April 26-27, 2024 Presbytery Summary
Summary of the 41st Stated Meeting of Rivers & Lakes Presbytery April 26-27, 2024 Aplington, IA
Moderator TE Ted Tromble opened our meeting with singing and prayer.
TE Doug Hull welcomed us to Aplington EPC.
Clerk’s Report: On behalf of the Coordinating Council, TE Annie Rose presented three proposed amendments to the RLP Bylaws, which will come to a vote in September. She also reminded all that General Assembly is June 18- 20 in Memphis. Session Clerks need to submit the online endorsement form for Ruling Elder Commissioners.
On Saturday morning, Annie informed commissioners about three
overtures coming to this year’s GA, related to the petition of Memorial Presbyterian Church in St. Louis to transfer into Mid-America Presbytery. She encouraged commissioners to read carefully all materials for GA so they are prepared to participate.
Treasurer’s Report: RE Terese Block reported that the Lord continues to provide for our needs through our churches. We have received 36% of our budgeted income for the year. We have sent full support to our four missionaries. As of April 25, we have paid 31% of our budgeted expenses. We have a total of $85,809 in the bank. The Council agreed to use funds reserved for Women’s Ministry to cover the cost of childcare for pastor’s children during GA in June. If all pastors and their spouses take all their children, we will spend $1,400 of the $3,800 for this ministry to moms. Please let Annie know when you register so you receive reimbursement.
Church Health Committee Report: TE Matt Ferguson recommended the book Small Church Essentials, which encourages us to think, “What does our church do well, and how can we leverage those things?” TE David Pleuss then gave an encouraging report about “good news” from Faith EPC in Crivitz, including fruitful evangelistic efforts through a funeral for a community member, a community fellowship for young adults, and outreach to the local Latino community.
Missions Committee Report: TE Pleuss reminded us of the monthly prayer call on the second Wednesday of each month at 9 AM for the Sylheti people. We then enjoyed an update on the London outreach to the Sylheti people from TE Scott B. Here are highlights:
The Sylheti people (originally from Bangladesh) are only .001% reached with the gospel.
There are 178,000 people in the B. family’s neighborhood; 7/10 are Sylhetis.
There are 14 people on the church plant team; the team is multicultural and made up of people with a variety of skills.
On average, it takes 10 years for a Muslim person to know a Christian before they will begin following Jesus. Scott described a 13-year process of Jesus drawing in a man who had started out hostile to the faith.
The goal of the church plant team is to have a self-sustaining Sylheti Christian fellowship that reaches out to those in Bangladesh.
Scott requested prayers for growth in finances so that the ministry can become self-sustaining and for an entire family to come to faith in Christ.
Discussion of Proposed Pastoral Letter of Racial Lament & Hope: TE Rose facilitated an open discussion on the proposed Pastoral Letter. Commissioners and observers shared their thoughts and questions on the letter, which Annie will take back to the writing committee as they work on revisions before GA. She encouraged all to use the online form provided to offer more detailed input.
Prayer Clusters: Chaplain TE George Salnave invited the Presbytery to group in clusters for a time of prayer, using a prayer guide he prepared for us.
Presbytery at Worship: On Friday evening, we worshiped together and celebrated the Lord’s supper. TE Doug Hull preached on “Servant of the Gospel” from Colossians 1:21-29. On Saturday morning, TE Tom Ricks, National Director of Church Planting, preached on Luke 18:9-14.
Chaplaincy in the EPC: TE Mark Ingles, EPC Chaplain Endorser, spoke about the growth of chaplaincy in the EPC. • Chaplains are more missional than attractional. They serve in secular settings and yet are still “in ministry.” • Chaplaincy is the fastest growing form of ministry in the U.S. today. • Many “nonreligious” people will seek out a chaplain for care and support. • There has been growth in marketplace ministry, with an employee reaching out to a marketplace chaplain every four minutes. Mark also provided an overview of the work of the Chaplains’ Work and Care Committee (CWCC). The CWCC works with him to carry out the process of endorsing chaplain candidates and provides support for chaplains and their families. Each member of the CWCC serves as a prayer partner for certain chaplains and their families. RE Jim Pleuss is soon to join the CWCC.
Ministerial Committee Report: TE Zach Hopkins invited candidates Danny Cridelich and Jeffrey Durham to give brief updates. Danny will marry this summer and is continuing his seminary studies. Jeff is almost finished with seminary and plans to take his written ordination exams this summer. Zach then gave brief updates on churches in transition: • TE David Eikenberry plans to retire from FPC Waukegan in September. • FPC Aurora experienced a speedbump with their transitional pastor but is moving forward. • FPEC Montezuma continues through their transition process under the leadership of TE Wayne Uppendahl. • Trinity Sparta is in the midst of their search process with the help of Rev. Steven Neill. Steve asked us to continue in prayer for Trinity’s search. Zach reminded pastors/TEs that their annual reports are due by the September meeting of RLP. Finally, Zach highlighted Westminster Society events at this year’s GA, including a networking lunch led by TE Jim Wilhoit.
Update on Chicago Church Planting Effort: TE Justin Beach gave an update on the work of the Chicago Oversight Commission, which completed a Memorandum of Understanding with planter TE Jeffrey Lancaster. Jeffrey then gave a report on his ministry in Chicago. 3 • The neighborhood he and his wife Cathy live in is composed of 110,000 people, many of whom are in “self-conscious opposition to the gospel.” • “The primary church planter is Jesus,” who is “spreading his unstoppable kingdom.” • Jeffrey stressed the importance of caring to get to know people, showing genuine concern for them, asking questions and listening to their answers. • He is presenting himself as a “Chicago Work/Life Community Chaplain,” building relationships at a WeWork (shared workspace) location in Chicago. He and Cathy recently hosted a happy hour with a jazz trio, which was promoted to all nine WeWork locations in Chicago. He had the opportunity to introduce himself as Chaplain to attendees.
Church Planting in the EPC: TE Tom Ricks, National Director of Church Planting, gave a report on church planting in the EPC. • The vision of the National Church Planting Team (NCPT) is for every church in the EPC to be a parent, a partner, or a patron of a church plant. We currently have 67% of EPC churches involved in church planting in one of those ways; the goal is to have 100% participation. • Tom shared that he spends a lot of time developing our “pipeline” to find potential church planters. For example, he is in talks with a potential planter in Vermont. • The NCPT is developing a partnership with EPC World Outreach—for example, working to recruit a planter for the Bosnian community in St. Louis. We are seeing growth in planting in Hispanic communities in places like Tulsa, San Antonio, and Fort Myers and also among the Brazilian community in Philadelphia. • The NCPT recently distributed the Church Planting 101 resource. • The NCPT is now conducting in-house assessments for prospective EPC church planters three times a year. They also provide care and coaching for our planters. • Tom shared stories of two planters, one in Atlanta and one in Kansas City. • “We plant churches so people can hear the gospel of Jesus Christ.”
Invitation to September 27-28, 2024 Meeting: RE Steve Thompson invited all to attend our 42nd Stated Meeting at Hogarty Community Church in Aniwa, WI. TE Tromble especially encouraged commissioners to take advantage of the many outdoor opportunities for refreshment in God’s creation before the Presbytery meeting convenes on September 27.
