CRCNA's Human Sexuality Report

Pastoral guidance regarding same-sex marriage.

This interim report (or summary) is an account of the committee’s activities and initial conclusions “to dialogue with and provide feedback to the committee.” It contains "(1) a tentative preamble to the report, (2) a tentative summary of a biblical theology of human sexuality, (3) a description of our tentative plans for the final report, and (4) a copy of the Great Lakes Catechism on Marriage and Sexuality."

"Hulst explained that as she’s listened to young people, their skepticism about church can be roughly categorized into three categories – money, sex, and power."

Authored by Dr. Branson Parler at the request of the Executive Committee of the Regional Synod of the Great Lakes in the Reformed Church in America.

Synod 2013, in response to overtures from two U.S. classes, appointed a study committee to give guidance and clarification on how members, clergy, and churches can apply the biblical teachings reflected in the Acts of Synod 1973 Report 42 (cf. also the report to Synod 2002) in light of the legality of same-sex marriage in certain jurisdictions, as well as how to communicate these teachings in a truthful and gracious way within North America. (Acts of Synod 2013, pp. 617, 640-41)

The committee was asked to explore issues and provide advice for pastoral ministry as well as to identify resources and recommend best practices for use by the churches.

This minority report noted "We are thankful to have been a part of this work, and we are thankful for a majority of the guidance the committee has given in response. Even though there are parts we would have chosen not to include or places where we would have chosen different language, we can support much of the committee’s report. There are three sections that we are unable to completely endorse. In these three sections—officiating weddings, playing a role in weddings and the life of the church, and membership—we deem that there is more that must be explicitly said."

"An interview with Rev. Peter Hoytema, pastor of Westmount CRC in Strathroy, Ont., who was the reporter for the synod committee that dealt with the report."

"Confessional commitment and academic freedom are of vital importance for our continuing work. Practicing these commitments together in mutually accountable and encouraging ways will help us become at once more firmly grounded and hospitable to each other as we seek to serve together as faithful disciples of Jesus Christ."

A response to Nicholas Wolterstorff following a speech Wolterstorff delivered at Neland Avenue Christian Reformed Church in favor of same-sex marriage.

Response by Nicholas Wolterstorff to Matt Tuininga

The Forum seeks to provide "theological leadership for the Church."

This booklet contains the reports on homosexuality prepared for Synod 1973 and Synod 1999 of the Christian Reformed Church in North America. The 1973 report focuses mainly on the biblical teaching regarding homosexuality.

On the basis of the biblical teaching the church also articulated its moral and pastoral advice regarding homosexuality. The 1999 report focuses primarily on the church’s role in providing pastoral care to members who are homosexual as well as to their families and fellow church members.

Written while editor of Perspectives, reprinted therein in 2014. Dr. Smedes is a retired minister in the Christian Reformed Church, a former ethics professor at Fuller Theological Seminary, and the author of a dozen bestselling Christian books including To Forgive and Forget and All Things Made New.

Part 1 of the 3-part series on growing up Reformed and thinking about homosexuality.

Part 2 of a 3-part series on growing up Reformed and thinking about homosexuality.

From the 1975 Acts of Synod, the report of the Committee on Synodical Decisions
and the Confessions commissioned "to study the use and function of synodical pronouncements on doctrinal and ethical matters, and their relation to the confessions."