Saying that it’s time for the RCA to settle constitutional issues related to homosexuality, Greg Alderman in his president’s report proposed a special council to develop a way forward for the RCA.
Saying that it’s time for the RCA to settle constitutional issues related to homosexuality, Greg Alderman in his president’s report proposed a special council to develop a way forward for the RCA. Alderman proposed 83 representatives to the council, which would meet for several days in the spring.
“This council should focus its work on developing a way forward so that the church may see a path or paths toward coming to a settled position,” Alderman said. “It should have General Synod 2016 and 2017 in mind to put its proposed pathway before the church.”
As he has traveled throughout the RCA during his year as General Synod president, Alderman consistently has been asked what the church is going to do about homosexuality. “I believe that this is the single greatest divisive issue challenging the unity of our church today. And historically, it is the threat of internal division and disunity—not external pressure and opposition—that has always been the greatest threat to the proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ.”
Alderman referenced precedent for the church to gather formally on occasion to address issues of conflict, starting with the Jerusalem Council recorded in Acts 15 and continuing through the Synod of Dort in the 1600s and the tensions in the 1800s that eventually birthed the Christian Reformed Church.
Alderman’s proposed council of 83 would be composed primarily of one representative from each of the RCA’s 44 classes, plus 30 at-large RCA members to be selected by a “Wise Council of Five” made up of five former General Synod presidents.
“If the council brings potential constitutional changes to either the BCO or the Liturgy, or introduces a new creed, then the church will know where we are headed together, as things will be done out in the open for all to see,” Alderman said.
“If the council gathers, dialogues, and then adjourns without suggesting any changes, that too will signal to the entire church that we have indeed a desire to affirm our current and historical position, and that any future attempt to change the view of the church on this matter should be done in a good and orderly manner.
“Either of these results will speak clearly to all.”
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