Synod Explores Future of RCA-CRC Partnership
Rev. Kayla Fik, ecumenical delegate from the Reformed Church in America
Karen Huttenga
Synod 2017, the general assembly of the Christian Reformed Church (CRC), spent about an hour on June 12 exploring three options for the future of the partnership between the denomination and the Reformed Church in America (RCA).
In 2014, the two denominations adopted what has come to be known as the Pella accord. This statement read that, “the RCA and CRC should act together in all matters except those in which deep differences of conviction compel them to act separately.”
The renewed partnership that started following this accord has led to several collaborative efforts, including the Reformed Benefits Association, which manages employee benefits for both denominations.
In June 2018, the RCA and CRCNA will hold a joint session of their synods at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Mich. During this assembly, they will talk about how to extend their partnership.
After a brief address to synod by Rev. Kayla Fik, ecumenical delegate of the RCA, three options to extend the partnership were presented through the use of a video: increased coordination, in which the two denominations would work together where possible; increased collaboration, in which the denominations would build new ministries and programs together; or new creation, in which the denominations would create a new denomination together.
The delegates were asked to discuss these alternatives among the members of their regional delegation. The results were collected and will become information for the 2018 discussion and decisions.
For continuous coverage of Synod 2017 including the live webcast, news, video recordings, photos, reports, liveblog, social media links, and more visit www.crcna.org/synod.
