The Synod was convened this year by the consistory of the Beckwith Hills Christian Reformed Church of Grand Rapids, Michigan, where on the evening preceeding the beginning of synod a service of prayer was held. The service was well attended and was marked by a spirit of reverence and adoration.

The pastor of the Beckwith Hills Church conducted the opening devotions of the first session of synod on Tuesday morning, June 8. The delegates proceeded to the election of officers. The Reverend Clarence Boomsma, longtime pastor of the Calvin Christian Reformed Church of Grand Rapids, Michigan, was elected president on the first ballot. This was not the first time that he was called upon to chair synod. On succeeding ballots the Reverend Nicholas Knoppers, pastor of the First Christian Reformed Church of Red Deer, Alberta, Canada, was elected vice-president, the Reverend Leonard Hoffman, pastor of the Bethany Christian Reformed Church of Holland, Michigan, was elected First Clerk and the Reverend Harry Arnold, pastor of the First Christian Reformed Church of Lansing, Illinois, was elected second clerk.

It is always an impressive moment when the delegates to synod are requested to arise to indicate their agreement with the three forms of unity. The delegates were dismissed to begin their work in the various advisory committees which had been appointed by the officers of the preceeding synod and the Stated Clerk of the denomination. The men who make committee appointments exercise a great deal of power and can often influence the outcome of a particular matter that is before synod for consideration. Each matter which is before synod is referred to a committee for study and recommendation before it comes before the delegates for consideration. Much of the time during the first few days is spent in committee work. It is here that the delegates often exercise their greatest influence.

Wednesday, June 9

An important event occurred on the second day of synod. The Reverend William P. Brink has been serving as the stated clerk of the denomination since 1970. He will be retiring at the end of 1982. Several years ago a colleague said to me, “The stated clerk is the most powerful man in the Christian Reformed Church.” When asked for the reason for his statement he pointed out that throughout the United States and Canada consistories turn to the stated clerk‘s office for advice in regard to the application of the Church Order and church practice as well as for the interpretation of synodical decisions. This fact, as well as others that could be mentioned, indicates the far reaching influence of the position of stated clerk. A search committee appointed earlier had presented the names of the Reverend Peter Borgdorff and the Reverend Leonard Hoffman as nominees for this position. Interviews were conducted on the floor of synod with these two men. The delegates were well satisfied that either of the nominees could occupy the office with distinction. The balloting revealed that the Reverend Leonard Hoffman of Holland, Michigan, had been elected. He will assume office the first of January 1983.

It is over 80 years ago that the Christian Reformed Church began her mission work among the American Indians. Progress during the first years was extremely slow and often disheartening. However, the work of the missionaries has been blessed and there are now nine organized churches in the Council of Indian Churches, and another plans to organize in September 1982, at which time there will be ten organized congregations with a membership of 285 families. There are also seven unorganized churches with a membership of 130 families. Synod of 1982 was confronted with the request to give final approval to the organization of a new classis in September, 1982, to be known as the Red Mesa Classis. This approval was given. The Reverend Paul Redhouse, pastor of the Christian Reformed Church at Teec Nos Pos, Arizona, addressed synod acknowledging the contribution of the Christian Reformed Church during the past years and expressing the wish that the churches of the new classis might be able to make a contribution to the Christian Reformed Church. A prayer of thanksgiving was offered and the delegates arose to sing the first stanza of “Blest Be the Tie that Binds,” followed by the doxology.

Thursday, June 10

The synod was once again confronted with the question of admitting lodge members into the Christian Reformed Church. Classis Hackensack had sent an appeal in regard to the decision of Synod 1979. Classis Hackensack was asking that the decision to admit lodge members be granted to the individual consistory. It was disturbing, to say the least, to hear a delegate, who asked to meet with the advisory committee dealing with this appeal, admit that lodge members are regularly partaking of the Lord’s Supper at the church which he serves as pastor. The synod readily adopted the committee’s recommendation not to accede to the appeal of Classis Hackensack.

Each year a testimonial dinner is held during synod honoring those men and women who have reached a milestone in their service to the church or who are retiring from special positions in the church. This year the dinner was held the first week of synod. The dinner is always a pleasant respite from the regular routine of synod. This year’s dinner honored several faculty members at Calvin College and Seminary who are completing twenty–five years of service, as well as Dr. Barney Steen and Dr. John Vanden Berg, who are retiring from the staff of Calvin College after many years of service. Also honored at this dinner was the Reverend William P. Brink, who will be retiring from the position of stated clerk at the close of 1982. It was good to hear those who have long served the church speak with gratitude of t he blessings God has bestowed upon the church.

Friday, June 11

Most of the morning of the fourth day of Synod was devoted to a discussion of matters pertaining to the Ministers’ Pension Plan. For several years the Pension Committee has been preparing a response to the following synodical mandate: “That synod advise the Ministers’ Pension Fund Committee of the desirability of increasing the Ministers’ Pension benefits annually in accordance with the increase of the actual cost of living, and, secondly, that the pension plan be separated into two plans: one for Canadian participants and one for United States participants.” The new plan was adopted providing for the establishment of the ministers’ pension on the basis of the average salary of all ministers in the particular plan during the last three years of the retiring minister’s active service. The plan also provides for a minister to build up pension benefits to the age of 71 if he remains in active service. The plan was divided into one for United States participants and another for Canadian participants.

Immediately after lunch on Friday, Dr. Eugene Rubingh presented the world missionaries who were home on furlough. Itis a moving experience to be reminded that the Christian Reformed Church is carrying on a mission program around the world. The Reverend Dick Kwantes spoke on behalf of the missionaries serving in Asia, the Reverend Ray Brinks addressed synod on behalf of the missionaries laboring in Latin America and Mrs. Nelle (Breen) Smith who spent 39 years in Nigeria responded on behalf of the staff in Africa.

There are now sixty ministers serving in either the institutional chaplaincy or the military chaplaincy. Those who were present at this particular session of synod were presented by the Reverend Harold Bode. The Reverend Siebert Van Houten addressed synod on behalf of those engaged in the institutional chaplaincy and the Reverend Paul Vruwink responded on behalf of the military chaplains.

For some time there has been agitation to increase the lay representation on the denominational boards. Many of the classes have been sensitive to this movement and have been electing lay people to the board membership. This synod was confronted with an overture from Classis Grand Rapids East requesting that the representation on the boards be evenly divided between ministers and lay persons. The discussion made clear the difficulty involved in implementing such a decision, but the delegates by a small margin approved the overture which will also abolish the position of “members at large.” One could not escape noticing that underlying the comments of some of the delegates was the desire to have more female representation on the boards. Later in the sessions of synod when this matter of board membership was reconsidered, the decision was made to refer the implementation of the decision to the Synodical Interim Committee.

Twenty-five candidates for the ministry of the Word and Sacraments were approved by the Synod of 1982. These candidates and their wives were presented to the synod late Friday afternoon. The president of synod addressed them eloquently reflecting upon the fact that as his ministry comes to a close, they were beginning their ministries. He recalled the forbidding circumstances nationally and internationally under which he had begun his ministry and directed attention to the great blessings which God had bestowed upon His church during the past forty years. He reminded the candidates of the great challenges which await them. After a prayer of thanksgiving the delegates and friends in attendance arose to sing all the stanzas of Psalter Hymnal No. 468, “God of the Prophets.”

The evening session was devoted to a discussion of the report of the Interchurch Relations Committee regarding our relationship with the Dutch Reformed Church in South Africa. It was decided not to enter into ecclesiastical fellowship with this church because of its support of its government’s policy of Apartheid. The synod did “take note of the sincerity of the Dutch Reformed Church’s commitment to Christ and the Scriptures; its piety and moral sensitivity in so many respects; its exemplary mission consciousness and remarkable success in evangelism among the non–whites of South Africa; and its sacrifices to establish institutions of mercy among the needy and handicapped, irrespective of race.” It seemed contradictory to this reporter that we could so quickly pass judgment on a church carrying on its mission ten thousand miles away whose society we so little understand, while we continue to remain in ecclesiastical fellowship with the Gereformeerde Kerken in Netherland whose commitment to the Scriptures and the Reformed Faith is, to say the least, suspect.

Saturday, June 12

De Wachter has been serving the Dutch-reading members of the Christian Reformed Church for over one hundred years. At present its subscription list stands at 2,300 and must be subsidized by about fifty thousand dollars each year. It was decided to terminate the publication of De Wachter no later than January 1, 1986. If the subscription rate should drop below 1,500 before January 1, 1986 it would be terminated as soon as feasible. The Reverend William Haverkamp has been serving with distinction as editor for many years, and his editorial work has been greatly appreciated by his readers.

The Reverend Andrew Kuyvenhoven was reappointed editor of The Banner for a four–year term.

The president of Calvin Seminary, in his supplementary report to the Board of Trustees at its May meeting, had requested the Board to ask synod to require the Board of Mid–America Reformed Seminary to give a rationale for its existence. The committee of synod to which this request was referred for study came to the floor of synod with a majority and a minority report. The majority report was ready to concur with the request that the Board of Mid-America Reformed Seminary be asked to provide to synod a rationale for its existence. After the majority report was debated for some time, it was tabled and attention was directed to the minority report which recommended that synod not accede to the request before it. This report of the minority was well-defended. The Reverend L. Mulder of Classis Quinte asked, “If I want to start a seminary in my basement, who is going to stop me?” The report of the minority was adopted, and so reason prevailed and synod was kept from embarrassing itself by asking for something which it had no right to require.

Monday, June 14

Monday had been designated as the day in which the nominees for the position of president of Calvin Seminary would be interviewed and balloting would take place. The Reverend Wilmer Witte had been chosen to interview each of the nominees. An hour and a half was devoted to each interview including the questions of the interviewer and the delegates to synod. Dr. James De Jong, member of the faculty of Dordt College, Sioux Center, Iowa, was elected with a decisive majority. Both candidates in their interviews had acknowledged that it is a time of widespread unrest, suspicion and distrust on the part of the church toward the seminary. Each had said that he would make it a priority to work for the regaining of the church’s confidence in her seminary. May the church be united in her prayers for Dr. De Jong as he assumes this herculean task.

There has been concern for some time because of the large number of ministers who leave the service of the church under a “cloud.” This year’s synod was faced with a recommendation, which was adopted, to appoint a qualified individual to serve as Director of Pastor–Church Relations Services. He will be available to assist when crises arise in the relationship between minister and consistory (church). Regional pastors will be appointed to assist him in his work. The program will cost $85,000 the first year. Not all supported the plan. Some of us see a serious bypassing of the authority of the elders and also of the church visitors as we seek solutions to our problems. Someone said, “This is a case where the treatment is worse than the sickness.” Time will tell.

In addition to the above recommendation a plan was also adopted whereby each newly ordained minister will be given a mentor for his first five years of ministry. A mentor will also be appointed for those who enter the Christian Reformed ministry by way of Church Order Articles 7, 8 or 14c. The concept of a mentor is a fine one followed by many young ministers in the past as they selected an older minister whose counsel and advice was sought when needed. The question naturally arises how effectively the system will work when the candidate can no longer select his own mentor in whom he has confidence, but will rather have to accept the services of someone who is appointed for him. Just at a time when government is seeking to “decentralize,” it seems that we are vesting more power in the “establishment.”

Tuesday, June 15

Several overtures had come to synod expressing concern about the situation in Calvin Seminary. More than one of the overtures called for an investigation of the situation. The advisory committee came with a single report based primarily upon the overture of Classis Minnesota South. It was unfortunate that some of the other overtures became buried in the report of the committee. It was rewarding that the committee came with the recommendation that synod declare that “adherence to the confessions, as required by the Form of Subscription, includes those utterances of the confession that affirm the historical factuality of the events recorded in Genesis 1–3, and that departures from those doctrines must be dealt with in terms of the requirements of that form.” There were those who immediately spoke in opposition to this recommendation as well as the following one to which we will make reference later in this report. It became apparent that the Canadian delegates were especially opposed to the committee’s recommendation, believing that extra-creedal requirements were being imposed.

The Reverend R. Vermeer of Classis Central California finally declared that he observed that most of the opposition was coming from north of the border, and that while he did not know the situation in Canada, he did know that south of the border there was need for the kind of recommendations being presented by the advisory committee. The first recommendation was adopted, as well as the second, “That synod instruct the Board of Trustees and all assemblies which deal with admission to the ministry of the Word to require of the candidate a clear statement of commitment to the confessions, including those utterances of the confessions that affirm the historical factuality of the events recorded in Genesis 1–3.” Although appreciative of what was adopted; one cannot help but feel that the root cause of the problem has been left untouched, which surely cannot be for the welfare of either the seminary or the church.

On Tuesday afternoon the fraternal delegates were presented and gave their addresses. Earlier, when the delegates had been introduced, this delegate was disturbed and grieved to notice that the Reformed Church in America had sent as its “fraternal delegate” a woman whom they had ordained to the office of minister. That hardly seems to indicate a desire for closer relationship with us. As someone at synod observed, it’s more like pouring salt into the wound.

An overture from Classis Grand Rapids South dealt with the baptism of adopted children. Synod of 1968 had ruled such baptism permissible, but had left the timing of it up to each consistory. The overture pleaded that such baptism be “at the same time and in the same manner as a child born into a family.” After a prolonged discussion synod declared that Article 56 of the Church Order applies both to adopted children· and children born into a family.

Tuesday evening had been set aside for a discussion of the dance issue, and there was a large audience to hear what synod would say. The discussion was long and it became apparent that strong support would be coming from the Canadian delegates to adopt the report of the majority, that “The Christian is not called to a rejection of the human capacity to dance, but is called to redeem this ability to a God–honoring use. The challenge of a redeemed use of dancing includes religious, artistic, and social forms of dance, and extends to the entire context of dancing, including motivation, setting and music, as well as the structure of the dance itself.” The recommendation was adopted, although the repeated question, “What does it mean to redeem the dance?” was never answered. The reporters for the study committee repeatedly asserted that the “centerpiece” of their report was the following statement, “It is biblical and therefore fitting that God’s people use appropriate liturgical dance forms for the expression of their deep feelings of praise to their God. The God who gave us bodies responsive to music and capable of rhythmic movement does not require that we ignore our bodies in worship or that we praise him only with our minds and voices.” The minority report of the advisory committee urged that this section of the report be deleted. It was instead referred to the standing committee on liturgy, and thus, at least for the present time, the danger of even further division in the church was avoided.

Wednesday, June 16

Wednesday morning had been designated for the discussion of budget matters. Many of the delegates were conscious of the financial hardships being experienced by the members of their churches back home. A budget was adopted which asks each Christian Reformed family to pay $355.05 in quotas for denominational causes, which is a 7.1% increase over the 1982 figure of $331.65. One is amazed at the continuing loyalty of our people shown also in their generous support of denominational causes. May the church be worthy of such loyalty and support!

Wednesday afternoon saw the presentation of the Home Missionaries who were present at synod. An interesting new work being introduced, is that of ministry to the women in military service. Mr. and Mrs. Harry Olthof will be pioneering that work.

Wednesday night was devoted to a discussion of the report on warfare. Synod in the past has dealt with the matter of “The Just War” and statements have been adopted. The committee, in response to overtures from Classis Chicago South and Classis Grand Rapids East, had once again directed its attention to the subject of war. While affirming the concept of a just war, synod adopted new statements including the following: “Considering the extreme difficulty, if not the impossibility, of limiting nuclear weapons if war should break out, the church enjoins upon the nations of the world their duty to establish a framework of mutual agreement to scrap these weapons, and to do so without delay under international surveillance.” While world leaders struggle with these problems for years, the church finds herself able in an hour’s time to make pronouncements, the implications of which are mind-boggling. I remember my professor in church polity saying more than once that the church must restrict herself to dealing in her assemblies with ecclesiastical matters. We seem to have forgotten that principle.

Thursday, June 17

For some time there has been tension between the Board for Christian Reformed World Missions and the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee in those areas where a joint ministry is involved. Previous synods had taken note of this difficulty. Synod of 1982 appointed a “blue ribbon committee” consisting of Mr. Gerard Berghoef, Mr. Norman De Graaf, Rev. Harold Dekker, Dr. John Kromminga and Dr. William Spoelhof to “study, monitor and supervise” the ministries in which both agencies are involved.

Thursday morning saw an emotion-packed discussion take place, as attention was directed to an overture from Classis Lake Erie requesting that in those instances when the candidacy of an individual is denied by synod, as occurred in 1981, a committee shall be appointed to review the application of that person and to report to the following synod, which shall make a final decision in the case. It seemed at first as if the overture was going to gain acceptance, especially as the pastoral concern which some read into the overture was emphasized. Then the Reverend Peter Brouwer, delegate from Classis Minnesota South, directed attention to the fact that the overture called for a committee, not to minister to the student whose candidacy was denied, but to review the decision of a previous synod, as if that synod had not been capable of making a right decision. The overture was soundly defeated.

As I reflect upon Synod of 1982 various thoughts come to mind;

1. It was marked by good leadership. The officers fulfilled their responsibilities capably and as Christian gentlemen. 2. It was a synod marked by active participation on the part of the elders. As I reflect upon past synods attended, I am encouraged to see the elders both in committee and on the floor of synod becoming increasingly articulate. 3. I was encouraged especially in the advisory committee meetings of which I was a part to observe the concern to appeal for support to the Scriptures, the Confessions and the Church Order. 4. Synod of 1982 will no doubt be remembered for its decision in regard to the dance. Many, as I, will regret this decision. I would only remind such, even as I remind myself, that this decision does not mark the end of the church we love. 5. As synod entered into the discussion of the reports of her deputies and found difficulty in some instances to understand what they had· done, or to concur with their decisions, I was reminded of the importance of the work of these men and the importance of their knowing the Church Order and having the courage to act in accord with it. 6. Synod of 1982 was confronted with a case in which a disciplined officebearer had appealed to the Judicial Code Committee. That committee presented its report. This delegate had seen the committee work on the classical level and now at synod and was made aware that it is going to become increasingly difficult for the church to exercise the key of discipline if the Judicial Code Committee is going to appeal to technicalities to annul the work of the church’s assemblies.

Synod of 1982 is past. Her decisions remain. May God bless that which was acceptable unto Him. The president of synod had reminded the delegates that the church belongs not to us but to Christ. The president said: “If we made errors, He’ll correct them; it is His church.” May the King of the church not only correct but also forgive.