GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The Christian Reformed Church (CRC) made history June 12 as the CRC synod voted to remove the word “male” from its requirements for church office.
After 37 years of back-and-forth struggle, delegates opened the way for women to become ministers in any of the CRC’s 1,000-plus churches. If other proposed changes are approved as expected, women also will be able to serve as delegates to the synod for the first time. “This is the beginning of an opening I think is going to be monumental for the church,” said Carol Rottman, who has been working for women’s ordination since the mid-1970s.
The vote came on the day the synod recognized 30 candidates for ministry, including three women. The CRC does not require any church to hire a woman.
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