RCA Overtures and Following the Money

From Jeff Munroe

“Follow the money.”

If you are of a certain vintage, you recall “Deep Throat” saying those memorable words to Bob Woodward in a dark DC parking garage in All the President’s Men. Over the years, I’ve found that advice has helped me often understand what’s really happening in an organization. 

Following the money is why I think that perhaps the most significant thing talked about at the ongoing Reformed Church in America’s General Synod happened way back last Thursday during the opening session.  More about that in a moment.  First, let’s look at what’s going to happen today.

The overtures to Synod are being taken up today, and one way to measure the potential explosive effects these overtures might have is to consider how much preparatory work has been done by those managing the Synod to emphasize the theme of unity.  Both the General Secretary and President of Synod spoke about unity in their addresses to Synod.  Unity has been stressed in scriptural choices and music and liturgy and even a special worship song titled “One for the World” has debuted at Synod. Why so much talk about unity?  The short answer is because several of the overtures address homosexuality. Before focusing on the overtures, delegates spent Saturday night in small groups talking about “The Pastoral Response to Homosexuality,” after listening to three different speakers bring perspectives on the topic. 

General Synod President the Rev. Lisa Vander Wal said in her address, “Trying to legislate our way out of our differences will not work, even as it has not worked in virtually every other denomination around us.”  I agree – I think her words echo another maxim that has guided me along the way, “Convince a man against his will and he’ll be of the same mind still.” 

So what’s going to happen when the overtures are taken up today?

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