Report of the Committee on M/W in the church General Synod of the Reformed Churches Harderwijk 2011

Transcription

1 Report of the Committee on M/W in the church General Synod of the Reformed Churches Harderwijk 2011 The copyright of this text is held by the author or the Reformed Churches in the Netherlands. On all matters pertaining to copyright, please contact the committee for administrative support: No portion of this material may be reproduced, stored digitally, or published in any form or by any means, without prior permission in writing from the copyright owner, allowing for exceptions laid down by the law.

2 Contents 2 1 Instruction 3 2 New instruction 3 3 Committee members and schedule of resignation 4 Appendices 1 Instruction by General Synod Zwolle-Zuid Recommendation for a new instruction 6 3 Specific products 6

3 3 1 Instruction As to the further consideration and decisions about questions in relation to M/W in the church the Synod of Zwolle-Zuid 2008 opted for three tracks: 1. academic consideration; 2. consideration within the churches; 3. making preparations for practical decisions for the short term. The Theological University was to perform the academic consideration. Deputies M/W (plus a number of other persons) would function as a sounding board in this process. The consideration within the churches was to take place by developing (or having others develop) study material and a plan for action. With a view to making preparations for practical decisions, deputies were to address questions about the role of women in diaconal, liturgical and pastoral duties. Deputies started their work on this instruction from 18 December Carrying out the instruction on academic consideration. The deputies have been in contact with the Theological University in Kampen. It appeared that there was no need for a sounding board. As a result, the role of deputies as a sounding board (supplemented with other persons specifically invited for this purpose) did not come into fruition. Moreover, the Theological University preferred sending an independent report to Synod. Carrying out the instruction on consideration within the churches. Deputies have published a workbook entitled, Manual M/W. This manual has the following six chapters: 1. the report to Synod Zwolle-Zuid 2008; 2. practice in reading the Bible, with special reference to the First Letter to Timothy; 3. men and women; 4. the offices; 5. society; 6. literature. In this manual we also presented a plan for discussing this topic in the congregations. In order to stimulate these discussions we organized meetings in six different regions in June These meetings were attended by 183 men and women. Our estimate is that in these meetings 90 of the 277 local congregations were represented. In organizing these regional meetings, we benefited from the support of Steunpunt Gemeenteopbouw (the Centre for Church Upbuilding). More specific information about this can be found in our progress report Various people have taken the initiative to contribute to the process of consideration within the churches. For instance, in De Reformatie there was a discussion in which several authors took part. In addition, two ministers wrote books about the subject, Rev. J.J. Schreuder and Rev. H.J.C.C.J. Wilschut. Rev. Schreuder also wrote the annual congregational bible study for the joint bible study unions, which was also intended as a contribution to the consideration. In Nederlands Dagblad (a Christian daily newspaper) there was also a short discussion on the M/W issue. In September 2010, deputies circulated questionnaires to collect information on how the consideration within the churches has been progressing. At this moment we cannot say what the results are. After 15 December 2010 we will write an additional report on the first results. A second additional report will follow after 15 March 2011.

4 4 Deputies are thinking of organizing a national meeting in Spring 2011 to draw conclusions from the consideration within the local churches. In carrying out their instruction, deputies have noticed that the M/W issue is regarded as controversial, especially with respect to the questions around women in office. It looks as if it is beginning to function as a shibboleth. Carrying out the instruction on practical decisions for the short term. It has struck the Committee that the deputies revising the Church Order have recommended to change the position of deacons in their Work Order, with a view to clearing the way for installing female deacons. There has been no contact with us about this recommendation. Our Committee has decided not to present any specific recommendations to prevent the process of consideration being frustrated. During the last period, deputies have dealt with two specific questions, viz. a question about women reading sermons and a question from pastoral workers in health institutions. From the church in Venlo we received a request for advice on women reading sermons. We advised not to decide to assign women for this task, but to wait and take part in the consideration process. At the request of reformed pastoral workers in health institutions, Rev. R. Heida attended their conference on behalf of the Committee. The female workers among them have been complaining about lack of support from their own denomination. This has partly to do with their desire to preach and lead worship services in health institutions. 2 New instruction The Committee has hardly been able to carry out the instruction to function as a sounding board for the academic consideration, because the Theological University saw no need for this. That is why we recommend that this instruction be not continued. Deputies are still very busy carrying out the instruction on the consideration within the churches. We hope to finish this with a national conference to be held during the period that Synod is in session. It does not seem useful to us if this instruction is continued. Now that the consideration seems to be in full progress, the road is clear for specific decisionmaking. We think it is desirable that a new Committee be appointed for this task. In our view, this new Committee should also prepare a decision with respect to female office bearers. 3 Committee members and schedule of resignation The Committee originally had the following members: Mrs J. Boog-Bolier, t Loo 2017 Rev. R. Heida, Monster 2017 Mrs A.M.J. Leene, Hasselt 2017 Mrs J.A.P. van der Stoep, t Harde 2017 Rev. W.F. Wisselink, Leek 2017 due to resign: Unfortunately Mrs Boog had to lay down her work for the committee, which then continued with four persons.

5 Appendices 1. Instruction by General Synod Zwolle-Zuid 2008 Decision 4: In line with the recommendations of deputies regarding further consideration and decisions with respect to questions in relation to M/W in the church to chose three tracks: 1. academic consideration; 2. consideration within the churches; 3. making preparations for practical decisions for the short term. Decision 5: a. to have the Theological University perform the academic consideration. This consideration concerns hermeneutical and theological issues, as well as issues relating to the doctrine of office, as noted in part 1 of the report of deputies, paragraphs The TU will work this out in a plan for study; b. to set a time span and budget for this consideration; c. to instruct the TU to have consultations regarding the progress of the study; these consultations are to be held at least annually with a sounding board consisting of the new deputies M/W in the church and a limited, representative delegation from the breadth of the churches. Decision 6: To appoint new deputies M/W in the church. Decision 7: With respect to the consideration within the churches, to give deputies the following mandates: a. for the short term, to develop (or ensure the development of) study material on important aspects of the M/W consideration within the churches; b. to develop and execute (or have executed) a plan in which the aforementioned consideration can be stimulated in the practice of the churches. For example: distributing the study material, stimulating publications in the press, organizing information and discussion sessions, conferences, creating a pool of speakers. This should be done in such a way that the questions that require a response and the different standpoints are clearly presented. Decision 8: With a view to making preparations for practical decisions, to instruct deputies to tackle the following questions: a. within which limitations may men and women be active in diaconal activities? What are the consequences thereof for the office of deacon as it functions at present? What does the response to these questions mean for the present practice of the office of deacon? b. what role may women have in the worship service (liturgy, prayer, Scripture reading)? c. within which limitations may men and women be active in pastoral activities? What does this mean for

6 the practice of the office of minister and elder? d. is it possible in a practical sense to tackle the issue of allowing women to serve in the office of deacon independently of the issue of allowing women to serve in the office of elder and minister? Decision 9: to instruct deputies to take the following into consideration when executing the mandate of decision 8: a. is there a solid argument that receives sufficiently broad support to take a decision in these matters? b. to what extent is it necessary to take a decision in these matters together as churches? Is it possible to give each other freedom in this? Are guidelines desirable, and if so, which? c. what are possible implications for church and social practice: which consequences or side-effects could the results of b have, and how should these be dealt with? d. at what point is it advisable or even obligated, given existing agreements, to discuss these issues with churches within and outside The Netherlands with whom we have contact? Decision 10: to instruct deputies to form a sounding board, which will consist of the deputies and several others. 2 Recommendations for a new instruction In line with the recommendations of deputies, Synod again decides to appoint deputies M/W in the church with the following instruction: Deputies will address the following questions: a. What role may women have in the worship service (liturgy, prayer, Scripture reading)? b. Within which limitations may men and women be active in diaconal activities? What do their activities in practice mean for the office of deacon? c. Within which limitations may men and women be active in pastoral activities? What do their activities in practice mean for the office of elder and minister? d. Is it permissible to admit women to the office of minister, elder or deacon? e. To what extent is it necessary to take a decision on these four questions together as churches? Is it possible to give each other freedom in this? Are guidelines desirable, and if so, which? The budget only allows for the costs of travel and meetings of deputies. 3 Specific products Manual M/W: DVD, produced by De Luisterpost/Bralectah: Documentaire M/V in de kerk

7 The progress reports of 2009 and 2010 can be found on: