Servant Team Members Present: Tim Arensmeier, Karl Overbeek, Don Rowe, Glenn Spyksma, Jeff Wenke, and Don Werkhoven. Guest: Jose Figueroa. Absent: Dwight Bailey.
Opening Prayer and Devotions.
President Arensmeier opened the meeting with prayer at 6:05 p.m. and a devotional message on the visible evidence of the glory of God and how that is to be reflected in our relationship with others.
Request for Ordination Transfer.
Stated Clerk Werkhoven reported that Rev. Jose Figueroa submitted all of the necessary paperwork required by the BCO as part of his request for the transfer of his ordination from the PCA to the RCA.
Rev. Figueroa was given opportunity to share his spiritual pilgrimage, including his coming to Christ as a young adult and his call to ministry. Jose is currently serving in a Specialized Ministry calling as a Spiritual Care Coordinator at the George Mark Children’s House in San Leandro. He shared his passion for multi-ethnic church planting in large urban centers.
The Servant Team closed their time with Jose with prayer and laying on of hands.
M/S – To recommend approval of the
ordination transfer request from Rev. Jose Figueroa and that he be received as
a full participant in classis as
Minister of Word and Sacrament following his signing of the Declaration
for Ministers of Word and Sacrament at the 2008 Spring Stated Session. CARRIED.
Classis Minister Report – Karl
Overbeek
1. Apostolic Regional Ministry Update. Karl reported that as of Jan. 1, 08 Eddy Aleman commenced his duties as an employee of the classis in a Specialized Ministry capacity called Apostolic Regional Missionary for Hispanic Ministries. He will be installed into this function at the Spring Stated Session. Mario Molina has taken over Eddy’s former function as Pastor of Iglesia Emmanuel in Chowchilla. Karl also indicated that an ARM accountability team has been formed to oversee and provide relational support for Eddy. The accountability team also approved a 2008 salary and benefit package for this position. Eddy plans to relocate to the Sacramento area this summer where he hopes to join Christ Community Church as an adjunct staff member. Karl also reported that over $96,000 has been pledged to the ARM ministry for 2008 and over $50,000 of these pledges has been received to date. He also reported that an individual has pledged an additional $30,000 to this ministry for 2009.
2.
Mobilizing Leader Program
Update. Karl reported that 24
people within the classis have completed the Commissioned Leader training
program with another
3. Affinity Classis Update. Karl reported that the Regional Synod Board has approved the formation of a new classis within the bounds of the Far West Region. Membership in this classis will be based on affinity (God’s love for the city) rather than geographic boundaries. Thus far City Church of S.F. is the only church designated for this new classis. Karl reported that City Church will pay their 2008 assessments to the Classis of Central California.
4. Pre-Classis Seminar. Karl reported that Calvary Ripon has agreed to host the second Pre-Classis Seminar which will be held on March 7. Fred Harrell will be presenting on the topic, “The Language of Missional Preaching” and Mike Hayes on “The Components of a Gathering Church.” He also announced that the Sept. Pre-Classis seminar will be held on Sept. 26 with John Kaiser presenting on the topic of missional structures.
Stated Clerk Update – Don Werkhoven
1. Miraloma Update. Don reported that the classis legal team continues to work on a response to a settlement proposal recently offered by the Miraloma consistory.
2. Elk Grove Property Update. Don reported that two churches have expressed interest in the property and are putting together purchase proposals. He indicated that although the property has been secured with a 6-foot chain link fence across the entire frontage, vandals continue to enter the property and cause damage to the structures. The interior of both buildings have been trashed with all the copper wire stripped from the walls and ceiling. A small fire was recently set in one of the buildings which the fire department extinguished, causing minor damage to the structure. The fire investigator felt that it was the work of teenage pranksters.
Treasurer’s Report – Don Werkhoven
1. 2007 Year End Budget Report. Don distributed copies of the year-end 2007 Profit & Loss Budget vs. Actual report. Because of the legal expenses associated with the Miraloma matter and expenses related to securing the Elk Grove property, the budget vs. expenses is severely out of balance. Assets in the general fund at year end were $54,057.88.
2. Housing Allowance for Overbeek & Aleman. Don indicated that it was necessary for the classis to enter into the minutes, on an annual basis, the housing allowance for ministers employed by the classis. Karl Overbeek requested his housing allowance be set at $30,000 and Eddy Aleman at $25,000.
M/S:
To establish the housing allowance for Karl Overbeek at $30,000. CARRIED.
M/S:
To establish the housing allowance for Eddy Aleman at $25,000. CARRIED.
Commission Reports
1. Congregational
Development & Renewal – Don Rowe
2. Leadership
Development – No Report
3. Church
Multiplication – Jeff Wenke
--ARM for Hispanic Ministries. Jeff reported that an ARM Accountability Team has been appointed to oversee the ARM for Hispanic Ministries program. He distributed copies of the ‘Strategy to Achieve the Vision Mission’, which is a working document that outlines some of the benchmarks for future targeted areas for new Hispanic church plants, funding sources, and ministry priorities. He also reported that a salary and benefit package of $89,945 was approved for the ARM position.
--Immigration Issues. Jeff reported that both Eddy Aleman and Antonio Pichardo are seeking permanent residence status through the U.S. Immigration Service. The RCA has retained the services of an immigration attorney who handles all of the immigration matters for RCA pastors. The RCA Office of Ministry Services has agreed to share up to one-third (not to exceed $2,000) of the legal costs for each case providing that the classis agrees to pay one-third and the church and/or the applicant the remaining one-third. It is estimated that the application and legal fees will cost up to $6,000 for each applicant and their family.
M/S:
To approve classis matching funds up to one-third the immigration
application/legal fees, contingent on the RCA Office of Ministry Services
providing $2,000 and the church and/or applicant agreeing to provide the remaining
one-third. CARRIED.
Recorded by:
Don Werkhoven, Stated Clerk
Stated
Session Minutes of 9/22/07 | Servant Team Minutes
1/18/08 | ARM
Strategy | KLO
Pre-Classis Event
Web posted:
Updated: