Synod President Calls for Partnership to Aid Struggling Churches

After a year of visiting RCA churches, General Synod president Evan Vermeer says he’s excited by the work God has already done through Transformed & Transforming. But in his president’s report, he also noted the importance of increased partnerships to continue this good work.

“The mission field is not only over the ocean, but also in our backyard,” Vermeer said in his address to the synod on Friday. “I have heard from struggling inner-city churches who are crying out for help and financial support as they serve people who have little or no resources. This is an area we must address as a denomination.”

Vermeer proposed creating a structured procedure that would allow for churches to connect across classis and regional synod lines. By creating a set process for partnership, Vermeer hopes to connect “financially stable” churches with those churches that need both financial and human resources in order to grow their mission in economically deprived areas.  

He asked the General Synod Council to spend the next year working on such a process and to bring the first report back to the 2017 General Synod.

“I have seen churches look beyond their walls and out into their community for the first time,” Vermeer said. “This small denomination with its limited resources is doing amazing work for Jesus in so many areas, and we are doing it in conjunction with many ecumenical partners around the globe. … This really does my heart good and I have to believe God is smiling over those efforts.”

Vermeer also acknowledged the anxiety the RCA experienced over the past year while the special council met to discuss policy for same-sex marriage and ordination. He urged delegates to listen thoughtfully, respond with grace, and seek God’s guidance as the discussion unfolds in the next several days.

“God has driven me to my knees so often in this year of tension in the RCA,” said Vermeer. “This is not an easy subject. The church in the past—let me be more clear—General Synods of the RCA—have not always acted in loving ways, nor have we been grace-filled when addressing this. You now have an opportunity to do just that. No matter where you fall on this, you can be loving. You can act as a Christian should. This can be a peaceful process if we live and love like Jesus.”

See full synod coverage at http://www.rca.org/synod.