringing reports include one on abortion, another on abuse, and one on revising the Book of Discipline (which is a progress report).
The issue of kinism (or “race realism”) will come before the Synod again, in the form of an appeal of a minister who was deposed and excommunicated. Last year’s Synod passed a statement about the false doctrine of kinism, and its Education & Publication board published a book on the topic.
Both the RP Woman’s Association and a special Synod committee will be reporting that the 129-year relationship of the RPCNA with the RP Home—a ministry to older and disabled persons—has come to a conclusion with the sale of the Home to Concordia Lutheran Services. Just three RP residents currently reside at the Home, and the care of all residents will continue uninterrupted. The Woman’s Association is recommending the continuation of its own RP disability ministry committee.
There will be plenty of reports showing progress in the advance of Christ’s kingdom in home and global missions, education, and ministry, as well as among the presbyteries. These, too, will be covered in the daily reports of Synod that will be filed each day on RPWitness.org.
Please be in prayer for the Synod in their deliberations, worship, fellowship, and travel.
–Drew Gordon, RP Witness editor
