Christian Reformed Church Approves Women Clergy _ Sort Of

c. 2006 Religion News Service GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. _ It was supposed to be a spirit-filled compromise but, to the Rev. Thea Leunk, it just felt like a loss. The pastor of Eastern Avenue Christian Reformed Church here felt sad after the denomination’s Synod approved removing the word “male” as a qualification for ministers on […]

c. 2006 Religion News Service

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. _ It was supposed to be a spirit-filled compromise but, to the Rev. Thea Leunk, it just felt like a loss.

The pastor of Eastern Avenue Christian Reformed Church here felt sad after the denomination’s Synod approved removing the word “male” as a qualification for ministers on Thursday (June 15).


What made her sad was that delegates continued to ban women from serving as Synod delegates, who have voting power. They also suspended the right of women to be Synod deputies, who provide input.

“In practical terms, we actually now have been told we can do less,” Leunk said after a marathon meeting on the Synod’s final night at Calvin College. “There’s a role that’s been taken away from women today.”

That role was taken away from Leunk personally. She earlier was elected a synodical deputy by her regional church group, but cannot hold the office under the new rules.

However, the first woman pastor of a U.S. church in the denomination saw a historic change for the better.

“The burden of proof has shifted to those who want to exclude women from ministry,” said the Rev. Mary Hulst, who was ordained pastor of Eastern Avenue Christian Reformed Church in 1996 and later left to pursue a doctoral degree. “That’s huge. This is what we’ve been longing and praying for 30 years.”

The Grand Rapids-based denomination traces it roots to Dutch Calvinists, and currently claims 187,000 members in 1,047 congregations.

Advocates for female pastors will have to wait one more year; next year’s Synod must ratify the policy a second time.


The change would mean local church groups, called classes, no longer would need to waive the male only requirement, which would then allow women to be ordained in their congregations. Forty women have been ordained under that previous policy, adopted in 1995.

However, delegates tied the change to two restrictions. Women still may not be sent by their churches as Synod delegates, a continuation of current policy. The Synod also rescinded the right it granted women last year to serve as Synod deputies at local classis meetings.

Confusion about how to implement those provisions contributed to an exhausting four-hour debate. Weary delegates decided not to make the provisions church law, but put them in regulations easier to overturn by a future Synod.

The restriction on women’s governing roles rankled ordination advocates but was touted as a necessary compromise for conservatives.

“This is the next step we need to take on this journey of reconciliation,” said the Rev. Michael Hoogeboom, of LaGrave Avenue Christian Reformed Church in Grand Rapids.

Others attacked the measure as another way of maintaining male power.

The Rev. James Blankespoor, co-pastor of Church of the Servant here, spoke long and passionately against the oppression of women in the denomination.


“Let’s admit it _ we allow women in office in this denomination but we don’t fully embrace them,” Blankespoor said.

Leunk, of Eastern Avenue, said her lifelong love of the denomination hasn’t changed, but her patience is wearing thin.

“In the name of unity, we keep being asked to wait,” Leunk said. “I’ve been living with this my entire adult life. How long do I have to wait?”

KRE/JL END HONEY

Donate to Support Independent Journalism!

Donate Now!