Date: Sat, 14 Jun 1997 13:54:53 -0400 (EDT) From: Darrell128@aol.com Subject: NR 97068: CRC Synod Convenes Today in Grand Rapids NR #1997-068: Christian Reformed Synod Convenes Today in Grand Rapids; Major Issues to Include Feminine Language for God, Abortion, Interchurch Relations, Local Church Property Issues, Theologically-Defined Classes What will delegates to the annual Christian Reformed synod do now that women's ordination isn't the major issue on the agenda? According to CRC General Secretary Dr. David Engelhard, when synod convenes this afternoon at Calvin College in Grand Rapids there may not be a single "hot button" issue to grab delegates' time and attention. "The major issues at synod are put forth in the agenda; inclusive language for God, worship, Canadian structure, and then again I think an additional matter will be the abuse guidelines," said Engelhard. "Interchurch relations will obviously be an important matter and some changes in the church order and procedure for disaffiliation, also some discussion about theological classes." The agenda item that has attracted the most attention, however, is a study committee report on feminine language for God that would prohibit calling God "Mother" or "She." For over half a decade, Christian Reformed conservatives have objected to occasional use of feminine language for God by CRC members in a variety of publications and worship contexts. After repeated demands that the practice be stopped, Synod 1994 appointed a study committee to "provide clear advice to the church concerning the significance and limits of inclusive language for God." That committee's 107-page report is the longest item on the synodical agenda. Not many criticize the report for being unclear -- and its clear condemnation of inclusive language won praise from delegates at the Orthodox Presbyterian Church General Assembly this past week even as the denomination was breaking ties with the CRC. NR #1997-068: For Immediate Release Christian Reformed Synod Convenes Today in Grand Rapids * Major Issues to Include Feminine Language for God, Abortion, Interchurch Relations, Local Church Property Issues, Theologically-Defined Classes by Darrell Todd Maurina, Press Officer United Reformed News Service GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (June 14, 1997) -- What will delegates to the annual Christian Reformed synod do now that women's ordination isn't the major issue on the agenda? According to CRC General Secretary Dr. David Engelhard, when synod convenes this afternoon at Calvin College in Grand Rapids there may not be a single "hot button" issue to grab delegates' time and attention. "The major issues at synod are put forth in the agenda; inclusive language for God, worship, Canadian structure, and then again I think an additional matter will be the abuse guidelines," said Engelhard. "Interchurch relations will obviously be an important matter and some changes in the church order and procedure for disaffiliation, also some discussion about theological classes." Synod will consider requests by Classis Holland and Classis Zeeland to transfer Pine Creek CRC to Classis Zeeland because of Classis Holland's support for women's ordination, as well as by Classis Northern Michigan and Classis Muskegon to transfer Trinity CRC of Mt. Pleasant so Classis Muskegon can ordain the church's female pastor, Mary-Lee Bouma. In a related item, Classis Zeeland supports a Classis California South proposal to create classes grouped by theology rather than geography. Abortion is also on the synodical agenda: Classis Zeeland asks synod to send a letter to the United States government opposing partial birth abortion, Classis of the Heartland in Iowa wants Calvin College to require biology professor Dr. Hessel Bouma to comply with synodical opposition to abortion, and Classis Wisconsin asks for a study committee to provide biblical grounds for opposing abortion. Other issues include proposed guidelines to cover allegations of physical, sexual, and emotional abuse and a proposal specifying that the property of churches leaving the CRC belongs to the group or groups defined by classis as remaining "true to the purposes of this church as a member church" of the CRC. The proposed CRC policy is similar to that of the RCA that has produced a yearlong standoff since Rev. Richard Rhem's congregation, Christ Community Church of Spring Lake, Michigan, seceded without denominational approval. The agenda item that has attracted the most attention, however, is a study committee report on feminine language for God that would prohibit calling God "Mother" or "She." For over half a decade, Christian Reformed conservatives have objected to occasional use of feminine language for God by CRC members in a variety of publications and worship contexts. After repeated demands that the practice be stopped, Synod 1994 appointed a study committee to "provide clear advice to the church concerning the significance and limits of inclusive language for God." That committee's 107-page report is the longest item on the synodical agenda. Not many criticize the report for being unclear -- and its clear condemnation of inclusive language won praise from delegates at the Orthodox Presbyterian Church General Assembly this past week even as the denomination was breaking ties with the CRC. "The most significant thing is we are asking synod to declare as incompatible with the confessions of the Christian Reformed Church what is thought of in mainline circles as inclusive language for God," said committee reporter Dr. John Cooper. "I can't imagine synod not making that pronouncement." Cooper said he hoped the report would be useful not only in conservative denominations like the OPC but also in denominations where inclusive language for God is a live issue. "It's very good for the church to formulate a position on this topic before it becomes a hot button issue," said Cooper. "I think that some other denominations that share our convictions would find it useful; I would hope that some people in the Reformed Church in America where this is a bit more common might listen, too." Not everyone in the CRC concurs. Classis Lake Erie argues that the report is "long, detailed, and closely argued" and that synod should take no action beyond referring it to the churches for study because it is "difficult to understand." The editor of the CRC's denominational magazine wrote a two-page editorial against the report, arguing that its guidelines "will serve only to divide us by raising to nearly confessional status conclusions that are potentially contentious." Despite the high-profile objections, Cooper said he didn't think the denomination wanted to open up another new fight by allowing feminine language for God after settling the question of women's ordination. "We may debate it, but we're not going to end up answering yes, that's for sure," said Cooper. "This is a really good test case," said Cooper. "Are we going to go mainline or are we staying with the tradition? I would say this says we are going with the tradition." Cross-References to Related Articles: #1994-034: CRC Synod Appoints Committee to Study Calling God "She"; Ratification of Church Order Changes by Classes Rejected #1995-070: Christian Reformed Classes Permitted to Declare Church Order Ban on Women's Ordination "Inoperative"; Synod Decision Given Immediate Effect without Two-Year Ratification Process #1996-073: Synod Rejects Wisconsin Overture: Calvin Prof Dr. Hessel Bouma III Remains Free to Teach His Views on Abortion #1996-076: CRC Synod Rejects 25 Overtures and Communications Calling for End to Classical Option on Ordination of Women #1996-077: Churches Allowed to Switch Classes for Theological Reasons #1996-117B: Separation Without Secession: Interclassical Conference Urges Christian Reformed Synod to Create New Conservative Classes #1997-008: Classis Zeeland Votes by 72% Margin to Receive Pine Creek Christian Reformed Church Pending Synodical Approval #1997-009: Classis Zeeland Overtures Christian Reformed Synod to Reaffirm Opposition to Abortion and Send Letter to Congress; Classis Rejects Abortion-Nazi War Crimes Comparison by 18-13 Vote #1997-010: Classis Holland Acquiesces in Pine Creek Request to Transfer to Classis Zeeland Due to Opposition to Women in Office #1997-011: Classis California South Endorses Classes Grouped by Theological Affinity Instead of Geography; Organizers Hope a Tenth of CRC May Join New Conservative Classes #1997-029: Classis Muskegon Admits Trinity CRC of Mt. Pleasant; Vote Allows Ordination of Mary-Lee Bouma as Third Christian Reformed Woman Pastor #1997-047: Classis Zeeland Endorses Theological Classis Proposal #1997-063: Christian Reformed Synod 1997 Faces Crossroads Decision: Will Seceding Churches Keep their Property? #1997-065: Orthodox Presbyterian General Assembly Breaks Longstanding Christian Reformed Fraternal Relationship #1997-066: Presbyterian Church in America General Assembly Cuts Ties with Christian Reformed Church Over Women's Ordination TO REACH CRC DELEGATES DURING SYNOD, June 14 to 21, 1997 Fine Arts Center, Calvin College, 3201 Burton St. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 Synod Office: (616) 957-8650 News Office: (616) 957-8652 FAX: (616) 957-6469 TO REACH DELEGATES AFTER SYNOD: Dr. John W. Cooper, Professor of Philosophical Theology, Calvin Theological Seminary 3233 Burton St. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546-4387 O: (616) 957-6038 * H: (616) 454-6821 * FAX: (616) 957-8621 Dr. David Engelhard, General Secretary, Christian Reformed Church in North America 2850 Kalamazoo Ave. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49560 O: (616) 246-0744 * H: (616) 243-2418 * FAX: (616) 246-0834 * E-Mail: engelhad@crcna.org Rev. John Suk, Editor, The Banner 1510 Seminole Dr. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506 O: (616) 246-0791 * H: (616) 243-5695 * FAX: (616) 246-0834 * E-Mail: CRCBanner@aol.com Pastor George Vander Weit, Stated Clerk, Classis Lake Erie 2901 Waterloo Dr., Troy, MI 48084 O: (810) 645-1990 * H: (810) 649-5388 * E-Mail: northhills@Juno.com ---------------------------------------------------------- file: /pub/resources/text/reformed/archive97: nr97-068.txt .