Synod of the Heartland Administration Team

Synod of the Heartland Administration Team

April 16, 2013, 11:00 a.m.

Orange City Pizza Ranch

Present: Evan Vermeer, Denny Brand, Iris Shaffer, Ivan Wiersema, Charlotte Foreman, Rick Timmer, Seth Sundstrom, John Sikkink, Dale Assink, Chris Godfredsen, Jim Koopman, Alicia Beaver, Pam Kimpson, Bob Cleveringa, and Kristin Oordt.

President Ivan Wiersema opened the meeting with devotions from Psalm 37 and 119 and prayer.

President’s Report

2012 has been an interesting year. It has been a year of countless prayers and God’s answers to prayers. I am thankful that I was able to attend the 2012 General Synod meeting on the campus of Trinity Christian College. The last General Synod meeting I attended was in 1986 at Garden Grove, California. I was also able to attend with my son, Pastor Jeremy. We were also able to room together with an elder from New York. There was very little comparison between the past Synod attended and this one. With a few exceptions, the electronic voting procedure was a vast improvement.

Synod meetings covered several area, some with little discussion and others with extensive discussions and at time somewhat heated. I am thankful that in the end the following items were approved. I wish to list some key items:

1. Removal of the conscience clause.
2. Devotions – scripture and prayer be required at all church and denominational meetings. I am thankful that East Sioux Classis of the Synod of the Heartland introduced this requirement, even thought for the most part this activity is done at all classes and churches meetings. I was surprised when the elder from New York thanked Jeremy and me for this because his pastor and consistory did not take time to have devotions as part of their meeting.
3. The approval of R-56 which reaffirmed the General Synod position that homosexual behavior is a sin according to the Holy Scriptures. We need to show compassion, patience and loving support to all those who struggle with same sex desires. Those who advocate homosexual behavior or provide leadership for a service of same sex marriage have committed a disciplinable offense.

I am also pleased to report that Tom Smith, co-pastor of Faith Reformed Church in Rock Valley, Iowa, was elected President and carl Boersma, pastor from Brookings, South Dakota, was elected Vice President. Both pastors are from the Synod of the Heartland.

The Synod of the Heartland is blessed to have an excellent synod staff, including our synod coordinator, John Sikkink; our regional ministers and leaders – Dale Assink covering central Plains and Dakota Classes; Jim Koopman covering Pleasant Prairie Classis, and Chris Godfredsen covering East and West Sioux Classes; and our director of youth ministries Bob Cleveringa along with his staff. Bob has also been asked to help with youth ministry at the denominational level. This honor was given as a result of his success with our Synod programs. We also need to recognize our Synod discipleship coordinator Pam Kimpson for all her efforts; along with the nuts and bolts of our Synod, Alicia Beaver.

2012 could be called the year of change and transition for our Synod. Based on observation and comments I have heard from others in our Synod, which have been very positive, I wish to thank each one of you.

Due to a chemo treatment, I was unable to participate in the Discovery Meeting held in Sheldon, Iowa. From visiting with others who attended, the comments were very positive. The turnout from East and West Sioux Classes was one of the largest of all the classes in our denomination.

Looking ahead in 2013, we will need to work with the churches of Central Iowa Classis along with their consultant in resolving any issues they may have. With God’s help and seeking His will, possibly have a regional minister or leader to serve that area.

In closing, I wish to recognize the importance of reading God’s word and prayer. If the RCA and the Synod of the Heartland remain focused on prayer and reading God’s word, our churches will grow and be blessed by God.

I wish to share a brief story involving my church, The American Reformed Church of Primghar, Iowa. A few years ago with the help of the Lilly Grant my church organized a Kid’s club serving grade school-age children with an after school program on Wednesday afternoons. We offer activities, music time, Bible lessons, and an evening meal. This program has been very successful in bringing children who are outside the church life to church along with their parents. They run the program from September through the last Wednesday in April. Many children have shared that they wish it was all year long. As a result of this program, our church has not only gained in membership but prayerfully others who have been coming to church will also request membership. Recently we have five join our church, two adults and three children were baptized. Praise god from whom all blessings flow.

Ivan Wiersema

President, Synod of the Heartland

MMSC to approve the President’s Report.

Synod Coordinator’s Report – John Sikkink

John reviewed the Synod Mission, Vision, and Goal statement and the Synod organization chart.

GSC Report – Carl Boersma

Carl gave an overview of the next phase of the RCA, “Transformed and Transforming”. This is a working document that will be voted on at General Synod. If passed, it will be the theme of the next 15 years of the RCA to coincide with the 400th Anniversary of the Reformed Church. This document came out of workshops held around the country, on to “Conversations” and then on to the “Discovery Events” held throughout the country. Discussion was held on the importance of how it is presented and implemented. BOBS is working diligently on the insurance issues. Pastors will be urged in August to go into the Market Place and be ready to switch. Also working with the CRC on a combined insurance plan for those interested in that option. The goals are to have an insurance program with coverage close to what we have now, strong care, and a drop in the cost.

John thanked Carl for attending the meeting and bringing an update to the Admin Team. Prayer was held for all the RCA Leaders.

We took a break for lunch. Iris prayed.

Staff members were present and gave the Admin Team an update on their work.

Finances:

The Finance Team minutes, 2014 Proposed Budgets and 2013 Ministry Plan were presented.

MMSC to approve the 2014 Proposed General budget which includes a $.25 assessment increase making the 2014 assessment $22.60.

MMSC to approve the 2014 Partners In Possibilities Budget.

2013 Nominations Report:

President: Evan Verneer

Vice President Nomination: Rick Timmer

Past President: Ivan Wiersema

Heartland Judicial Business Committee:

Van Rathbun 2013

Wayne Van Heuvelen 2014

Nelson Hymans 2015

Wayne Sneller 2016

Mark Heijerman 2017

The Heartland Judicial Business Committee meets only upon request. The committee is constituted of three ministers and two elders. The membership needs to be from elders and ministers of the congregations or the regional synod members of the Synod of the Heartland.

2013 General Synod Delegate from the Synod of the Heartland: Evan Vermeer

Administration Team 2013*

Central IowaDenny Brand – 2012 eligible for a second term

Central Plains Charlotte Foreman – 2014 finishes at the spring 2015 meeting

DakotaSeth Sundstrom – 2013 eligible for a second term

East SiouxIvan Wiersema – 2012 eligible for a second term

Minnesota Rick Timmer – 2013 eligible for a second term

Pleasant PrairieIris Shaffer – 2013 eligible for a second term

West SiouxEvan Vermeer - 2014 eligible for a second term

*Representatives finish their term at the spring meeting following the year they are stated to go off.

Finance Team 2013

Wayne Van Heuvelen

Dale Vander Wilt

Ivan Wiersema

Evan Vermeer

John Sikkink

Alicia Beaver

Dale Assink

MMSC to approve the 2013 Nominations report.

The Admin Team went into Executive Session. Synod staffing was discussed. John reported on the findings of the individual staff steering teams.

Iris closed the meeting with prayer.