Pastor Bill, what is your read on the General Synod of the CRCNA this summer?
Even though I am ordained in a different denomination, I get asked that question because I am serving at Harderwyk Ministries, a congregation here in Holland, MI with over a century of connection with the CRC. So I try to stay informed by observing with appreciation.
My answer:
"Well, I don't think we (the CRC) slashed our throat, but it seems we shot ourselves in the foot." Not very positive I know, but it seems to be descriptive of the situation.
Fair warning: I'm going to switch into some "Church Jargon" from here on that assumes the reader is at least somewhat conversant in the issues, discussions and decisions of General Synod of 2023. If you are not, I'd suggest reading TheBanner.org reporting. CLICK HERE
"Slashing our throat" would have been a serious turning from the historic faith of the church - the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people as Jude 3 puts it. A turning from the authority of or clear message of the Bible with regard to the nature of humanity or marriage for example. For me, at this Synod that would have looked like overturning the Human Sexuality Report altogether or sanctioning same-sex marriage or ordaining non-celibate, same-sex-attracted persons. Nothing on that order was done that would put the CRC on a dramatic death spiral like other main-line denominations.
There were some things being considered that could have helped us stay true to the faith and communicate the gospel in our time though. For example: I am inclined to alter Confessions and Catechisms as little as possible. "Settled and Binding" status for the modifications of QandA # 108 rather than "Confessional Status" seemed reasonable to me. Given the creativity of broken humans when it comes to new ways to sin, it seemed unwise to specifically list behaviors that comprise "unchastity." We will proabably have some things to add in a few decades. These and other things may not have really been crippling or fatal, but they were perhaps opportunities for good health missed.
"Shooting Ourselves In The Foot" - And then there were times it looks to me like the Synod "shot ourselves in the foot." Not fatal. At least not right now. Still, there is real blood on the floor. There is a need for surgery, physical therapy and probably a lifetime limp. Pretty serious stuff, even if not immediately fatal.
Cutting important and difficult discussion short because of time?? Yikes!! Reaching a healthy conclusion is simply worth the time. CLICK HERE
Tense discussions about Confessional Status for changes made last year to the Heidelberg Catechsim QandA #108 - CLICK HERE But where do those tensions get resolved? CLICK HERE for more of my own reflections on this very matter.
Who in the world ever thought up this "gravamina process" for dealing with confessional difficulties? I'm presbyterian and we've been willing to state exceptions and let them be considered as acceptable or not, but gravamina?? Huh?!? And what is the status or options for office holders and professors who do not support the confessional standards as now stated?
All these and others are conversations that will need to be had and decisions that have real outcomes will need to be made, not put off or swept under the rug.
I'm sure it was a hard week on nearly everyone and I don't want to come off snarky, unsympathetic or even unappreciative of the challenge they faced. But we will need to be honest: there is still hard territory to cross ahead for the CRC.
Don't Miss This Example! - After posting this blog, I stumbled across a VERY interesting post by an ethnic Korean delegate at the CRC General Synod this summer that illustrates in real life a "prat of the body that has been wounded." CLICK HERE for the post. I understand that The Abide Project that gives him platform is an advocacy group on the matter of Human Sexuality in the CRC. Still, they are giving voice to someone who felt ignored in this summer's deliberations. In my estimation, the "progeressive side" of the human sexuality controversy has a good deal of access and voice in the debate even though their conviction is in the minority. Apparently, they are not the "party" without a voice in this controversy and everyone should take that into account.
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