Synod Approves Timmermans as Commissioned Pastor for the Denomination

Synod 2015 made an exception to its rules regarding commissioned pastors in order to recognize the executive director’s role in ministering to the whole denomination.

Steven Timmermans, executive director of the Christian Reformed Church, was recently examined and approved by Classis Grand Rapids East as a commissioned pastor.

Ordinarily, commissioned pastors serve only in the classis (a regional group of churches) in which they are ordained. But synod decided that Timmermans’ ordination will apply throughout the denomination, opening the way for him to be invited to preach in any CRC church.

Timmermans is the first executive director who is not an ordained minister of the Word, an exception granted by Synod 2013 with the provision that he be ordained as an officebearer.

Synod agreed with the request from Timmermans’ classis to expand his local ordination, noting that “it is important for the executive director to be seen as serving the whole denomination and not only in those classes that choose to recognize him as a commissioned pastor.”

Some delegates asked whether this would set precedent for other commissioned pastors. “We’re violating our own rules here,” said Rev. Mike Bentley, Classis Hudson. “I’m confused over exactly how wide we’re opening the door....”

Synod noted, however, that “this is not to be considered a new normal for the commissioned pastor position.”

For continuous coverage of Synod 2015 including the live webcast, news, video recordings, photos, liveblog, social media links, and more visit www.crcna.org/synod.