Date: Wed, 17 Jun 1998 10:43:32 -0400 From: Darrell Todd Maurina Organization: Christian Renewal/United Reformed News Service Subject: NR 98059: Synod Votes Down Independent Review of CRC Board of Trustees; Instructs Board to Review Itself NR #1998-059: Synod Votes Down Independent Review of Christian Reformed Board of Trustees; Instructs Board to Review Itself By a 97 to 86 margin, the Christian Reformed synod has rejected an overture by Classis Grand Rapids North "to appoint a committee to review and evaluate the effectiveness of the structure and functioning of the Board of Trustees of the Christian Reformed Church in North America." While the overture cited procedural grounds such as the prudence of a regular review of a new structure and precedents for a five-year review of the Board of Trustees' predecessor body, the Synodical Interim Committee, after various changes were implemented in 1971 and 1976, the heart of the overture focused on specific problems rather than procedural issues. The synodical advisory committee divided on the issue of an independent committee. Thirteen of the twenty committee members argued that an independent review is warranted; the remaining seven concurred that a review is warranted but proposed that synod instruct the Board of Trustees to review itself as to "policies, programs, goals, and performance" in line with existing bylaw requirements, and report to next year's synod. NR #1998-059: For Immediate Release: Synod Votes Down Independent Review of Christian Reformed Board of Trustees; Instructs Board to Review Itself by Darrell Todd Maurina, Press Officer United Reformed News Service GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. (June 17, 1998) URNS - By a 97 to 86 margin, the Christian Reformed synod has rejected an overture by Classis Grand Rapids North "to appoint a committee to review and evaluate the effectiveness of the structure and functioning of the Board of Trustees of the Christian Reformed Church in North America." While the overture cited procedural grounds such as the prudence of a regular review of a new structure and precedents for a five-year review of the Board of Trustees' predecessor body, the Synodical Interim Committee, after various changes were implemented in 1971 and 1976, the heart of the overture focused on specific problems rather than procedural issues. "The investments in IRM and IRM's default raise questions as to the board's effectiveness in adopting and supervising investment policy," noted the overture. Furthermore, "the spending of substantial dollars over the budgeted amount for the Free to Serve Rallies raises questions as to the adequacy of the board's management of the budget it proposes and synod adopts." The IRM situation involves the potential loss of up to $11.5 million in denominational funds invested in a series of California-based limited partnerships. The Free to Serve Rallies involve an event for which the denomination budgeted nothing in the year ended June 30, 1996 but spent $175,653, and for which the denomination budgeted $629,919 in the year ended June 30, 1997 and spent $863,693. The synodical advisory committee divided on the issue of an independent committee. Thirteen of the twenty committee members argued that an independent review is warranted; the remaining seven concurred that a review is warranted but proposed that synod instruct the Board of Trustees to review itself as to "policies, programs, goals, and performance" in line with existing bylaw requirements, and report to next year's synod. Elder Steven Baas of Classis Wisconsin urged the idea of an independent review. "What are we afraid of?" asked Baas. "If we find something wrong we can fix it; if not, we know that and the board can be affirmed." "If we vote this down, we run the risk of appearing to compromise the church," continued Baas. "Sunshine is the best disinfectant. I don't know what we're afraid of, and I think we should pass the overture." That argument didn't persuade a number of synodical delegates who noted that a structure review committee is already reviewing denominational agencies and will report to Synod 1999. "If this one passes, I can guarantee you, not only will the board do it, it will do it to the best of our ability, and probably make use of outside advisors," said CRC Executive Director of Minstries Dr. Peter Borgdorff. "Contrary apparently to the opinion of many, I get evaluated at every board meeting, the board gets evaluated on a regular basis every year." Cross-References to Related Articles: #1998-033: Three Reformed Denominations to Hold General Assemblies or Synods this Year in West Michigan #1998-055: Christian Reformed Synod Begins; $11.5 Million Fund Loss Among Hot Topics at Annual Denominational Assembly Contact List: Dr. Peter Borgdorff, Executive Director of Ministries, Christian Reformed Church 2850 Kalamazoo Ave. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49560 O: (616) 246-0832 ¥ H: (616) 957-3288 ¥ E-Mail: borgdorp@crcna.org Rev. Frederick Van Dyk, Stated Clerk, Classis Grand Rapids North 3110 - 17 Mile Rd., Ceder Springs, MI 49319 H/O: (616) 696-9863 ¥ E-Mail: fvandyk@wingsisp.com ---------------------------------------------------------- file: /pub/resources/text/reformed/archive98: nr98-059.txt .