Synod 2019 (the general assembly of the Christian Reformed Church) clarified the rules governing Judicial Code hearings

Sometimes it’s the slow train that eludes detection. 

Sarah Heth, most recently assistant features editor for The Holland Sentinel, has joined The Banner team.

The Grand Rapids, Mich.-based child welfare organization recently agreed to allow placing foster children with same-sex couples in its home state after a lengthy legal challenge.

On its 100th anniversary, Faith Community CRC of Wyoming, Mich., hosted Synod 2019’s synodical service of prayer and praise.

Synod 2019 approved appointing a task force to study “the advisability, legality, and morality of ecclesiastical (non-civil) marriage.”

Church planters who come to synod said they sometimes feel like “fish out of water.” 

Two or three times each year, Christian Reformed churches send representatives to their classis, a regional group of churches. Here is the report of classis meetings of the past few months.

Observers who want the church to better include LGBTQ members unexpectedly got a chance to give feedback on an interim report.

“Churches in communion” and “churches in cooperation” replace previous eccumenical partnership labels.

Ecumenical delegates addressed Synod 2019, sharing experiences from their churches and encouraging the CRC in its work.

Sherry TenClay and Sharon Jim met each other at Synod 2001, when they served on the first-ever group of women advisers. 

Synod 2019 took up much of what the Synod Review Task Force recommended, altered some of the recommendations, and rejected a few of them.

A pastor for 58 years, Barry Blankers was gentle, humble, godly, wise, and a genuine role model who tried to live what he preached.

“You are loved” was the message that echoed again and again throughout Markus Lise’s life of ministry.  As a pastor, he is remembered for challenging and inspiring congregations to think “outside the box.”

Synod 2019 is just the fourth annual general assembly of the CRC to include deacons as delegates. While not every classis sent a deacon delegate this year, deacons who came found the participation valuable and eye-opening.

Synod 2019 spent time discussing and praying about the interim report about the theology of human sexuality.

Synod 2019 has not withdrawn observations from Synod 2012 related to climate change. It has asked for more clarity on future considerations of justice issues.

Synod 2019 (annual meeting of the Christian Reformed Church) radically changed the ministry share system, but the change has been a long time coming. 

All officers elected to serve Synod 2019 took turns chairing during deliberations of the Christian Reformed Church’s general assembly. 

Synod 2019’s officers William Koopmans, Thea Leunk, José Rayas, and Melissa Van Dyk were happy with how this year’s synod went. 

Asked by East Hills, a congregation in Vernon, B.C., to deepen awareness in the denomination of the plight of the Palestinians and plead their cause to the governments of Canada and the U.S., 

The Reformed Church in America is at a crossroads.

Before taking up the Abuse of Power report, Synod 2019 paused to listen to an interview that illustrated just how much damage abuse causes to so many people.

Syd Hielema, leader of Faith Formation, addressed synod in his final act in that role. 

Synod 2019 didn’t assign missionaries to regions for financial support, but encouraged regions to consider it.

Hearing and reading from a litany written by Sharon Fennema, delegates and gathered visitors lamented: “For the breaching of relationships and the abuse of sacred trust, we cry out.”

Synod 2019 upends the ministry share system that has been in place for more than 150 years. 

Synod 2019 (the general assembly of the Christian Reformed Church) declares Kinism a heresy.

With many CRCs no longer hosting a second service on Sundays, Synod 2019 proposes changing the Church Order to reflect current practice.

Synod 2019 joyfully welcomed 42 new candidates for the office of minister of the Word in the Christian Reformed Church.

Synod 2019 has moved ahead on stronger requirements to address abuse of power that happens all too often in the church.

Delegates accepted limiting speech length, but resisted any attempt to mandate who classes may send as delegates.

Over the past 15 years, the office of commissioned pastor has burgeoned.

Times have changed in the Christian Reformed Church, and that was very much on display at Synod 2019, the annual leadership meeting of the CRC.