A PLEA FOR UNITY IN INTERPRETATION OF GOD’S WORD
After reading Banner reports and listening to local reports of Synodical delegates in reference to “Women in Office,” I’m wondering how this all started and what’s the main motive. Surely, it’s not because current deacons are not doing a good job. We’re surely not minimizing the significant roll of mothers in the God-honored position of Christian home–maker, in leading children in the path ofChristian service. Isn’t it quite significant that this “Women in Office” issue should occur at a time when America is suffering severely from the effects of broken homes? To settle an issue of such importance, wouldn’t it have been wiser to settle by two-thirds vote instead of simple majority?
I believe there are many women with great talents and abilities to promote spiritual growth. There is also a crying need in all church communities for the use of these talents and abilities aside from holding an office of deacon. In the history of our church, God has blessed the deeds of mercy which many women have done and are doing, without being in office as deacon.
As far as headship is concerned, God’s Word has made that clear in I Tim. 2:12, 13; Eph. 5:22–25; I Cor. 11:1, 2, 3.
God wants talents and abilities to be used to His glory, and I feel confident that if we humbly seek His guidance, He will provide the right place of service for each one who wants to be used to His Glory. The Lord will channel talents and abilities in the right direction without interfering with established church offices and church order.
Synod has passed the decision to local consistories. Isn’t this weakening the authority of Synod?
Satan wants to undermine God’s authority and is using every opportunity to do so. He’s already attacking every avenue of life: especially the social, the physical, moral, religious, and Christian educational avenues.
How can we afford disunity of interpretation in the Christian Reformed Church. I’d like to call it “Christian Reformed Camp;” because we’re all fighting Satan and his influence. In unity there is strength! God grant us faith as we battle sin in a confused world.
Written in love for the Christian Reformed Church
Nellie Barehead, South Holland, Illinois
July 29, 1984
Dear Sirs:
The Faculty of Mid-America Reformed Seminary feels it to be necessary, in the light of the recent synodical decision permitting women to hold the office of Deacon in the Christian Reformed Church, to publish a policy statement which covers the practice of professors and students of the school.
The policy consists of the following resolution:
The Faculty of Mid-America Reformed Seminary informs members of the Christian Reformed Church in North America, including members of its Association, that:
WHEREAS the opening of the office of Deacon to women is plainly contrary to several passages of Scripture, where it is prohibited on the basis of the Creation and the Fall (I Corinthians 14:34–36; I Timothy 2:12–14); and
WHEREAS the opening of the office of Deacon to women contradicts the Belgic Confession (Article 30) and the Church Order, thus repudiating the teaching and practice of the Reformed churches maintained for more than 400 years; and
WHEREAS the opening of the office of Deacon to women virtually compels the Christian Reformed Church to open the offices of Minister of the Word and of Elder to women, since the offices are equal in dignity and honor; and
WHEREAS the decision to open the office of Deacon to women plainly contradicts the prior decision of the 1984 synod of the Christian Reformed Church, which had declared that the principle of headship applies both in marriage and in the church;
THEREFORE, be it resolved that all professors and students of Mid–America Reformed Seminary will, by preaching and exhorting, supply only those pulpits where the Consistory acts in agreement with the biblical, confessional and historical position summarized above.
We would appreciate your taking note of this policy. If we can serve your congregation with pulpit supply, please feel free to call the Seminary at (712) 737–3446.
Cordially,
Dr. Peter Y. DeJong
Rev. Nelson D. Kloosterman
Dr. Timothy Monsma
Rev. Mark Vander Hart
Rev. Henry Vander Kam
A EDMONTON VIEW
Dear Brethren,
I will try to make clear to you some of our difficulties that we have in this city of Edmonton in relation to synod’s decision allowing qualified women to be ordained as deacons in the CRC. This decision ofsynod was that last straw .to break the camel’s back, so to speak.
Not long ago we had a meeting of 16 concerned members in which we discussed just what we should do. We decided for the present to call a public meeting for all concerned members in September and invite a speaker for that meeting. Our intentions are not to leave the CRC at this time, nor go it alone, but to form a congregation within the bosom of the CRC in which we can return to the practices, teaching and preaching of the sound historic Christian faith. At the general public meeting we plan to come with some definite proposals and have appointed a committee to work these out.
As mentioned above, synod’s decision is not the only concerns we have in Edmonton. Many members are deeply disturbed and frustrated by the thinking and practices in their congregations, which point to a deeper malady, a departing from our cherished and beautiful Reformed faith. That is seen and experienced in the liturgies , teaching, and preaching in the congregations. These disgruntled members are not silent. I believe most of them are or have been office–bearers in the Christian Reformed Church. They feel frustrated because few seem to care or listen to their concerns. I understand and sympathize with their frustrations. I also agree with them that something must be done, and that is why we called such a meeting.
Whether such a congregation as we hope to form would be allowed to organize in this city is a good question. Clairview Fellowship was allowed to organize with classical approval. But this is something different. You can imagine the arguments concerning no specific need, so many young churches already, etc. etc. We will face that music when the time comes, as I hope it will. But there are many members here who would welcome such a move with rejoicing.
As to your letters I will summarize my reactions to your suggestions. I believe that the COMMITTEE OF CONCERNED CHRISTIAN REFORMED OFFICE–BEARERS should continue, and that with vigor. I also agree fully that we must do whatever we feel needs doing, together. Already some members are leaving and are lost to unified action. Too bad! Hence I also agree we should keep in touch. In Winnipeg a similar meeting has been or will be held. I will contact them so they don’t take isolated action.
I must admit that I see little merit in approaching consistories to protest synod ‘s actions. Here that would mean just going the ecclesiastical route to bring our individual protests to synod. But synod came back on precisely such an action already. As I see it there is now no turning back, unless they see 100 or more congregations withdrawing. I mean, not just threatening to do so, but actually doing so. Perhaps then the eyes of some would be opened to see the seriousness of the matter and rethink their position and things would tum around in our denomination. All that needs to be said has been said, and all the protests of concerned congregations have been heard. I very much doubt whether any other action will help but to withdraw and if a change could be affected this way we could return to the denomination with real gladness.
I agree with your urgency in this whole matter. Our denomination is following a deadly course, as one of you so succinctly put it, “If the present trend goes forward—and with the pressures there this seems very likely—the end of the CRC as a confessionally sound and honest fellowship of churches is around the comer.” We see that happening in Edmonton, it alarms us, and we want to take some kind of action now, before it is too late. Now is the time, as I see it, to stand up and be counted, cost it what it will. And that for the sake of the honor of our God and the well-being of our church and its members.
I will add a final note. Being in various pulpits every Sunday I do not really experience too much of the frustrations of fellow members. I assume that where ministers are serving in churches, preach the sound and solid Reformed truth, that neither they nor the members of such churches appreciate when immediate action is proposed. Be assured that we do not want to act rashly or carelessly, or in isolation. Much thought and prayer have gone into this and will also in the future. Surely we must continue prayerfully that whatever we do carries the Lord’s blessings with it. Precisely for that reason your letters elated and encouraged me very much. Thank you very much. Any correspondence will be very welcome. Please keep us informed of any actions or decisions and we on our part will do the same. My heartiest greetings to all of you.
Very sincerely in and for the Lord’s cause,
Cecil Tuininga