General Synod 2025 ended at 3:30 pm on Wednesday, June 11, surprising most by its speed of business.
Moderator David Walkup introduced his Synod Emphasis for the year, “The Whole Counsel of God,” from Acts 20:27.
Special Committee on the Canadian Presbytery was first on the business agenda. The committee was tasked to develop a documented framework of practical denominational cooperation which reflects the unique and special relationship between the proposed Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church in Canada and the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church which will enable both Synods to maintain and work in a unique and close fraternal partnership in areas of common evangelical interests and, further, that this report be presented to the General Synod in June 2025 and further, that there be at least two members of the Canadian Presbytery serving on this committee.
From the meetings and discussions with the Canadian Presbytery, the following recommendations were approved during Synod.
- We recommend that the Committee on Inter-Church Relations recommend to General Synod of the ARP that the highest level of fraternal relationship be established between the General Synod of the ARP Church and the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church in Canada.
- We recommend that the General Synod of the ARP concur with the agreement between World Witness and the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church in Canada to have a Canadian member serve on the World Witness Board.
- We recommend that the General Synod of the ARP Church sponsor the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church in Canada to be a member of NAPARC.
- We recommend that the General Synod of the ARP Church direct the Committee on Inter-Church Relations to study the establishment of a formal relationship between the American ARP Synod, the Mexican ARP Synod, the Pakistan ARP Synod and the Canadian ARP Synod similar to the Global Alliance established by the RPCNA church bodies.
- We recommend that the General Synod of the ARP Church encourage the General Synod and the Associate Reformed Church in Canada to work together as much as possible having joint participation in conferences, pulpit exchanges, mission works, and other avenues of church ministry.
At the very end of the Synod meeting on Wednesday afternoon, a special time of prayer was held for the Canadian Presbytery with a laying on of hands.
The next on the agenda was the Special Committee to Investigate Allegations against Tom Shoger. After a thorough investigation and report to Synod, the committee recommended that the allegations against Rev. Shoger be dismissed. This was approved by Synod.
The Special Committee on Trinitarian Concerns in the Position Paper on “Women in the Life of the Church” reported that this position paper is displayed on the official website and while it is not a binding standard of the ARP Church, holding one out to the public in such a way gives the impression that the ARP Church believes what is contained therein. Therefore, the committee recommended amendments in several places. The position paper will be updated to reflect those amendments in the next couple of weeks.
A motion was made and passed, That the 221st General Synod of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church do on this solemn day condemn without distinction any theological or political teaching which posits a superiority of race or ethnic identity born of immutable human characteristics and does on this solemn evening call to repentance any who would promote or associate themselves with such teaching, either by commission or omission.
World Witness celebrated 150 years of sending the first ARP Missionary to the field through a presentation recognizing missionaries present and past.
The Board of Benefits report was discussed thoroughly and gave the following recommendations which were approved.
- That the Christmas Benevolent Fund Offering continue to be taken during Thanksgiving and that the churches encourage the members of each congregation to support those in need who have served the Church so well.
- That presbyteries direct their churches (except Canadian Presbytery) to enroll and make contributions for the minister’s retirement. (It is recommended that these contributions be made to the ARPC (403(b)) plan. However, if a church decides to secure their own retirement plan for a minister they need to sign and return the form from Central Services acknowledging the risks and responsibilities associated with an individual church plan.)
- That we terminate the group medical plan as of December 31, 2025. The Board of Benefits will have the discretion to terminate the plan sooner if it becomes necessary.
- That General Synod approve the call guidance related to insurance coverage and that General Synod recommend the Presbyteries make this a call requirement. (Effective with termination of existing group medical plan.)
- That the proposed budget for 2026 be approved.
Following this report a motion was made and approved. That as remaining funds of the group medical plan become available, the Board of Benefits strongly consider the recapitalization of the defined benefit plan as a top priority.
The following Memorials were approved.
Memorial #1
Therefore, the Provisional Session of the River City Reformed Presbyterian Church asks that the Board of Stewardship reduce the goal from 20% to 10%, which is both a Biblical and more practical goal.
Memorial #2
From Mississippi Valley Presbytery:
Re: Inclusion of State of Indiana within the bounds of the Mississippi Valley Presbytery
Therefore, we, the Mississippi Valley Presbytery, petition the General Synod of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church to include the State of Indiana within the bounds of the Mississippi Valley Presbytery.
Memorial #3
From: Tennessee-Alabama Presbytery
Re: Presbytery Name Change
THEREFORE be it resolved that the Tenn-Alabama Presbytery memorializes the 221st General Synod of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church to change the name of the Tennessee-Alabama Presbytery to the Cumberland Valley Presbytery.
Elder Beard McAulay, Huntersville ARP Church, was elected as Moderator Elect, and Reverend Rhett Carson, Pinecrest Presbyterian Church, as Vice Moderator Elect.
(On a personal note, Synod is one of the best weeks of the year, yet the toughest. Due to the timing of my deadline for The ARP Magazine, I am only able to touch on highlights from the meeting. For a full report, subscribe to The ARP Magazine. I am thankful for all the delegates and for their faithful service to our denomination. It is a blessing to be a part of the ARP Church and denomination.)