Reformed Presbyterian Minutes of Synod 1997 - Rparchives.org

150 MINUTES OF THE 1997 SYNOD OF THE
Praise the Prince of Peace, that His Spirit permeated Synod's deliberations and
that no crises arose since Synod in 1995 which required emergency meetings of
Synod. Praise the Head of the church, that during the past years He caused
numerical growth, conversions, and sanctification. Praise Him that historic
congregations arestill bearing fruit in old age, and some are experiencing
revitalization. Praise Him that congregations are spinning off daughter churches
across the U.S. and Canada. Praise Him for raising up new church-planting
pastors. Praise Him for a renewed vision of the entire world under Christ's
dominion! Praise Him for the Japan Presbytery, its representative's presence in the
court, and God's extensive work there.
Praise the Head of the Church that the apparatuses instituted by Synod to
expedite the works of the church are working smoothly. Praise the Lord for
leading the Arrangements Committee, Dennis Wing, Jack Latham, David Carson
and Robert McFarland to provide accommodations that conduce to effeaiveness
during Synod's labors. Praise the Captain of the host of heaven for providing
Godly leadership through our Moderator, Rev. Robert McCracken. Praise our
Lord for the efficient service of Synod's clerks, Revs Bruce Martin and Ray
Morton, for the helpfulness of the Pages, Jon Maginn and Mark Goerner, and for
Miss Judy Linheart's consistently-excellent secretarial support.
Praise the Lord of the Harvest for leading this tiny denomination, through the
Home and Foreign Mission Boards, into numerical growth and spiritual maturation.
Praise Him whose purposes stand forever, that young people are being equipped
for life-times of service through the denomination's institutions of higher
education. Praise "the orphan's Father, widow's Friend" that, thanks to the
Reformed Presbyterian Woman's Association, our aged saints and young children
receive ministry through the "Robin's Nest" and the Reformed Presbyterian Home,
the centennial of which we celebrated.
Dr. Francis S. Buck, M.D.
Stanley R. Copeland, Chaplain, USA
The minutes of the afternoon meeting were read and approved as read.
In the closing devotional service, Charles McBurney led Synod in
singing Psalm 31E and Ken Smith led in prayer. Following the singing of
Psalm 31F, Ken Smith read Acts 6:1-8, and preached God's Word on the
theme, "The Elder is Committed to Prayer." Synod concluded the
devotional service singing Psalm 31G.
Synod adjourned at 3:05 p.m. being led in prayer of adjournment by
the Moderator and singing Psalm 133A.
The Moderator announced that Synod stands adjourned to meet again at
Geneva College, Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, on June 12, 1998, at 7:30
p.m.