Worship Sets the Tone for Synod 2019

“God loves to hang out with people who are broken and who know it,” Rev. Steve Kooy told the delegates of Synod 2019. 

Kooy leads Geneva House campus ministry at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ont. and is a delegate to this year’s synod. He was asked to give the morning address on Saturday, June 15.

The topic for his sermon was “Fallen Leaders.” It was the first in a series of worship times that will be held during Synod 2019, each focusing on one aspect that came out of the Canons of Dort, an exploration of the five points of Reformation that were developed in 1619. 

“This year we are commemorating the 400th anniversary of the Synod of Dort,” explained Rev. Joyce Borger, director of Worship Ministries and organizer of synod worship, noting that Synod 2018 encouraged congregations, classes, ministries and agencies to celebrate this anniversary throughout 2019.

“As requested by last year's synod we are using the themes of the Canons of Dort for worship,” said Borger, before adding that they had decided to utilize the acronym FAITH to organize these services. 

This acronym is explained in FAITH Unfolded: A Fresh Look at the Reformed Faith by Jim Osterhouse, and is an update on the more traditional acronym TULIP which explained the five points as total depravity, unconditional election, limited atonement, irresistible grace, and perseverance of the saints.

The first point of the FAITH acronym is “Fallen Humanity.” During his morning address, Kooy asked delegates to raise their hands if they were hypocrites who notice sin in others but sometimes neglect to see it in themselves. He also asked them to raise their hands if they were fallen, broken, and in need of salvation. Every hand was raised.

“That’s unanimous. Mr. Chair I’d like it added to the minutes that every delegate at synod acknowledges that we are fallen sinners,” he said. 

Fortunately, he continued, we have a God who meets us in our brokenness. When we accept that we are fallen, repent and refocus on Jesus and his kingdom, God will be there.

“The most important item on every agenda at every level is Jesus,” he said, adding that “Effective leadership requires spiritual qualities only God can give.” 

He encouraged delegates to pray for discernment and wisdom, to extend grace to each other’s brokenness and to work together for God’s purposes. Only then can much be accomplished.

“We need dependence on God in our brokenness,” he concluded.

The additional points of the FAITH acronym will be explored throughout the coming week. “Adopted by God” will be the theme on Monday, “Intentional Atonement” on Tuesday, “Transformed by the Holy Spirit” on Wednesday, and “Held by God” will be examined before Synod 2019 concludes on Thursday, June 20. 

Worship times will be shared online via livestream. You can watch them live at crcna.org/synod or tune in later to catch the video recording. 

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.