NR #1996-067: President of GKN Synod "Very Disappointed" by Advisory
Committee Recommendation to Suspend Ties

 Speaking prior to the vote, Rev. Richard Vissinga, president of the General
Synod of the Gereformeerde Kerken in Nederland (GKN), was very disappointed
about the recommendation of an advisory committee of the Christian Reformed
Church to suspend the fraternal relationship with his denomination. "I feel
sorry personally, because I see my clearness in my fraternal speech last year
as one of the reasons for this advice," said Vissinga. "When Synod will
decide to suspend, I feel this as a personal punishment.

NR #1996-067: For Immediate Release
President of GKN Synod "Very Disappointed" by CRC Advisory Committee
Recommendation to Suspend Ties
* Rev. Richard S.E. Vissinga: "When Synod will decide to suspend, I feel this
as a personal punishment."

by Roel Sikkema
c 1996 Nederlands Dagblad
Distributed by United Reformed News Service

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (June 15, 1996) URNS - Speaking before the CRC synodical
vote, Rev. Richard Vissinga, president of the General Synod of the
Gereformeerde Kerken in Nederland (GKN), was very disappointed about the
recommendation of an advisory committee of the Christian Reformed Church to
suspend the fraternal relationship with his denomination. "I feel sorry
personally, because I see my clearness in my fraternal speech last year as
one of the reasons for this advice," said Vissinga. "When Synod will decide
to suspend, I feel this as a personal punishment."

 Vissinga received only positive reactions to his fraternal speech to the CRC
synod last week. The only positive point he can see in the advice is the
intention of intensifying personal communications. "Six years ago the CRC
sent for the last time delegates to our synod until in April this year again
delegates visited synod in Lunteren," said Vissinga. "Then we both saw how
important such personal contacts are."

 However, Rev. Vissinga had some understanding of the recommendation. "I can
imagine that synod will say, 'What is more important, the relation with the
GKN or the unity of the church?'"

 The Dutch president of synod thinks that last week's decision of the
Orthodox Presbyterian Church General Assembly to suspend relations with the
Christian Reformed Church will be a disadvantage for the relationship between
the GKN and the CRC. "It will give new fuel for the concerned members of
synod," said Vissinga. "They will now have stronger arguments to suspend the
relationship."


Cross-References to Related Articles:

#1996-070: Christian Reformed Synod Intensifies Restrictions on Gereformeerde
Kerken in Nederland


Contact List:

[See related articles and contact list at crossreference]




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