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RP Synod 2003
RP Synod 2003: Tuesday, July 1
SYNOD COMPLETES ITS BUSINESS EARLY;
DELEGATES BEGIN THE TRIP HOME
On what turned out to be the last day of Synod, the moderator
and clerk directed a different sort of roll call, first asking
some new members of the court, Martin Blocki and James Faris,
to take the roll to help them in learning the names of the
100+ other Synod members. Delegates stood one by one as they
were named by the clerk, telling which town they were from.
Do you ever look with longing on prosperous people who are
evil, envious of all they have, wondering why you can't enjoy
the prosperity they seem to be enjoying? What is more difficult
to take is that those evil people often seem to get away with
their evil ways. Psalm 73 reflects some of those thoughts
that pass through the minds of God's people, and also answers
them definitively. This "Psalm of Our Lives" was
the subject of Wednesday's devotional message by Jeffrey Stivason,
pastor of Covenant RPC in Meadville, Pa.
As the psalmist went into God's sanctuary, he was enlightened
about the tenuousness of the wicked, about the righteousness
of God, and that God is the one who really matters. We should
not hold back from reminding people-both Christians and non-Christians-about
the end of the wicked, Pastor Stivason said.
Do the Scriptures require the use of alcoholic wine in the
Lord's supper? How shall the answer to the previous question
be applied in communion where there are opposite convictions
on the matter? On questions like these, the special committee
to consider Communication 03-1 agreed with the paper's recommendation
that this topic would benefit from further study. "Although
extensive study has been done on matters related t wine and
alcoholic beverages in recent years, Synod has not done a
careful biblical study as to the content of the communion
cup," said the committee.
The special committee recommended a committee of four to
study the question. Some talk about the size of the committee
being increased by one, but that did not result in a change.
The committee will be: Charles Leach (chairman), Gene Spear,
C. J. Williams, and Martin Blocki.
With the RP International Conference just a year away, plans
are in high gear, and the publicity will be increasing. Pastor
Bruce Backensto, co-registrar for the conference, gave a brief
report for the International Conference Advisory Committee.
The leadership and accommodations for the conference will
be similar to those in 2000. The conference is to be held
July 24-30, 2004 at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Mich.
The Finance Committee, having undergone a series of changes
in the last several years, makes recommendations about how
to allocate about $460,000 in denominational income. That
committee is now a standing committee of Synod, meaning that
it can meet outside of Synod-which it did on May 3 to meet
with the various denominational agency representatives. In
response to the committee's suggestion, Synod reaffirmed its
commitment to "Healthy, Growing, and Multiplying Congregations"
as foundational in making decisions. Committee chairman Steven
McMahan announced that there will actually be a net decrease
in the pension and travel assessments charged each year on
a per-member basis.
The Board of Trustees of the Theological Seminary gave thanks
for the eight years of Jerry O'Neill's continuing presidency
and good feedback about his work from across the church. Pres.
O'Neill addressed the Synod, reporting on his trip to Russia
that he returned from yesterday. William Edgar, president
of the board, noted the upcoming retirement of professors
Wayne Spear and Edward Robson in 2005.
The Seminary asked the Synod to approve a change to the Seminary
constitution to allow for presenting just one nominee to Synod
for a professor position. There was a good deal of discussion
about this recommendation, as some delegates preferred the
current practice of having at least two candidates for Synod
to vote on. Other delegates said that such a two-candidate
system makes it more difficult for the best men to apply and
risk his current ministry. With the Seminary also proposing
that a two-thirds vote of Synod be required to approve any
candidate (rather than the current simple majority), the Synod
passed the recommendation. Later in the day, Professor Denny
Prutow was re-elected to a five-year term.
Geneva College, the denominational college for 155 years,
was the host of the Synod this year. Geneva's Board of Corporators
and Geneva's President John White gave thanks for a $2 million
Lilly foundation grant for faculty curriculum development
and further staffing. A presidential succession committee
has been formed to enable a smooth transition as Dr. White
approaches retirement. College chaplain Timothy Russell shared
stories about some specific students that have testified to
him how important Geneva has been in their lives.
With financial constraints meaning that the Graduate Study
fund will be able to distribute just $10,000 to students this
year, and with 11 students applying for these forgivable loans,
the committee asked for a shoring up of its purpose. While
a recent Synod decision had opened the way for these loans
to be used for broader study, the current committee, and,
according to Synod's vote, Synod as well, believes that the
committee should exercise greater authority in accepting or
rejecting applicants, including favoring of those who are
pursuing advanced academic degrees with intent to teach at
an RP institution.
Pastor Phil Pockras, a member of the Graduate Study Committee,
commented on the sacrifices that many ruling elders make in
order to attend Synod. Following his comments, the teaching
elders of Synod gave the ruling elders a standing ovation.
The Board of Education & Publication highlighted the
growing number of psalters available from different countries,
and the growing international interest in the psalter. Drew
and Lynne Gordon, the co-directors of publication, were re-elected
for a three-year term.
RP missionary/pastor Bill Sterrett from Trinity Christian
Community Fellowship briefly addressed the court. He highlighted
the international ministry they have been able to have in
Cyprus, a crossroads of the region. He is encouraged by growing
fellowship with the Greek Evangelical Church and is hoping
that will continue.
Pastor Stan Copeland gave an update to the court about his
son and daughter, both of whom are stationed in Iraq. He said
they are well but are located in areas of significant danger.
A veteran and former chaplain, Pastor Copeland said it is
difficult for him to remain "stateside" while they
are at war in Iraq.
During one of the day's prayer times, the entire assembly
prayed the Lord's Prayer together, with several delegates
at microphones praying simultaneously in different languages,
including Japanese, Russian, German, Greek, and Italian.
As Synod neared the end of its business, it heard the report
of a special judicial commission formed to monitor the situation
in one congregation as a result of an judicial case in the
late '90s. The report included positive statements about steps
of reconciliation and peace in the situation, though the resolution
fell short of having the parties join together in the same
congregation again. The Synod went into its first and only
executive session to discuss part of this report.
Following the adjournment of Synod a day earlier than scheduled,
delegates and others went to Geneva's dining hall to attend
a program and reception for Dr. Bruce C. Stewart and his wife,
Roselyn, in recognition of their service to the RP Seminary
and in light of his recent retirement. Dr. Stewart served
as president of the seminary for 20 years.
The 173rd Synod of the RPCNA is scheduled for June 19-June
25, 2004, at Taylor University in Upland, Ind. This will be
the first time in many years that there will be a full Synod
meeting and the RP International Conference (July 24-30) in
one summer.
--Drew and Lynne Gordon, editors
Reformed Presbyterian Witness
--With special thanks to editorial assistant Josh Wilsey
for his late-night posting of these articles and photos to
the web site throughout the Synod
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