Synod Hears from Churches in the Netherlands and South Africa
Arie Jan Plaisier, general secretary of the Protestant Church in the Netherlands
Karen Huttenga
Synod heard from representatives of two churches with whom the denomination has had long and sometimes difficult relationships.
Arie Jan Plaisier, general secretary of the Protestant Church in the Netherlands (PCN), spoke of getting back to basics. The PCN was formed 11 years ago by the union of two large and historic Reformed churches in the Netherlands and one smaller Lutheran church.
The relationship with the CRC has been controversial because of some of the doctrinal and moral stances of the PCN.
Plaisier spoke of the value of unity. He said that the CRC is “a special partner” for the PCN on this continent. He noted the difficulty of being faithful to the mission of Christ in the face of an increasingly secularized society. “It is a time of purification, back to the basics,” he said.
“When faith begins to waver [and] become uncertain, it’s good to know that [we] are part of a larger whole,” he added.
Nelus Niemandt, the moderator of the Dutch Reformed Church of South Africa, also addressed synod. Niemandt observed that his denomination is struggling with the same issues as the CRC. He mentioned same sex marriage, issues of persecution and liberty, denominational structure and culture, and the roles of elders and deacons.
He said that a breakthrough has been reached in discussions to unify four large Reformed denominations in South Africa. The church has placed an emphasis on equipping its congregations to be missional as they face “vast social and spiritual problems” in their cultural context.
Together with other Reformed churches, they have declared a “season of human dignity.” He thanked the CRC for its partnership and leadership among Reformed churches.
The delegates from the Netherlands and South Africa were thanked by synod vice president Rev. William Veenstra, who remarked on the close relationship of the CRC with these denominations.
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