Synod of South Atlantic

Last week I attended a meeting of the Synod of South Atlantic as a commissioner from our presbytery. Lots of details about synod can be found by clicking here.

Synod consists of the presbyteries in South Carolina, Florida, and Georgia and is an important middle governing body between presbyteries and the General Assembly. Many ministries and institutions in the Southeast are linked to the denomination through our synod. Here's a link to the eighteen institutions. This meeting adopted a new synod structure, streamlining the process, eliminating Synod Council, and linking synod closer to presbyteries and congregations by electing commissioners for 4-year terms. Our Presbyery of Florida will benefit since each of the sixteen presbyteries will have only two commissioners.

The most interesting part of the meeting was the seminar led by Rev. Mark Tammen of the Office of General Assembly in Louisville regarding a streamlining of the form of government of the denomination.

The current Book of Order of our denomination was created at reunion in the 1980s. (When the northern and southern streams reunited after the split of the Civil War.) The current book of order is longer than either the old Northern or Southern books. Many feel it needs to be rewritten and streamlined. Details of this process can be found here. I encourage you to look at this. In August or September I may lead any interested members in a discussion of the proposed changes.

Mark Tammen said repeatedly that this is a non-partisan attempt to edit and refine the form of government, not an attempt to trick the church or change standards. Some proof that it is non-partisan is that drafts of the proposal are posted at the link above for anyone to read. They have asked for comments. I encourage you to read the drafts and make comments -- after a study, I may ask Northminster's Session to officially comment.

Finally, The Synod approved a resolution against terrorism and in favor of American soldiers and our allies. It reads:

A Resolution
Of the Synod of South Atlantic
At its Fifteenth Stated Meting
At Agnes Scott College
June 8, 2007

Whereas the PC(U.S.A.) works for Peace of God for all the people of the world; and
Whereas the Synod of South Atlantic deplores terrorism in any form promoting political or religious purposes;

and Whereas, the Synod of South Atlantic supports the collective fight against terrorism by the free nations of the world;

Now therefore be it resolved that the Synod of South Atlantic calls all of its constituent congregations to pray for the quick resolution of the war against terror; to pray for the safety of our troops and the troops of the free world who are fighting the war on terrorism; and we beg God to change the hearts of the terrorists to peaceful paths, and to bring them to the table of peace to air their grievances and to stop the violence.