Synod Sees Strengthening of CRC-RCA Ties
Leaders from the Christian Reformed Church and the Reformed Church in America signed a memorandum of agreement for domestic disaster relief work.
Karen Huttenga
Offering what they called a “window into what God is doing,” the leaders of the Christian Reformed Church (CRC) and the Reformed Church in America (RCA) spoke to Synod 2013 about ways that the denominations are working together.
Rev. Joel Boot, executive director of the CRC, and Rev. Tom De Vries, general secretary of the RCA, jointly addressed the delegates.
Delegates also received a handout listing more than 40 ways that the two denominations are collaborating, including church planting, disability ministries, ministry to chaplains, and shared administrative functions.
“We are increasing efficiencies and reducing redundancies,” De Vries said. “We are excited.”
“The holy spirit is accelerating the relationship,” added Boot.
A new development in the CRC-RCA partnership is that the RCA is adopting the CRC’s relief and development agency, World Renew, as its domestic relief agency.
Already, the two denominations have collaborated in storm clean-ups, including after the Moore, Okla., tornado in May.
Representatives signed a memorandum of understanding as delegates watched.
“We talk about our denominations holding hands, but you’ve taken that metaphor one step further,” synod president William Koopmans said to De Vries.
“More than holding hands, we are becoming part of one arm. You have added muscle and money.”
For continuous coverage of Synod 2013 including the live webcast, news, video recordings, photos, liveblog, social media links, and more visit www.crcna.org/synod.
