Is the synod of the Chr. Ref. Church going to make room for “conscientious objectors”? That is the question that must be asked in connection with the decision of the synod of ‘84 regarding women office-bearers. It is easy to say (as synod did) that each church is free to implement or not to implement that decision, and that ministers need not participate in ordaining such women. But are those who object to this decision really free? Consider the quota system: Are we not “locked into” a system which forces us to give financial support to agencies which promote that which we deem to be in conflict with the Word of God? Several members of the church cannot in good conscience support such agencies. What do we tell them? What is synod going to tell them? Unless room is made for such “conscientious objectors” several of them may leave the CRC (some have already).

Our creeds and Church Order protect the conscience of the believer, which is bound only by the Word of God. Art. 32 of the Belgic Confession states that “we reject all human inventions, and all laws which man would introduce into the worship ofGod, thereby to bind and compel the conscience in any manner whatever,” and Art. 7 says that we may not consider any “councils, decrees or statutes as of equal value with the truth of God, since the truth is above all.” And we all know Art. 29 of the Church Order: decisions of synods are considered settled and binding unless they conflict with the Word of God and the Church Order. Many consider the decision of the synod of ‘84 as doing precisely that. And there’s no use kidding ourselves: some of our members are not going to give their money to causes which promote that which they are convinced is contrary to the Word of God. And consistories, classes and synods had better consider what they are going to do with such members. Will there be room for them in the church, or will there be room only for those who cause the problem in the first place? We cannot avoid answering this question.