June 17, 2005

PALOS HEIGHTS, Ill. – Synod 2005 last night reaffirmed the commitment of the Christian Reformed Church to Christian day school education. In declaring that churches need to support both Christian education and evangelism, synod suggested that schools have a role of evangelism by accepting children from non-Christian families.

The CRC has historically supported Christian day schools, but support for those schools has been waning in many Christian Reformed communities. Synod called on church councils to diligently encourage establishing and maintaining schools that teach the Reformed vision of Christ's lordship. It also said councils should urge parents to make sure their children are educated in harmony with that vision.

In addition to supporting Christian schools, synod urged churches to do a better job of explaining the Reformed view of life. "It's a danger for churches to flog Christian schools without explaining the Reformed vision that leads to it," Rev. Hendrik Bruinsma of Classis Toronto said. "It's always important to get back to the vision."

Verney Kho, one of synod's seven female advisers, told synod that she first learned about Jesus in a Christian school. "Many of us came from non-Christian families and it was because of Christian schools that we came to the Lord at an early age," Kho said. "Help Christian schools to be open to non-Christian families."

Synod commended the report to the churches and also asked the denomination's Board of Trustees to publish a document that articulates the CRC's position on Christian day school education. Delegates also adopted recommendations to help churches promote Christian education in communities where there are no Christian day schools and little chance of starting one.

In a farewell address to synod Rev. Peter Borgdorff, who is retiring this year as the CRC's executive director of ministries, told delegates he has been greatly blessed by the opportunities to serve the church during the past 36 years, including 13 years as EDM.

Borgdorff said he will continue working for the church in retirement. "You don't walk away from the church," he said. "I have loved it with all my heart.... I will continue to love it and serve in whatever capacity I can."

He challenged the church leaders never to forget that the church is a community formed by God and that it is big. "I believe in Church with a capital ‘C,' Classis with a capital ‘C,' and Denomination with a capital ‘D.'" he told synod.

He said the healthy church needs to practice discernment because "there is so much we don't yet understand," and that it needs to live and work interdependently. "We're making progress," he said, "but we're not yet where we need to be."

Christian Reformed Church