June 12, 2006, Grand Rapids, Mich. -- Synod 2006 spent almost two hours on Monday night wrestling with the issue of women's candidacy to be ministers of the Word in the Christian Reformed Church before voting to put the matter to rest.
After a passionate and often moving debate, synod decided that from now on, when candidates for ministry are brought before a synod, it should vote on their candidacy as a group. This decision is to be inserted into the Church Order Supplement.
During the past several years, synods have alternated between voting on candidates for ministry individually or in a group.
The issue arises from the decision by Synod 1995 to permit ordination of women in the CRC as a local option by classes and churches, while recognizing that the church was not of one mind on the issue.
Voting on candidates individually permits delegates who oppose the ordination of women to abstain from voting for female candidates. However, synod heard from others who said this process has been hurtful to female candidates and their families.
Synod also heard a brief presentation celebrating the 50th anniversary of Calvin College's Knollcrest campus. Earlier, delegates enjoyed a barbeque hosted by Calvin President Gaylen Byker.
Coming up:
On Tuesday morning, synod is scheduled to meet this year's candidates for ministry of the Word and to deliberate recommendations from its advisory committees on Education and Publications.
On Tuesday evening, synod will interview Rev. Gerard (Jerry) Dykstra for the position of executive director of the Christian Reformed Church.