In 2006, the migration of workers first came onto Synod’s agenda through the work of a study committee commissioned by Classis Zeeland to address a pastoral concern arising from one of its congregations. The local church had engaged in ministry to migrant workers for several years, offering ESL classes, Bible studies, and other kinds of practical help to families in need, including occasional legal assistance for immigration and work status.
The congregation wanted to receive into membership some of these families who professed faith in Christ, but given the strong Reformed tradition of “fencing the table” from those who are known to persist in sinful behavior, they asked for advice from classis to determine if living without status in a country was inconsistent with the demands for life lived according to God’s will.
Unhappily, due to the presentation in the overture, the broader issue of ministering to immigrant neighbors and addressing their needs was eclipsed by a discussion that focused on church discipline. Synod 2007 rejected Overture 6, apologizing for the hurt caused by the tone and thrust of the overture, its lack of inclusive language, and its narrow focus.
However, Synod 2007 did recognize the need to address the conditions under which undocumented migrants in both Canada and the United States live, and thus it formed a committee to report and recommend how the CRC might better address the needs of those who are marginalized by their lack of legal status.
In 2010, the committee presented its report to Synod on “the issue of migration of workers as it relates to the church’s ministries of inclusion, compassion, and hospitality, and to propose ways for the church to advocate on behalf of those who are marginalized" (Acts of Synod 2007, p. 596).
In response, Synod adopted thirteen recommendations on areas including education and awareness, ministry of mercy and compassion, and justice and advocacy.
Synod reaffirmed that the church treat all individuals as the image of God regardless of ethnicity, background or legal status, and that God’s Word consistently directs Christians to welcome the strangers in their midst and to extend special care to most vulnerable in society.
In this vein, Synod calls CRC churches to take action in a variety of ways:
EDUCATE
In an issue that has become politically polarized, it’s essential for Christians to engage in thoughtful study and discussion of the economic, political, social, and spiritual issues involved in the church’s ministry with immigrant people. This can include the study of the 2010 Synodical Migration Report.
SHOW COMPASSION
Following our Scriptural calling to welcome the stranger, we demonstrate Christ’s love to the marginalized, offering assistance for needy immigrants and for their children in terms of financial assistance, food, clothing, and shelter.
ADVOCATE
We call on our elected officials to reform immigration laws in the United States and Canada so that they may be fair, just, and equitable regarding those without status.
The Office of Social Justice encourages churches to consider advocating for Comprehensive Immigration Reform as a way forward, which includes the following:
- Border enforcement and protection initiatives that are consistent with humanitarian values while allowing the authorities to enforce the law and implement American immigration policy;
- Reforms in our family-based immigration system that reduce the waiting time for separated families to be safely reunited and maintain the constitutionally guaranteed rights of birthright citizenship and the ability of immigrants to earn naturalization;
- An opportunity for all immigrant workers and their families already in the U.S. to come out of the shadows and pursue the option of an earned path towards permanent legal status and citizenship upon satisfaction of specific criteria;
- A viable guest worker program that creates legal avenues for workers and their families to enter our country and work in a safe, legal, and orderly manner with their rights and due process fully protected, and provides an option for workers to maintain legal status independent of an employer sponsor; and
- A framework to examine and ascertain solutions to the root causes of migration, such as economic disparities between sending and receiving nations.
What has the Office of Social Justice done?
- The CRCNA's Executive Director signed the statement from the National Association of Evangelicals calling for comprehensive immigration reform. The CRCNA's Board of Trustees then endorsed the statement.
- Peter Vander Meulen, OSJ Coordinator, signed an interfaith statement on immigration reform.
- We are contributors to the Interfaith Immigration Coalition, and have encouraged congregational participation in various actions of this group, including prayer vigils and advocacy. We are also members of Reform Immigration for America, and have provided an important voice from the faith community to that broad coalition of partners.
- Jerry Dykstra was one of many conservative Christian leaders whose name was included in an advertisement in Roll Call, the newsletter received by US congresspeople, calling for lawmakers to enact comprehensive immigration reform.
- We have signed various immigration-related letters that ask lawmakers to address specific needs: for example, after the Haiti earthquake, the Office of Social Justice was included as a signatory on a letter asking that US deportations of Haitians be suspended temporarily in the wake of the disaster.
- Our advocate list has received alerts on the issue of immigration: 1) Countering the capitol hill day of action of the hate group Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) in the wake of its misleading and irresponsible treatise on a Biblical view of immigration, 2) Encouraging support for the DREAM Act, and US bill which would provide a means of legalization for young immigrants who were brought to the US during their childhood and who now face severe limitations because of their lack of status, 3) Supported the Reuniting Families Act through a postcard campaign and holiday cards.
- CRC leaders and members, including Peter Borgdorff, the former Executive Director of the CRC, made an appearance at an immigration rally in Grand Rapids in 2006. You can watch why immigration reform is important to them as Christians.
- CRC member Dean Koldenhoven wrote an op/ed in Southown, his Illinois hometown newspaper.
