Synod Celebrates 49 Candidates for Ministry
Some of the candidates for ministry who were present in Iowa to be congratulated and blessed by Synod 2014.
Karen Huttenga
Synod 2014 approved 49 candidates for the office of minister of the Word in the Christian Reformed Church.
Sixteen candidates made the trip to Pella, Iowa, to share in synod’s rejoicing that six women and 43 men are now available to be called to a variety of ministries.
Rev. Jul Medenblik, president of Calvin Theological Seminary, addressed the candidates - including those watching the synod webcast, by quoting from John 15:4: “Remain in me….and apart from me you can do nothing.”
He challenged them to remember “who you are and whose you are,” not only in times of transition but as they faced the challenges of obedience in doing fruitful ministry.
Rev. David Koll, director of the Candidacy Committee, led the assembly in a litany of celebration and singing that moved some delegates to tears.
Koll concluded by reminding both the candidates and the delegates that these men and women didn’t get through the rigorous process alone. Parents, spouses, Sunday School teachers, pastors, classes, teachers and more have supported and encouraged them to this point. Synod agreed and applauded.
Before the candidates and families headed out to be congratulated personally, the synod president, Rev. Scott Greenway, mandated them once more with words from Colossians 1: “We proclaim Him…struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me….” He underscored again the truth, “It’s not about you! It’s about Jesus Christ. Work in His power.”
Greenway asked the candidates present to stand with their home classis for prayer, adding “If you don’t recognize your classis, just find one that looks good.”
He then prayed the prayer of the church for them: “May they serve You with boldness and zeal all of the days of their lives to make Jesus Christ known. Give them a steady sense of Your nearness.” Those gathered echoed “Amen.”
For continuous coverage of Synod 2014 including the live webcast, news, video recordings, photos, liveblog, social media links, and more visit www.crcna.org/synod
