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General Synod

Annual Meeting

In its annual meeting, the General Synod sets the direction and tone for denominational ministry. It has authority in all matters relating to denominational program and policy. It also has general responsibility over all lower assemblies (regional synods, classes, and consistories).

General Synod 2025

Tucson, Arizona
Thursday, June 5 – June 10

View full streaming schedule

Opening Worship June 5 6:00 PM EST
Thursday Plenary June 5 10:30 PM EST
Friday Plenary – Morning June 6 11:30 AM EST
Friday Plenary – Afternoon June 6 5:00 PM EST
Friday Plenary – Evening June 6 Canceled
Saturday Plenary – Morning June 7 11:30 AM EST
Saturday Plenary – Afternoon June 7 5:00 PM EST
Saturday Plenary – Evening June 7 Canceled
Sunday Worship June 8 1:30 PM EST
Sunday Plenary June 8 10:30 PM EST
Monday Plenary – Morning June 9 11:30 AM EST
Monday Plenary – Afternoon June 9 5:00 PM EST
Monday Plenary – Evening June 9 10:30 PM EST
Closing Worship June 10 10:45 AM EST

General Synod 2025 offering

Each year, ministries are selected to receive offerings from those participating in General Synod.

View this year's offering

Latest Synod News

General SynodGeneral Synod 2026 set for Nashville
June 25, 2025

General Synod 2026 set for Nashville

Decisions have been made on the General Synod location for 2026 and possibly 2027: Sheraton Music City Nashville Airport in Nashville, Tennessee. General Synod 2026 will take place June 11-16;…
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General SynodNewsGeneral Synod 2025 News Summary
June 10, 2025

General Synod 2025 News Summary

Here's a summary of the major decisions, themes, and conversations at the RCA's 2025 General Synod in Tucson, Arizona, June 5-10.
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General SynodNewsNew judicial bodies: How will they work?
June 9, 2025

New judicial bodies: How will they work?

How will the current judicial process in the RCA change with the transition to middle assemblies?  The 2024 General Synod moved forward the process of consolidating two levels of assemblies…
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General SynodNewsGeneral Synod Daily Recap: Monday, June 9, 2025
June 9, 2025

General Synod Daily Recap: Monday, June 9, 2025

This news summary is being updated throughout the day. Palsma elected as General Synod President, Prince to serve as Vice President in 2026 Rev. Sarah Palsma has served as a…
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General SynodNewsGeneral Synod Daily Recap: Sunday, June 8, 2025
June 8, 2025

General Synod Daily Recap: Sunday, June 8, 2025

This news summary is being updated throughout the day. "God chose purposefully that Pentecost day to begin to lay the foundation to bring unity among the people; people from various…
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General SynodNewsLicensing and ordination proposal sent back for further development
June 7, 2025

Licensing and ordination proposal sent back for further development

The MFCA, one of the RCA’s key theological certifying bodies, currently grants the Certificate of Readiness for Examination (CRE) to students pursuing a Master of Divinity at seminaries not officially…
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General SynodNewsDelegates approve change allowing for virtual General Synod meetings
June 7, 2025

Delegates approve change allowing for virtual General Synod meetings

In the Saturday morning session, delegates at the Reformed Church in America’s General Synod gave initial approval to a proposed change to the Book of Church Order that allows for…
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General SynodNewsGeneral Synod Daily Recap: Saturday, June 7, 2025
June 7, 2025

General Synod Daily Recap: Saturday, June 7, 2025

This news summary is being updated throughout the day. On Saturday, the Global Council for Hispanic Ministries led the synod in morning worship.  General Synod in person or virtually: delegates…
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General SynodNewsRCA colleges move to “affiliated” relationship with denomination
June 6, 2025

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…
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General SynodNewsGeneral Synod Daily Recap: Friday, June 6, 2025
June 6, 2025

General Synod Daily Recap: Friday, June 6, 2025

This news summary is being updated throughout the day. Middle assemblies to be implemented by the end of 2026 The final step to approve merging regional synods and classes into…
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General SynodNewsRestructuring TeamMiddle Assemblies to be Implemented by the End of 2026
June 6, 2025

Middle Assemblies to be Implemented by the End of 2026

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…
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General SynodNewsGeneral Synod Daily Recap: Thursday, June 5, 2025
June 5, 2025

General Synod Daily Recap: Thursday, June 5, 2025

This news summary is being updated throughout the day. General Synod opens with worship  “Reassert our commitment to follow Jesus in the world so that the world might come to…
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General SynodNewsGeneral Synod 2025 will consider a delayed implementation of structural changes
June 4, 2025

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…
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General SynodNewsGeneral Synod 2024 News Summary
June 18, 2024

General Synod 2024 News Summary

Here's a summary of the major decisions, themes, and conversations at the RCA's 2024 General Synod in Tucson, Arizona, June 13-18.
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General SynodNewsCovenant Share rate set at 2.5 percent for 2025
June 17, 2024

Covenant Share rate set at 2.5 percent for 2025

On Monday afternoon, the General Synod set a covenant share rate for the financial needs of denominational life in 2025. Covenant Shares represent a recent change to how the RCA…
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General SynodNewsGeneral Synod takes steps toward a more equitable Book of Church Order
June 17, 2024

General Synod takes steps toward a more equitable Book of Church Order

The General Synod heard from the African American Black Council (AABC) on Monday morning, along with the General Synod Council (GSC), which brought several proposed Book of Church Order (BCO)…
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Synod Workbook

The document guide General Synod uses during the event.

View workbook

Recommendations

An up-to-date list of all recommendations being voted on.

View recommendations

Journals

Detailed recordings of the events of General Synod.

View journals

The General Synod—

The governing body of the RCA

General Synod membership is made up of minister and elder representatives from each classis and regional synod. In its annual meeting, the General Synod sets the direction and tone for denominational ministry. It has authority in all matters relating to denominational program and policy. It also has general responsibility over all lower assemblies (regional synods, classes, and consistories).

Learn about the General Synod

Minutes of General Synod

The acts and proceedings from each year are recorded in the Minutes of General Synod, including reports and recommendations.

View past meeting minutes

General Synod Statements

General Synod papers provide guidance to the members of the church and are a part of the church’s witness in society.

View past synod statements