THE 1999 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
OF THE

REGIONAL SYNOD OF CANADA
Brentwood Bay, B.C.
April 22 – 24, 1999

by Bill McKay

Directions. We constantly spend our lives looking for direction. Whether we require instruction in our jobs or learning in school or even guidance on how to make supper when Mom is not home, we always require direction. Our lives cry out for direction. God, in His infinite grace and mercy, has given us the only direction we sorely need and so often neglect. He has given us His son, Jesus Christ, who is our only Lord and Saviour. Through Him alone, our direction in life is clear and the salvation of God’s elect people is secure.

Direction can also refer to a point on the compass so we don’t get lost. Horace Greeley, a newspaper editor of the 19^th century, made famous the quote, "Go west, young man, go west." His point was that opportunities were abounding in the western United States and if you wanted to make the most of your opportunities, then you had better get off your duff and go west. April 1999 in Canada was no exception. The call went out and it said, "Come west, Regional Synod, come west." Pastor Stephen Swift and the congregation of Grace Community Church of Brentwood Bay, B.C. (Vancouver Island) had the auspicious pleasure(?) of hosting the 1999 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 to the public. The purpose of these meetings is for the delegates of the three classes (Classis B.C., Classis of the Canadian Prairies, and 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. It is a chance to meet with old friends and make new friends from all across Canada. It 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 regional 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 and, therefore, our travel costs can be very high. However, due to the availability of such modern communications devices as 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 1999 Executive Committee of the RSC is comprised of the following members and officers: President, Albert Spaa (B.C.); Vice-president, Rev. Art Van Slageren (Ont.); Executive Secretary, Rev. Jim Moerman; Finance Commission Chair, Rev. Cliff Turkstra (Ont.); Treasurer, Albert Moddejonge (Ont.); Church Planning & Development Commission Chair, Rev. Ron Cassie (Ont.); Support Services Commission Chair, Rev. Art Van Slageren (Ont.)/ Rev. Ron Opmeer (Alberta); and Stated Clerk, 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 (1999 Annual General Meeting) had the good pleasure of being hosted by the congregation of Grace Community Church of Brentwood Bay, B.C. The Executive Committee of the RSC began meeting on Wednesday evening, April 21, 1999, at Grace House. This is a facility owned by Grace Community Church and used for Bible Study, youth activities, a church office, and a day-care centre. The final agenda for the AGM was reviewed at this meeting, as well as discussing other issues. Delegates also began arriving from across the country.

Due to the fact that Grace Community Church does not have its own worship facility, Thursday morning, April 22, found all of the delegates and representatives meeting at Saanichton Bible Fellowship. Old friendships were renewed, and new introductions were made. The delegates were warmed by the prayer support that was offered by our "Prayer Warriors" (Grace Muilwyk and Corrie Moerman. Grace Vos was unable to travel to the meetings this year but kept us in her thoughts and prayers). These ladies offered constant prayer support for the delegates during and outside of the meetings. The meetings opened with the reading of the roll of delegates. The delegates (besides the members of the Executive Committee) attending were: CP&D Commission - Klaas Slagter (Ont.), Dale Youngman (Alberta), Rev. E.J. de Waard (B.C.); Support Services Commission – Rev. Ron Opmeer (Alberta), Rev. Jack Van Holst (B.C.), John Reinders (Ont.); Finance Commission – Doug Lowe (Ont.). Regrettably, Helen Konetzka (B.C.) was unable to attend due to illness. Barbara Laidlaw was present as the Administrative Manager to the RSC. Nola Aalberts (Mission Services Board of the RCA) was also in attendance.

President Albert Spaa opened the meeting with a scripture reading from 1 Samuel 15: 22, 23(a); Revelation 3:20; John 10:23-30, followed by a devotion that centered on "hearing the voice of God" and "walking in His way." The Holy Spirit grants us the ability to hear God. We are to hear God’s voice and obey Him fully. Albert opened the meeting with prayer.

We were also welcomed to Vancouver Island by our host pastor, Rev. Stephen Swift. Steve informed the delegates that the beautiful weather we were experiencing (clear, sunny skies, temperature of 20 degrees Celsius) was not normal and that it is always very cold there. Under no circumstances were we to consider moving to the island. Yeah, right! The For Sale sign is going up and the moving van is booked, Steve!!

The first day of the AGM 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 the host pastor, Rev. Stephen Swift of Grace Community Church.

Friday’s meetings began with opening devotions from Rev. Ron Opmeer. He read from John 21:15-25 and spoke on the need of all members of Christ’s church to keep their focus on Him and not on things that are of no concern to us. When we lose our "focus," we lose our "vision" and become burdened unnecessarily. We need to pray for God to direct us in our lives.

Carol Moerman reported for "Words of Hope." Nola Aalberts reported for the RCA Mission Services Board. Written reports were received from Western Theological Seminary and the RCA Pension Board.

The three commissions then reported to the delegates with their recommendations. Some of these recommendations were as follows:

CP&D:

to grant $4,000 to The Peoples Church of Kamloops, B.C. This is a church plant begun by Rev. Don Crowhurst;

support possible church plants in Portuguese-speaking communities in Brampton, Ontario; Montreal, Quebec; and Burnaby, B.C.;

the CP&D Commission of the RSC is to continue exploring a relationship with the Reformed Churches in Quebec (ERQ).

Support Services:

successfully completed hosting the All-Canada Leadership Conference in Edmonton, Alberta;

to begin Year II training for the Refocusing Network for ministers;

presented a proposal for a "Summer of Ministry." This innovative ministry move will see our Executive Shepherd, Rev. Jim Moerman, spend 2 ½ months in Classis Canadian Prairies and Classis B.C. in an attempt to provide a more balanced ministry to both east and west members of the synod. Its purpose is "to work – on site – for the health and radiance of the pastors, congregations, and key committees of both BC Classis and the CP Classis during the summer of 1999, seeking to give strength, encouragement, and stability in Jesus’ name to our western brothers and sisters."

Finance Commission:

presented the proposed 2000 budget for the RSC as well as setting the 2000 Ministers’ Minimum Salary and Benefits Guidelines.

The election for the position of Vice-president of the RSC for 2000 was held. Rev. E. J. de Waard accepted and will become the new Vice-president. Rev. Art Van Slageren will become the new President on January 1, 2000, barring any complications from Y2K.

The final day of meetings began on Saturday with a devotion from John Reinders based on Luke 24:36-49. He reminded the delegates and visitors that all is in order with God’s sovereign plan and that our power comes from God alone. John opened the meeting with prayer. Mr. Harry Prenger presented the RSC Pension Board Report. This board deals with the pension assets of all of the ministers in Canada as well as the employees of the RSC.

The Executive Committee presented a final report with a recommendation to a challenge to the RSC from Words of Hope. The Stated Clerk of the RSC is to contact the Words of Hope representatives in each of the three Canadian classes asking them to contact each other and work together, in conjunction with the Executive Committee of the RSC, and select one "Mega-language Project" (sponsored by Words of Hope) to be presented to the Three classes and its churches for financial support. For more information on the "Mega-language Project," contact Words of Hope.

An invitation to hold next year’s AGM (April 27 – 29/00, D.V.) in St. Catharines, Ontario, at First Reformed Church (Rev. Art Van Slageren) was presented and accepted. Special thanks are extended to John Reinders and Albert Spaa whose terms of office will expire at the end of 1999. Albert Spaa expressed his thanks for his terms as a delegate to the synod and the past year as the President. Albert closed this year’s meetings with prayer.

The Regional Synod of Canada would like to express our heartfelt thanks to the congregation of Grace Community Church for taking on the large task of hosting these meetings. We would also like to thank the congregation of Saanichton Bible Fellowship for the use of their facilities for our daily meetings and worship service. Billeting and feeding of the delegates is a large responsibility, and the members of Grace Community Church handled it very well. Special thanks to those who helped serve our meals. Thanks to Pastor Stephen Swift for leading us in worship and ensuring the delegates arrived on time wherever they needed to be.

The minutes of the AGM of the Regional Synod of Canada will be printed and made available to all churches in the synod.

In Christ's service,
Bill McKay
Stated Clerk of the Regional Synod of Canada