Synod 2020
Opening Worship By Shay O’Sheal
Moderator, led the Memorial Service reading memorials for eight of our ministers, three former moderators and many elders. Former Moderator Larry Littlejohn presented Jesus Is. Written by Littlejohn, he goes through each
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book of the Bible, explaining who Jesus is in each accompanied with the piano. Moderator Rob Roy McGregor, III opened worship with the reading of Matthew 5:1-16. Retiring Moderator Leslie Holmes spoke on The ARP Salt and Light Company – how the power of salt is valu- able until it loses its taste. “Jesus calls us the salt of the earth and the light of the world,” Holmes said. Dr. Holmes’ sermon had four key words: Design, Destroyed, Diminished and Determination. Jesus
calls us the salt of the earth. We are to go out aggressively and pour ourselves and influence everything we touch. That is God’s design for us. If the salt has lost its taste how shall its saltiness be restored. He referenced the Dead Sea that has
salt on its banks of many colors. If the Dead Sea salt touches another element it is the reverse of what we think of salt. It doesn’t enhance the flavor of what it touches, it takes on the flavor of what it touches. Its saltiness is destroyed. If the salt loses its taste how should it be restored? It is no longer good for anything. Its purpose
has been diminished. The ARP has to have determination to go out and grow the church. It takes everyone to make it happen. We, the ARP, must determine that we are going to grow the church for Jesus’ sake. Dr. Holmes closed by asking the ARP to “Rise up, O Church of God! We have done with lesser things; give heart and mind and soul and strength to serve the King of Kings.” Dr. Neil Stewart, pastor of Christ Covenant Church and Dr. Derek Thomas, Senior Pastor of
First Presbyterian Church served Communion. Elders from First Presbyterian Church assisted with the distribution wearing masks and gloves. The elements were prepackaged. The postlude was a special duet with the Former Moderator Leslie Holmes on the trumpet
and the Moderator Rob Roy McGregor III on the organ playing The Holy City.? Approved Motions
• That consideration of synods allocation of funds be postponed until after we consider Index’s 10 and 11 and any matters related. • Motion to allow members of the Special Committee who are not members of the court to have voice during the discussion of this index. • (Reference to Index 10) That the General Synod direct the Board of Benefits to develop and present to the next stated meeting of Synod a change in Synod’s benefits plan whereby ministers have the option to participate in Synod’s defined contribution plan or other defined contribution plans of their choosing.
• That Recommendation #5 be amended to delete “a committee chosen by the Synod or” in the original recommendation. • That the remarks of Rev. Eric Hancox be printed in the minutes of Synod. • That this reallocation committee seek input from the boards and agencies as they identify and determine sources of funds to reallocate to the retirement fund.
• Motion to encourage session to explicitly communicate to their congregations the changes to the DMF distribution, specifically regarding the 20% to retirement.
• In light of the recommendations from the Blue Ribbon committee and the Benefits committee, that the Revision committee be tasked with examining FOG 9.54.H 3&6 and make any recommendations necessary.
• That the remarks of Rev. Mark Miller be recorded in the minutes of Synod. • That the Officers of the Court confer during the lunch break on a plan to handle all remaining business in a judicious and expeditious way, and that this plan be presented at the beginning of the afternoon session.
• That employees who are not enrolled in the defined benefit plan be eligible to enroll in the new 403(b)(9) plan on or after January 1, 2021. • That Synod recommends each Presbytery appoint or select a committee to examine its funds to determine if any can be contributed towards the unfounded actuarial liability of the ARP Retirement plan.
• That the hiring freeze executed by the Executive Board of Synod be continued until after the report of the Restructuring Committee has been presented to and acted on by General Synod.
• That the recommendations for indexes 20,34,35,36 be approved and that the directors and agencies be thanked for their hard work and prayer be offered for those affected. (20 Interchurch, 34 Bonclarken, 35 World Witness, 36 Christian Education)
• We recommend that the unused portion of the approved 2020 denominational Ministry Allocation to Campus Ministry be placed in the Erskine RUF ministry fund at the ARP Center.
• That the State of Oklahoma be included in the bounds of Florida Presbytery. • That the Theological and Social Concerns Committee study and recommend to the next General Synod under what conditions according to FOG 6.8. L. a Session may suspend corporate worship, for how long a Session may suspend corporate worship, and whether or not a Session may offer virtual communion.
• That the personnel directories of the Minutes of the General Synod of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian church for 2020 and sub- sequent years be made to conform to the format of and contain at least the minimum information contained in the Minutes of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian church of June 6-9, 2017 and that the courtesy title Doctor (Dr.) be added for those on whom the title has been officially conferred.” *For official wording of motions, refer to the Minutes of Synod.?
he 216th meeting of General Synod was well attended despite two postponements and a loca- tion change. With Canada and Northeast Presbyteries on zoom and many watching through livestreaming, the meeting began following a condensed schedule. Rev. Rob Patrick, Vice
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