Interviews of new directors of ministries and the new mission agency took a lot of time at the recent meeting of the Christian Reformed Church’s Board of Trustees. The board conducts the business of synod (the annual leadership meeting of the church) when synod is not in session.
Trustees appointed Rev. Sarah Roelofs as director of the Chaplaincy and Care ministry; Rev. Reginald Smith was appointed director of the Office of Race Relations and the Office of Social Justice; and Rev. Zachary King was appointed director of the new mission agency, pending a successful interview and ratification by Synod 2017.
Trustees also approved refreshing and adding to existing church school curriculum, but not until the budget can support this.
As instructed by Synod 2016, the board received from staff an overview of all the denominationally-run ministries and will forward the document to Synod 2017. The board will also ask Synod 2017 delegates to help determine ministry priorities.
The CRC’s Loan Fund forgave an outstanding note receivable owed by the denomination in the amount of $2 million. The Loan Fund has not been receiving many requests for loans.
Director of ministries and administration Colin Watson reported that the congregational services team (which includes Safe Church, Chaplaincy and Care, Pastor Church Resources, and more) is working effectively within the budget constraints established last year. “We continue to look for ways to further reduce expenses even as upward cost pressures continue. The budget preparation for fiscal 2017–2018 is well underway, and further steep cuts and modifications in ministry processes will be required.”
Designating the third Sunday of August as an annual day of justice was encouraged by the board. The event would be promoted and coordinated by the Office of Race Relations, the Office of Social Justice, and World Renew.
About the Author
Gayla Postma retired as news editor for The Banner in 2020.
