42 Candidates Welcomed, Some Anonymously
The 2019 Candidates for the office of Minister of the Word.
Karen Huttenga
A highlight of every Christian Reformed Church synod is when delegates welcome new candidates for ministry. This year was no different. With much joy and celebration, 42 men and women were presented as candidates for the office of minister of the Word.
What was different this year was that four of them asked to be identified only by their initials. Their concern, said David Koll, director of the CRC Candidacy Committee, is that the locations where they hope to do ministry are potentially risky to Christians.
“They are entering into areas [of the Middle East and Asia] where it won’t be safe for them or their families, so they need to remain anonymous,” said Koll. “It’s an indication that the CRC is going to places where it hasn’t gone before these days.”
Twenty-five candidates, including one of the anonymous ones, were present in person for synod’s celebration. Others followed along online as Synod 2019 welcomed them with words of encouragement, expressions of congratulations, and a time of worship.
Jul Medenblik, president of Calvin Theological Seminary, pointed out that this year the number of new candidates for ministry was exactly the same as the number of ministers who are retiring from ministry this year—42.
These retiring pastors have served in ministry for a total of 1,227 years
“Let’s call this your first day,” he said to the new candidates. “You do not get to 1,227 years without faithful days. We want to encourage you to a long obedience day by day, year by year in the same direction.”
Synod president William Koopmans also addressed the candidates. “Surround yourself with the truth each day,” he said, “But never surrender the truth. Keep your eyes on Jesus.”
As the session ended, friends and family members laid their hands on the candidates while Koopmans prayed for the Holy Spirit to empower them.
Following this service, candidates, delegates, staff, family, and friends spent time in celebration and fellowship over coffee and cake.
For continuous coverage of Synod 2019 including the live webcast, news, video recordings, photos, liveblog, social media links, and more visit www.crcna.org/synod.
