Delegates Urged to 'Keep Unity in the Bond of Peace'
John Rottman preaching at the Synodical Service of Prayer and Praise.
Karen Huttenga
At the Synodical Service of Prayer and Praise on Sunday afternoon, Rev. John Rottman preached on Ephesians 4, focusing on Paul’s admonition to “make every effort to keep the unity in the bond of peace” in the face of cultural pressures regarding sexuality.
Synod is the annual general assembly of the Christian Reformed Church. Delegates from across North America are meeting this week at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
The culture of the world around us “rages against the church’s teaching,” Rottmann said. “There is the danger of shipwreck, which could eventually split a church.”
He noted that Paul was writing to churches “in danger of being tossed by every wind of teaching.
“Paul points to the deep reality of their life with God. As it faces the storm, the church turns to God and confesses its faith. It stands with the whole church through the ages.”
With delegates facing a week that includes a potentially stormy debate on the topic of same-sex marriage, Rottman said, “As our part of the church faces storms of the present day, God’s Spirit animates and guides us as we speak the truth to each other in love with the power of the Spirit and the bond of peace.”
With such an anchor, he added, “How can we possibly go wrong?”
The service was hosted by North Hills CRC in Troy, Mich. and featured Rev. Randall Engle on the organ, the Oakland University Brass, and the Calvin College Alumni Choir.
Engle, who is also the pastor of North Hills, prayed, “As one now, together in worship, may we see your glory. Reveal in us again that our story is not a story of us holding on to you, but . . . of a faithful savior who always holds on to us.”
For continuous coverage of Synod 2016 including the live webcast, news, video recordings, photos, liveblog, social media links, and more visit www.crcna.org/synod.
