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For the CRCNA to be a Christ-adoring, lost-seeking, truth-loving, grace-extending, Word-centered, Bible-saturated, confessionally-Reformed church
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- Rev. CJ denDulk (Trinity CRC, Sparta, MI) Rev. Tom Groelsema (1st CRC, Byron Center, MI) Rev. John Klompien (North St CRC, Zeeland, MI) Rev. Chad Steenwyk (Central Ave CRC, Holland, MI) Rev. Tyler Wagenmaker (Beaverdam CRC, Hudsonville, MI)
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5 comments:
I'm not sure if I'm leaving this comment in the correct spot, but we would like to encourage you pastors who organized the meeting in September.It was an encouragement to us as laypeople in the church and I'm excited that you have this blogspot as a forum for future discussions and information. thanks, Ken and Joan Buiter Byron 1st
Hi everyone,
This is hugely encouraging to me and, no doubt, soon will be to our church council when I share with them what you have begun.
Our church (Transcona CRC, Winnipeg) has had a policy since 1990 that we would not seat delegates at Classis if our Classis were to seat women delegates. In March, 2006, our Classis (Lake Superior) declared the word 'male' inoperative and seated female delegates at the September 2006 meeting. Myself and another elder attended that meeting as visitors, though not as delegates. Meanwhile, we are prayerfully considering how to proceed. We recently communicated to our congregation that leaving the CRC is not an option for us at this point. We are committed to staying. The two basic choices that remain to us are 1) rescind our current position and be seated at classis or 2) find a way to remain meaningfully connected to the CRC denomination without being part of Classis Lake Superior.
We would appreciate whatever insights or comments others might have to offer.
Once again, I'm encouraged to find this website. I am willing to be involved in some way.
God bless,
Richard Zekveld
Richard,
Thanks for your question. That is something more churches are having to wrestle with. One suggestion would be to ask the advice of Classis Lake Superior as to what they would suggest. Force them to answer the question and be confronted with their recent decision.
One CRC minister some of us were chatting with did just that at his last Classis meeting, where I believe their church Council put on the back of their credentials that very question for classis. They were a church who believed the Bible is clear about the roles of men and women in the church, while the classis had recently declared the word "male" inoperative. Such a formal request for advice forces the classis to come back with a formal response of advice.
I like your approach of going to Classis Lake Superior as visitors, not as delegates...that is interesting.
I would also suggest that at every classis meeting you perhaps make a formal statement of protest against the sitting of women delegates, that it is contrary to Scripture. That is, after all, a viable position in our denomination to not only personally hold to that, but also to teach it and act on it. Don't be afraid to state that position, and do so at every Classis meeting. And don't just state it, but come with Scripture, too...a different piece of Scripture every time. Force classis' delegates to continue to grapple with the issue on a Scriptural level, not just an anecdotal one or one's personal feelings.
We have the "high ground" in terms of Scriptural defense of our position on this issue. Stick to it. Pray. And teach it to your brothers (and sisters) at Classis Lake Superior.
Just some advice.
In His Service,
Rev. Tyler Wagenmaker
Beaverdam CRC (Hudsonville,MI)
Thanks you dearly for your efforts. I recently read the article in the Jan. Banner about the Returning Church Conference. I am currently a student at Western Seminary (Portland, OR), planning to transfer to CTS for Fall '07 in preparation for ministry in the CRC. For several years now, I've been watching my own classis (Central California) tear itself apart over the issue of women in office. In high school, my congregation, First Ripon, split nearly in half over the issue (among others). My impressions of the arguments to date are that both sides have been arguing predominantly from the positions of personal preference. Bible backing is greatly lacking. I will admit that there are some trouble spots in Scriptures for those of us who are likeminded (i.e. the example of Debra), but all in all, Scripture is clear to me that the ordained ministry is reserved for men. Many of the passages "Pro-women in office" supporters I believe are often taken out of context, or grossly misinterpreted/applied to fit their agenda.
I would like to point out that the role of women is not the only area where I see this happening, instead this is the hot-button issue of the moment so I'll address it.
I love the CRC, am convinced that this is where God has called me to serve, and look forward to serving Him is this capacity. But it is time for the CRC to return to its roots - a foundation in God's Word.
As a disclaimer, I believe whole-heartedly that women are fully capable of doing any job/task/calling men are. But this question is not a question of ability, it's a question of what God has determined should be. Likewise, by taking a stand against the ordination of women, I am NOT saying that women cannot serve in the church...as far as I'm concerned any and every position and opportunity is open to them except those that are reserved for ordained persons.
I want to encourage you to continue your work and ministry to the CRC. I look forward to being able to join in that ministry when I arrive in Grand Rapids sometime in July.
God Bless.
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