Below are extracts of news reports from the CRC Magazine, The Banner, as well as a link to read more details on these and other stories
RCA and CRC Synods Meet in Joint Session
Roxanne Van Farowe
For the first time ever, the Reformed Church in America (RCA) and the Christian Reformed Church (CRC) held a joint session of their respective synods Thursday afternoon.
Timing was perfect for the event because the RCA synod began as the CRC synod wrapped up, and both met at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Mich.
“Steps have been slowly coming together since first we went apart,” said Rev. James Dekker, president of the CRC synod. The RCA and the CRC separated in 1857 but in recent years have been working together in several ways.
The joint session began with the two denominational directors sitting down together for what they called an “informal chat.”
“This is like a family reunion at long last,” said Rev. Joel Boot, interim director of the CRC. “We celebrate the fact that we are closer now than we have been since 1857. For the glory of God and the good of the church and the world, I give thanks to God.”
Rev. Wesley Granberg-Michaelson, retiring general secretary of the RCA, pointed out a few distinctions between the denominations: “You [the CRC] are really a bi-national church in a full way. . . . You’re very cohesive—you put your mind to something and get it done. . . . The RCA is more diverse and has a deep ecumenical involvement.”
Delegates from both synods heard several examples of the two denominations’ work together.
Church planters Revs. Nate and Andrea DeWaard spoke about the Kingdom Enterprise Zone, a joint church multiplication endeavor the denominations share.
No Ministry Share Increase This Year
Dan Postma
There will be no ministry share increase for 2011-2012. Ministry share is the dollar amount the Christian Reformed Church asks its churches to contribute per adult member to advance the denomination’s shared ministry efforts.
The $316.76 requested per member remains at the 2010-2011 level. However, the allocation of ministry share revenue within the CRC’s overall 2011-2012 budget of $209 million has been adjusted.
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Peter Harkema, director of denominational advancement, told Synod 2011 delegates that, according to more than 2,000 survey responses from CRC members across North America, almost three-quarters of members feel “very positive” or “somewhat positive” about the ministry-share program.
“This remains a very good way to fund ministry,” said Harkema.
No Confessional Status for Contemporary Testimony
Dan Postma
Our World Belongs to God: A Contemporary Testimony, first adopted by the Christian Reformed Church in the 1980s as a testimony, will not be raised to the status of a confession (alongside the Belgic Confession, the Canons of Dort, and the Heidelberg Catechism).
Synod 2011 delegates decided that with the CRC actively debating the status of the Belhar Confession, the denomination already shows considerable “confessional vitality,” and that 2011-2012 is not a good time to consider promoting the Contemporary Testimony.
Rules Changed for Pastors Loaned to Other Denominations
Ryan Struyk
Synod 2011 has removed the requirement that pastors serving outside of the denomination must try to bring their churches into the Christian Reformed Church “as a matter of duty.”
Instead synod said that the pastors should see their situation as an opportunity to encourage the church to affiliate with the CRC.
“The intent is that they would use their opportunity as Reformed leaders to impact that group and possibly bring them into the denomination,” explained Rev. Timothy Ouwinga, Classis Minnkota.
No Additional Rules for Separations of Pastors and Churches
Dan Postma
Synod 2011 decided not to add any more regulations to the existing process governing how churches and pastors separate from each other.
Classis Grand Rapids North (regional group of churches) asked synod to place a 16-to-18-month timetable on such separation procedures.
Classis Alberta North had sought to make mandatory the restorative healing efforts pastors, churches, and classes are to undertake during a separation. “It appears that after the terms of the separation (such as severance, provision for counseling, and other support) are agreed upon, the urge to seek healing of relational wounds often dissipates,” the request read.
Speaking to the latter proposal, Rev. Aaron Vriesman, Classis Zeeland, said, “I really like this overture. I’m involved with an Article 17 process right now, and I think that our church order could really use something like this.”