A group of 10 people has been formed to develop ecclesiastical, structural, and legal proposals to guide changes for the denominational leadership of Christian Reformed Church in North America. Transitions are needed following changes to the operations of the CRC’s U.S. and Canada Corporations. The process began last week at the February meetings of the Council of Delegates and became more complicated with the sudden resignation of the CRC’s executive director, Steven Timmermans.
The group includes six senior staff members from Canada and the U.S., the chairpersons of the U.S. and Canada Corporations, and two other Council of Delegate members. One of its tasks will be to consider the job description and search process for Timmermans’ position, to present to Synod 2020. For the time being, Colin Watson, previously director of ministries and administration for the CRC, is acting executive director.
Earlier in the Feb. 19-21 meetings, the Council received notice of intended upcoming retirements of senior staff, including Watson, John Bolt, and Timmermans. Timmermans elected to accelerate his retirement with his Feb. 20 resignation. The Council was notified of a January 2021 expected retirement for Watson and June 2021 retirement for Bolt. Bolt was appointed director of finance and operations in 2003. Watson was appointed in 2014. The Council acts on behalf of the CRC’s annual synod between the meetings of synod.
Paul De Vries, president of the Council, told delegates that as a result of the restructuring, there will have to be changes to the job descriptions of all three of those positions.
The Council minutes note that the plan is for interim replacements to be appointed until the new executive director can participate in the search process for the persons to fill the other roles.
About the Author
Gayla Postma retired as news editor for The Banner in 2020.