Fall 2009
Dear Reformed Church in America Women,
This past February, the following letter concerning the ministry of women in the RCA was sent to RCA staff:
Dear Colleagues,
At our recent cluster facilitators meeting one of the areas of our life and work that we addressed was women's ministry. During that conversation we emphasized once again the absolute importance of, and our commitment to, enhancing the role of women within the Reformed Church in America. This requires increasing the number of women in all three of the ordained offices, their representation at our various assemblies, as well as their voice in the ongoing mission and vision of the RCA. However, we also recognized that we face a funding crisis in implementing this commitment.
The funding for our present work in women's ministry is now depleted. In fact, when the funds raised for this purpose were fully spent last year, we extended our commitment through fiscal year 2009 by relying on our financial reserves and utilizing support from Global Mission. But those resources are no longer available to us as we look to the future. Therefore, we need a new funding strategy.
One result of these realities--a very difficult outcome for everyone--is the decision that Mary Clark's position as the coordinator for Women's Ministries will conclude at the end of this fiscal year, September 30, 2009.
Mary has had an important role in women's ministry for many years. She has been an active leader at all levels of our life, including a term on the GSC. She was part of the group that wrote the Mission and Vision Statement in 1997. She has worked creatively, passionately, and persistently as an advocate for women and for global mission since she began her present work in April 2004. We will be forever grateful for Mary's contributions and the joy she has brought to her work and our staff.
This situation also requires discernment about how we best implement our objective of enhancing the role of women in the work of the RCA. We need to continue this journey, asking how the wider church can fund these efforts in a sustainable way for future years.
The face of the church and women's ministry has changed a great deal. Therefore, we will gather a wide variety of individuals with differing perspectives to help us discern our way forward. This will allow the RCA to explore the most effective strategies for this work, and the possibilities for appropriate funding.
We intend to listen to the entire church in this discernment process. We will be thorough and take the time necessary to listen to God and to one another. We need to hear from everyone. We need every person's prayers. We need to do this well so the gifts, passions, perspectives, and voices of the women in the Reformed Church in America are allowed to make their best contribution.
Please join us in giving thanks to God and to Mary directly for her wonderful ministry at many levels within the RCA and in her role as coordinator for Women's Ministries in particular. Please pray for Mary and Stuart during a time of multiple transitions in their personal and professional lives.
At the same time please pray for us and the people who will be part of the process of discerning the way forward.
Grace and peace,
Wes Granberg-Michaelson
Ken Eriks
What Has Happened Since Then
Following that letter many different efforts were made to help make it clear that the RCA is not closing the Office for Women's Ministries. The commitment was made to seek a long-term funding solution as well as broad agreement about the most effective ways to fully employ the gifts of women within the life and work of the Reformed Church in America.
General Synod 2009
The first evidence of that commitment occurred at the 2009 meeting of the General Synod.
R-74
To direct the General Synod Council to develop a plan for a future Office for Women that would not be charged with raising its own support, enabling the RCA to live out its stated commitment to the full inclusion of women at all levels of the church's leadership and ministry; and further,
to have a staff member in place by January 2010 or as soon as possible thereafter.
Reasons:
1. The RCA has regularly affirmed the need for a strong and active advocacy role for women in the church.
2. The current self-funded model has had the opposite effect of its original intention, which was to ensure the continuation of the Office for Women.
3. Fundraising would be burdensome and would take away from the important ministry responsibilities of the office.
4. The current momentum around women's ministries and the tone of many of the overtures call for immediate attention with regard to continuation of the Office for Women.
5. Full inclusion of women in the life of the RCA continues to be an issue of justice.
6. The General Synod Council has initiated a consultation process that will include wide denominational representation and give direction to the future of the Office for Women. This advisory committee affirms this consultation process with a sense of urgency.
7. This assessment increase would provide funding comparable to the current funding for each office of the RCA's racial-ethnic ministries.
The General Synod also voted for an assessment of $1.30 per member to fund this office and its ministry.
A Consultation on the Future of Women's Ministry in the RCA
The General Synod Council (GSC) has moved quickly to convene a diverse group of women and men to discuss and discern the direction God is calling the RCA to move as it seeks the full inclusion of women at all levels of denominational life.
A design team that includes Christina Labbé, Dustyn Keepers, Denise Kingdom Grier, Michelle Chahine, Stacy Midge, Ken Eriks, Gregg Mast, Jessica Bratt, Vicky Menning, and Wes Granberg-Michaelson developed a statement of belief and a key question for a consultation that will occur on September 24 through 26.
That statement of belief and the question that will focus the work of the consultation are as follows:
Our belief
Following Christ in mission together, led by the Holy Spirit, we believe that God is calling the RCA to empower women and men for fruitful and faithful ministries for the glory of God.
Our question
What are the most effective ways for the RCA to intentionally pursue a future in which women are equipped and empowered to fully exercise their gifts in the life, ministry, and mission of the church?
Carol Bechtel and Wes Granberg-Michaelson have invited a diverse group of women and men drawn from a wide range of stakeholders to attend this consultation. Approximately 35 people will gather to pray, speak, listen, and discern. Ann McKnight, a member of Hope Church (RCA) in Holland, Michigan, has agreed to facilitate the consultation.
Following the consultation a report with recommendations will be presented to GSC at its fall meeting, October 16-18, 2009. That report and recommendations will also be shared with those of you reading this communication.
We expect the consultation to give clarity about the nature and scope of staffing that will be needed to implement its recommendations. Only after GSC accepts or modifies the recommendations will a new position description developed.
The General Synod action asks the GSC to have a new staff person in place as close to beginning of 2010 as possible; we will do all we can to meet that deadline.
In the meantime, here are answers to some frequently asked questions.
Frequently Asked QuestionsIf I have questions concerning Bible study resources, gatherings, and retreats, or if I just want to know what is going on, who can I call?
Tim Byrnes remains in the office for women as the part-time administrative assistant. He is available to answer your questions and support your ministry. The women's ministry advisory team talked through what it will mean to have a male as the go-to person for Women's Ministries and came to the conclusion that Tim has a great understanding of the ministry since he has worked in this office for the past three years. It would be a waste of his talent and knowledge to change this position. We need the continuity he brings as we move forward into a new phase of our history.
What will happen to Sister Share?
Sister Share will continue with your help to make this wonderful, new expression of our commitment to women around the world take root in the life of the RCA. Roger De Young of Global Mission and Mary Clark set the direction for the next three projects. That way, as women's ministry transitions in the next year or so, Sister Share projects will continue to reflect what we understand as the greatest needs of women and children globally. At present those projects include work with human trafficking, women and poverty, children at risk, young women in crisis, and trauma counseling for women in Sudan. As each of these commitments is fulfilled new projects will replace them, offering our RCA missionaries and partners support in ministries they would not be able to fund without your assistance.
Will Blessing Boxes continue to be used?
Yes! Those Blessing Boxes financially support Women's Ministries in your regional synod, and at this time, with the denominational office in transition, your synod ministry is more important than ever. If you need boxes, call the Women's Ministries office at (800) 722-9977, ext. 3233, and Tim will have them shipped to you.
A Word of Gratitude
We want to express deep gratitude for the ministry of Mary Clark. Mary has had an important role in women's ministry in the RCA for many years. She has worked creatively, passionately, and persistently as an advocate for women and for global mission since she began her present work in April 2004. It is difficult to imagine the General Synod of 2009 making the decisions that it did about the future of women's ministry in the RCA--including a secure funding structure--without the work Mary has done and the groundwork she laid. We will be forever grateful for Mary's contributions and the joy she has brought to her work and our staff.
Mary Clark's employment as a GSC staff member ends on September 30 with the elimination of her position as it was previously defined. As many of you know, Mary has been on a fully paid sabbatical for the months of July, August, and September. Please join in giving thanks for who Mary is and for what she has contributed to the life and ministry of the RCA. Please continue to pray for Stuart and Mary Clark in their transition.
Tim Byrnes
tbyrnes@rca.org
(800) 722-9977, ext. 3233
Ken Eriks
keriks@rca.org
Office: 616.541.0872
Cell: (616) 304-2194
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