As some churches call for less hierarchy in their denominations, one mainline church will consider reducing their structure by eliminating the synod system.
On Thursday, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)'s General Assembly Mid-Council Commission approved recommendations first proposed last year for removing synods as part of the governing system of the denomination.
The Rev. Tod Bolsinger, chairman of the Commission, told The Christian Post that the commission investigated certain questions regarding the effectiveness of synods.
"How are those governing bodies best organized to be responsive both to the Spirit of Christ and the changing opportunities for discipleship? Are the structures of history the best platforms for carrying our mission into the future?" said Bolsinger.
"We discerned that if we could encourage the kinds of wide-scale collaboration in mission, ministry and advocacy for racial ethnic inclusion that synods have championed within our denomination without that level of bureaucracy, we'd be able to 'flatten' the church."
Bolsinger explained that in place of the 16 synods that currently mark PC(USA)'s church territory, there would be five "regional commissions" that hold the same authority as the overall General Assembly of the PC (USA). Keep reading.
A synod in the Presbyterian Church (USA) is an ecclesiastical district governed by a synod, or council. It ranks between the presbytery and the general assembly. Among the recommendations to the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) is the creation of presbyteries based upon "specific missional causes" rather than geographic boundaries. The Episcopal Church and the United Methodist Church are also considering restructuring proposals.
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