General Synod 2016 met June 9-14 on the campus of Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights, Illinois, and addressed many aspects of ministry and mission in the RCA.
Synod Affirms Marriage between Men and Women, Calls for Respect for LGBT People
General Synod 2016 adopted as constitutional the “Order for Christian Marriage” liturgy, which describes marriage as “a joyful covenanting between a man and a woman.” The vote elevates the 2002 liturgy to constitutional status if it is approved by two-thirds of the RCA’s 44 classes over the coming year. The decision also needs to be ratified at General Synod 2017. The recommendation arose out of the report of the special council on human sexuality that took place in April. Other recommendations from the special council were discussed at length and not approved.
On Tuesday, delegates called for a change to the Book of Church Order (BCO), mandating that consistories or governing bodies “shall assure that marriages in a church or congregation are between a man and a woman.” The change must be approved by two-thirds of RCA classes and ratified at General Synod 2017 before it is added to the BCO.
General Synod also passed a resolution on Tuesday to “reject all forms of mockery, degrading words and thoughts, economic oppression, abuse, threats, and violence against members of the LGBTQ+ community,” regardless of position on the “moral status of same-sex behavior.” The resolution called on anyone involved in such behavior to “repent and immediately begin walking in obedience to Jesus’ command to love.”
Synod Elects New Officers
General Synod elected Dan Gillett as president and Lee DeYoung as vice president. Gillett is lead pastor of First Reformed Church in Holland, Michigan. Lee DeYoung is an elder at Hager Park Reformed Church in Jenison, Michigan. Both were installed during General Synod closing worship and will serve over the coming year.
Celebrating Transformed & Transforming
Throughout synod, delegates heard stories of transformation taking place in churches and in individuals. “In the midst of some of the greatest tension in the history of the RCA, we are seeing some of the greatest ministry impact through Transformed & Transforming,” said general secretary Tom De Vries. “We have come together as a denomination and found agreement around mission.” On Friday evening, synod celebrated how churches and individuals have been positively impacted through Transformed & Transforming ministry initiatives.
Watch videos of transformation that delegates saw throughout the week.
Synod also celebrated:
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The organization of ten new RCA churches.
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RCA congregations that are missional impact partners, giving substantially beyond their assessments.
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The service of retiring mission coworkers Bruce and Laurie Hawley and Larry and Linda McAuley, and the debut of RCA Global Mission strategic impact areas.
In other business:
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Delegates encouraged classes to develop family leave policies for ministers, both women and men.
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General Synod delegates voted “to declare that the RCA does not support the use of reorientation/reparative therapy but does affirm the power of the Holy Spirit to transform all lives.”
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The synod called for a smoother process for commissioned pastors to become ministers of Word and sacrament.
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RCA general secretary Tom De Vries delivered his report, calling synod to act with love. He said the RCA’s impact will be greater “if we journey together as God’s people who have been called for God’s purposes.”
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Synod approved president Evan Vermeer’s proposal to develop a way for churches that are financially healthy to partner with churches that have fewer resources.
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General Synod set the 2017 per-member assessment at $52.23. These funds support the work of the synod, denominational ministries, theological education, the Board of Benefits Services assistance program, and other initiatives approved at synod. Delegates set the 2017 Partner-in-Mission (PIM) share at $6,400; PIM shares fund the work of mission coworkers around the world.
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Jaeseung Cha of New Brunswick Theological Seminary was installed as a General Synod professor, and synod declared John Coakley a General Synod professor emeritus.
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