Pastoral care is not about solving problems but rather listening, according to Dr. Danjuma Gibson.

Recognizing the need and importance of properly trained ministers, the Christian Reformed Church requires that each classis “maintain a student fund” in order to financially assist those preparing for ministry.

Synod 2016 approved a far-reaching new initiative for continuing education for pastors.

Seven women advisors were invited to Synod 2016: Linda Ryks, Melissa Van Dyk, Karen Knip, Emily Ulmer, Jenny Douma, Elaine VanLaare, and Sarah van Breda.

Synod 2016, the general assembly of the Christian Reformed Church, encouraged its various ministries to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation. The Reformation is traditionally dated 1517, when Martin Luther published a protest against the church as it then existed.

Cooperatively and responsively, leaders have been resetting the direction of the Christian Reformed Church. That was the report to Synod 2016 from Kathy Vandergrift, president of the Board of Trustees.

At age 78, William “Bud” Ipema is the oldest delegate at synod this year, and Miles Kuperus III, age 24, is the youngest. Perhaps the youngest delegate ever, Kuperus became a deacon fresh out of college.

Synod 2016 approved a plan to hold its annual general assembly of 2018 jointly with the General Synod of the Reformed Church in America.

At its morning worship on Monday, June 13, Synod 2016 (the general assembly of the Christian Reformed Church) stopped to mourn the shooting of more than a hundred people in Orlando, Fla. Steve Timmermans, executive director of the CRC, connected the Orlando shooting with last year’s murder of the members of a Bible study in Charleston, S.C.

Rev. Pedro Aviles warned that there are storms headed toward the Christian Reformed Church. Dr. Anthony Carter said that God walks on storms. Rev. Charles Kim said that in the new heaven and earth there will be no more storms, no more seas.

At the 2016 Synodical Service of Prayer and Praise, Rev. John Rottman preached on Ephesians 4, focusing on Paul’s admonition to “make every effort to keep the unity in the bond of peace” in the face of cultural pressures regarding sexuality.

Delegates to Synod 2016 participated in the Blanket Exercise on Saturday afternoon.

The officers elected for Synod 2016 (the Christian Reformed Church’s general assembly) have many years of synod experience between them.