Synod Agrees to CRWRC Name Change

Synod 2012 agreed to change the name of Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (CRWRC) to World Renew, but not without significant debate and the vote was not unanimous.

Many delegates agreed that the change would be advantageous to CRWRC, the denomination’s relief and development agency, by making it easier to partner with other organizations and to work in predominantly Muslim countries.

But others were unhappy that the new name does not include the word “Christian,” despite the cross in the logo and a tagline that says, “Living Justice, Loving Mercy, Serving Christ.”

While the name World Renew was the only part officially adopted by synod, for legal reasons, delegates were assured that the tagline will stay in place unless the board of CRWRC agrees to change or remove it. During the transition, the new logo will also include a line that says, “CRWRC continuing as…”

Several delegates expressed concern that there is a Roman Catholic publication called World Renew. They said the purpose of that publication is to convince young people to come back to the Roman Catholic church.

Delegates from areas with a large Roman Catholic population predicted that confusion between the CRC’s agency and that publication would cause problems, but synod turned down a suggestion to send the proposal back to further investigate that issue.

Some delegates felt that taking “Christian Reformed” out of the name weakens ties between congregations and the agency. CRWRC is not just an organization that does relief and development work, one said, but it is the way the people in local congregations can do relief and development work.

Others said that as long as CRWRC continues to great work congregations will continue to support it, regardless of the name.

For continuous coverage of Synod 2012, including a live webcast, visit www.crcna.org/Synod.