General Synod 2025 will consider a delayed implementation of structural changes

In 2024, the General Synod adopted changes to the Book of Church Order that combine classes and regional synods into one level of assembly. A sufficient number of classes have also approved these changes. In June, the 2025 General Synod will vote to declare them effective.

Typically, constitutional changes become effective immediately upon the General Synod’s declarative vote, however, due to the complexity of the structural changes represented in these amendments, the GSC thought additional time would be important before it takes effect. For that reason, the GSC is proposing that the amendments become effective on December 30, 2026. It is also proposing several provisions that will help provide clarity in the transitional period.

After a multi-year process of prayer and discussion, the restructuring team provided multiple recommendations it believed would benefit the Reformed Church in America and help optimize for “sustained spiritual and organizational health”. Those recommendations were brought before General Synod 2024.

One of the recommendations was the structural shift of condensing the RCA’s existing four levels of assembly into three. Some classes will become middle assemblies without too many changes, while other areas will undergo a complete shift in structure and operation. Some regions and classes are still trying to figure out what works best for their groups. Feedback has been received and discernment continues as they have more guided discussions.

The restructuring team was created by General Synod 2021 at the recommendation of an earlier task force, the Vision 2020 Team. The Vision 2020 Team worked from 2018 to 2021 to identify a way forward for the RCA in the face of significant tension and disagreement around a number of issues.

They determined that “[l]iving in the tension is a centered-set approach: we commit to key things that we have in common and keep coming back to, but are not strictly bound on every matter.” The 2021 General Synod supported this, adopting two of the team’s recommendations. One of those recommendations created a more streamlined path for churches to leave the RCA if they did not want to approach the tensions with a similar mindset, while the other tasked a newly-created restructuring team with identifying the structure that would best support the mission and ministry of those who remained in the RCA.

“As I’ve listened to leaders across the RCA this year, I’ve heard excitement for new ministry opportunities and I’ve heard anxiety about the unknown,” Joshua Scheid said. “In many cases, I’ve talked with regional synods, classes, and churches who are a mixture of both. While plans for middle assemblies are in various stages of preparation, the reality I learned is that none are ready for smooth implementation in June. Considering this reality, the other General Synod officers and I wondered together, consulted with others, and ultimately proposed that GSC recommend a future effective date of December 30, 2026. This is an historic moment for an historic denomination.”

“I pray that we remember this isn’t just structural work, it’s also spiritual work,” Scheid said. “The grace period will help everyone at every level of the RCA be ready for an orderly transition to middle assemblies. It offers us time to ensure that no church and no minister is left behind, and it provides space for every assembly to honor the closing of one chapter and celebrate the commencement of a new one. As we approach 400 years of RCA ministry in 2028, our careful work of restructuring gives me hope for future generations of Christ-centered, Spirit-led ministry to come.

For full coverage of General Synod 2025, visit www.rca.org/synod.