General Synod 2014 met June 12-17 on the campus of Central College in Pella, Iowa, and addressed many aspects of ministry and mission in the RCA.
Synod Business Responding to a report identifying mass incarceration as “the most critical social issue of our time,” synod approved a series of recommendations from the Commission on Christian Action calling for education, advocacy, and direct action related to prison reform and mandatory sentencing reform.
Synod approved revised and updated guidelines and new resources for welcoming baptized children to the Lord’s Table that were recommended by the Commission on Christian Discipleship and Education.
Citing a need for more information, synod referred recommendations for biennial synods to a committee to create a concrete plan for a two-year cycle of General Synod to be considered at next year’s synod alongside proposed Book of Church Order changes.
The RCA Church Growth Fund announced a new scholarship program for next-generation missional engagement. Grants will be awarded through RCA Volunteer Engagement to help fund volunteer opportunities, advocacy experiences, and mission internships for middle school to post-college young adults.
Synod also heard about a new initiative to equip congregations for global missional engagement. A team will come alongside congregations at their invitation to help them engage mission or take mission engagement to the next level.
Financial decisions Including a $2 increase to fund new initiatives related to Transformed and Transforming, synod approved the GSC assessment of $44 per confessing member. With additional assessments adopted for the Board of Benefits Services assistance fund, theological education, and new task forces and initiatives, the full General Synod assessment for the coming year totals $51.73 per confessing member.
Synod raised the pledge amount for a full mission share to $6,300 to cover rising costs worldwide.
Videos, photos, and full news coverage of General Synod are available at www.rca.org/synod.