World Renew Changes Bylaws

The Board of Trustees of the Christian Reformed Church approved revised bylaws for World Renew, the relief and development agency of the CRC.

Some changes affect only World Renew-Canada, and are intended to bring it into compliance with Canadian legislation regarding not-for-profit organizations. “The government of Canada expects us to direct and control our activities and resources,” said Jim Joosse, president of World Renew-Canada. “We are not only beneficiaries of donations but also of funds from the government of Canada, acting as its agent.”

The board also approved revisions that allow World Renew to have members of its partner organizations on its governing board.

All members must ascribe to World Renew’s statement of faith, which includes the CRC’s creeds and confessions and also the Belhar Confession.

Although World Renew delegates can be drawn from partner organizations, all members will have to be nominated by the World Renew board and approved by synod (the annual leadership meeting of the CRC).

Additionally, at least three-quarters of the membership of the board of directors, which is elected from among the delegates, must be members of a CRC congregation.