Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - Oct/95

Contributor - Marti van Hoeve

Title - General Synod Impressions

Topic - General Synod

A FEW IMPRESSIONS FROM YOUR CORRESPONDING DELEGATE TO THE 89^th GENERAL SYNOD MEETING OF THE -REFORMED CHURCH IN AMERICA (RCA)

For those who do not know a corresponding delegate may voice their opinion but may not vote. Our Synod sent two such delegates. Mrs. van Hoeve sent her report earlier but due to computer incompatibility we could not print it at first. Here are the highlights and for other details we refer you back to the July/ August issue of Pioneer. (Ed.)

President Korver in his report urged development of strong leaders. He reported "Those stepping into their first ministry positions after completing seminary need to be four or five years ahead of where someone had to be when I entered ministry forty years ago."

Wesley Granberg-Michaelson, in his General Secretary's report, stated a four part vision for the future of the RCA:

1. a fresh sense of missions as we are facing a changing culture at our doorstep

2. revitalized worship

3. emphasis on building a community

4. commitment to a calling forth the gifts of the laity

5. I was part of the advisory committee on World Missions. There were a number of missionaries in our group as well as staff who were very knowledgeable about the foreign Mission fields. Fourteen missionaries had to be relocated or called home due to political situations. We prayed for these troubled areas and the Christians who live there. Two young missionary couples were present.

Abraham and Sayura Mst-Okazaki, and their two young children. There was great rejoicing and thankfulness when word came that the Mst-Okazakis have 80% of the missionaries support. 20% is paid by the RCA. This couple can now buy their plane tickets for Japan.

* Another young couple Dave and Joy Zomer are leaving soon for Hungary.

Volunteer Services is also part of World Missions. The RCA has experienced a dramatic growth of volunteers in recent years. Significant contributions to the ongoing mission work of the RCA have come from volunteers. I especially want to emphasize the opportunity for young people to teach English. This is a great chance to serve the Lord while gaining cross cultural experience. Harry Frielink, the summer director for Camp Shalom, is planning to go to Slovakia to teach English for one year. There were 1500 volunteers in 1994. Evangelism through volunteer service is "evangelizing in a changing world". One of the recommendations of our advisory committee was "to encourage that all the RCA churches make a concerted effort to sustain and increase their Mission fund giving in 1996 by 5 percent". This recommendation was carried.

I want to draw your attention also to the booklet Family Finances. This is a very good and understandable booklet detailing RCA finances. Some copies are still available.

To be a delegate was an overwhelming experience. I wish for every one of you that you could have this experience in your lifetime. I am very impressed by the spirituality, commitment, and the dedication of the leadership and staff of our RCA. I am very grateful to belong to such a denomination.

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