wfn.org | [CRC NEWS] Synod to probe church's same-sex stand

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

June 14, 2005  Palos Heights, Ill. - The Synod of the Christian Reformed
Church (CRC) decided today to send a synodical committee to investigate
the position of the council of First CRC, Toronto (Ont.) regarding
persons living in same-sex relationships.

The committee is mandated to seek a response from the church council to
allegations raised against it over this issue, and to determine if the
church is in compliance with the Christian Reformed Church's position on
homosexuality.

It is to report to the meeting of Classis Toronto in September and to
make recommendations to classis for deliberation and action.  The
committee was given a mandate to convene a combined meeting of the four
area classes - Quinte, Huron, Hamilton and Toronto - if necessary to
assist it in dealing with the issues. It is to bring a report to Synod
2006 about its actions and recommendations.

Synod's action came at the end of a long and frequently impassioned
discussion in which some delegates appealed for synod not to act hastily
or harshly, and others said synod has waited long enough and must take
action for the welfare of the whole denomination.

The action arises from a decision by the council of First CRC, Toronto
in 2002 that it would allow persons living in committed, same-sex
relationships to serve as officebearers in the congregation.  When
Classis Toronto urged the church to rescind the decision, the council
agreed to hold off implementing it to provide an opportunity for
dialogue.

However, synod heard that, despite a mandate from Synod 2004 to
investigate, the classis has not succeeded in resolving the issue.  As a
result, Classis Illiana sent an overture to Synod 2005 asking it to
depose the minister and elders of First CRC, Toronto.

Delegates were told that while Reformed church polity gives synod the
authority to intervene in the affairs of a congregation, such action is
employed only as a last resort.

In other actions, synod approved a proposal to allow the exchange of
ministers between the CRC and the Reformed Church in America.

Coming up:
This evening synod will interview Rev. Cal Bremer for the position of
executive director of the Christian Reformed Church and Dr. Darwin
Glassford as associate professor of church education at the seminary.

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