Synod Convenes Briefly

Synod 2011 convened in a brief plenary session on Saturday morning for worship and some routine business.

Rev. Joel Kok, delegate from Classis Toronto, led the worship with assistance from members of Sherman Street Christian Reformed Church in Grand Rapids, Mich. Tom Sims from Sherman Street shared his testimony of conversion.

Delegates also greeted a group of 75 CRC chaplains meeting in Grand Rapids for their annual conference. The CRC has about 120 chaplains serving in many settings.

On a humorous note, Rev. James Dekker, president of Synod 2011, noted that he hadn’t packed any neckties, as he hadn’t expected to be elected. A synod staffer provided him with a selection of ties, but delegates voted that Dekker did not need to wear a tie, though the first clerk suggested that perhaps they should sing “Blest be the Tie that Binds”.

After voting for members of various denominational boards, the session was adjourned.

Delegates will spend the rest of the day in advisory committees. Synod will reconvene at 7 p.m. to hear a report from the Board of Trustees and from Rev. Joel Boot, interim executive director of the denomination.

For complete coverage of Synod 2011 including live synod webcasts visit: crcna.org/synod