From: Darrell128@aol.com
Date: Tue, 16 Jun 1998 11:12:04 EDT
Subject: NR 98056: CRC Synod Solves Women Ministerial Candidate Issue by 
Separate Voting

NR #1998-056:   Not One Vote, Not Two Votes, But 29 Votes: CRC Synod Solves 
Women Ministerial Candidate Issue by Separate Voting
   Since Synod 1995, conservative Christian Reformed synodical delegates have 
wondered what to do about voting to approve the list of candidates for the 
CRC ministry when that list included women. At Synod 1996 and Synod 1997, 
delegates adopted motions to divide the candidates by gender. The male 
candidates were approved by unanimous voice vote; the female candidates were 
approved with a scattering of audible negative votes. That led to protests by 
a number of delegates favoring women's ordination. Rather than making a 
decision on one vote or two votes, the advisory committee on education 
recommended a novel idea: separate votes on all 29 candidates graduating this 
year from Calvin Seminary and its ministerial training programs.

NR #1998-056: For Immediate Release:
Not One Vote, Not Two Votes, But 29 Votes: CRC Synod Solves Women Ministerial 
Candidate Issue by Separate Voting

by Darrell Todd Maurina, Press Officer
United Reformed News Service

GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. (June 16, 1998) URNS - Since Synod 1995, conservative 
Christian Reformed synodical delegates have wondered what to do about voting 
to approve the list of candidates for the CRC ministry when that list 
included women. At Synod 1996 and Synod 1997, delegates adopted motions to 
divide the candidates by gender. The male candidates were approved by 
unanimous voice vote; the female candidates were approved with a scattering 
of audible negative votes.
   That led to protests by a number of delegates favoring women's ordination, 
and led this year to an overture by Classis Lake Erie. "Most members of our 
congregations would be outraged if synod voted separately on seminarians of 
different skin color, since skin color is not a criterion for candidacy in 
the Christian Reformed Church," wrote Classis Lake Erie. "In the broader 
society, the current synodical practice, which exposes candidates to 
different requirements simply on the basis of gender, would be illegal. The 
practice is unfair, since it exposes women to the risk of rejection solely on 
the basis of their gender."
   Rather than making a decision on one vote or two votes, the advisory 
committee on education recommended a novel idea: separate votes on all 29 
candidates graduating this year from Calvin Seminary and its ministerial 
training programs. "Such a practice will lovingly address both the concerns 
of those in favor and of those against separating the list of candidates into 
two groups based on gender," reported the committee, noting that in earlier 
years the Christian Reformed synod conducted separate interviews and votes on 
each candidate and that the CRC synod now has electronic balloting equipment 
to make a large number of votes feasible.
   "The thought of the committee is this could be just as efficient as having 
a long debate over a block vote or not a block vote," said committee reporter 
Rev. David Koll. "The estimated time is seventeen minutes, and that is less 
than it would be with a long debate."
   Classis Lake Erie delegate Rev. Paul Bakker didn't agree that the proposal 
satisfied his concern. "Classis Lake Erie understands the reticence of many 
people to vote for the ordination of women, except that gender is really not 
an issue in declaring women candidates for the ministry," said Bakker. "By 
running through all the candidates individually, we will have a situation 
where all the male candidates will be approved unanimously, but the women 
candidates will hear a number of 'no' votes recorded against them."
   Dr. Warren Lammers of Platte (SD) CRC didn't see things that way. "For 
those who are fully in favor of women in all the offices and want to charge 
full steam ahead with that, the comment by Classis Lake Erie makes sense," 
said Lammers. "On the other hand, if you feel you are conscience-bound and 
have to vote on this as one block, then you cannot vote at all."
   "This is like saying, 'If you want to vote Republican, you may vote; if 
you want to vote Democratic, you may not vote at all,'" concluded Lammers.
   The committee's arguments prevailed with most delegates; with only a few 
dissenting votes voiced, synod voted to have separate votes on the 
candidates, at least for Synod 1998. In voting later in the morning of June 
16, all 29 candidates were approved, including four women. Synod also voted 
to extend the candidacy of six people who were declared candidates by Synod 
1997, including two of the three women. So far, only one of the three women 
who Synod 1997 declared a candidate for the ministry has actually been called 
and ordained by a church.

Cross-References to Related Articles:
#1998-033:   Three Reformed Denominations to Hold General Assemblies or 
Synods this Year in West Michigan

Contact List:
Rev. Paul Ed. Bakker, Pastor, West Park Christian Reformed Church
   3606 West 148th St., Cleveland, OH 44111
   O: (216) 251-0782 * H: (216) 252-2261
Rev. David Koll, Pastor, Anaheim Christian Reformed Church
   526 N. Dale Ave., Anaheim, CA  92801
   O: (714) 828-4083 * H: (714) 828-2084 * FAX: (714) 828-0825
Dr. Warren Lammers, Pastor, Platte Christian Reformed Church
   PO Box 386, 520 Pennsylvania Ave., Platte, SD  57369-0386
   O: (605) 337-3414 * H: (605) 337-3859 * E-Mail: kkcrcplat@juno.com
Pastor George Vander Weit, Stated Clerk, Classis Lake Erie
   2901 Waterloo Dr., Troy, MI  48084
   O: (810) 645-1990 * H: (810) 649-5388 * E-Mail: northhills@juno.com





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