RCA colleges move to “affiliated” relationship with denomination

Central College, Hope College, and Northwestern College asked General Synod to change the relationship between the colleges and the General Synod from “officially related” to “affiliated.” General Synod adopted the proposed affiliation agreements with each college. 

Prior to this recommendation the 2024 General Synod adopted proposed changes to the bylaws of the General Synod (Chapter 3, Part I of the Book of Church Order) that would allow for a new relationship between a college and the General Synod.

Matt Scogin, president of Hope College, spoke to the General Synod delegation on behalf of all three colleges, as well as bringing greetings from Hope College.

“Why are these three colleges thriving? There’s a lot we could unpack there, but I think one big reason is that these three colleges are the fruit. They’re the fruit of many, many decades of faithful investment and faithful support by the Reformed Church in America, and we are grateful for that,” Scogin said.

Scogin explained that the affiliation agreements have been in the works since an August 2023, meeting of the RCA’s college and seminary presidents, General Synod Council staff, and members of the Reformed Church in America restructuring team. The college presidents noted that as the membership of the RCA has changed, it has grown increasingly difficult to fulfill BCO requirements for officially-related institutions of higher education. They suggested the creation of a new “affiliated” category, which would not mandate that RCA members serve on boards of trustees or that institutional bylaws be approved by the General Synod.

After the 2024 General Synod adopted bylaws changes to create the new “affiliated” category, Central, Hope, and Northwestern worked together to develop common language for an affiliation agreement. This happened in consultation with GSC staff, the general secretary, and the Commission on Church Order.

“What we are aspiring to do with these new affiliation agreements is actually to enhance that relationship, to move from a governing relationship to a covenantal relationship,” Scogin said. “At the end of the day, I think this is the highest form of a relationship. I think it’s the most sacred form of a relationship.” 

On Friday, June 6, the delegation approved each affiliation agreement with the colleges. 

The affiliation agreement states that each will support the other in the following ways:

The college agrees to provide …

• Educational opportunities for students that embrace academic, professional, and experiential learning activities characterized by excellence and offered in a framework consistent with its mission and purpose.
• Ministries for students to deepen their journey of Christian faith with particular attention to the important work of spiritual formation as manifested in a knowledge of Scripture, a practice of spiritual disciplines and a commitment to service.
• Communities of learning, love, and forbearance that foster unity in the presence of diversity.
• Advice and counsel to the church on the emerging generation of students who will take up leadership roles in communities of faith and service in local churches.
• Partnerships with the church to encourage the active involvement of students in connection with local, regional, national, and global ministry, and mission opportunities.

The Reformed Church in America agrees to provide …

• Convening opportunities for the college and related colleges to partner in the work of education and ministry with the church.
• Advice and counsel on the work of ministry to students including best practices, connections to church leaders, and access to experts in related fields.
• Access to ministry resources useful in connecting students to the work of the church in all its settings.
• Joint ventures in connecting students to the local, regional, national, and global work of the church.
• Partnership opportunities to encourage talented students to enroll and churches to support the college.