Synod 2009 Wraps Up

June 18, 2009 -- Synod 2009 wrapped up on Thursday evening after handling a final group of issues, including the question of giving deacons in the Christian Reformed Church a voice in Synod.

Although many delegates spoke in favor of expanding Synod to include deacons as advisers, Synod voted against it. Some delegates suggested this could be reconsidered at a future Synod.

About 8:30 p.m., Synod began thanking a range of people who had participated in or provided support to Synod. They especially mentioned the staff at Trinity Christian College who provided extra attention when many people fell ill.

Synod then closed with prayer and song.

“God chose you for a time such as this. … Let us now totally and in unity give our hearts in worship,” said Rev. Sheila Holmes, vice president of Synod.

In earlier business during the afternoon, Synod authorized the Interchurch Relations Committee of the Christian Reformed Church to begin efforts to establish dialogue with persons from faiths other than Christianity.

Synod also allowed time for Rev. Jerry Dykstra, executive director of the CRC, to explain how he has helped to change the administrative structure of the denomination in recent years.

Delegates peppered Dykstra with questions on why, for example, he had changed the make-up of the Ministry Council, a body that met regularly with him to discuss ministry issues.

The questions grew fairly heated until Toby Lewis, a delegate from Classis Atlantic Northeast, stood up and spoke. “We need to trust our executive director,” he said. … “It must be daunting to have more than 180 micro-managers.”

This brought laughter and a break in the tension.

The issue involving the Interchurch Relations Committee, which will be renamed the Ecumenical Relations Committee on July 1, focused on expanding the IRC’s mandate.

Until now, the mandate has been to link with other Christian denominations, especially those with a Reformed perspective. Synod instructed the IRC to submit a rationale for and wording of a revised mandate to Synod 2010 for approval.

“We note that in recent years there is increasing opportunity for interfaith dialogue,” said Rev. Richard J. deLange, reporter for the synodical committee that dealt with interdenominational matters.

“The purpose of interfaith dialogue is to foster better understanding between people of different faiths living in a pluralistic society… I think we need to take this seriously and see where it leads us.”

Delegates asked several questions of deLange, mostly revolving around what impact such dialogue would have on the CRC. Jose Rayas, a delegate from Classis Arizona, said that he wants the IRC to make sure that it doesn’t dilute Reformed doctrine as it undertakes discussions with people of other faiths.

“If we are going to do this,” he said, “we are going to have to read and study our confessions carefully.”

One concern expressed by delegates was whether the job of coming up with the mandate and materials to help churches in the process of interfaith dialogue would be too big for the IRC. IRC members said they have the same concerns and will be looking at that issue in coming months.

—Chris Meehan, CRC Communications

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