2006 General Synod Concludes Business
 The 200th General Synod of the Reformed Church in America concluded on Tuesday, June 13, with the delegates having acted on over 60 recommendations.
Highlights of the synod include:
President Encourages Churches to Support RCA Mission
In his report to General Synod, president Irving Rivera
said, "I believe that right now in North America and around the world we have the greatest opportunity to communicate the gospel since the birth of the church. This could indeed be the finest hour for the church." Rivera emphasized staying focused on the Lord's work instead of getting caught up in conflicts and disagreements. He also exhorted people to seek the Lord's presence through humility, prayer, and obedience as they follow Our Call, the RCA's ten-year goal to revitalize congregations and plant new churches.
General Secretary Reports on Clear Direction of the RCA
 In his report to
synod, general secretary Wes Granberg-Michaelson
answered the question, "Where are we going?" He reminded those in attendance of the mission and vision of the RCA, embraced at the 1997 General Synod. He told of the momentum and power of the Holy Spirit in leading the RCA forward in Our Call. "Our Call beckons us to this kind of commitment," he said. "This is no organizational program. It is a Spirit-driven initiative, moving through the life of the Reformed Church in America, asking that we join in God's mission because we are transformed through Christ. We are being prepared for a purpose."
Speakers to General Synod
Ecumenical guest the Rev. Israel Batista Guerra, general
secretary of the Latin American Council of Churches, speaking at the General
Synod's ecumenical dinner, provided an international perspective
to the RCA's study of the Belhar Confession.
Brian McLaren, pastor, author, speaker, and networker
among innovative Christian leaders and thinkers, addressed synod delegates and
guests Saturday night, calling on them to change with the times
to bring more people to Christ.
Lewis Named Synod President
 Brad Lewis, the
newly elected 2007 General Synod president
, brings a strong Reformed perspective and a variety of church leadership experience to the position.
"The church's invitations and the deep satisfaction of serving helped confirm my sense of calling to a ministry of education, stewardship, and networking," Lewis said.
Lewis is a professor of economics at Union College in Schenectady, New York. He attends First Reformed Church in Schenectady, where he helps plan an alternative worship service called "Fresh Faith" and serves on the finance committee. Besides serving several terms as elder and deacon, he has been a member of three search committees, co-chair of the facilities renovation committee, and editor of the church newsletter.
Synod Elects New Vice President
John Ornee is the new vice president
of the General Synod. He is senior pastor of Peace Reformed Church in Zeeland, Michigan. Ornee has also served as senior pastor of Olivet Reformed Church in Grandville, Michigan, and as associate pastor of First Reformed Church in Sioux Center, Iowa.
Ornee has been president of Zeeland Classis, chair of Zeeland Classis Church Planting and Development (CP&D), chair of Synod of the Great Lakes CP&D, and chair of the Student Supervisory Committee of West Sioux Classis.
"I believe Reformed churches not yet formed will do greater things than those now in existence, because our God is a God of the generations," he said. "Together we will do great things, not because we are great, but because God within us is great."
Delegates to the 2006 General Synod also:
Strongly affirmed and deeply explored Our Call, the
RCA's ten-year goal to revitalize existing congregations and plant new
congregations.Affirmed the importance of the study of the Belhar
Confession across the RCA.Honored new RCA congregations.Voted to continue and encourage anti-racism training
and workshops throughout the RCA to achieve Our Call's mandate to become a
church that graciously welcomes all God's people.Approved continuing the dialogue on homosexuality
process established at the 2005 General Synod.Voted to dismiss the Rev. Dr. Norman Kansfield, under
suspension, to the Classis of Orange in order that pastoral care may be
exercised.Approved allowing the exchange of ministers with the
Christian Reformed Church in North America. This measure will now go to the
RCA's classes for final action.- Set the 2007 assessment per confessing members at $39.32 ($33.23 for GSC, $1.50 for BOBS retired pastors fund, and $4.59 for theological education).
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