The mere mention of finances often causes eyes to glaze over at Synod, and we suspect that financial articles are quickly skimmed or skipped by all but a few. However, the finances of the RPCNA are managed by an interesting group of real people! The focus of this article is to acquaint you with those of us who manage these finances, and to encourage many of you to consider service on boards or other agencies of the denomination.

Nine members make up Synod’s Board of Trustees, each serving three-year terms. One-third of the board is elected by Synod each year. Members are eligible for two consecutive terms and are then required to be off the board for at least one year.

The dean of current members is Joe Lamont, who has rotated through several terms. John Duke, Steve McMahan, and Tom Fisher have also been re-elected for more than two terms, primarily due to the need for an experienced group to be involved in the selection of a new investment advisor last year. Curt Porter, David Ayer, and Lorrie Meneely are serving in their second terms, and Pastor David Coon is beginning his first term. Jim McFarland is the denominational treasurer, and he is also elected by Synod to be a member of the Trustees.

Joe Lamont was born in Seattle, Wash., and has been a lifelong member of the Seattle RPC, where he serves as a ruling elder. He has been married to Beth (Robb) for 54 years, and is a retired civil engineer. Joe has served the denomination as a trustee for Geneva College, the Center for Urban Theological Studies, the McLaughlin Trust, and Synod. He was camp manager for the national conferences held at Carleton College from 1966–1988. Joe comments, “The Bible has much to say about stewardship, whether it relates to our time or our resources. Since God is the provider of all that we have, it is appropriate to use what He gives us to further His work in the world.”

John Duke and his wife, Kathy, were providentially brought into contact with the Westminster, Colo., new work in 1970. He has been a member of that congregation since the beginning and serves as a ruling elder. He has been a small-business entrepreneur and has worked in the field of accounting and finance most of his life. He was instrumental in helping establish the Special Investment Pool (SIP) loan program for Christian entrepreneurial business ventures. He is chairman of the Board of Trustees. John encourages us with these words: “I have received far more than I have given in my years of involvement in the RPCNA. I appreciate our church’s heritage, and I’m continually amazed at how many godly and gifted men and women have been deposited in our small branch of the body of Christ.”

Tom Fisher is a native of South Carolina, where he grew up in Methodist churches. He came to faith in college, and was a Reformed Baptist for several years. In 1984, he joined the Cambridge, Mass., RPC. Subsequently he was elected a deacon and currently serves the congregation as an elder. He and his wife, Martha, have been married for two years. Tom has been employed as a research chemist/engineer by Rohm and Haas Electronic Materials for almost 21 years. Tom states, “The work we’re called to do in Christ’s church is usually not flashy, and it can even seem routine. But we’re called to be faithful: to serve as we have opportunity, and to give as we’ve received, trusting that the Lord will provide fruit according to His own timing.”

Steve McMahan is a native of Clay Center, Kan., and grew up in the Hebron RPC, where he serves as an elder. He and his wife, Sheryl, have been married for over 33 years. Steve is president and co-owner of an office machine and office supply firm founded by his father in 1947. He is chair of Synod’s Finance Committee and also serves on the Geneva College Board of Trustees. Steve comments, “While serving on these boards is often demanding and takes time away from family and business, I am always blessed with the opportunity to learn, to serve, and to work with a wonderful brotherhood of believers.”

Curt Porter was raised in the Denison, Kan., RPC and is a member and treasurer of the Shawnee RPC. He is married to Sandy Wing, and is the financial controller for Garney Construction Companies, Inc. That experience, combined with general business knowledge gained mostly through a career in the accounting field, led Curt to feel he might have something to offer when nominated for the trustee role. Curt states, “It is very gratifying to be able to help the various organizations.”

Pastor David Coon is the son of Rev. Phillip Coon, and he spent most of his childhood in Chicago. He graduated from Geneva College and taught in a Christian school before sensing the call to the pastorate. He and his wife, Cathy, have been serving in the White Lake, N.Y., RPC since its reorganization in 1978. He also teaches elementary school for the Monticello Central Schools. Pastor Coon has served as presbytery representative on the Home Mission Board. With regard to these opportunities, he says, “As I look upon that life of service, I identify with the psalmist: ‘By You I have been sustained from my birth; … my praise is continually of You’ (Ps. 71:6). I have been blessed to serve the Lord on a broader scale through helping provide leadership and support at White Lake Covenanter Camp for many years.”

David Ayer came into the RP Church with his parents, Aubrey and Joy Ayer in Ottawa, Ont., in 1978. He and his wife, Jacqueline, have been involved with the new work at Russell, Ont., for the last two years. He is supervisor of procurement for Hydro Ottawa, the municipal electric utility for the City of Ottawa. He has enjoyed serving as a precentor, both informally and formally, for most of his time in the Ottawa and Russell congregations. David served as treasurer for the Ottawa RPC for seven years, and continues to serve as the Canadian treasurer for the St. Lawrence Presbytery. David shares, “The blessings that I receive from serving consist mostly in the assurance that I am contributing to God’s kingdom and that I am being drawn out of myself and my personal circumstances to be humbled and broadened in my perspective in the wider contexts of God’s people at the presbytery and Synod levels.”

Lorrie Meneely has a wide range of experience within the denomination. She is assistant executive director for the Reformed Presbyterian Woman’s Association. She is a Geneva graduate and has worked in the RPCNA Education & Publication Office and the RP Seminary Office. She is a board member and treasurer of Trinity Christian School. She and husband, Tim, have been married for nearly 25 years. They are members of Covenant Fellowship (Pittsburgh, Pa.) RPC. Says Lorrie, “God has given me the interest and ability to work with dollars and cents and a heart to work with those organizations involved in the work of His kingdom. The challenge and reward is the stewardly management of the financial resources, the communication of financial information to all involved, and watching God work.”

Jim McFarland serves as the Denominational Treasurer as well as being a member of Synod’s Trustees. He was born and raised in the RPCNA in Orange County, Calif. He and his wife, Carnel, and their family were part of the Columbus, Ind., RPC prior to Jim becoming treasurer, and they now are members of the Providence RPC in Pittsburgh, Pa. Jim has served as a deacon and now an elder. Jim appreciates the opportunities he has in his position, saying, “As treasurer, my responsibilities are somewhat similar to the administration of a small business, where I enjoy the variety of responsibilities. Seeing firsthand the work of the boards of the church has been a blessing. The work of the Trustees particularly provides me with a rare opportunity to use accounting skills in the service of the church.”

Judy Linhart has faithfully served the denomination for over 30 years as secretary and Assistant Treasurer. Her wealth of knowledge and experience are of great value in her service to the Trustees.

As you can see from these brief biographical sketches, the Trustees of Synod are a diverse group of individuals who bring many gifts to their work as servants of the denomination. We hope our example of service will encourage others in the denomination to offer their time and talents outside their local congregations!