Synod 2014 in Review

When delegates to the Christian Reformed Church Synod 2014 gathered in Pella, Iowa to conduct the business of the denomination, including appointing a new executive director, they also met for a historic, joint session on Saturday evening, June 14.

The meeting with delegates from the Reformed Church in America General Synod 2014 included a time of sharing stories about things — some humorous, others personal and painful — that have divided the denominations for more than 150 years.

They then voted unanimously to approve a  Resolution of Relationship Between the Reformed Church in America and the Christian Reformed Church in North America.

Among other things, the joint statement declares it is time to heal long-time rifts and to work together on all matters whenever possible.

The session concluded with cheers, hugs, handshakes, and applause as delegates from both denominations joined hands to sing the doxology.

Another highlight came on Sunday evening, June 15, when Rev. Peter Borgdorff, the deputy executive director of the CRC, preached at a service of praise and worship to about 1,700 people gathered in Pella’s Vermeer Pavilion.  

Besides the resolution and joint service, the synods set aside time for presentations that focused on some of the ministries that the denominations are doing together in what is called the Reformed Collaborative.

Synod was also a time of significant transitions, as Dr. Steven Timmermans, who until recently had been president of Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights, Ill., was appointed to be the new executive director.

Meanwhile, Rev. Joel R. Boot, who had served as executive director of the Christian Reformed Church since 2011, gave his final state-of-the-church message.

Delegates also ratified Rev. Darren Roorda, pastor of a  CRC congregation in Kitchener, Ontario, to be Canadian ministries director.

And Rev. Sheila Holmes, the first African American chair of the CRC’s Board of Trustees, said goodbye after six years on the board. She called for the church to keep its focus on diversity.

On the evening of June 17, delegates peppered Sarah Steen Schreiber with questions about her area of expertise in Old Testament theology before approving her as an assistant professor at the Christian Reformed Church seminary in Grand Rapids, Mich.

Earlier that day, Synod 2014 approved 49 candidates for the office of minister of the Word in the Christian Reformed Church.

Delegates also responded to a report about violence in Nigeria and offered prayer for a CRC pastor who has been missing for a year.

After impassioned debate about the contents and role of its denominational magazine, The Banner, Synod 2014 lamented the publication of two controversial articles last summer and ordered a review of the magazine’s mandate.

Synod turned down a request for a study committee to examine recent theologies that deny the historicity of the Genesis account of creation.

But Synod did acknowledge that this is an important topic and asked Calvin College and other CRC-related colleges to make resources on the creation account available, saying these are already plentiful and could be instructive.

Visit Synod 2014 for more stories and video clips.