General Synod Concludes Business Belhar Confession
Synod voted to adopt the Belhar Confession as a fourth standard of unity for the Reformed Church in America--one that emphasizes unity, justice, and reconciliation. The decision, which stipulates an addition to the Book of Church Order, must be approved by two-thirds of the RCA's 46 classes. The classes will report their votes to the next General Synod. If approved, the Belhar will take its place alongside the Belgic Confession, the Canons of the Synod of Dort, and the Heidleberg Catechism. General Secretary Calls RCA to Deep Discipleship
In his report to the General Synod, general secretary Wes Granberg-Michaelson emphasized the need for people across the RCA to hear and respond to the call of discipleship. "Because conversion drives much of the growth of our new churches, we see the striking need for the call to deep discipleship," he said. He added that when it comes to making disciples, existing congregations experience many of the same needs as new congregations. Granberg-Michaelson also noted that 188 new emerging RCA ministries and congregations are reaching over 13,000 people, including many of various racial and ethnic backgrounds. General Synod President Speaks on RCA Identity
In her visits to RCA churches over the past year, General Synod president Carol Bechtel said she found many people struggling with what it means to be Reformed today. Synod approved her proposals instructing the General Synod Council to incorporate more explicit language about worship into their ends policies related to Our Call; appointing a task force to explore the nature of a major worship initiative in the RCA; and directing the General Synod Council to survey the practice of baptism in the RCA. Bechtel also asked the RCA to take a careful and prayerful look at the commissioned pastor process. Synod approved her proposal for a task force to review the role of commissioned pastors in the RCA. James Seawood Elected President of General Synod
James Seawood, pastor of Brighton Heights Reformed Church in Staten Island, New York, has been voted president-elect of the General Synod. Seawood indicated that as synod president, he will emphasize reading the Bible and making things right with regard to racism. "I plan to go and visit and see and find out what's going on, and bring back recommendations," Seawood said. "If some wrongs have been done, we're going to get it straight. We have a responsibility to God to do right." Seawood also commented on how the church lives out its ideals. "We do a beautiful job of writing up what we would like to see done, but there's a gap between what we have written and what actually happens in our local congregations," he said. "That must not be allowed to continue."  Don Poest Is General Synod Vice President-Elect
Don Poest is the new General Synod vice president-elect. He has served as senior pastor for 31 years at Brunswick Reformed Church in Brunswick, Ohio. He formerly served as president of the Synod of the Great Lakes, as president of the Classis of Lake Erie, and as a member of General Synod Council. Williams-Skinner Calls RCA to Pray and Reconcile
Barbara Williams-Skinner addressed the General Synod Saturday, calling delegates to prayer and reconciliation. "Reconciliation is the gap between rebellious people and a holy and righteous God being closed once and for all," she said. "Only at the foot of the cross are we connected." She said, "God says let your fears go, stretch out your hands, and pray. Love is not limited by fear. In fact, love blots out fear, and it is fear that keeps us from connecting." Williams-Skinner is co-founder and president of the Skinner Leadership Institute. She has previously served as executive director of the Congressional Black Caucus in Washington, D.C. She is currently a board member for the Christian Community Development Association, Fuller Theological Seminary, and the Community Empowerment Equity Partnership. Assessment Amount
General Synod approved a 2010 assessment amount of $41.46 per confessing member. Women's Ministries
Earlier this year it was announced that funding to support women's ministries had been depleted and that financial support for the Women's Ministries staff position would no longer continue. A committee has been formed to study and move the RCA forward with regard to the women's ministry office. Synod approved an assessment increase of $1.30 to support a future Office for Women that would allow the RCA to live out its commitment to the full inclusion of women at all levels of the church's leadership and ministry and to have a staff member in place by January 2010 or as soon as possible thereafter. Changes in Communication
Synod instructed the General Synod Council to conduct a full review of RCA Today magazine over the next two years, and to work with the Church Herald Editorial Council to offer a print and online publication that preserves the best of the Herald and RCA Today magazines and moves gradually to an electronic medium. Synod also instructed the GSC to facilitate the orderly cessation of publication of the Church Herald. Dominican Reformed Church
The Iglesia Reformada Dominicana (the Dominican Reformed Church, or IRD)--officially organized as a new denomination just over two weeks ago--was born of a close partnership with the Reformed Church in America. Synod welcomed several IRD representatives and witnessed a covenant between the two communions in which they vowed to work together in ministry in the Dominican Republic and beyond. General Synod LinksPosted 06/09/09
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