Synod Ratifies New BTGMI Leader

After spending much of the day dealing with a judicial matter involving Maranatha (Belleville) Christian Reformed Church, Synod 2012 reconvened in mid afternoon and quickly dealt with a variety of matters, including ratifying the appointment of Rev. Kurt Selles to be the new director of Back to God Ministries International.

Selles, a former Christian Reformed World Missions missionary and teacher, will take up his new post in August.

Synod also recognized with appreciation the work of Rev. Jimmy Tae-On Lin as interim director of the agency, which works in media ministry worldwide in 10 languages, and noted with sadness the passing of the former director, Rev. Robert Heerspink.

Synod delegates praised Heerspink’s effective and visionary leadership of Back to God Ministries International. They also prayed for his family as they continue to deal with his unexpected illness and untimely death last year.

Synod also approved the recommendation of a study committee to changing the title of those currently serving as a ministry associate to “commissioned pastor.” “Such a change will give encouragement and support to those serving in this office,” the committee said.

This issue drew a fair amount of discussion from delegates, some of whom approved of the change, while others wanted to change the title to associate pastor, and others expressed concerns about how people might interpret the name change.

Rev. David Koll, director of the CRC’s Candidacy Committee, spoke in favor of the new name.

In making the change, the church is “trying to live out the reality” of the range and significance of work that ministry associates do by changing the name to better describe their roles, he said. “We want to raise up opportunities (and recognition) for people to do ministry.”

As it neared the end of its session, synod declined a request to allow “union” classes that would belong to both the CRC and the Reformed Church in America.

A delegate from Arizona spoke in favor of the request, saying it would make it easier for the work that a CRC classis and an RCA classis are already doing in that area. But several delegates spoke against the motion and synod voted to decline the request.

For continuous coverage of Synod 2012, please visit www.crcna.org/Synod.