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
Annual Meeting
Due to health concerns and travel restrictions arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, the June 2020 meeting of General Synod has been postponed. General Synod 2021 will take place in June 10-15 2021, on the campus of Central College in Pella, Iowa.
Reports to General Synod 2020
Although General Synod was postponed and will not take place in 2020 due to travel and gathering concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the reports submitted from ministry areas, councils, agencies, boards, and commissions are still valuable as they represent the work these bodies have done over the past year. Any requested actions of the General Synod contained in these reports will not be able to be acted upon this year, and they may be resubmitted in reports to the next session of the General Synod.
A Guide to Acronyms used in General Synod Reports
2019-2020 Rosters of General Synod Boards, Agencies, and Commissions
General Synod Council reporting as the Executive Committee of the General Synod
- Finance
- Advancement
- Communication/Archives
- GSC Response to Past General Synod Referrals
- Preliminary Statistical Summary for the Year Ending 12/31/2019
Racial and Ethnic Councils
- African American Black Council
- Council for Hispanic Ministries
- Council for Pacific and Asian American Ministries
Denominational Ministry Work
- Transformed & Transforming
- Global Mission
- Multiplication
- Multiracial Future Freed from Racism
- Retired Ministers of Word and Sacrament
- Necrology
Overtures to the 2020 General Synod
– Appendix to Overtures
Agencies
- Church Growth Fund
- Board of Benefits Services
- Words of Hope (note: while it is not an agency under the authority of the General Synod, Words of Hope does submit a report to the General Synod each year)
Commissions
Because of the uncertainty surrounding whether or not General Synod 2020 would be able to take place, not all commissions submitted a report to General Synod 2020. Commissions that did not submit a report this year will be able to provide a report on their work in their report to the next session of General Synod.
- Commission on Christian Action
- Commission on Christian Unity
- Commission on Church Order
- Commission on History
- Commission on Judicial Business
- Commission on Nominations
- Commission on Race and Ethnicity
- Commission on Theology
- Commission for Women
Theological Education
- General Synod professorate
- Pastoral Formation Oversight Board
- Ministerial Formation Certification Agency
- New Brunswick Theological Seminary
- Western Theological Seminary
Colleges
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).
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.
Minutes of General Synod
The acts and proceedings from each year are recorded in the Minutes of General Synod, including reports and recommendations.