Synod 2011 of the Christian Reformed Church is meeting in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The assembly gathered on June 10 and will run through June 16. Each of the CRC’s 47 classes (regional groups of churches) will send two ministers and two elders as representatives.

So far, two significant actions have come to the floor

Homosexuality will not be reexamined

Classis Grand Rapids East had sent an overture to Synod 2011 requesting appointment of “a Study Committee to Review the Biblical Teachings Regarding Homosexual Orientation and Practice.” The grounds for the overture stated that the current statement on homosexuality is thirty-eight years old, and “There have been significant biblical and theological consideration of these issues since then.”

Of the twenty delegates on the advisory committee, sixteen formed a majority, recommending that synod not accede to the overture. The remaining four produced a minority report in favor of granting the request of the overture.

Proponents of the majority report argued that the Bible was clear on homosexual practice and the previous studies on the topic were sufficient for a theological position and pastoral response to homosexuality. Those against the majority report argued that more study needed to be done, and that public opinion and legal changes have arisen recently that the old statement does not address.

A number of delegates and youth representatives spoke out against the majority report. Disagreement with the current position was never expressed. A few even expressed agreement with the current position but wanted to see additional study dedicated to the matter of homosexual orientation and practice.

The minority report was read along with the majority report but it never made it to the floor for discussion. A motion was made, after some discussion, to bring the minority report to the floor for discussion, but after a voice vote the motion failed.

In the end, the majority report passed by a narrow margin (93 to 81). The issue of homosexuality will not be reexamined.

Joint Translation of Three Forms of Unity with RCA
The synod will consider a joint translation of the Three Forms of Unity (Heidelberg Catechism, Belgic Confession, and Canons of Dort) with the Reformed Church in America (RCA) this week.

Anticipating the passage of these new translations, the CRC will be holding a joint session with the Reformed Church in America on Thursday.

The proposed translations were presented by Faith Alive Christian Resources, the publishing agency shared by both denominations. The committee composing the translations consisted of two members from each denomination. The Presbyterian Church USA was represented with an additional two committee members on the translation of the Heidelberg Catechism.

The proposal has not been without controversy. Masculine pronouns for God have been reduced by two thirds, and the different understanding between the two denominations regarding the role of confessions in the church has also been raised. The RCA has kept the Three Forms of Unity intact, recognizing that they are historical documents, describing the Reformed heritage. The CRC has treated the Three Forms of Unity as documents that currently hold true, choosing to put some sections of the Belgic Confession into footnotes in order to keep them currently faithful to the understanding of Scripture.

The new translations were brought to synod 2010 as part of an initiative to have a common hymnal between the CRC and RCA. Synod 2010 instructed the translation committee to make further changes based on feedback from the CRC congregations and bring the amended translations to synod 2011 for approval.

Eight overtures have been submitted calling for synod to reject the proposed translations.

An initial vote is scheduled for Tuesday afternoon before the joint session with the RCA on Thursday.

Rev. Aaron Vriesman is the Pastor of the North Blendon Christian Reformed Church in Hudsonville, Michigan and is reporting on the CRC Synod for The Aquila Report. He is serving as a Minister Delegate to the Synod from Classis Zeeland.