NR #1996-063: Christian Reformed Interchurch Relations Committee Recommends that Fraternal Relationship with Dutch Mother Church be Held "In Abeyance" The standing Interchurch Relations Committee of the Christian Reformed Church in North-America (CRC) has given synod its advice that the fraternal relationship with the Gereformeerde Kerken in Nederland (GKN) be "in abeyance" for at least two years. However, according to Rev. Richard Vissinga, synod president of the GKN, it is not clear what is the meaning of the words the committee used to avoid the word "suspension."In its advice, the committee proposes that the relationship shall be "in abeyance - put on hold - for at least two years. NR #1996-063: For Immediate Release Christian Reformed Interchurch Relations Committee Recommends that Fraternal Relationship with Dutch Mother Church be Held "In Abeyance" by Roel Sikkema c 1996 Nederlands Dagblad Distributed by United Reformed News Service GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (June 13, 1996) URNS - The standing Interchurch Relations Committee of the Christian Reformed Church in North-America (CRC) has given synod its advice that the fraternal relationship with the Gereformeerde Kerken in Nederland (GKN) be "in abeyance" for at least two years. However, according to Rev. Richard Vissinga, synod president of the GKN, it is not clear what is the meaning of the words the committee used to avoid the word "suspension." In its advice, the committee proposes "that synod hold in abeyance - put on hold - its ecclesiastical fellowship with the GKN, with its provisions, for a minimum of two years. "To the committee and us it's clear that something has to be changed in our relation," Vissinga said. "But you can interpret the lines in the report in two ways. One, we don't change the relationship, but look at changes that will be introduced over two years. And two, at this moment the relation will be suspended for two years." The committee grounds the advice on the fact that within the CRC there is a growing unrest about the situation in the GKN. There should be a new form of relation in a new situation that will occur, partly because the union plans of three Dutch churches, the GKN, the Hervormde Kerk, and a small Lutheran denomination, in the so called "Samen op Weg" (Together on the Way) process. "The Gereformeerde Kerken have many bilateral - church to church - contacts. The Hervormde Kerk has mainly multilateral contacts, for example in the World Council of Churches," Vissinga said. "At this moment we are working on the new organizational structure for the future unified church. We expect that this process will be ready within two years. Thereafter we can ask our relations if they want to hold on [to go further with] the fraternal relationship with the United Protestant Church in the Netherlands." Furthermore Vissinga noted that the advice is only the report of a standing committee and not of the committee of synod. It is possible that the advisory committee of synod will present quite different advice. The CRC also has problems with other denominations. The CRC's Interchurch Relations Committee also writes about the 1995 decision of the Christelijke Gereformeerde Kerken in Nederland (CGKN, or Christian Reformed Churches in the Netherlands) to end the fraternal relationship with the Christian Reformed Church in North America. The CGKN did this because of the relationship between CRC and GKN. The CGKN says that the GKN "went away from the Reformed path." In coming days, the relationship with the Dutch churches will be discussed in synod. Then also the nine overtures to end the fraternal relationship with GKN will be discussed. Cross-References to Related Articles: #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 #1995-106C: Interclassical Conference Urges Christian Reformed Synod to Lead Denomination in Repentance; Calls for Formation of "Covenant Union" of CRC Conservatives #1996-011: CRC's Largest Congregation Joins Protest Against Fraternal Relations with Gereformeerde Kerken in Nederland Contact List: NOTE TO EDITORS: Most synodical delegates are staying on the campus of Calvin College. To reach delegates in their dormitory rooms during Synod 1996, expected to adjourn on or before June 20, call Calvin College at (616) 957-0000 or contact the synodical news office at the following numbers: Synod News Office: Press Officers Rev. Robert De Moor and Rachel Boehm Van Harmelen O: (616) 957-8652 * F: (616) 957-6469 Pre-Recorded Synod News Hotline: (616) 224-0841 or toll-free (888) 277-9663 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. Richard S. E. Vissinga, President, Synod of the Gereformeerde Kerken in Nederland Watermunt 11, 8265 EL Kampen, NETHERLANDS ------------------------------------------------ file: /pub/resources/text/reformed: nr96-063.txt .