Synod begins with controversy
Synod 2007 was called to order last night (Thursday) at Third Reformed Church in Pella, and business began this morning (Friday). Almost within minutes there was a little controversy. First, the traditional request for the privilege of the floor to be extended to the staff was denied (after a hand-raised vote since the electronic voting wasn’t up and running yet). That means that any time any staff member is requested to speak, a vote will have to be taken to extend the privilege of the floor to them.
Shortly after that was the opportunity for new business. The first came from South Grand Rapids asking the synod to instruct the president and general secretary to rescind their invitation to Rev. Jacqueline Lewis to be the synods preacher for the week. The president ruled the issue out of order, but the synod overruled the ruling. The second new business was the request that the president and general secretary apologize for extending the invitation. The third was a request to reinstate a General Synod policy to provide insurance for ministers who are attending an accredited graduate program. (This used to be the policy of general synod but, although I don’t think it has officially be rescinded, is apparently no longer the case. The new business is asking that it be reinstated.)
All three have been referred to the committee on reference who are responsible for determining which advisory committee is best suited to address the issue (or to determine that they don’t actually meet the requirements for being new business).
Stay tuned for more.
Grace and peace,
`tim
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