June 13, 2005

PALOS HEIGHTS, Ill. – Synod 2005 of the Christian Reformed Church met Monday afternoon and approved a series of recommendations intended to help congregations in their ministries of church education and discipleship.

Delegates voted to remind churches of their calling to nurture the faith of all their members. They also called on churches and classes to make faith-nurture a special focus from the fall of 2007 through the summer of 2008.

Other recommendations include creating a position of discipleship specialist within the denomination to assist agencies and ministry organizations, especially those working with youth, and to offer high-quality training for teachers and leaders.

Synod also called for a more comprehensive plan that would focus on adult discipleship, and for an institute of discipleship that would train church staff and volunteer leaders.

In other matters, synod agreed to vote on the candidates for ministry from Calvin Theological Seminary as a group rather than individually. The candidates will be presented to synod on Tuesday morning.

Last year, synod voted on the candidates individually so that delegates opposed to women in ministry could abstain from voting for female candidates.

Delegates also turned down a proposal that would have allowed former elders to serve as delegates to synod.

On Monday evening, synod delegates enjoyed "A Taste of Chicago" at the traditional picnic hosted by college President Steven Timmermans on the lawn of Trinity Christian College. Food stations represented Chicago's various ethnic neighborhoods, with the food served by representatives of Reformed agencies active in the city.

Christian Reformed Church