#134 Synod

I didn't blog last week because I was busy serving as a delegate to synod, the Christian Reformed Church's (that's my denomination) annual meeting. Synod was quite the experience. Returning to Grand Rapids, MI, where Tess and I lived for three years while I was in seminary, gave me an opportunity to see several old friends and visit some locations that hold special meaning for me. My plan is to reflect on some of that in future posts.

This week I'd like to reflect on my experience at synod itself. Nearly 200 delegates from all over the U.S. and Canada met for six days—two days while divided into advisory committees and four days while united for plenary sessions. Synod was tough for me. Several times I struggled with knowing and believing that this meeting is important while also feeling like we were wasting our time. Synod is important because ministers, elders, deacons, and commissioned pastors gather from throughout the denomination to make decisions about how we are going to work to follow Christ Jesus together. We listen to each other and together seek to discern how the Holy Spirit is leading us as a group. The goal is not to come in with our minds already made up but to discuss and submit to God together. But sometimes it feels like our discussions are pointless, like none of the speeches change anyone's mind. That's not totally true. There were times when the discussion changed or clarified what I perceived was the best way forward for us. Others confirmed to me that the discussion helped them at times. But sometimes I felt like two sides were simply talking past each other while the atmosphere in the room grew more and more tense. Sometimes it seemed like a small minority was passionately making speeches even though their position was going to get crushed in the vote no matter what. I really think it's important that we listen to each other when we disagree. I really think it's important that we don't silence the opinions of the minority. I really think it's important that every delegate has equal opportunity to speak and to vote. But I know that there were times that it was terribly difficult for me to listen, particularly when the debate grew long or when I'd already heard that specific speaker several times. I feel guilty about that.

Sometimes, too, parts of our meeting felt like simply a formality. We received reports from all the agencies and ministries of our denomination, as well as several related organizations that we support. There's generally nothing to discuss or do with these reports. But I also know that it's important that we receive these reports. We all had material to read, and different committees got to talk with representatives from these various groups. We need that. We need to know how the money we contribute to ministry is being used if we're going to continue to wisely and faithfully support agencies and ministries. It's also a joy to hear stories of how God is at work so that we can celebrate and give thanks. But again I know that there were times that my eyes glazed over. I feel guilty about that, too.

I think one of the biggest struggles—if not the biggest struggle—at a gathering like synod is humility. We need humility to listen to others, even if we disagree or feel like we already know what they're going to say. We need humility to help us weigh whether or not the words we would speak are really important enough for everyone to hear. We need humility to remind ourselves that the church belongs to Jesus Christ, that our decisions are about following Him, not about us winning or being right. And we need humility to trust that God is at work for good through and even in spite of our messy discussions and decisions.

So synod was often tough for me. But it's part of my job, and I was happy to take my turn as a delegate. And for all the difficult times, some really great things happened. We shared wonderful times of worship as well as fellowship over meals. We took a stand against false teaching that twists what we believe. We hopefully took steps to revitalize the way our congregations join togther to fund the work of our denomination. We were encouraged by brothers and sisters who visited from other parts of the church. And most of all, we were reminded that God is at work among and around us all throughout our denomination. And even if I struggled, that makes the whole process worthwhile.

Grace and peace,
BMH