wfn.org | [CRC NEWS] Synod wrestles with same-sex issue

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

June 14, 2005  Palos Heights, Ill. - Synod spent several hours Monday
night discussing what action to take in response to the decision by
First Christian Reformed Church in Toronto, Ont. that people living in
same-sex relationships would be allowed to serve as officebearers.

Delegates expressed a sense of urgency in dealing with the issue, but
were unable to reach consensus about the best way to do it.  In the end
synod sent the matter back to the advisory committee for more work.

Synod also applauded the work of its mission agencies - the Back to God
Hour, Home Missions, World Missions and the CRWRC - and urged vigorous
efforts in responding to the AIDS epidemic that is killing 8,000 people
every day around the world.

Yesterday afternoon delegates approved a series of recommendations
intended to help congregations in their ministries of church education
and discipleship.

Synod reminded churches of their calling to nurture the faith of all
their members.	They also called on churches and classes to make
faith-nurture a special focus from the fall of 2007 through the summer
of 2008.

Other recommendations include creating a position of discipleship
specialist within the denomination to assist agencies and ministry
organizations, especially those working with youth, and to offer
high-quality training for teachers and leaders.  Synod also called for a
more comprehensive plan that would focus on adult discipleship, and for
an institute of discipleship that would train church staff and volunteer
leaders.

On Monday evening, synod delegates enjoyed "A Taste of Chicago" at the
traditional picnic hosted by college President Steven Timmermans on the
lawn of Trinity Christian College.  Food stations represented Chicago's
various ethnic neighborhoods, with the food served by representatives of
Reformed agencies active in the city.

Coming up:
On Tuesday morning synod will meet the candidates for ministry from
Calvin Theological Seminary. In the evening it will interview Rev. Cal
Bremer for the position of executive director of the Christian Reformed
Church and Dr. Darwin Glassford for a position as associate professor of
church education at Calvin seminary.

Contact Henry Hess, Synod News Officer, at 708-293-2108.