Synod 2015 Makes Far-Reaching Decisions

For all of the stories, blogs, photos, archived webcasts and documents from Synod 2015, visit www.crcna.org/synod.

Among all the decisions made by Synod 2015, three will have an especially far-reaching effect on the life of the Christian Reformed Church and how it works.

In one decision, delegates to Synod 2015 approved a proposal — which had been discussed in one form or another for many years — to change the way in which the denomination is governed. The plan will see four boards replaced by a Council of Delegates of perhaps 60 members by 2018 or sooner.

The four boards included are the Board of Trustees, which conducts the work of synod when synod is not in session, and the boards of Christian Reformed Home Missions, Christian Reformed World Missions and Back to God Ministries International. The new Council of Delegates will rely on a committee structure to provide needed focus on specific agencies and ministries.

In another decision, synod decided to allow Christian Reformed Home Missions and Christian Reformed World Missions to unify into one agency for mission. Already the two agencies are working together in different areas, and this move will help them to better address and expand the ways in which they do ministry in today’s global world.

In a third decision, synod voted to expand the role of deacons, making them full participants in the broader decision-making bodies of the CRC.

Throughout CRC history, only elders and ministers have been delegated to synod from classes, but now delegations will consist of a minister, an elder, a deacon, and, in the case of synod, one other officebearer who may be either a minister, an elder, or a deacon.

Meeting on the campus of Dordt College in Sioux Center, Iowa, synod delegates also heard from Dr. Steven Timmermans, the CRC’s executive director, who said membership statistics show that the church has turned a corner.

“The CRC has more total members in 2015 than it did the year before, and the year before. God is blessing us with growth," he said.

Delegates also heard from Rev. Scott Greenway, vice president of the Board of Trustees of the CRC, who said that through five years of significant change, some of it painful, God has provided for his church in amazing ways.

“We can move forward boldly with confidence,” said Greenway. “We know God’s hand will provide. I’ve witnessed it. I’m grateful for it.”

In addition, delegates heard from Canadian Ministries Director Darren Roorda about the CRC's ministry in Canada.

Meanwhile, almost 100 delegates and visitors to Synod 2015 attended a workshop on Sunday evening, June 14 to learn how their churches can participate in a pilot program on faith formation.

Syd Hielema, the team leader of the CRC’s new Faith Formation ministry, spoke of how the team is creating a model for understanding how people come to faith.

In a presentation to synod, Rev. Jul Medenblik, president of Calvin Theological Seminary, described new ways in which the seminary is engaging, equipping and empowering the church today, both in North America and worldwide.

These include the seminary’s long-distance-learning program, a new certificate in ministry for Hispanic pastors, and work with inmates at the Angola prison in Louisiana and a program that aims to bring Christian higher education in Michigan prisons.

Additionally, Synod 2015 approved 44 candidates for Minister of the Word in the Christian Reformed Church; approved a way for ministry of the Word candidates from the Reformed Church in America to receive a first call in the CRC, and decided that candidates for Minister of the Word in the CRC will have more involvement with their local church as part of their preparation for ministry.

Synod also decided to change The Church Order so that it will now specify matters affecting churches that affiliate with one or more denominations with which the CRC is in ecclesiastical fellowship, including church-giving decisions, appeals against council actions, pastoral discipline, pension plans and procedures for closing churches.

In other business, Synod 2015 encouraged CRC congregations to study and incorporate the Belhar Confession's themes into their discipling and liturgical ministries; approved a new new mandate for The Banner; received a preliminary report on religious persecution, and held a listening session on the topic of same-sex marriage.

Synod also voted to reinstate the practice of including women advisors to synod, paralleling the guidelines established for ethnic advisers, and disbanded and expressed thanks to the Sermons for Reading Services committee of the Christian Reformed Church.

Additionally, synod heard about the importance of addressing the issue of sexual abuse by officebearers; encouraged churches to use the Blanket Exercise, and agreed that two young adult representatives will be appointed to the Board of Trustees for two-year terms as a way for synod to hear the perspective of young people.

Synod also heard from and said goodbye to a number of church leaders who are retiring. These included Andrew Ryskamp, director of World Renew-U.S.; Rev. Robert De Moor who is stepping down as editor of the The Banner, and Rev. Joel Boot, who served as executive director and then director of ministries and administration.

In his parting address, Boot gave words of advice to the church. “I’ve been telling the Christian Reformed Church that the ground is shaking beneath our feet, but God is the still point in a trembling universe,” he said.

At the same time there were goodbyes, synod welcomed Colin Watson Sr. to serve as director of ministries and administration; ratified the appointment of Carol Bremer-Bennett to serve as director of World Renew U.S., and appointed Rev. Leonard Vander Zee as interim editor of The Banner.

In ecumenical matters, guests from Madagascar and the RCA and from representatives the Netherlands and South Africa addressed synod.

Synod also took time to pray for those killed in and affected by a church shooting in Charleston, S.C. Rev. Stedford Sims from Classis Grand Rapids East led delegates through a prayer of lament and hope after synod heard the news of the mass shooting that occurred last week .

Sims cried out to God for comfort for those in pain, for the families of those slain, and for the leaders of the historic black church who will have to navigate the tragedy in the congregation.