222nd ARP Synod Adjourns in Peace after Difficult Discussions
The Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church met June 9-11 at Bonclarken Conference Center in Flat Rock, North Carolina, for a Synod marked by unusually extended and sometimes contentious debate.
It elected Rev. Mark Miller as moderator and Steve Maloney as vice moderator, created a committee to encourage psalm singing, and approved a memorial revising the opening language of the ARP Form of Government to begin with Christ’s kingship.
The biggest disputes involved race and kinism, paedocommunion, oversight of ARP work in Pakistan, the disposition of funds from the dissolved Second Presbytery, and the denomination’s future approach to church planting and revitalization.
On race and kinism, the Synod did not adopt its committee’s proposed final report. Instead, it recommitted the report for revision, directing the committee to clarify key definitions, correct any factual or citation problems, and address familial affection. The committee is to return with its work at the 223rd Synod, while an executive summary will be distributed to ARP churches.
The Synod also created a Moderator’s Committee to examine the relationship between World Witness, the ARP’s mission work in Pakistan, Christian Hospital Ltd., and the Nancy Fulwood Hospital Society. The decision followed extensive debate over property ownership, governance, legal responsibility, and the future structure of the hospital ministry. The committee will report back in 2027.
A major financial decision came from the aftermath of the dissolved Second Presbytery. According to the Heidelblog report, Synod approved the distribution of roughly $6.65 million: $2 million each for Outreach North America church planting, Erskine Seminary’s church-planting and evangelism training, and World Witness’s overseas church work, plus $650,000 for a PCA church plant in Tucker, Georgia. The Tucker allocation followed debate over the former Tucker ARP property’s sale and conversion into an Islamic school.
The Synod ended fraternal relations with the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, citing differences including women’s ordination and concerns about the EPC’s direction on sexuality.
On paedocommunion, Synod declined to make an immediate denominational declaration forbidding officers from holding, teaching, or practicing it. Instead, it formed another Moderator’s Committee to study the question, postponing a final decision. Synod also upheld a contested nominee to the Erskine College and Seminary Board of Trustees before closing with prayer and Psalm 133.