wfn.org | [CRC NEWS] Synod 2005 ends with gratitude and joy

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

June 17, 2005  Palos Heights, Ill. - Synod 2005 ended shortly after noon
today with prayer and singing. Rev. Stan Mast, synod vice-president,
expressed synod's appreciation to the president, Rev. Wayne Brouwer, for
his leadership during the week.

Mast said four words describe Brouwer's performance: fun, fair, firm,
and faithful. Delegates showed their agreement with a loud burst of
applause.

During the closing session, delegates approved proposed changes to the
abuse response guidelines governing the advisory panel process. Advisory
panels are convened to conduct a hearing when allegations of abuse are
made against a church leader.

The changes make the process more accessible to accusers and also ensure
that accusers have an advocate available to them throughout the process.
Classes and churches were again strongly urged to put in place abuse
response teams and abuse prevention policies.

Synod approved a $10 supplemental increase in ministry shares to assist
smaller churches that are struggling to survive. Earlier synod had
approved a 1.5 percent increase in ministry shares for 2006 to $270.08
per active, adult member.

Synod instructed the Board of Trustees to work with Christian Reformed
Home Missions to design a unified plan for providing assistance to
struggling churches, since Home Missions has other programs designed to
help churches.

Rev. Peter Borgdorff, the executive director of ministries, warned
delegates that there is a fundamental disagreement between Christian
Reformed Home Missions' view of assisting churches and what Synod 2003
intended when it mandated this assistance program, and said Synod 2006
may have to adjudicate the matter.

In other matters, Synod 2005:
* Instructed the Board of Trustees to come up with a plan by 2007 to
carry out synod's desire to reflect the diversity of our denomination in
its administrative positions;
* Ratified changes to the church order proposed by last year's synod;
* Recommended that classes set aside time in the coming year to discuss
the study committee report on War and Peace that is coming to next
year's synod.

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