Reformed Presbyterian Minutes of Synod 1995 - Rparchives.org

98 MINUTES OF THE SYNOD OF THETrust income (Unrestricted Undesignated funds) which it has beenreceiving over the last few years.The Pension Trustees continue to fund their work throughcongregational assessments, employer contributions and $50,000 fromthe MacLaughlin Trust income (Undesignated Unrestricted funds) andtherefore do not require RPMscM funds.The Woman's Association, although in need of help to cover theexpenses of RP residents who are not able to pay their entire costs, haveother sources more readily available to them than other Boards of theChurch.The HMB has projected its expenses and income to fulfill itscommitment to existing new works and to respond to at least eightrequests for aid for new works by 2000. It is able to draw down itsTime to Plant Fund, to which congregations and individuals havecontributed over the last several years, to make up for the loss ofRPMscM funds in 1996 and 1997. However, it cannot sustain areduction in RPMscM funding after 1997 without diminishing thechurch planting efforts of the Presbyteries. Of course, it can decide notto fund a Presbytery's request for aid if the funds are not available.The Miscellaneous Fund pays the expenses of all the committees ofSynod, the expenses of Synod meetings and officers, fraternal delegateexpenses and the Graduate Study Committee. RPMscM and the travelassessment pays these expenses. Since no Synod is scheduled for 1996,the funds collected from the travel assessment will be used to covermost of the expenses of the Miscellaneous Fund for 1996. In 1997RPMscM will be needed again to fund these expenses. During this timeof sacrifice by the various ministries of the Synod, Synod should be verycautious about appropriating funds for programs that are paid out ofthe Miscellaneous Fund.The dues and costs of the Commission on Chaplains and MilitaryPersonnel are paid by the Miscellaneous Fund and are not required to besubmitted for approval.The Finance Committee is greatly encouraged with the progress over thelast two years toward receiving direction on balancing the various ministriesof the Synod. We urge the Synod to take more steps in this direction Oneapproach would be to appoint a standing committee to bringrecommendations to Synod on how to balance the needs of each of Synod'sBoards and ministries and to propose strategic plans for the Synod Thiscommittee could also help the Boards evaluate their effectiveness in reachingtheir goals and using their funds.Recommendations1. That since the terms of Keith Magill and John Morton expire at thismeeting of Synod, and since they are not eligible for re-election, that thefollowing persons be nominated for the Committee on Finance for theclass of 1998: David Mohr, Kay Klein and William Roberts