Synod 2024: A Defining Moment for the CRCNA
"Synod" might sound like a fancy church word, but in the Christian Reformed Church of North America (CRCNA), it simply means a gathering of pastors, elders, and deacons. Each year, they meet to pray, discuss, and vote on crucial matters that shape our denomination. This year's synod, held at Calvin University and virtually, promises to be particularly significant.
What's on the Agenda?
While the full agenda is a hefty 614 pages, the denomination has provided an 8,000-word summary [find it here]. Among the key topics is the ongoing discussion of the "Human Sexuality Report."
The Heart of the Matter: Human Sexuality
For the past two years, Synod has affirmed the traditional biblical view of marriage. Now, the focus shifts to enforcement. If a church leader or congregation teaches or practices something contrary to this view, are they upholding their ordination vows? If not, what should the consequences be?
These are not easy questions. Personal stories, relationships, and denominational politics all come into play. However, I believe we must graciously yet firmly uphold the biblical definition of marriage. Those who teach otherwise should be called to repentance. If unrepentant, the difficult but necessary step of removing them from office must be taken.
Repentance: A Gift of Grace
This might sound harsh, but repentance is central to the Gospel. Jesus' message was one of repentance and turning towards God's Lordship. If we believe Christ is King, that extends to every aspect of our lives, including our sexuality. Calling someone to repentance is an act of love, urging them to turn away from self-rule and embrace the loving leadership of Jesus.
The Stakes Are High
A recent article by a 14-year-old student in a divided Christian school [link] highlights why this isn't just an "agree to disagree" issue. She eloquently argues that sin, including the rejection of God's design for sexuality, is indeed a salvation issue. Her words are a powerful reminder that downplaying sin does not help anyone; it robs them of the opportunity for repentance and forgiveness.
She writes:
I’ve been thinking about this since middle school, “Why are Christians, why are churches, why is the CRC, struggling so much with this matter of LGBTQ+ practices?” It’s so difficult because it's hard to make all these decisions that affect people we know and love. But still, going down to the root of things, maybe the struggle comes from the fact that we’ve lost sight of the gospel. That gospel that is so radical and so amazing it changed the hearts of the whole city of Nineveh, and yet that same gospel is… so… HARD. It’s hard because it says we aren’t okay. It’s hard because it says we have to put all our faith in Someone besides ourselves. In fact we can’t trust ourselves at all.
The Bible shows we can’t trust our hearts because our heart-and all our earthly desires - are sinful and put us against an eternal, good God. (Isaiah 59:2, Rom 8:7) Therefore we must repent, to turn away from our hearts and our sin. Yet that’s the one thing hardest for us humans to do.
As humans we want to put faith in ourselves. Put ourselves first. We’re fine with the idea of God but only if we make it, if we name it, and it makes us feel good about ourselves.
Even when we become new in Christ, we are still tempted to trust ourselves and our faith, over the reason for it–Jesus. Once we do that, we stop seeing the gospel as it is and start seeing the gospel as we want it to be. We trust our own version of the Bible instead of what is actually there. Truly anything can seem right when one uses the Bible out of context.
What does the Bible actually say? What is the Gospel all about? It is a message of repentance… and it’s all about Jesus. We know that. Jesus came to earth to die for our sins. Yes, a Sunday School answer. But even though we know it, we don’t do it. Do what? Repent.
God can’t forgive the hard-hearted sin of unrepentance. The only way we won’t enter heaven is if we don’t put down our pride and repent. Yet that’s the very thing we tell those who support same-sex marriage not to do. We say we are loving. We say it's not a salvation issue. We say everyone can have a different view (that it’s just like different views with baptism or the millennium) and it won’t make any lasting impact. But aren’t we just trusting ourselves, twisting the Bible to make it fit with cultural standards?
How does that help anyone? Sin is worse than we think. Saying that real sin, sin that deserves eternal death, is actually not sin is taking away someone's chance of having that sin forgiven! That is not loving. What is loving is teaching repentance from humility.
Praying for Synod
As synod approaches, I urge you to join me in prayer. Let's ask God for wisdom, courage, love, and Christ-likeness as we seek unity and alignment with His Word. May we be faithful, clear-minded, and whole-hearted in giving Him glory. You can find additional prayer points here. As Synod approaches, please join me in praying that God will give us wisdom, courage, love, and Christ-likeness as we seek integrity and alignment. May God help us be increasingly faithful to His Word, clear-minded as we exercise discipline, and whole-hearted as we give Him glory.
With You;
Pastor Tim
