The Reformed Church in America has voted at its General Synod to delete 22-year-old "conscience clauses"

Christian Century, June 19, 2002

* The Reformed Church in America has voted at its General Synod to delete 22-year-old "conscience clauses" that exempted members from actions contrary to their Bible-based opposition to women pastors. Classes, or regional bodies of the denomination, would have to approve the change by a two-thirds majority and the 9.003 General Synod would take final action.

The Commission on Church Order had recommended the change at the June meeting, noting that the clauses did not allow anyone to obstruct the election or ordination of women. The very existence of the clauses "contributes to the unintended perception that women in office are somehow lesser," said the commission, according to the RCA Web site. Opinion was divided, however. Gerald Van Otteren of Grand Rapids, Michigan, said, "They have kept our church together, and if eliminated, the storm may be too much for our church to bear." Christine Dyke of Brooklyn, New York, said, "There is a price for peace, and on this issue the price has been borne by women."