NR #1996-084: Synod President Van Ryn: Synod "Did the Right Thing." In his closing speech on the last day of the Christian Reformed synod, synod president Rev. John Van Ryn reflected on the synodical decisions, saying that the CRC made the right decision on the controversial issues of fraternal relations with the Gereformeerde Kerken in Nederland and women in office. "To those who are here or out in the denomination who are questioning whether they will be able to stay, I would urge you to stay," said Van Ryn. NR #1996-084: For Immediate Release Synod President Van Ryn: Synod "Did the Right Thing" by Darrell Todd Maurina, Press Officer United Reformed News Service GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (June 19, 1996) URNS - Both parliamentary procedure and common sense require the president of synod not to make his opinion known on motions under consideration while he chairs the meetings. That doesn't apply to the president's closing speech, however - especially when the president will be retiring from the pastorate in only a few months. Van Ryn began his customary closing speech by recounting the story of a young Christian Reformed girl in Chicago who was dating a young man belonging to the Reformed Church in America. According to Van Ryn, the elders of that young girl visited her home to warn her of the dangers of a "mixed marriage." "The Christian Reformed synod of 1996 elected the product of that mixed marriage as its president," said Van Ryn, who was a member of the RCA until his teens. "I think God must be smiling." Van Ryn's speech touched on two of the most controversial votes before synod: relations with the Gereformeerde Kerken in Nederland and women in office. "We dealt with the matter of the GKN; that was a painful matter," said Van Ryn. "I think we did the right thing." Van Ryn's comments on women in office focussed on what had happened and what would happen after the vote. "I thank God for the attitude after the vote," said Van Ryn. "The vote was the right vote. There were no shouts of joy." "To those who are here or out in the denomination who are questioning whether they will be able to stay, I would urge you to stay," said Van Ryn, reflecting on his own youth. "Young people are frequently the casualties of church fights. Families are destroyed, relatives don't talk to each other." Van Ryn closed his speech with a call for the Banner to write a one page article on each side of the women in office issue for the benefit of people in the pews attempting to see what Scripture teaches on the issue. Cross-References to Related Articles: #1996-061: Christian Reformed Synod 1996 Elects Former Home Missions Executive Director John Van Ryn as President #1996-070: Christian Reformed Synod Intensifies Restrictions on Gereformeerde Kerken in Nederland #1996-076: CRC Synod Rejects 25 Overtures and Communications Calling for End to Classical Option on Ordination of Women Contact List: NOTE TO EDITORS: Most synodical delegates are staying on the campus of Calvin College. To reach delegates in their dormitory rooms during Synod 1996, expected to adjourn on or before June 20, call Calvin College at (616) 957-0000 or contact the synodical news office at the following numbers: Synod News Office: Press Officers Rev. Robert De Moor and Rachel Boehm Van Harmelen O: (616) 957-8652 * F: (616) 957-6469 Pre-Recorded Synod News Hotline: (616) 224-0841 or toll-free (888) 277-9663 Rev. John Van Ryn, President, Synod 1996 of the Christian Reformed Church 7734 Eastern Avenue SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49508 * O: (616) 698-7930 * H: (616) 698-7884 ------------------------------------------------ file: /pub/resources/text/reformed: nr96-084.txt .