Paul De Vries Speaks to Synod on Behalf of Council of Delegates
Rev. Paul De Vries speaks to Synod 2018 on behalf of the COD
Karen Huttenga
When Rev. Paul De Vries spoke to delegates at Synod 2018, he shared his favorite synod memory from previous years and used it to show solidarity between synod and the brand-new Council of Delegates.
A few years ago, De Vries was on an advisory committee that was tasked with considering if the word “male” should be removed from church order. The committee was entirely male other than one woman from Nigeria.
“Her name was difficult to pronounce,” said De Vries, “so she told us a way to help us say it.”
The woman’s name was Foiye. She explained that committee members could remember how to say it because it sounded like “for ya” and they would find throughout their work, that she was for them.
In a similar way, said De Vries, the COD is there for synod.
“We are you and you are us,” said De Vries, chair of COD, told Synod delegates.
The Council first met in fall 2017, so this was its first time reporting to synod. De Vries emphasized throughout his address that the new Council of Delegates (COD) is on the side of every person in the Christian Reformed Church.
The Council includes 52 delegates, representing each classis (regional group of churches) in the denomination along with at-large delegates. As the CRC’s new governing body, the Council replaced the Board of Trustees last summer.
De Vries also pointed out that, “We have no authority other than the authority you give us.”
The COD governs the CRCNA on behalf of synod when it is not in session. It meets three times a year, but has no authority beyond what it is given by synod. It doesn’t make final decisions, DeVries explained. All of its recommendations must be approved by Synod.
“The important distinction is that ultimately the authority resides with you,” DeVries said. “We follow your instruction.When we don’t, call us.”
“None of us really know what we are doing in this era of fast and quick change. We are brand new, less than a year old. We are making it up as we go. We need you to be for us, because we are for you.”
For continuous coverage of Synod 2018 including the live webcast, news, video recordings, photos, reports, liveblog, social media links, and more visit www.crcna.org/synod.
