Dear Rose Park,
General Synod is both an event and a body of people. The event is a once-a-year gathering that shapes the direction of the denomination. The body of people who gather for the annual event make up one of the four assemblies of the Reformed Church in America. From June 13-18, delegates from around the U.S. and Canada will come together in Tucson, Arizona, for General Synod. They will worship together, fellowship, and deliberate and vote on many things related to the RCA’s ministry.
The above comes directly from the Reformed Church in America’s website. In a few weeks, delegates from all over the world will descend upon Tucson, Arizona over Father’s Day weekend for General Synod. As they prepare, I’d ask you to keep the entire denomination in your prayers and me in particular because I’ll be serving as one of those delegates. There is a lot happening in our denomination and a general sense of worry about her future. Some of the anticipated business for this year’s General Synod include an update from the Restructuring Team (for more information, click here) as well as recommendations from various commissions, boards, and agencies regarding potential divisions and departures within the denomination.
It’s fair to say, there is a sense of grief and loss in the denomination. There have been individuals, families and churches who have already left the RCA because of the decisions made and the visions cast at General Synod. It worries me to set the precedent of departure when disagreement settles in, but it seems like these departures are inevitable. To be quite honest, it doesn’t sit well with me at all and it pains me to think of the example we are setting for the next-generation who is watching us handle these disputes.
At the same time, I recognize disputes and disagreements are normal in families; it’s my hope and prayer that in the midst of this tension we might still embrace one another as members of God’s family despite our disagreements. On that note, it seems appropriate to end this letter in a similar way it began, with words from the RCA website:
When church leaders gather at General Synod, it’s a reminder that your part in the family of God is not just your local church. Connections and relationships across the wider church run deep and are celebrated as old friends see each other and new relationships are sparked.
As I, along with many others, prepare for General Synod I’d covet your prayers as we listen, worship, discern, and pray for God’s direction.
Grace & Peace,
Pastor Mark
Photo by Florian Schneider on Unsplash