Are there some political and social issues that denominational boards and leaders of the Christian Reformed Church should just stay away from?
Rev. Duane Nieuwsma, Classis Grandville: “It is not our practice to use the pulpit as a forum for political ends and platforms.”
Photo: Karen Huttenga
A request from Classis Grandville (Mich.) asked synod to tell them to “refrain from addressing and making pronouncements on issues that lie outside of the mission of the church as institution.” But synod declined to do that.
“It is not our practice to use the pulpit as a forum for political ends and platforms. The proclamation of the Word of God is central to our tradition,” said Rev. Duane Nieuwsma of Classis Grandville.
“Someday we’d like to find a way to address this issue in a positive way; however, this overture did not express clarity on how to do that,” said Rev. Bill Vis, whose committee dealt with the issue.
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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.