I was asked to be a delegate to the 209th General Synod of the RCA. After I agreed, an email arrived giving information needed for the meetings. That email included 265 pages of resolutions and material to study so I would be prepared to vote on the many issues.
The first session began on Thursday afternoon with Synod President Greg Alderman leading worship and sharing thoughts from Malachi 3:16 which says, “Then those whose lives honored God got together and talked it over. God saw what they were doing and listened in. A book was opened in God’s presence and minutes were taken of the meeting, with the names of the God-fearers written down, all the names of those who honored God’s name.” (The Message) That scripture was the theme of our many challenging discussions. We came together from many places, many backgrounds, with many issues to discuss, and many of us with personal agendas.
Multiple resolutions were brought before the assembly to be discussed and decided. Reports included information from the seminaries, commissions on Christian discipleship and education, race and ethnicity, women and youth, Christian action, unity, worship, theology, history, and more. Some reports were for information while others had resolutions that were to be voted on.
As a regular delegate from Minnesota Classis I could fully participate by having the privilege of the floor (allowed to speak to the synod), vote, make motions, or be elected to office. My time was spent listening—not talking. The delegates and others attending the synod meeting sat by round tables usually with 4 others. Our table included a delegate from New York, a pastor and an elder from Michigan and a non-voting individual from Colorado. The voting delegates were each given a keypad which was used in voting.
Voting proved to be a challenge as often a resolution would come before the group only to have an amendment attached. Then there might be an amendment to the amendment and discussion for the amendment which could include more discussion before the final vote. The keypad was used to decide whether the resolution passes or fails and the results were on screens in graph form within 30 seconds.
Although 53 resolutions were voted on, the one topic which seemed to consume an inordinate amount of time was that of homosexuality and what stand the RCA has. The discussion was difficult as there were many different views on what the Bible says about the topic and many arguments for and against accepting the homosexual as a church member, as elder or deacon, or as pastor. A commission was assigned to continue discussion toward making a definitive decision. I can’t guess where that will lead us to, but know that no matter what is decided there will be people who will leave the RCA.
Even though sitting is difficult for me and considering we started the day at 8:00 AM and continued until 9:00 PM, the times of sharing, worshiping and voting proved to be interesting as well as challenging and time passed quickly. The Spirit was evident as the “church” expressed their love for God even through difficult discussion and disagreement.
There were many positive times including stories of Transformed and Transforming and what that means for the Reformed Church, for our respective churches, and with us individually. It was stated that God alone is God, that God alone is the agent of spiritual transformation, that the love of God casts out fear, and that the Spirit works through the body of Christ.
The RCA has a goal of transformation, but it is you and I who have to be transformed so that we become a catalyst for change in the RCA, the ARC, in our communities, and homes. There is so much more to share and I have the 200 pages which are available for you to read and digest. Don’t hurt anyone running to get first dibs on the information!
George H. Bonnema