NR #1996-002: Reformed Churches of New Zealand Suspend Ties with CRC The decision of the 1995 Christian Reformed synod to allow classes to ordain women by declaring parts of two church order articles "inoperative" continues to send shock waves through the conservative Reformed community. In early January, the Reformed Churches of New Zealand (RCNZ) officially notified the Christian Reformed denomination that it had voted to suspend ties with the CRC at its triennial synod last October. The RCNZ was largely begun through the efforts of the Christian Reformed and Orthodox Presbyterian ministers in the 1950's, but RCNZ stated clerk Rev. Bruce Hoyt said the CRC decision to ordain women left the denomination with no choice. Synod "really felt there wasn't really too much chance of a conservative move having any chance in the CRC," said Hoyt. NR #1996-002: For Immediate Release Reformed Churches of New Zealand Suspend Ties with CRC by Darrell Todd Maurina, Press Officer United Reformed News Service (January 13, 1996) URNS - The decision of the 1995 Christian Reformed synod to allow classes to ordain women by declaring parts of two church order articles "inoperative" continues to send shock waves through the conservative Reformed community. Last week, the Reformed Churches of New Zealand (RCNZ) officially notified the Christian Reformed denomination that it had voted to suspend ties with the CRC. The RCNZ decision, made at the denomination's triennial synod last October, followed closely on the heels of an even stronger decision by the Christelijke Gereformeerde Kerken in Nederland (Christian Reformed Churches in the Netherlands or CGKN) to sever fraternal relations with the CRC. Like the CGKN decision, the RCNZ decision was made by large majority - in this case, by a nearly unanimous vote. While far smaller than either the 294,000-member CRC or the 75,000-member CGKN, the 3200-member RCNZ has maintained much closer relations with the CRC than did the CGKN. Organized in 1953 by Dutch immigrants to New Zealand who had originally joined the local Presbyterians but seceded due to liberalism, the RCNZ heavily relied upon Christian Reformed and Orthodox Presbyterian pastors in its earlier days. The dual connection with Orthodox Presbyterian and Christian Reformed pastors led to one of the RCNZ's unique distinctives: according to Rev. Tom Tyson, editor of the OPC periodical New Horizons, former RCNZ minister, and an OPC fraternal delegate to the most recent RCNZ synod, the RCNZ is the only denomination in the world which holds the Presbyterian Westminster Standards and the Dutch Reformed Three Forms of Unity in full and equal standing. The RCNZ currently has 17 churches and three presbyteries. "When our denomination started, we drew heavily upon the CRC, both in using the Psalter Hymnal and in only slightly modifying the CRC church order," said Rev. Bruce Hoyt, stated clerk of the denomination. "We also drew heavily from materials published by the CRC and probably still do, but that's under evaluation." According to Hoyt, CRC ministers formerly loaned by the denomination to the RCNZ or Calvin Seminary graduates ordained in New Zealand include Revs. Sidney Cooper, Carl Reitsma, Paul Stadt, J.G. Steenhof, Allen Vander Pol, G.J. Vander Vecht, Clarence Werkema, and Dr. Richard Venema. The last of the CRC ministers left in 1990 although visiting pastors continue to fill New Zealand pulpits on occasion. Despite the closeness of recent ties, Hoyt said the CRC decision to allow the ordination of women left their denomination with no choice - especially because of the provision allowing classes to declare parts of the church order inoperative. "When the 1995 CRC synod occurred and took such a dramatic action and reversed effectively the previous decision [against ordination of women] we had really very little hope, not only because of the strong action but also because the nature of the action indicated that the church order, Scripture, and confessions were not as strong as they had been in the CRC," said Hoyt. "We felt we had very little option. They really felt there wasn't really too much chance of a conservative move having any chance in the CRC." In fact, the decision of the RCNZ synod went beyond the recommendations of its interchurch relations committee, which had produced its report prior to the CRC synod. The original report called for cautious action, citing nearly two pages of problems in the CRC but concluding with a six-point recommendation, among them that synod maintain its fraternal relations with the CRC until 1998, carefully examine the doctrinal beliefs of visiting CRC ministers, and communicate concerns to the CRC in the areas of theistic evolution, denial of Scriptural inerrancy by the editor of the Banner, denial of election and reprobation by Rev. Harry Boer, and relations with the Gereformeerde Kerken in Nederland (GKN) and the World Council of Churches (WCC). The last point indicates an inaccuracy in the RCNZ report: the CRC does not "maintain full ecclesiastical relations" with the GKN or the WCC. The CRC synod limited but did not cut ties with the GKN a number of years ago due to the GKN's tolerance of gay marriages, and is not a member of the WCC although it does send observers to WCC meetings. According to the minutes, the New Zealand synod voted to "suspend formal relations" with the CRC rather than adopt the committee report or completely cut ties. Hoyt said the middle-ground decision was intended to indicate the seriousness of his denomination's concerns about the CRC while avoiding precipitous action. "Suspension means we won't interact like sister churches, yet we're giving a strong warning that our relationship will have to be terminated if there is no change," said Hoyt. "The reception of ministers wouldn't apply any more and the reception of members automatically would now have to be received on a case by case basis, there wouldn't be an automatic transfer." Although the option of loaning CRC ministers to New Zealand is clearly over, RCNZ presbyteries would still be able to admit CRC ministers through the normal process for receiving ministers from denominations not in fraternal relations with the RCNZ, Hoyt said. Not surprisingly, Christian Reformed representatives were not overly happy with the RCNZ action. "Since this is the second time now this has happened, it may seem a little strange just to say we're disappointed by it, but that perhaps is the best way to describe it," said CRC General Secretary Dr. David Engelhard. "The fact that it is suspension, not termination, is a bit more courteous than what some other churches have done," said Engelhard. "There's opportunity for dialogue here which I appreciate; at least it's better than what the Christelijke Gereformeerden did by terminating relations immediately." Engelhard noted that the category of "suspension" had been used by the CRC itself in its own fraternal relations with other denominations. "The CRC is still in a suspended relationship with the South African church over the apartheid issue, whether apartheid is a heresy," said Engelhard. "The interchurch relations committee will understand that. We have to deal with them and ask what is it in the statements we have taken that causes concern." Engelhard expressed cautious optimism about the prospects for discussions with the RCNZ. "We have discovered with other churches such as the Orthodox Presbyterian Church where they expressed their regrets and apologies that dialogue can work," said Engelhard. Cross-References to Related Articles: #1995-066: John Suk Reappointed as Banner Editor Despite Flak Attack #1995-067: Christian Reformed Synod Votes to Keep Fraternal Relations with Gereformeerde Kerken Despite Advocacy of Gay Rights #1995-068: Complete Text of the GKN President's Fraternal Address #1995-070: Christian Reformed Classes Permitted to Declare Church Order Ban on Women's Ordination "Inoperative"; Synod Decision Given Immediate Effect without Two-Year Ratification Process #1995-074: Synod Rejects Two Efforts to Require 1996 Ratification of Women in Office Decision #1995-102: Christelijke Gereformeerde Kerken in Nederland Sever Ties with Christian Reformed Church in North America Contact List: Rev. Sidney Cooper 1100 Connaught Cres., Sarnia, ON N7S 1C8 * H: (519) 332-0448 Dr. David Engelhard, General Secretary, Christian Reformed Church in North America 2850 Kalamazoo Ave. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49560 O: (616) 246-0744 * H: (616) 243-2418 * FAX: (616) 246-0834 * E-Mail: engelhad@crcnet.mhs.compuserve.com Rev. Bruce Hoyt, Stated Clerk, Reformed Churches of New Zealand 700 Park Rd. South, Hastings, New Zealand * H: 6-876-4353 * O: 6-876-4351 * FAX: 6-878-6696 Rev. Carl Reitsma 714 E. Emerson, Lombard, IL 60148 * H/FAX: (708) 620-5657 Rev. Paul Stadt, Pastor, Georgetown Christian Reformed Church RR #5, Georgetown, ON L7G 4S8 * H: (905) 877-9998 Rev. John Suk, Editor, The Banner 1510 Seminole Dr. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506 * O: (616) 246-0791 * H: (616) 243-5695 * FAX: (616) 246-0834 Rev. Tom Tyson, Editor, New Horizons 908 Fernhill Rd., Glenside, PA 19038 * O: (215) 956-0123 * H: (215) 886-8315 * FAX: (215) 957-6286 Rev. Allen Vander Pol, Pastor, First Christian Reformed Church 4301 Coolidge Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55424 * H: (612) 922-1328 * O: (612) 922-1291 Dr. Richard Venema 1930 E. 6th St., Sheldon, IA 51201 * H: (712) 324-2993 Rev. Clarence Werkema, Sr. 14193 - 12th Ave., Marne, MI 49435 * H: (616) 677-3750 ------------------------------------------------ file: /pub/resources/text/reformed: nr96-002.txt .