The final step to approve merging regional synods and classes into middle assemblies took place on Friday morning. Following last year’s adoption of the recommendation and a subsequent approval by more than two-thirds of the RCA’s classes, General Synod delegates voted “yes” to declare the change effective. This will take place with a delayed implementation date of December 30, 2026.
The vote passed with no debate and a clear majority voting in favor of the recommendation.
Why is this change taking place? In October 2021, the General Synod commissioned a restructuring team at the recommendation of the Vision 2020 Team. The Restructuring Team was instructed to suggest an optimized denominational structure for a healthy, sustainable future. They met for two years and presented a report to the 2024 General Synod. The synod adopted changes to the Book of Church Order that condense classes and regional synods into a new body to be called middle assemblies, and discussed several other recommendations with implications for a restructured Reformed Church in America.
As a constitutional change, the recommendation required adoption by the General Synod, approval by two-thirds of classes, and a declarative vote by a subsequent General Synod. By March 2025, the first two steps had been completed, which brought the final ratification step to the 2025 synod floor.
Typically, when amendments to the constitution or bylaws are declared effective by a second General Synod they become effective immediately, but the General Synod Council (GSC) thought additional time for implementation would be important before it takes effect. For that reason, the GSC proposed that the amendments become effective on December 30, 2026, and that several provisions be made to help provide clarity in the transitional period.
When brought to the floor, no delegates approached microphones to engage in discussion, and the recommendation passed without debate. It was adopted 167 to 11.
“I ask you, Lord, to give a lot of wisdom to our leaders that are praying and discerning how they are going to be organized as we move into the future,” prayed General Secretary Rev. Eddy Alemán in closing remarks of the session. “I bless them, Lord, today. Help us continue to follow you in mission, Lord, making disciples who make disciples. And I pray, Lord, that all of the decisions that synod has approved about the reorganization to middle assemblies will help us to move forward.”
Next steps
Regional synods and classes will continue to finalize their plans for the initial formation of middle assemblies. With the adoption of EC 25-11, several additional steps will take place as regional synods and classes communicate their plans to form middle assemblies. Some of the follow-up steps include:
- establishing equitable rotations for delegates to General Synod
- establishing equitable rotations for members of commissions, boards, and agencies
- establishing guidelines for the transfer of local churches between middle assemblies beyond currently-defined regional synod bounds
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