RCA Elects Rev. Tom Smith as General Synod President

(Photo Reformed Church in America)Rev. Tom Smith, president-elect of the Reformed Church in America's General Synod, speaks to delegates at the 2012 General Synod in Palos Heights, Illinois on June 24, 2012.

Rev. Tom Smith was elected president of the General Synod for a one year term on Sunday, reminding participants that 'we give God the glory' as he vowed to listen to the heartbeat of the denomination and work as an encourager.

Smith was invited to the platform, where surrounded by family addressed the General Synod. The denomination, which has about 250,000 members, is holding its General Synod through June 26 at Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights, Illinois. He will be installed at the General Synod closing worship.

"As a denomination, all of our mission and vision statements, Our Call, and everything we're doing here and that we'll do in the months to come in the Discovery process-all of this distills down to one phrase: to God alone be the glory," he said, according to the RCA.

"When we worship, when we make disciples, when we give a cup of cold water, when we live out righteousness and justice and peace, when we demonstrate the unity Jesus prayed for in John 17-when we are faithful in every way, we give God the glory."

Smith, who is currently a co-pastor of Faith Reformed Church in Rock Valley, Iowa, replaces Rev. Lisa Vander Wal.

Smith said his goal as president is listen to the heartbeat of the denomination.

"I intend to be an encourager, for I believe without a doubt that God has an exciting future for us. I'm confident that God is moving us forward in his kingdom and it will be to his glory," he said.

Day-to-day operations of the denomination are led by General Secretary Rev. Tom De Vries.

Read More: RCA Seeks God's Plan for Future with 'Discovery' Conversations 

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