Reflections on the 2013 General Synod of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church
An assessment of the 2013 ARP Synod meeting
The 2013 meeting of General Synod was a very good one. I can safely say it was one of the best meetings of Synod that I have ever attended. Many good things are happening in the ARP Church, and theologically we are trending in the right direction. If we can overcome our mistakes, I expect... Continue Reading
ARP Synod: Concluding Business
Moderator Kingswood’s efficient leadership combined with a relative lack of contentious issues brought Synod to a close in record time
Synod’s Committee on Inter-Church Relations recommended that the ARP Synod extend an invitation to the Reformed Presbyterian Church in North America (RPCNA) to hold concurrent synods at Bonclarkin in 2015. Both synods would conduct business in separate facilities in Bonclarkin, but the worship services would be conducted together and opportunities for fellowship would be built... Continue Reading
ARP Synod: RUF at Newberry College
An exciting new ministry opportunity in Newberry, South Carolina
RUF Newberry is slated to begin ministry on January 1, 2014, after TE Starkey transfers his credentials to Second Presbytery. This has been exciting not only for Newberry ARP, but also for the presbytery. It is no secret that Second Presbytery has been badly divided over Erskine-related issues for going on eight years now, but... Continue Reading
A Challenge from ARP Moderator Jeff Kingswood to Synod
The ARP Moderator challenges his church to be a confessional church
Brothers, the way to reform in the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church is not through programs or politics. The way to reformation is principled confessional Presbyterianism in action. The meat and potatoes of the faith. The truth of God’s Word. Horatius Bonar continues: “Let us honour the truth as God has done, as His apostles did,... Continue Reading
ARP Synod Exonerates Two Elders Who Had Sued the Church
ARP Synod sustains judicial decisions of lower courts exonerating two elders
The Minority Report having failed as a substitute motion, the Majority Report of the committee was again before the Synod. After a short period of debate, the Majority Report was adopted. This effectively ends any possibility of the men who sued the ARP Synod from being brought under discipline. Background In 2009 the Associate... Continue Reading
ARP Synod: Synod and Erskine Settle the Question of Institutional Oversight
After years of debate, Erskine College and Seminary are clearly identified as under the authority of the ARP Synod
After a year of study, the Erskine Board agreed with the Synod’s committee that Synod does have the right to remove trustees with cause. According to board member Bill Cain, a “significant majority” of the board voted to change the charter at its May meeting. On Wednesday, June 12, the Synod-Erskine committee re-proposed the charter... Continue Reading
The ‘Inactive Roll’ and Biblical Shepherding and Discipline in the ARP Church
The concept of an inactive roll violates the clear intent of Biblical church discipline and shepherding
The concept of an inactive roll violates the clear intent of Biblical church discipline and shepherding. Even our definition of an active member is disgracefully lenient. A member of the Rotary Club has higher attendance requirements placed on him or her than in an ARP church! We are called to a far higher and holy... Continue Reading
Trustees offer modified charter language to ARP General Synod
An announcement from the Erskine College and Theological Seminary Board of Trustees
As part of its meetings May 23-24, the Board of Trustees of Erskine College and Theological Seminary voted to approve language for a proposed charter change regarding trustee removal. This proposed language addresses three important standards for trustee removal: cause, due process, and board approval. It also delineates the roles both Erskine and the ARP... Continue Reading
A response to WORLD Magazine
In press release, Erskine College and Seminary challenges the content of a recent story
What Erskine is doing is not an easy task, but it is worthwhile. The 2011 ARP Synod commended Erskine’s trustees and President Norman, who was just completing his first in office, for their effective work. Again this year, the 2012 ARP Synod commended Erskine’s trustees and administration for being willing to continue the dialogue on these issues.
Incoming Moderator’s Address to the Associated Reformed Presbyterian 2012 General Synod
We will spend the bulk of our time over the next two days dealing with areas that do not fall directly under the Confession’s stated functions for a synod. I wonder why we spend so much time on what has little to do with the purpose of a synod according to our Confession. At the Synod level, we are doing more than the Confession calls for.