Synod Responds to Requests from Churches

Many classes (regional groups of churches) and individual congregations make requests to synod. Here are some of the requests (overtures) synod received this year and how synod chose to respond:

• A request to restrict use of water bottles and disposable serveware at its meetings: Synod turned down this request, responding that the institutions that host synod are responsible for this, and that they trust that their hosts are “already moving forward in facilitating environmentally favorable practices.”
• A request to require that its study committee reports longer than 10 pages should include an executive summary to make them less intimidating: Synod agreed, and made this a rule.
• A request to translate core denominational documents into seven different languages: Synod turned down this request, but instructed the executive director to communicate to the churches about the denomination’s translation services and resources.
• A request to improve communication in the CRC by reminding denominational board delegates to report to regional groups of churches (classes): Synod instructed the new Council of Delegates to encourage consultation with these board members.

Synod also took note that:

• Classis Toronto registered a protest in response to Synod 2016’s stipulation that only church members in agreement with the church’s official position on homosexuality may serve on the study committee on human sexuality, saying such a restriction is unprecedented.
• Classis Minnkota communicated to Synod its desire “not to offend brothers and sisters in Christ but to honor the Word of God and our confessions” while protesting the seating of women officers as delegates.

Synod 2017 is meeting at Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights, Ill., from June 9-15. For continuous coverage, download the Banner app on your mobile device or follow The Banner Magazine on Facebook or @crcbanner on Twitter. You can find more tweeting by following hashtag #crcsynod. News stories will be posted at thebanner.org several times daily. For CRC Communications releases and the webcast, please visit crcna.org. Unless noted otherwise, all photographs are by Karen Huttenga.