The Christian Reformed Church in North America (CRCNA) is a denomination of about 275,000 members in more than 1,000 churches across the US and Canada.
The majority recommendations of Committee 2B pass 129 to 54 with 3 abstaining. Synod declares churches, members, and office-bearers that have declared themselves to be in the status of protest shall be entered into the process of discipline.
#crcsynod
Larry Louters from Neland Ave. CRC addresses synod and shares how these decisions feel to the people involved. “I’d love to see our denomination lead with grace”
#crcsynod
We grieve that systemic racism claimed another black life. We pray that all of God's people would work harder to dismantle structural racism in every heart, mind, policy, and institution.
#justice
#lament
#antiracism
Delegates move to vote on this recommendation electronically. The vote is 137 to 47 in favour of the motion. This means synod affirms that confessional-difficulty gravamina are not meant, nor should be used as an exception to the confessions.
#crcsynod
The unedited recording of Thursday, June 16's morning
#crcsynod
session is now available. The officers of synod talked to the delegates involved and a decision was made to share the full recording.
Recommendation 2 that synod affirm that "unchastity" in the Heidelberg Catechism encompasses adultery, premarital sex, extra-marital sex, polyamory, pornography and homosexual sex, all of which violate the seventh commandment passes.
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Synod votes to pass the majority report of Committee 8D which addresses a process for churches who contradict synod’s decision on unchastity.
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Synod passes Recommendation A from Committee 8B. This includes instructing Neland Avenue CRC to immediately rescind any decisions to ordain office bearers who are in a same-sex, sexual marriage/relationship.
#crcsynod
The CRCNA has issued a statement regarding the recent mass shootings in El Paso, TX, and Dayton, OH. "We call on all members of the CRCNA to take an active stance against false narratives and to stand up against racism and acts of white supremacy."
Today's January Series speaker is Esau McCaulley, professor, theologian, speaker, and author of the award-winning book "Reading While Black: African American Biblical Interpretation as an Exercise in Hope."
@esaumccaulley
@JSeriesCalvin
Delegates vote. The motion carries to recommend the HSR to the churches as providing a useful summary of biblical teaching regarding human sexuality.
#crcsynod
There are 36 candidates this year. Eight are women and 15 are persons of color. Koll noted that for the first time ever, women and persons of color outnumber the number of white male candidates.
Some CRCNA staff in Burlington, Ontario wore their hockey jerseys to work today! Our thoughts and prayers are with the Humbolt Bronocs, their families, and the community.
#jerseysforhumbolt
On Dec. 7, the executive committee of the Council of Delegates voted unanimously to appoint Dr. Amanda Benckhuysen to the position of director of Safe Church Ministry for the CRCNA.
Whenever the massive problem of fighting white supremacy, racism or police violence freezes us in place, we don’t need a grand vision for reform and revolution. All we have to do is think of a “1-inch” action to get us going.
On May 9, 45 students received their bachelor degrees and 31 received their associate degrees inside Handlon Correctional Facility. Officials say this was the first bachelor's degree ceremony inside an active prison in modern history.
Beware Loveless Orthodoxy (June 2022 Editorial): Reflecting on a spirit of censure & distrust at my denomination's recent synod, I borrowed Jeffrey Weima's "loveless orthodoxy":
Steven Timmermans was one of over 100 faith leaders who signed an ad in the Washington Post today urging U.S leaders to take action to help vulnerable immigrants.
For 50+ years, Alvin Plantinga has been making an intellectual imprint on the field of philosophy. In 2017, the former
@CalvinCollege
professor was awarded the Templeton Prize ($1.4 million prize). Now Plantinga is donating nearly half of those winnings:
This year's officers of synod: Rev. Cal Hoogendoorn (second clerk), Rev. Scott Greenway (president), Rev. Elizabeth Vander Haagen (vice president), and Rev. Mary-Lee Bouma (first clerk). Thank you for your service.
#CrcSynod
CRCNA to sell Grand Rapids building after 65 years. “We give thanks for the 65 years of ministry that this building has supported, and for all of the people and resources that have filled its halls."
Happy Birthday, First CRC in Grand Rapids, MI! God has been faithful to you for 167 years! Offer a prayer of thanksgiving and eat a sweet dessert in celebration of this special day!
We grieve the death of Ahmaud Arbery. We pray for justice to come for his family; we pray that God's people would work hard to dismantle structural racism in every heart, mind, policy, and institution. Learn more about racial justice at .
CRC Member Is Michigan's First Woman as Senate Majority Leader (News): The first woman to be named majority leader in the Michigan State Senate, Winnie Brinks, is a member of the Christian Reformed Church.
"One thing I ask from the Lord,
this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the Lord
and to seek him in his temple."
Psalm 27:4
Period. End of Sentence. This Oscar-winning short documentary details how women in India are fighting stigma attached to menstruation.
Read more via
@crcbanner
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Synod votes to affirm the work of Committee 4C approving all three recommendations. They ask Calvin to develop language and processes in alignment with those in the CRC.
#crcsynod
We have witnessed tragedy once again this week. CRCNA Executive Director, Colin Watson, calls us to stand in solidarity with our Asian brothers and sisters.
#standagainstracism
#antiracism
#lament
We warmly congratulate the Candidates for Ministry.
Tomas Axeland, Rebecca Bokma, Joshua Carpenter, Jeremy Engbers, Catherine Ferchau, Dylan Harper, Jonathan Hwang, William Jones, Kevin Kornelis, Sung Su Lee, Brandon Mick, Robert Moore, Anastaze Nzabonimpa, Cameron Oegema...
The worship at
#CRCSynod
will focus on the Lord's prayer. This image was created by Matthew Lenko, who attends Campus Chapel in Ann Arbor, Mich. Find the worship playlist here:
How are churches are responding to the coronavirus outbreak? Join this FREE 2-day digital summit (March 26 & 27) to learn from leaders around the world about how your church can respond to the coronavirus. Acting CRC director, Colin Watson, is a speaker.
"In the midst of the largest global refugee crisis in memory, we stand as leaders of a church that is committed to welcome, openness, and hospitality. We cannot remain silent when policies are enacted which hinder the pursuit of this calling."
Synod does not accede to Overture 21C. This means that the footnote about unchastity in the Heidelberg Catechism retains "confessional status" as laid out by synod 2022.
#crcsynod
With online church, disabled people—including me and my family—were welcomed to church in more ways and more often than ever before. Let’s keep that up.
This year's officers of Synod. Left-Right: Aaron Vriesman (first clerk), Jose Rayas (president), Derek Buikema (vice president), Luann Sankey (second clerk). Thank you all for your service!
#crcsynod
#HeroesOfSynod
#crcsynod
Hearts Exchanged is a denominational project designed to equip Reformed Christians to engage with
#Indigenous
people as neighbours. The
@CRCCanadianIndigenousMinisty
is now recruiting participants from across Canada. Learn more at:
Synod votes to approve item 2 of Committee 3B which addresses Overture 76. The recommendation is to accede to the overture which would appoint a task force to develop church order procedures to discipline office bearers.
#crcsynod
The
@CalvinCollege
Board of Trustees has approved a decision for Calvin College to become Calvin University. The institutional change will take place in 2020. Meanwhile,
@dordtcollege
recently announced that it will become Dordt University in May 2019.
Calvin University has opened up its Prince Center to offer temporary housing to front line workers during the COVID19 pandemic. Thanks be to God!
@Calvin_Uni
"Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness."
Lamentations 3:22-23
Curious about where to find songs and prayers from Synod 2018? CRC Worship Ministries has created a complete list of all the music and key liturgical elements for each service at Synod 2018:
#crcsynod
In recognition of his decades of excellence at
@Calvin_Uni
, Robert Keeley has received the 2020 Presidential Award for Exemplary Teaching. Through his scholarship, service, and teaching,
@rkeeley
has influenced many spheres.
"God has not called us to sameness, but to oneness," Rev. John Eigege opens the Council of Delegates meeting calling the CRC to a diverse and unified family.
The Christian Reformed Church in North America has received a nearly $1 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to help establish its Thriving Together program to create a stronger, more vital culture of mentoring for pastors.
Annual Calvin Symposium on Worship (Jan 25-27) is "not a conference just for 'worship people,'" says
@John_Witvliet
in vision statement for this year’s event. Passionate about preaching, disability/ability, anti-racism, evangelism, & more? Join!
@cicw
Congratulations to the
@crcbanner
team on receiving 6 Evangelical Press Association
@EPAtweeter
awards for editorial, poetry, art, Biblical exposition and “Just for Kids.” See award recipients here: