Church Life: Regional Ministry - March 2008
Lessons from the RCA's Oldest, Smallest Region
The Regional Synod of New York (RSNY) is unique among the other regions within the RCA. It is both the oldest region and it is the smallest geographical region within the denomination; most churches are within a couple of hours of each other. However, it also encompasses churches in the U.S. Virgin Islands, North Carolina, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Georgia. It is a birth center of the great foreign mission movement within the RCA. The beginnings of work in several countries around the world can be traced to individuals from RSNY churches. And although it is made up of rural, small town, suburban, and urban churches, it is known for being a synod dominated by churches within a large urban complex, with over sixty churches being found within the five boroughs of New York City.
During its first 200 years, members were mainly of Dutch heritage. But this changed in the twentieth century as people began to cross these nationalistic and ethnic barriers. Finally, even racial barriers began to crumble. This gradual transformation has changed the face of RSNY in several significant ways. At present, twelve basic languages are used in worship in RSNY churches. People from around the world, other than Europeans, are now the principal members of more than one-third of RSNY churches. We speak languages other than English. The customs and ways of worship of other cultures are honored and used.
This has presented unforeseen and complex problems. Racism was experienced early on by churches of the region. African American, Puerto Rican, Virgin Islanders and other Caribbean Islanders, Mexican, South American, Taiwanese, Korean, Japanese, Chinese, and others have bumped up against the Caucasian majority of our churches. To make this racial problem even more complex, the various races collide across the spectrum of their differences. It is wonderful to experience God through so many different perspectives, but it also presents a set of problems in helping these different people learn to love and respect each other. God has given the churches of RSNY the task of building a church less racist, less tied to nationality.
However, the diversity of RSNY goes beyond race and ethnic background. Economic achievements run the full spectrum, with some of our churches made up of the wealthiest people in America while other churches are made up of some of the poorest.
Women play a strong role within RSNY leadership--compared to other regions of the RCA, a higher percentage serve as pastors in New York. They also hold leadership positions with the synod's governing structure. For example, the last three RSNY presidents have been an African American woman, a Taiwanese male, and a Caucasian woman. At present, fewer than 40 percent of the pastors in RSNY churches are white males.
Many lay and clergy leaders have led the way through the great social issues that face the Christian churches of our time: the ordination of women, the war in Vietnam, the support of the National and World Councils of Churches, abortion, capital punishment, homosexuality. RSNY is made up of some of the most politically conservative people in North America, as well as some of the most liberal.
It is unfair to characterize RSNY people with any stereotype, as is true for any other regional synod within the RCA. What remains true is that all love the Lord Jesus Christ and all seek the leading of his Holy Spirit. It is the hope of the RSNY that we can love and respect each other as citizens of Christ's kingdom.
It is true that we are not all alike. We have learned that truth from each other in RSNY. And we have also learned the tie that binds us together is the loving Spirit of Jesus Christ. We are learning to concentrate on our common loves and callings. We hope to receive the Lord Jesus Christ into our hearts and seek to serve him the best way we know how.
--The Rev. Jon Norton
executive minister, Regional Synod of New York
Regional Reports
Albany: For more than twenty-five years, the regional synod has been part of a Christmas gift ministry to needy persons through the AIDS Council of Northeastern New York. The synod's witness commission has expanded the annual gift collection to include all the AIDS councils in upstate New York, as well as responding to specific requests for donations and gifts. Pitcher Hill Community Church in Syracuse was one of many congregations that participated. "The AIDS council director asked, 'Will you be back next year?'" said synod minister for witness and education Nancy McNiven. "Yes. Micah 6:8b guides our response." (albany.rca.org)
Canada: The synod's new "Mobilizing for Mission" plan includes a $1 million, five-year fund drive for resources to be used initially in discipleship, leadership, and mission. The initial phase is gathering funds for a variety of efforts, such as encouraging churches to provide small group settings for growth, formation of a synod resource center, lay leader development through a Servants for the Harvest program, pastoral sabbaticals, and mission provisioning. Already two churches have received assistance in visioning and a discipleship workshop. A second fundraising phase will place emphasis on vision-casting and discernment, discovering opportunities, and resourcing persons for ministry. (www.reformed-church.com)
Far West: Living Faith Community Church (LFCC) in Modesto, California, has become a polling precinct for the Stanislaus County Elections Office for three elections during 2008. The congregation provides a minimum number of poll workers who are trained for their election-day duties. In return the church receives a stipend donation. "It's a great opportunity to welcome the neighbors into our church building," noted the LFCC newsletter. Four church volunteers must be at the polls at any given time during voting hours. The first election hosted by the church was the February 5 presidential primary. (www.rcawest.org)
Great Lakes: The regional synod has introduced the Youth Worker Assessment Guide, a hiring and screening tool for churches covering six essential categories. "Studies reveal that only 43 percent of youth workers hired this year will survive [in that role] two years and beyond," said Great Lakes youth ministry leadership consultant Duane Smith, noting that many youth ministry efforts fail because of continual leadership transition. Many would-be youth workers, although passionate about ministry, lack adequate training. "By requiring a final candidate to be assessed, you'll know this candidate's potential to fit your congregation and survive and thrive long term," Smith said. (www.rcagl.org)
Heartland: Josh Johnson is the pastor of Harbor Community Church in Prior Lake, Minnesota, a new church where professionals, recovering alcoholics, and meth addicts come together to worship. This ministry in a newly developing community includes a "Harbor Kids Preschool" that features prayer, a weekly Bible verse, and worship time; a youth group called "The Current," and cell groups that meet throughout the week and function as arms of the church, helping members fulfill the Great Commandment through relationships in the community. Johnson began his ministry there in September. (www.heartlandsynod.org)
Mid-America: A local mission of Community Reformed Church in Lafayette, Indiana, is an inner-city congregation called Forerunners Ministry. Over the past years Community Reformed simply gave money to the urban church. But recently the two congregations joined in worship. "It was truly a picture of heaven, with people coming together regardless of race or creed, worshiping our great God," said Community pastor Chad Schuitema. "Many had tears in their eyes as they saw our church trying to live out what we believe, and our church was so blessed simply by being servants." (www.midamericasynod.org).
Mid-Atlantics: North Branch Reformed Church in Bridgewater, New Jersey, is a 180-year-old church that has just "given birth" to its first baby. "Ignite" is a church planted last fall within the North Branch facility, so far with two cell groups for young adults. "First, God planted the seed of this vision in my heart," said pastor Todd Buurstra. "Then I needed to learn how to convey this vision to my congregation. The biannual RCA Parenting Church Conference helped greatly. We created a visioning committee that politely listened to me--and privately thought I was nuts--but after much discussion agreed to take the leap of faith." (www.rsmat.org)
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