The 202nd Annual Meeting of the General Synod of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church was held at Bonclarken in Flat Rock, NC Tuesday June 6, 2006 through Thursday June 8, 2006.

What follows is a digest of news and information relevant to Presbyteries, Sessions and Pastors of ARPC congregations, for attention and action. Please ensure that these matters are brought to the attention of the appropriate body and add them to your agenda as required.

For more details please review the Minutes of the 202nd Meeting of General Synod currently displayed on the www.arpsynod.org website.

William B. Evans, Retiring Moderator, began his address by giving thanks to God for the strength to perform his duties, to all who have prayed for him, and to his family for their loving support. He reported on his several activities and travels during his tenure and of the warmth with which he had been widely received in Presbyteries and congregations. Mr. Evans said that he regarded serving as Moderator as a "wonderful learning experience." He further recognized the roles played by the Executive Directors of our agencies, and the service of the members of the boards to which they relate. He added "the greatest asset of the ARP Church, humanly speaking, is its people."

Tom Patterson, Moderator, challenged the court to take seriously the theme chosen for his year of service ... "I Will Build My Church." He spoke of significant changes taking place throughout the church, new directors coming on board while others retire. He said, "Change is all about us." Of special interest was his reference to the many additional cultural groups to the ARPC family. He referred to the presence at Synod of men and women speaking Korean, Chinese, Iranian, Spanish and Swahili. Mr. Patterson noted the different cultures represented, together with our traditional membership, posed a special challenge going forward. He further emphasized evangelism and church planting as having primary important for the church, and declared January 2007 as a month for concerted effort in evangelism to be observed. The Moderator reminded the court "we are a connectional church and as a connectional body we have responsibilities for one another." Of concern is the responsibility of churches to give financial support to the ministries of General Synod. The Moderator also proposed (and General Synod later approved) a special committee to begin the process of revising our Form of Government.

Moderator Patterson introduced Vice-Moderator John E. Hill to the court, who presented the program for the 2006 meeting of General Synod.

1. The recommended allocations of Synod's Unrestricted Funds for 2007 are based on the pledged and/or anticipated receipts for the current calendar year. Anticipated commitments from churches total $2,897,356, added to which is $28,371 from earnings of the ARP Foundation Endowment, $13,152 from the Betts Endowment and estimated interest of $2,500, for a grand total of $2,941,379. This represents an increase of 2.18% as compared to 2.28% for the current year. Denominational Ministry Fund allocations reflected in the reports of boards and committees must be adjusted to reflect these allocated amounts.

2. The Special Committee on Worship presented a first draft of the revised Book of Worship with the request "that it be made available to our membership, churches, and presbyteries and studied over the next six months. Where readers believe changes should be made in the draft, we are requesting that such comments be forwarded to the clerk of their local presbytery. The presbytery clerk should forward the comments to the committee in that presbytery which has been appointed to receive those comments. All comments should be submitted to the clerks of presbyteries no later than December 31st, 2006."

3. The Vision Committee reported that its work is still in its infancy. Letters have been written to churches asking for input regarding how they are reaching their communities for Christ. General Synod granted the committee one year's continuance to develop its work.

4. The Committee on Lay Ministry reported that the Family Bible Conference leadership and finances are being unified under one common committee. The search continues for a Director for the Cornerstone Conference. The offer of work teams to assist churches remains in force. If a congregation has a need it should be made known to the Director of Lay Ministry.

5. The Committee on the Minister and His Work again stressed the importance of maintaining and keeping current, dossiers of information on all ministers. This is especially important when ministers may be ready to entertain a call from a congregation seeking a minister. The Manual of Authorities & Duties affirms the secure and discreet manner in which information is to be shared. The Presbyterian Council on Chaplains and Military Personnel was commended for its work. Members of the court and congregations are encouraged to remember all chaplains and military personnel in their prayers. Having regard to uniform written exams, the committee indicated its intention to review the current exam during the coming year. The committee also brought to the attention of the court a reminder as to its responsibility to address annual reviews of calls; the new ministers orientation program (and encouragement to ensure attendance); preventive maintenance (to include ways in which ministers can be better prepared to deal with issues that could hinder or prevent effective ministry); the importance of giving priority to ARP Church ministers and students when considering a call; and the recommendation that all presbyteries adopt a statement on sexual harassment.

The committee drew special attention to the need for representation from all presbyteries when it meets, to include the Chairman of each Presbytery Committee or Commission on Minister and His Work or his designated alternate, the Chairman of each Presbytery Committee that has oversight of Students and Licentiates, the Director of Outreach North America and the Vice President of Erskine Theological Seminary.

6. Dr. Peggy Gray, President of ARP Women's Ministries reported that the year of transition from "WSU to WM" has prospered and that the women of the ARP Church are catching on to the new structure which encourages women in the local church to take more responsibility for their own activities while relating to their Sessions to fulfill the local church's vision. Dr. Gray further reported that enthusiastic participation on the part of our Northeast and Canadian Presbyteries has been a gratifying addition to the women's ministry. She complimented Ann Aheron on her tireless ministry to women as Interim Administrator and asked for prayer as the search for a full-time Administrator continues.

7. The Committee on Inter-Church Relations delivered the news that a measure of understanding has been reached with the Synod of Mexico (IPAR) and that a delegation, including representatives of the committee and World Witness, concluded with all participants agreeing to take to their Synods a proposal to have a relationship that is fraternal, equal and cooperative. It was further reported that the Synod of Pakistan is to celebrate 100 years of ministry in October 2006 and that invitations to attend their festivities are anticipated. The ARP Church continues to maintain its membership in the International Conference of Reformed Churches and the North American Presbyterian and Reformed Council. We sent delegates to the meetings of these organizations and also sent an observer to the World Reformed Fellowship meeting. The recommendation of the committee that we pursue a closer relationship of communication and interaction with the RPCNA was approved. As Chairman of the Inter-Church Relations Committee John H. Dawson introduced fraternal delegates to the court as follows:
Rev.John A. Rizwani, Secretary of the General Synod, Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church of Pakistan; Rev. Jack Sawyer, Orthodox Presbyterian Church; and Rev. Mike Glodo, Stated Clerk, Evangelical Presbyterian Church. A letter from Rev. Johnson Watt, Moderator, Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America, was read.

8. Erskine College presented seven recommendations to the court. They began with an expression of gratitude to God for His sustaining mercy. Requests for funds (please refer to adopted allocations) included $610,000 in operating funds, $500.00 to assist the work of the ARP Student Union, and $25,000 to assist in providing scholarships for missionary students from East Africa. Of special note is the proposed amendment to the Manual of Authorities and Duties regarding the membership of the Board of Trustees, which we referred back to the Board of Erskine. It reads:
"Thirty members, at least twelve of whom shall be Associate Reformed Presbyterian elders, with at least six ruling and six teaching elders. Further at least one half of the elected members shall be alumni or alumnae of the College and/or Seminary."

Erskine Theological Seminary announced that in appreciation of the support of the denomination's churches, "we are offering one free audit course per semester for teaching and ruling elders and deacons for up to four people per church, pending available classroom space." Further the report notes that Erskine Distance Education Network continues to operate offering state-of-the-art courses on-line. The Seminary has appointed a Director of the Columbia Campus and Seminary Extension Sites.

9. The report of the Committee on Theological and Social Concerns was presented. A motion was offered, debated, and carried as follows:

"That the report of the (committee) be referred to the Special Committee to be appointed by the Moderator, to revise the Form of Government along with the 2003 Memorial from Northeast Presbytery, and that clarity and harmony be brought to the Form of Government on the issues raised concerning non-communicant members and the non-communicant roll."

10. The Committee on Worship is now equally balanced with representatives from the field of music; theology or clergy; and lay-people or members-at-large, and continues its prescribed duties while preparing itself to carry on the work of the Special Committee on Worship upon its completion. "The committee will be prepared to assist in the implementation of the new document as well as educating elders, lay-people, and ministers on its direction for public worship."

11. The report of the Investment Committee expresses the intention of the committee to be a resource for all agencies and will initiate invitations to representatives of Erskine and Bonclarken to explore areas of mutual interest and cooperation. The committee is available to work with congregations that have invested funds. The committee is available to work either in an advisory capacity or to exercise particular responsibilities authorized by the asset owners. The committee will develop guidelines and policies during the following year and will continue the evaluation of the existing investment arrangements.

12. While adopting the recommendations of the report of the Board of Bonclarken, the court added an expression of appreciation to "Mr. Jim Brice for his years of dedicated service to Christ in this ministry." Of special note is the proposed building of an adult housing facility, similar in concept to Founders' Hall, and the raising of the necessary funds for it. Prayer is requested for the Search Committee responsible for seeking a replacement for Mr. Brice as President of Bonclarken.

13. The report of the Moderator's Committee on Memorials was presented. The memorial from Catawba Presbytery regarding the call of a minister to serve as pastor without the provision for group insurance when a congregation is unable to support a minister on a full-time basis was adopted for overture to the presbyteries.
The memorial from Second Presbytery regarding the procedures for receiving a congregation was adopted for referral to the Committee on the Minister and His Work.
Concerning the memorial from Mississippi Valley Presbytery regarding NCD materials, the following motion was adopted:
"In light of the lack of citation within the memorial, remove the preamble of this memorial and forward (to the Committee on Theological and Social Concerns) the issue of evaluation of NCD materials without bias."
Two additional memorials were received. A memorial from Catawba Presbytery seeking to clarify the status of a Mission Developer in regard to the Form of Government was not adopted as the issue was addressed in the proposed amendments offered by ONA.
A memorial from First Presbytery of encouragement to the Erskine Board of Trustees and the Presidential Search Committee was adopted.

14. The Moderator opened the floor for Nominations for the Office of Moderator of General Synod. Charles F. Edgar was nominated and elected by acclamation.

15. The Board of Covenant Discipleship asked the court to approve its recommendations; in support of the appointment of E. Brent Turner as Executive Director of Covenant Discipleship; that the name of Covenant Discipleship be changed to Christian Education Ministries; be approved. The Moderator's Committee added to recommendations, the first, that Dr. David Vickery be commended for his faithful service, and, second, that special appreciation be expressed to Mrs. Ann Brice, Rev. Bob Elliott, and Mrs. Marge Malone for their service during this year. All recommendations were adopted.

16. The Board of Outreach North America presented ten recommendations all of which were adopted by Synod. The recommendation to amend certain places in the Form of Government in order to clarify "confused lines of authority for church planters in reporting and decision-making," were approved for overture to the Presbyteries. The body of the report also identified strategic planning, revisions to the board's policy book, the formation of a regional new church network, multi-ethnic ministries, and tools for evangelism and renewal, as issues being addressed by the board.

17. The Board of Stewardship report was adopted as presented, with two additional recommendations from the Moderator's Committee. The board is thanked for its "hard work and efforts during the past year," and "the historical statements on stewardship which Synod has adopted and/or received as information as printed in the 2004 Minutes of Synod pp 528-531, be posted on the Associate Reformed Presbyterian website." In the matter of a position paper on fundraising, the board reported that since the Scriptures are silent on the subject it did not deem a position paper appropriate, but suggested that each Session should exercise its own discretion on the matter. Giving to the Denominational Ministry Fund (DMF) continues to be a matter of concern. All ministers, sessions and congregations are asked to be alert to their responsibility to contribute to the DMF and to do so responsibly. The "Stewardship Counselor Profile" was presented as information and a search committee has been appointed to fill this position.

18. The Board of Dunlap presented its report and a comprehensive overview of all of Dunlap's activities. The board remains committed to "identify and evaluate those ministries that best emulate that which we would do if we were still providing "our" home."

19. The Executive Board of General Synod was accompanied by nine recommendations, eight of which were adopted. They included the start-date for the 2007 Meeting of General Synod, June 5, 2007 to be held at Bonclarken; the importance of coordinating all Synod-wide dates and changes in dates through Administrative Services; the continuance of Wilfred A. Bellamy as Synod's Coordinator for the period July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2007; the proposed change in the Guidelines for Emphasis Committee that primarily requires the inclusion of "appointees from each presbytery at least once in every two years and a representative appointed by the President of ARP Women's Ministries;" and proposed changes in the Rules of Procedure. Two recommendations for changes to the Manual of Authorities and Duties were proposed. The first, pertaining to meetings of the Executive Board (the Fall meeting may be cancelled at the discretion of the Moderator) was adopted; the second, affecting the duties of the Treasurer was not adopted, but an a motion was made to read as follows: "Provide general oversight of an acceptable accounting system which maintains up to date and accurate records of all receipts and disbursements," and was adopted. Other items of interest in the report include Post Katrina donations of $149,514, with $93,495 having been disbursed; and the status report on Central Services with a description of progress to date and future planning.

20. The major thrust of the Historian's Report had to do with custodial arrangements for Synod's historic documents. Since Montreat may close its facility the Historian recommends that in that eventuality the Thomas Cooper Library at the University of South Carolina, or the John Dulow Campbell Library at Columbia Theological Seminary, or the South Carolina Department of Archives and History, be possible locations for the temporary storage of our historical materials. However the Historian recommends that talks with Erskine College and Seminary continue as the most favored location. A Special Historical Committee is to be responsible for continued study, decision, and the transfer of materials. The recommendations were approved in their entirety.

21. Synod approved all of the recommendations of the Board of Publications including the change of the name of the board to Board of The Associate Reformed Presbyterian, and that the Manual of Authorities and Duties and the bylaws & policy manual be amended to reflect the change. Sabrina Cooper was recognized and thanked by the court for her excellent service as Editor. The board asked for prayer for its search for a new Editor. Subscriptions continue to be a cause for concern. All ministers, sessions and congregations are asked to initiate a serious effort to promote the magazine and to encourage subscriptions to the magazine.

22. In addition to the recommendations (12) of the report of World Witness all of which were approved, the Moderator's Committee added four. They are as follows: "That World Witness be granted an exemption from the 2005 Synod's salary reporting requirement;" "that our Synod send this official word of greeting to the ARP Synod of Pakistan: 'Whereas, 100 years ago, our Sovereign Lord opened the door to grant a field of service, and whereas, during those 100 years many faithful men and women have labored in that great field, and whereas God, in His grace, continues to bring forth fruit in this wonderful field, therefore, the 202nd meeting of the General Synod of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church offers its gratitude to God and our congratulations to the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Synod of Pakistan on the occasion of their centennial celebration';" that General Synod send the Moderator or the Moderator-Elect to Pakistan for the centennial celebration in November 2006; that General Synod commend the Board of World Witness for their faithful service over the past year. The main body of the report provides a comprehensive picture of progress and challenge in all the ministries of World Witness.

23. The Board of Benefits brought good news to the court. For the past three years premium for the medical plan have exceeded costs. This allows medical and dental premiums to remain stable since October 2003 and has allowed the reserve to increase. At the present time no increase in premiums is anticipated prior to January 2007, and, if claim experience continues to be favorable, premiums may remain stable for the year 2007. The board will more aggressively pursue the option of extending HealthStat a health risk management program begun at Erskine in 2004, to other participants over time. Gratitude is expressed to Jeannie Wells for her role in the implementation of this program.

Congregations were reminded that all full-time employees are to be enrolled in the plan that provides employee life, employee accidental death, and employee long term disability insurance. Dependent life is included if the employee has dependents. All full-time employees are also eligible for medical and dental insurance.

The tri-annual actuarial valuation of the ARP Retirement Plan as of January 1, 2006 determined that the Plan is actuarially sound and is sufficiently funded to allow a 6.9% increase in future benefits paid to those eligible retirees that will be receiving retirement benefits as of July 1, 2006. A Plan Amendment was approved to grant the increase.

24. The Moderator opened the floor for nominations for the office of Vice Moderator of General Synod. Mr. Mike Evans was elected by acclamation.

Please note: the complete text of all reports and additional information is contained in the Minutes of Synod 2006, available on the denomination's website www.arpsynod.org

Wilfred A. Bellamy, Ph.D.
Coordinator of General Synod
July 2006