THE 1998 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE REGIONAL SYNOD OF CANADA

April 23 – 25, 1998

Report by Bill McKay

Drayton, Ontario—Spring is in the air. The cold of winter has dissipated while the warmth of spring creeps upon us, albeit somewhat slower then some would wish. The birds are returning from their southern pilgrimage (as well as the "snowbirds"); trees are beginning to bud, and the farmers are busily preparing their fields for planting. Yes, spring is in the air. Spring also brings another busy time of year for our church. The third week of April signals the beginning of the Annual General Meeting of the Regional Synod of Canada.

What is the Annual General Meeting, you may ask? The Annual General Meeting (or AGM) of the Regional Synod of Canada (RSC) comprises three days of meetings that are held on a yearly basis. These meetings are open for all to attend. The purpose of these meetings is for the delegates of the three classes (Classis B.C., Classis of the Canadian Prairies, Classis Ontario) in Canada to meet together to discuss issues within and without our denomination and to make decisions that will affect how our churches operate. The classes are the essential part of this organization because the representation to the synod is made up of delegates from the classes. Although there is a lot of business discussed at these meetings, there is still plenty of opportunity for fellowship, bible study, devotions, prayer, worship, and praise to God. The chance to meet with friends from all across Canada is an opportunity that should not be missed.

The Regional Synod of Canada is in a unique position within the RCA. It is the only synod in the RCA that covers an entire country and therefore has its own national identity. The Canadian synod is also the largest synod in area; therefore, our travel costs can be very high. However, due to the availability of such modern communications devices (fax machines, e-mail, and conference calling), we as a synod are able to keep in constant touch with one another while operating out of a central office. The Offices of the Regional Synod of Canada are located at Camp Shalom outside of Paris, Ontario. The Executive Committee also meets throughout the year by conference call. The 1998 Executive Committee of the RSC is comprised of the following members and officers: President, Rev. John Kapteyn (Ont.); Vice-president, Elder Albert Spaa (B.C.); Executive Secretary, Rev. Jim Moerman; Finance Commission Chair & Treasurer, Elder Albert Moddejonge (Ont.); Church Planning & Development Commission Chair, Rev. Ron Cassie (Ont); Support Services Commission Chair, Rev. Art Van Slageren (Ont.); Stated Clerk, Elder Bill McKay (Ont.). Delegates from the three Canadian classes staff the three commissions of the synod.

The site of the AGM rotates between the three classes every year. This year, the regional synod (1998 Annual General Meeting) had the good pleasure of being hosted by the congregation of Drayton Reformed Church (Drayton, Ont.). The Executive Committee of the RSC began meeting on Wednesday, April 22, at the newly renovated Regional Synod of Canada office at Camp Shalom. The final agenda for the AGM was reviewed at this meeting, at which other issues were discussed. Delegates also began arriving from across the country.

Thursday morning, April 23, found all of the delegates and different representatives meeting at the Drayton Reformed Church. Old friendships were renewed, and new introductions were made. The delegates were warmed by the prayerful support that was offered by our "Prayer Warriors" (Grace Vos, Grace Muilwyk and Corrie Moerman). These ladies traveled to Drayton at their own expense to attend these meetings and offer constant prayer support for the delegates during deliberations. The meetings opened with the reading of the roll of delegates. The delegates (besides the members of the Executive Committee) attending were as follows: CP&D Commission - Elder Klaas Slagter (Ont.), Elder Peter Dyksterhuis (Alberta), Rev. Bill Hudson (B.C.); Support Services Commission—Rev. Ron Opmeer (Alberta), Rev. Jack Van Holst (B.C.), and Elder John Reinders (Ont.). Elder Helen Konetzka was absent due to a recent death in the family. Barbara Laidlaw was also present as the new Administrative Manager to the RSC.

The representatives who attended were Nola Aalberts from the Mission Services Board of the RCA, Tom Vander Lee from Words of Hope, and Gerry Koobs from the General Synod Council.

Rev. John Kapteyn opened the meeting with a scripture reading from Luke 24: 1—12, followed by a devotion that centered on the personal nature of our faith and how we need to see God’s grace in all aspects of our lives and to grow from these experiences. A circle of prayer with all of the delegates and representatives followed.

The first day of the meeting deals mainly with reports from the Executive Committee: "The State of Religion Report" from the President; the Treasurer’s Report; and the Executive Secretary’s Report. (A copy of the President’s Report and the Executive Secretary’s Report can be obtained from the RSC Office). The three commissions met in the afternoon to deal with issues that have been brought to them in the form of communications and overtures from the various classes. These commissions will report with their recommendations to the assembled delegates over the following days so that the delegates will have an opportunity to debate and discuss these recommendations before voting on them.

Thursday’s meetings closed with a beautiful worship service in the evening that was led by Rev. Dirk Kramer of Drayton.

Friday’s meetings began with opening devotions from Rev. Ron Opmeer. He read from 2 Corinthians 13: 11—14 and spoke on the need of all members of Christ’s church to be of one mind in God’s will and to direct our attention and focus to God’s greater glory. Ken Bradsell was present as the RCA Liaison to the RSC. Tom Vander Lee reported for "Words of Hope." Nola Aalberts reported for the RCA Mission Services Board. Gerry Koobs reported for the General Synod Council of the RCA. Written reports were received from Western Theological Seminary, the RCA Pension Board, and the Reformed Church Women’s Ministry.

The three commissions then reported to the delegates with their recommendations. Some of these recommendations were as follows: CP&D—1) to grant $24,000 over a three year period to New Hope Church of Calgary, contingent upon the approval of the CP&D committee of Classis CP; 2) designate $12,000 for the first year of the Portuguese work in Toronto; 3) the CP&D Commission of the RSC is authorized to begin exploring a relationship with the Reformed Churches in Quebec. Support Services—1) to endorse the provision of a $25 per page honorarium to non-staff writers of The Pioneer in 1998; 2) to look at the direction of the Pioneer and to possibly include a regular column on missions, local congregational newsletters, and theological reflections on doctrine; 3) to start work on an "All Canada Leadership Conference" to be held April 19—21, 1999, in Edmonton, Alberta (D.V.). This conference would bring together all of the pastors and elder representatives of Canada and deal with the theme "Effective Agents of Change." The Finance Commission presented the proposed 1999 budget for the RSC and set the 1999 Ministers’ Minimum Salary and Benefits Guidelines.

The election for the position of Vice-president of the RSC for 1999 was held. Rev. Art Van Slageren of St. Catharines accepted and will become the new Vice-president. Elder Albert Spaa will become the new President on January 1, 1999.

The final day of meetings began with a devotion from Rev. Bill Hudson, based on Acts 10: 34—43. He spoke on the importance of Christ’s resurrection but that we should not forget Christ’s earlier actions. He spoke on how the disciples were first afraid and then emboldened by the power of the Holy Spirit to proclaim the gospel. Rev. Jim Moerman opened with prayer. Mr. Harry Prenger presented the RSC Pension Board Report. This board deals with the pension assets of all of the RCA ministers in Canada as well as the employees of the RSC.

The Executive Committee presented a final report that is a review of the performance of the Executive Secretary (Jim Moerman) for the past year. This report concluded with praise to God for Rev. Moerman’s work and ongoing ministry to the Canadian church.

An invitation to hold next year’s AGM (April 22—24, 1999, D.V.) in Brentwood Bay, B.C. at the Grace Community Church (Pastor Stephen Swift) was presented and accepted. Many thanks are extended to those delegates whose terms of office have expired. Rev. John Kapteyn expressed his thanks for his terms as a delegate to the synod and as the president. Rev. Jim Moerman closed this year’s meetings with prayer.

The Regional Synod of Canada would like to express thanks to the congregation of Drayton Reformed Church for taking on the large task of hosting these meetings. Billeting and feeding of the delegates is a large responsibility, and they did it very well. Thanks to the ladies who served our meals. Thanks to Pastor Dirk Kramer for leading us in worship. The minutes of these proceedings are printed and made available to all churches in the synod.