Synod 2014 approved 49 candidates for the office of Minister of the Word. Sixteen made the trip to Pella, Iowa, to share in synod’s rejoicing that six women and 43 men are now available to be called to a variety of ministries.
Calvin Theological Seminary president, Rev. Julius Medenblik, addressed those present and those watching on the synod webcast with John 15:4: “Remain in me . . . and apart from me you can do nothing.” He called them to remember “who you are and Whose you are,” not only in times of transition but as they faced the challenges of obedience in doing fruitful ministry.
Candidacy Committee director Rev. David Koll led the assembly in a litany of celebration and singing, moving some delegates to tears. Koll concluded by reminding both the candidates and the delegates that these men and women didn’t get through the rigorous process alone. Parents, spouses, Sunday school teachers, pastors, classes, teachers, and more have supported and encouraged them to this point. Synod agreed and applauded.
Before the candidates and families headed out to be congratulated personally, synod president Rev. Scott Greenway mandated them once more with words from Colossians 1: “We proclaim him . . . struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me. . . .” He underscored the truth, “It’s not about you! It’s about Jesus Christ. Work in his power.”
Greenway asked the candidates present to stand with their home classis for prayer, adding, “If you don’t recognize your classis, just find one that looks good.” He then prayed the prayer of the church for them: “May they serve you with boldness and zeal all of the days of their lives to make Jesus Christ known. Give them a steady sense of your nearness.” Those gathered echoed their “Amen.”
Synod 2014 is meeting at Central College in Pella, Iowa, from June 13-19. For continuous Banner coverage, please follow The Banner on Facebook or @crcbanner on Twitter. You can find more tweeting by following hashtag #crcsynod. News stories will be posted at www.thebanner.org several times daily. For CRC Communications releases, webcast, and live blogging, please visit www.crcna.org/synod. Unless noted otherwise, all photographs are by Karen Huttenga.
About the Author
George Vink is retired after 50 years as a Christian Reformed pastor. One of his sons is an accident investigator for the Calgary (Alta.) Police Service, and his two brothers are retired from that position. He and his wife, Shirley, are members of Covenant CRC in Cutlerville, Mich.
