Last month, the North American Presbyterian and Reformed Council (NAPARC) convened its 49th annual meeting with all 13 member denominations represented. The meeting took place November 12-14 and was hosted by the Reformed Church in the United States at Northland Reformed Church in Kansas City, Missouri.
NAPARC member denominations gather annually to advise, counsel, and consult on issues common among the Reformed denominations.
The member churches include the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church (ARP), the Canadian Reformed Churches, the Reformed Church of Quebec (Église réformée du Québec – ERQ), the Free Reformed Churches of North America (FRCNA), the Heritage Reformed Congregations (HRC), the Korean American Presbyterian Church (KAPC), the Korean Presbyterian Church in America (Kosin) (KPCA), the Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC), the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), the Presbyterian Reformed Church (PresRC), the Reformed Church in the United States (RCUS), the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America (RPCNA), and the United Reformed Churches in North America (URCNA).
Representatives of the Bible Presbyterian Church (BPC), the Protestant Reformed Churches in America (PRCA), and the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Canada (RPCC) attended as invited observers.
Reports
Much of the time at the gathering was spent with denominations providing reports on what the Lord is doing in each denomination and praying for one another after each report. The reports communicate both the spiritual blessings and the struggles of ministry.
Denominations reported on several studies and theological projects completed since the last meeting. The ARP reported completing a study paper on membership in secret societies and another on the diaconate. The FRCNA reported on the near completion of a new Psalter developed jointly with the HRC and the PRCA. The RCUS reported on a new study completed on sexual misconduct prevention. The URCNA completed a study paper on digital media and worship, and one on human sexuality.
Discussions
After the reports and prayer, members spent time discussing three topics chosen from a list submitted by member denominations:
How can NAPARC denominations better foster and coordinate interchurch relations at the presbyterial and classical levels?
What can they do to encourage men to pursue theological education in preparation for the pastoral ministry and missions?
How do the member denominations handle requests from international denominations for fraternal relations? What are unique opportunities and risks presented by such requests?
Officers
The gathering elected the Rev. Bruce Parnell of the RPCNA to serve as its next chairman, and the Rev. Joel Dykstra of the URCNA was elected as vice-chairman. The Rev. Ralph Pontier was elected to a seventh term as secretary, and Danny McDaniel of the PCA was elected to a second term as treasurer. The chairmanship and vice-chairmanship rotate annually among the member denominations in alphabetical order.
Next Meeting
The minutes of the council, along with NAPARC’s constitution, bylaws, and other resources, can be found at NAPARC’s website: naparc.org.
The next meeting of the council is scheduled for November 11-13, 2025, to be hosted by the RPCNA at Hope Community Reformed Presbyterian Church in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania.