Synod 2010 began its work on Monday morning with a worship service asking the Holy Spirit to be with delegates and others as they undertake their deliberations. Delegates met in their committees throughout the afternoon.

“We are ready for the work of synod,” said Rev. Aldon Kuiper, president of Synod 2010, at the start of the session. “By your grace, Jesus Christ, guide us as we do the work of synod…. We offer our hearts and minds to Jesus Christ as we begin today.”

Synod also remembered Martin Ozinga, a strong supporter of Trinity Christian College, who died on Saturday. Synod is meeting in the Martin and Janet Ozinga Chapel at Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights, Ill.

Rev. George Vander Weit, a delegate from Classis Lake Erie, led in prayer, recalling that Ozinga once helped to organize a fundraiser to cover the medical costs for Vander Weit, his brother, and his cousin when they were seriously injured in a firework explosion. Vander Weit said that Ozinga represents the best of what members of the CRC have to offer one another as well as the world at large. “We will miss Marty. He was a strong Christian man who was always willing to help out those in need,” said Vander Weit..

The morning sessions also included a sermon from the gospel of Matthew by Rev. Norman Brown, pastor of Cedar Hill CRC in Wyckoff, N.J. He spoke of how readily Christ’s disciples dropped whatever they were doing to answer his call. “Jesus wants us to be enthusiastic. … He calls us to his kingdom… He asks us to offer a prayer of repentance, and turn away from evil, every day.

“How great is this salvation we have been granted. Christ stoops down and chooses people on their level,” said Brown. “We pray, please, this week for the passion to respond to God’s call. …Jesus asks people to go with him.”

Kuiper asked specifically for God’s blessings on the delegates as they meet. “We pray for your blessing on us and what we are doing this day. Bless our work,” he said. “We come from all kinds of places and many of us have left behind serious issues at home.”

During the morning session, synod approved offerings for a range of CRC agencies. In addition, Kuiper oversaw the process of voting various persons onto Christian Reformed Church boards and committees, including the Board of Trustees, the group that takes care of church business between synods. In addition, a range of people were given approval to address synod on various measures.

Kuiper also made a few announcements, reminding delegates that the merger of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches and the Reformed Ecumenical Council takes place later this week on the campus of Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Mich. The new entity will be called the World Communion of Reformed Churches. The Christian Reformed Church in North America is one of the host denominations for the meeting.

Rev. Jerry Dykstra, the CRC’s executive director, is scheduled to address synod on the state of the CRC during the plenary session on Monday night. To watch the webcast and see complete coverage from Synod 2010, visit www.crcna.org/Synod

This article first appeared in the CRC Newsroom web page and is used with permission. Source: http://www.crcna.org/news.cfm?newsid=2009&section=1