Several fraternal delegates—leaders representing churches and organizations in full fellowship with the CRC—addressed Synod 2011 mid-Tuesday.
Synod heard from representatives of Christian Churches Together, the World Communion of Reformed Churches, the Reformed Church of Christ in Nigeria, and the Netherlands Reformed Churches (NRC).
“We know that we are not alone because we have so many brothers and sisters. . . . We are part of a great and beautiful family that is called [God’s],” said Rev. Bruce Adema, the CRC’s director of Canadian ministries.
Rev. Richard Hamm: “I have been amazed at how much agreement we have around the issue of domestic poverty.”
Photo: Karen Huttenga
Christian Churches Together (CCT), a relatively new organization that includes 43 churches and organizations, focuses on evangelism and fighting domestic poverty, said its executive director, Rev. Richard L. Hamm.
“I have been amazed at how much agreement we have around the issue of domestic poverty, especially at a time when so many families are suffering because of difficult economic times,” he told synod.
Rev. Setri Nyomi of the World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC) said, “[I am] especially appreciative of the CRC for the participation and leadership that you continue to provide.”
Rev. William Koopmans, a CRC pastor, and Rev. Peter Borgdorff, the CRC’s executive director emeritus, serve on the WCRC executive committee.
Rev. Risae Yakubu Shamiki: “Thank you for being a formidable shade by God’s grace for many around the world.”
Photo: Karen Huttenga
On behalf of the Reformed Church of Christ in Nigeria, Rev. Risae Yakubu Shamiki said, “Thank you for being a formidable shade by God’s grace for many around the world. The RCCN is proud to be associated with you.”
Rev. Peter Sinia gave a brief report on the state of his denomination, the Netherlands Reformed Churches. The small Dutch denomination gets a lot of guidance from scholarship and worship practices of the CRC, Sinia told delegates. The NRC (known in the Netherlands as the Nederlands Gereformeerde Kerken, or NGK) experienced 1 percent growth last year—something so rare it was reported in national newspapers, he said.
Rev. Tom De Vries, nominated to be the next general secretary of the Reformed Church in America, mentioned some of the RCA-CRC partnerships that happen on a local level. He concluded, “We recognize that these partnerships can be multiplied. . . . We pray that we can come together in many more ways in the future.”
For more coverage while synod is in session, including webcasts, photos, a discussion forum, reports, and more, see the Synod 2011 website.
About the Author
Roxanne VanFarowe is a freelance writer who claims both Canadian and American citizenship and grew up in the Christian Reformed Church. She is a member of Blacknall Presbyterian Church in Durham, North Carolina.
