wfn.org | CRC Reformed Denomination Votes to Restructure Leadership

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

Grand Rapids, Mich., June 15, 2004 - Synod 2004 voted today to approve a new
model for denominational leadership in preparation for the retirement of the
current Executive Director of Ministries and the General Secretary, the two
current heads of the Christian Reformed Church.

Under the succession plan the offices of Executive Director of Ministries and
General Secretary will be combined into the single position of Executive
Director of the Christian Reformed Church in North America.

A new position of Director of Denominational Ministries will be created to
take over some of the responsibilities.  Other duties of the General
Secretary
will be transferred to the Canadian Ministry Director position.

Jack DeVries, of Classis Huron, voiced concern about how the proposed change
would impact Canadian ministry. "There is momentum in Canada right now to
spur
ministry on in a Canadian context.  With the proposed structure, many duties
will be added to the Canadian Ministries Director that will take him away
from
Canadian ministry," he said.

Peter Borgdorff, the Executive Director of Ministries (EDM), responded by
saying, "We are a bi-national church and that takes precedence over national
boundaries.  To act contrary to our bi-nationality would immensely hurt our
congregation on both sides of the border."

Other concerns were also raised regarding the abandonment of the title of
General Secretary, and the loss of a direct connection between the ministry
of
race relations and the EDM.