Synod Nyack 2012

Synod Nyack 2012 is now over and all the delegates have returned to their respective places after a long and tiring week. However this meeting was a tremendous encouragement to all who attended and very different from others that I’ve attended thus far. The two most encouraging notes: a season of prayer and brotherly love. We opened our week with a service of prayer where different ministers and elders led in times of intercession. This really set the tone for deliberations. This was evident in the brotherly spirit that prevailed throughout the week. Genuine respect and humility was shown towards one another, even when there were disagreements. It is obvious that we are growing closer and living up to our name of being the United Reformed Churches. As well, each day began with a brief sermon and prayer and each session included a time of singing, Bible reading and prayer. The singing was absolutely amazing!

Added to this unity was a great sense of harmony among like-minded churches around the world. We heard greetings from several fraternal delegates from Indonesia, Republic of the Congo, New Zealand (from Rev. Leo De Vos who is originally from Winnipeg), etc. We also heard from some of other federations in North America like the Canadian Reformed Churches, the Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC), and the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America (RPCNA) and others.

Some of the main decisions:

What is very apparent in our federation is our love for missions and desire to obey Christ’s commission to make disciples of every nation (Mt. 28:18ff.). There was a very passionate plea made by a number of delegates and missionaries. As Rev. Murphy, church planter in New York City exhorted us, “missions is not something we do; missions is our identity as churches.” To that end, Synod adopted many of the recommendations of the missions study committee (to whom yours truly is a member). This ad hoc committee which is made up of members from each classis is now the missions committee until Synod 2014. Synod also adopted the recommendation to create a missions coordinator position. The committee’s desire is to be a blessing to our federation by assisting our missionaries, Consistories, and Joint Venture Committees in the functions and tasks that were assigned to them at Synod.

With regard to the new Psalter Hymnal and the concerns that have been expressed by several consistories: rather than dealing with the three overtures on the agenda, Synod instead decided to direct them to our Psalter Hymnal committee. They also directed the committee to work together with the OPC so that each respective federation can together come up with their own song book. The Psalter Hymnal Committee figures that we will have a printed copy of a new hymnal for our federation around the time of Synod 2016.

Synod also adopted the division of Classis Southern Ontario to Classis Ontario East and Classis Southwestern Ontario.

Synod furthermore adopted the “Appendix of Guidelines for Theological Education” which will be included in our appendices found at the back of our church order.

After much debate, Synod also decided to follow the recommendation of our CERCU committee to enter into Phase 2 relations with the RPCNA. This was not a very easy decision as the RPCNA still holds to a position that women deacons can be ordained (as their fraternal delegate put it - "our distinctives as a denomination are in the areas of wine, women and music" -- paraphrased). It came down to a very close vote. It is hoped that this closer relationship will foster change within this federation as we continue to dialogue.

Synod also was updated on a recent legal change by the Canadian Revenue Agency (CRA) regarding our current Joint Venture Agreement (JVA). Our corporate status can no longer function as a body for collecting and distributing funds to US causes that are under this agreement. Otherwise our churches could lose our charitable status. Our Canadian treasurer Pam Hessels is investigating other ways around this new law.

The last day of Synod was the heaviest in dealing with the appeals, but the advisory committee did an excellent job of guiding us as a body.

To find out more details of the week, you can read the press releases from the URC website (www.urcna.org). The Acts of Synod should also be available soon for public perusal.

In summary, our delegates left Synod being uplifted and thankful for the work that could be done for Christ and His kingdom. Soli Deo Gloria

Some of the scenery at Nyack College located approximately 30 miles north of New York City. In the distance, you can see the Hudson River. My delegate and I took the train along the Hudson from Haarlem (downtown NY) to Tarry Town located very near to legendary Sleepy Hollow. A very beautiful ride along the river. But our transportation from LaGuardia airport to the train was... well... pretty wild. Those NY yellow cab drivers are hmmmm.... let's say "skilled", but crazy....

The entire body met in Olson Auditorium where this picture was taken. Thanks to Pompton Plains for organizing and thanks to our officers for leading us (in the front row): Rev R. Schuers (chairman), Rev J Bouwers (vice), Rev. D Barnes (first clerk), Rev. G Lubbers (second clerk), Rev. B Nymeyer (stated clerk).

Simpson Hall, where many of the delegates stayed, er... shared rooms together, sleeping on bunkbeds, well tried to sleep. As our chairman said: one of the things that we learned at Synod was how to greet one in another in the morning in the public washrooms. It wasn't a cheery "good morning". It was a deep, low, "morning" with head down ..... amongst other noises. I'll let your mind fill in the details...Ahem.


(pictures taken by Glenda Mathes)