Recent Posts
Synod Synopsis: Part Three
In this final written summary of Synod 2022, I want to address the work of Advisory Committee #2 which handled matters related to the “Church Order” of the CRCNA. Our own Deacon Jennifer Stolzenbach served on Advisory #2 which was tasked with addressing a difficult, tender question related to the Neland Avenue congregation in Grand Rapids, MI which operated outside of the boundaries of current church order when they ordained a same-sex practicing deacon.*
Synod Synopsis: Part Two
Last week I wrote the first of three installments summarizing my first-hand experience of the work of the Synod of the Christian Reformed Church in North America, 2022. Synod adopted the following recommendation which has created quite a bit of celebration or consternation (depending on who you talk to), media attention, and unfortunate misunderstanding:
Synod Synopsis: Part One
Having just returned from the 2022 meeting of Synod of the Christian Reformed Church in North America, I’d like to share my perspective on what was considered and decided. I’ll do this in three short installments over the next week.
First, please be aware that Elmhurst CRC is part of a bi-national denomination (USA and Canada) that includes more than 1,000 churches. At this year’s Synod, 25 congregations from Venezuela joined our denomination making it more international than ever before!
Daily Dispatch Synod 2022
Pastor Gregg is checking in with us via daily dispatch to recap the day’s activities and events at Synod 2022.
Visit crcna.org/Synod for ongoing coverage including the webcast, schedule, recordings, photos, reports, liveblog, and all the latest news from Synod 2022.
In Harm's Way
The shooting this week in Uvalde, Texas, has gotten to me in a way that previous school tragedies have not. I can’t shake the thought of a shooter locked in a classroom for more than a half-hour (!!) with so many young kids and teachers—systematically taking their lives, one by one.
The Butterfly Effect
God whispered to me this week through the struggles of a monarch butterfly.
I was on a walk with a friend alongside Salt Creek. We were talking over a particularly painful situation and the cesspool of consequences that had resulted. As I was internally questioning and praying for those impacted, I happened upon a butterfly in distress. .
This particular monarch meandered along the yellow centerline of the asphalt path in the manner of Captain Jack Sparrow...