October Ministry Board News

For part of the time of the Oct. 16-18 meetings of the Christian Reformed Church’s Council of Delegates, the U.S. and Canada Ministry Boards met individually to cover their own more operational agendas specific to ministry in each country.

The Council of Delegates is the ecclesiastical governance board for the Christian Reformed Church in North America, acting on behalf of synod in between meetings of synod. The Ministry Boards are the legal boards operating the ministries of the denomination according to the charitable regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

Canada Ministry Board

The Canada board received reports from executive director-Canada Al Postma and Chief Administrative Officer (Canada) Terry Veldboom as well as justice ministry reports, Canadian-specific reports from joint ministries, and correspondence from members with various concerns.

Board members heard an update on the hiring process for a new director of intercultural ministry after the departure of Pablo Kim Sun earlier this year. Interviews had taken place a week before the meeting. The position of director of the Centre for Public Dialogue is still vacant after the departure of Mike Hogeterp in August 2023. The Canadian Justice Ministries Report to the board noted an ongoing “review of the role of the Centre and how it can best serve the CRCNA moving forward. This review in collaboration with stakeholders is proceeding under the direction of the Executive Director.”

Greta Luimes, chair of the Canada Ministry Board, presented minutes from the Canada board meeting to the full Council of Delegates. She noted the lengthy discussions the group had, going longer than the U.S. Ministry Board’s meeting. “We have a few things to talk about in Canada right now,” Luimes said. The agenda included approving a revised mandate for the Canadian Governance Committee, and taking note of a proposal from Classis Quinte “for an Ecclesiastical gathering of Canadian Churches” through Church Order Article 44-b. Luimes said of the proposal, passed at Quinte’s Sept. 24 meeting, “We only know about it; it was given to the board as a point of information,” noting that Postma, “through his office has offered support.”

Luimes noted upcoming events such as a January “Stories and Strategies” video conference, taking place for the past few years to encourage sharing between congregations. “What has resonated with me is how many churches are comparing stories of welcoming in different ethnicities,” Luimes said, “how to include the worship culture of another ethnic group in your own worship practices.” She noted it was an open event.

In mentioning correspondence that the board addressed, Luimes said, “We’re all aware of Toward CRC Canada working” toward becoming an entity that they envision would “remain in denomination but with ecclesiastical separation.” She said they’ve needed to discuss “how do we respond to that as a board,” and it’s an ongoing discussion. “Our job as a board in Canada organizationally is to support the Canadian churches. We also need to be aware of what’s happening outside of that.” She said the Canadian board would treasure delegates’ prayers.

Related: Are Canadian CRCs Moving ‘Toward CRC Canada?’ Too Early to Tell. (Aug. 16, 2024)

U.S. Ministry Board

Dan DeKam, director of U.S. ministry operations, announced to the U.S. Ministry Board the completion of the sale of the former denominational property at 1700 28th St. SE in Grand Rapids, Mich., which was finalized Oct. 7. After covering the purchase and renovation of the new ministry support center at 300 East Beltline Ave. NE in Grand Rapids, the deal clears about $1.7 million, DeKam said. The U.S. Board approved “the creation of a ‘building maintenance fund’ into which proceeds from the sale” would be deposited. “You would take a five-year rolling average of your investment earnings so you’re not depleting the principal and can save for unexpected expenses through the earnings of the fund,” DeKam said.

Doug Fakkema, Classis Pacific Northwest, expressed gratitude for the move. “I appreciate the forward thinking on this so that when we promote (the giving of) ministry shares it shows the most possible is going to the ministry.”

Related: CRCNA Hosts Open House to Close Ministry Building (July 15, 2024)

The U.S. Ministry Board also approved re-establishing a $2 million line of credit that it had previously had but allowed to lapse in 2020 when it was up for renewal and had never been used. Brian Van Doeselaar, controller, said it’s to provide two months of cash flow cover in the event of difficulties, but he doesn’t anticipate using it. “It’s easier to ask for a line of credit when you’re in a positive situation,” he said.