Synod Discontinues Role of Ethnic Advisers

Synod 2014 has no ethnic advisers this year, for the first time in the 18 years that the role has existed.

That’s because there are more than 25 delegates from ethnic minorities at this year’s synod. That was the threshold set when Synod 1996 established the practice of having ethnic advisers to bring their perspectives to synod’s deliberations.

What some delegates did not realize until it was announced this morning is that it isn’t just this year that there won’t be ethnic advisers.

“If the number drops below 25, do ethnic advisers come back?” asked elder Mack Randall from Classis Grand Rapids North.

The short answer is no. Synod president Rev. Scott Greenway explained that bringing back the role of ethnic advisers would require action by the Board of Trustees or an overture from a church or classis to a future synod.

“We have to encourage classes to send people that represent our diversity,” said Rev. John Tenyenhuis, a delegate from Classis Toronto who is serving on the synod executive as first clerk.

In other business, synod voted for representatives to a number of boards and committees.

After the plenary session ended, delegates returned to their advisory committees for the rest of the morning and afternoon. This evening will feature a joint session of the CRC synod with the general synod of the Reformed Church in America at which delegates will be asked to approve a resolution on ways that the two denominational are collaborating in ministry.

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.