September 25-26, 2026 Presbytery Summary
Summary of the 48th Stated Meeting of Rivers & Lakes Presbytery September 25-26, 2026 in Edgerton, MN
Rivers & Lakes (RLP) had a meaningful and productive meeting at First Reformed Church of Edgerton, MN.
Here were some highlights:
Major Actions Taken:
We elected new committee members for the next term.
We approved the budget for 2027, continuing to ask member churches to contribute 1.25% POI to the Presbytery (in addition to the 1% POI to our General Assembly).
We approved the minutes of 24 of our churches.
We recognized the dismissal of FPEC of Montezuma.
We created an Administrative Commission to come alongside the Session of GracePoint as they handle a sensitive and challenging situation.
We approved a disbursement from the Seminarian Fund to support one of our Candidates.
We examined and voted to receive Ben Ziegler as a Teaching Elder, called as Pastor to First Presbyterian Church of Mora, MN.
Treasurer’s Report: RE Terese Block sent a report indicating that we have received 68% of budgeted POI and covered 64% of expected expenses. As of last Thursday, we had $14,000 in unrestricted funds to cover expenses for the remainder of the year.
Church Health: TE Doug Hull spoke of developing a plan to simplify the Refocus (revitalization) process to make it easier for Sessions to commit to leading their churches toward becoming “inwardly strong and outwardly focused.” He also shared a few of the “Missional Markers” being crystallized to answer the question, “What does a healthy EPC church look like?”, specifically mentioning Prayerful Dependence, Holistic Formation, and Hospitality.
GRACE Leadership Training on preventing & responding to abuse in the church: Hannah Fordice from GRACE gave a helpful training on “Fostering a Culture that Reflects the Heart of Jesus.” She told us that 20-30% of the people in our congregations have experienced or will experience abuse. Church leaders need to be equipped to respond to disclosures of abuse in ways that do not further harm victims. Video of the presentation is available to all RLP churches, as are the slides. Please share this training broadly within your church! GRACE is an excellent organization with a wealth of resources available to help churches become safe places for the vulnerable. In addition to their trainings, they also offer consultations and independent investigations.
Ministerial Committee: TE Zach Hopkins asks that any business for Ministerial Committee for our January RLP meeting be sent to his office by December 11. If you are a church in any stage of pastoral transition, please stay in close contact with the Ministerial Committee. RLP made a disbursement from our Seminarian Fund to 2 support the education of one of our Candidates. Please continue to contribute to this fund to raise up the next generation of pastors!
Church Planting: TE Jeffrey Lancaster reported that he and Cathy plan to launch a worship service in 2027! Please continue to pray for the Lord to draw people to himself as Jeffrey and Cathy build relationships and share the good news of Christ in Chicago. Keep up with the Lancasters ministry by signing up on their website.
Missions Committee: TE Sharon Azbell told us about her work as Diaspora Outreach Coordinator for EPC World Outreach, leading efforts to bring the gospel to unreached people living here in the U.S. Did you know there are women here in the U.S. who use Zoom to teach Afghan women? Or that the Alpha video series is available in over 60 languages? Sharon and her husband Bill lead others in welcoming their international neighbors and introducing them to Jesus. RE Marty Stahl reported on the weekend trip a small group from RLP made to Hamtramck (Detroit) and Windsor, ON this summer to visit Shakil and Angela and prayer walk in the communities they serve. In November, TE Jeffrey and Candie Durham and TE David and Erin Pleuss will join groups from two other EPC churches to visit Sylheti people in Bangladesh. Please pray for their safety and for the Lord to use that trip to deepen our connection to his work among the Sylhetis!
EPC National Leadership Team: RE Chris Danusiar brought greetings on behalf of NLT and invited all to the 47th General Assembly, which will be held at Second Presbyterian Church in Memphis, June 22-24, 2027. The theme will be “For the Life of the World” from John 6.
Worship & Prayer: Our Presbytery worshiped the Lord together in song, in the Word preached and received, and at the Lord’s table. Friday night, TE Mark Groen preached on Hebrews 2:5-18, and Saturday morning, Ben Ziegler preached on 2 Kings 5:1-14. We enjoyed a rich time of intercessory prayer for one another before our dinner on Friday evening.
Invitation to January 22-23 Meeting: All are invited to the 49th Stated Meeting of RLP, which will convene at Edgington EPC in Taylor Ridge, IL.
