Pastor walks out after Christian Reformed Church synod passes anti-LGBTQ+ resolution

Pastor Dave Struyk
Photo: Screenshot

When the Christian Reformed Church synod, a gathering of church officials and delegates, passed a resolution condemning gays and lesbians and requiring them to confess it as a sin as well as requiring members to oppose same-sex marriages to remain a member, one pastor gave a short impassioned speech before walking out.

Delegate Dave Struyk, from Grand Rapids, Michigan, announced to the group that he was leaving to protest “on behalf of the pain that was caused to many LGBTQ+ people.” And one of those people was his son.

Struyk had joined delegates from other congregations to delay a church resolution that is deeply unpopular with younger members and actively condemns LGBTQ+ members. The dramatic change in church policy has been protested in Canada and the United States.

“If you actually listen to so many of the kids like I have listened, you will hear that we need time and space to work this out in a gracious way,” delegate Heidi Sytsema told the group.

But Struyk’s plea was different. He said his position on LGBTQ+ people had changed after…

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