wfn.org | CRC Synod Opens Door Wider to People Entering Ministry

["Henry Hess" <hessh@crcna.ca>]

Grand Rapids, Mich., June 17, 2004 -- The Synod of the Christian Reformed
Church (CRC) decided to expand the range of alternatives open to people who
want to become ministers of the Word in the CRC.

The decision calls for the establishment of a Synodical Ministry Candidacy
Committee that would propose standards for candidacy and oversee the process.

This committee is to work closely with Calvin Theological Seminary and the
Alternate Routes to Ministry study committee to ensure that standards for
excellence are maintained while also providing more flexibility in training
for future church leaders.

Synod also asked Calvin Seminary to develop a new program for those who want
to enter the ministry without graduating from Calvin Seminary. This program
would reduce the requirement for time spent in residence at the seminary to
one academic quarter plus an intensive two-week summer seminar instead of the
current one year.

In addition, synod called for congregations and classes to work closely with
future leaders by providing them with mentors, encouraging their development,
and assessing their readiness for ministry.

Synod instructed the Board of Trustees to develop a plan to implement these
decisions.  They are to report to Synod 2005 on their progress.