In a ceremony marked by joy and laughter, synod, the general assembly of the Christian Reformed Church, received 39 new candidates for the office of Minister of the Word.
Twenty-two of the candidates attended synod, many accompanied by family members. With the candidates arrayed in front of synod, the director of the Candidacy Committee, David Koll, read the names of the candidates. When the names had all been read, the candidates were welcomed with sustained applause.
Jul Medenblik, president of Calvin Theological Seminary, reminded the candidates of three “markers of ministry in a world of division and separation: unity in Christ, unity of purpose in the mission of Christ, and unity in Christ’s body, the church.”
Led by Koll, synod delegates moved into worship. The celebration was brought to a close with coffee and cake shared with the delegates of synod.
Synod 2017 is meeting at Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights, Ill., from June 9-15. For continuous coverage while synod is in session, 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.
About the Author
Clayton Libolt was the long time pastor of River Terrace Church in East Lansing, Mich. Since his retirement, he has served in a variety of interim positions. He is presently serving as the interim senior pastor of Sonlight Community CRC in Lynden, Wash.
