Regional Synod News June 18, 2018

     NEWS

 The 2018 RCA General Synod took place from June 7-12 on the campus of Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan.  Many things worth catching up on happened this year including a new General Secretary in Eddy Aleman and a Vision 2020 group to research and identify strategies and consequences for three possible scenarios for the future of the RCA: staying together, radical reconstituting and reorganization, and graceful separation. The General Synod also moved an entire classis to a different region, showed support for strategies to reduce gun violence, recommended a new catechism on marriage and sexuality, and so much more.  To read about the decisions and actions of this year’s General Synod, click HERE.

Flourishing Churches Grant – Many RCA churches have thriving ministries but lack the financial resources for necessary building improvements. The Flourishing Churches Grant provides funding for the facility upgrades RCA churches need to continue and grow their ministries.  Six grants of up to $50,000 are available to RCA churches.  To find out more, click HERE.

Ridder: Churches Leading Change is re-launching in our region this fall.  This transformational process has been going through significant changes since its inception in 2010.  Change in the church is hard.  RCLC will help you keep your focus on mission while navigating the adaptive challenges of leading change.  Whether you were a previous participant in the Ridder Church Renewal process or have never even heard about it, we would like to invite you to consider participating in the coming year.  If you’d like to watch a short video the Regional Synod of the Heartland put together on the impact of Ridder, click HERE.  If you’d like to hear more about RCLC or ask questions, please contact Chad.

The Regional Synod of Mid-America’s Ministerial Excellence Fund. The purpose of this Fund is to assist with alleviating some of the financial pressures facing clergy in their pastoral ministry.  This fund is made available to both Ministers of Word and Sacrament and Commissioned pastors rostered in Illinois Classis, Wisconsin Classis, and Illiana-Florida Classis.  Each classis began this fund with $10,000 which was matched by the Reformed Church in America for a total starting balance of $20,000 per classis.  You will need to download and read the Ministerial Excellence Guidelines prior to filling out an application.  Once the application is filled out, please email it to chad@rsmam.org.

News from Camp Manitoqua
Summer Camp is in full swing!  Please pray for the summer staff and all the young people who will come into contact with the Gospel this summer.  For pictures and more information, you can can always visit Manitoqua.org/springintosummer. 

    STORIES OF CELEBRATION

We share stories of celebration to glorify God.  There is no story this month.   If you’d like to share what God is doing in your church (or classis), please email Chad.

Leaders Need Not Choose Between Improving and Creating – The church needs both those who are loyal to existing religious institutions and those eager to usher in what the church will look like next, writes the managing director of grants at Leadership Education at Duke Divinity.

We’re In the Innovation Business – We live in a moment of profound social and cultural change fueled by digital technology and globalization. Organizations of all types are struggling to adapt to new patterns of belonging and participation. Many churches and church systems seem caught and at a loss, unsure what to do as established practices break down and people disengage. Long-treasured ways of connecting and supporting Christian communities do not seem meaningful or accessible to emerging generations or neighbors. Leaders try harder at the old patterns, but feel frustrated and drained by pushing against cultural currents beyond their control.

“Divergent Churches” Studies Innovation – Two leaders from the Center for Congregations studies 12 alternative/divergent faith communities and how they are living out their call to be an intentional community of Jesus.

Christian Churches Still Struggle with Race; How to Discuss It and What to Do – A study showed that 2/3 of American Christians think their church is doing enough to become ethnically diverse.  Yet racism seems to be just as much of a problem today in our country.  Read about what some churches are doing to celebrate diversity as a gift, not a dividing line.