.
By Alyssa Johansen
Collection Overview
Abstract
Rev. George Vander Weit (1942-2013) was a CRC pastor and passionate advocate for social justice, both within the church and out in the greater community that surrounds it. His work made significant changes in the CRC; especially for women, minorities, and the average churchgoer.
Scope and Contents of the Materials
The George Vander Weit Papers include biographical information, articles and correspondence. Topics include CRC position on homosexuality, lodge membership, Christian schools, divisiveness in the CRC, ordination of women, women elders, abuse guidlines, secession, abortion, conservative backlash, evangelism, diversity, and community involvement. Included are also papers from his time serving as pastor of the following congregations: Wayland (Mich.) CRC; Eastside CRC, Warrensville Heights, Ohio; North Hills CRC, Troy, MI; and Fuller Avenue CRC, Grand Rapids, MI.
Rev. Vander Weit was well known for the overtures he wrote to the annual synods of the CRC requesting changes and policy clarifications (see Synod minutes spanning 1968 to 2007), and as a result, was sought out to help write the overtures of other regional groups of churches as well. In addition, Vander Weit wrote as a contributer for The Banner, often submitting articles and contributing to the Q & A page.
Collection Historical Note
George Frederick Vander Weit was a CRC pastor and passionate advocate for social justice, both within the church and out in the greater community that surrounds it. He was born in Chicago, IL, in 1942. He graduated from Calvin Theological Seminary in 1968 with a Bachelor of Divinity (BD) and later a Master in DIvinity in 1975. Vander Weit served as pastor of Wayland (Mich.) CRC, from 1968-1971; Eastside CRC, Warrensville Heights, OH, from 1971-1989; North Hills CRC, Troy, MI, from 1989-2000; and Fuller Avenue CRC, Grand Rapids, MI, from 2000-2008 when he retired.
Subject/Index Terms
Administrative Information
Repository:
Heritage Hall, Hekman Library
Alternate Extent Statement:
2 Boxes
Access Restrictions:
This collection is open for research use within Heritage Hall.
Acquisition Method:
Donated by Randy Vander Weit -- November 1, 2023
Related Materials:
The Committee for Women in the Christian Reformed Church Collection, 1974-2002 | Heritage Hall, Hekman Library
Committee On The Use of Women's Gifts In Church | Heritage Hall, Hekman Library
Committee for Women in the Christian Reformed Church in North America | Heritage Hall, Hekman Library
Faith Alive, 1903-2013 | Heritage Hall, Hekman Library
Supporters of Women’s Ordination Collection, 1977-2008 | Heritage Hall, Hekman Library
Fund for Smaller Churches, 1938-2003 | Heritage Hall, Hekman Library
Lake Erie, 1958-2017 | Heritage Hall, Hekman Library
Committee To Review CRC Position On Women In Office, 1990-2005 | Heritage Hall, Hekman Library
President James A. DeJong (1983-2003), 1912-2006 | Heritage Hall, Hekman Library
Preferred Citation:
[item], folder, box, George Vander Weit Papers, Heritage Hall (Hekman Library), Calvin University
Box and Folder Listing
Browse by Box:
[
Box 1],
[
Box 2],
[All]
- Box 1
- Folder 1: Biographical Information
- Folder 2: Scrapbook Pages - Articles and Correspondence - Topics include: Questioning CRC Position on Homosexuality, Lodge membership, and Christian Schools --- 1968-1990
- Folder 3: Scrapbook Pages - Articles and Correspondence - Topics include: Divisiveness in the CRC, Ordination of Women, Abuse, and Classis Lake Erie issues --- 1991-1993
- Folder 4: Scrapbook Pages - Articles and Correspondence - Topics include: MARS, Westminster Sem, Secession, Abortion, Evangelism --- 1993-1994
- Folder 5: Scrapbook Pages - Articles and Correspondence - Topics include: Women Elders and Ministers, Diversity, Conservative Backlash --- 1994-1996
- Folder 6: Scrapbook Pages - Articles and Correspondence - Topics include: Termination of membership in NAPARC, Ordination of Women issue, Abuse Guidelines --- 1996
- Folder 7: Scrapbook Pages - Articles and Correspondence - Topics include: Schisms, "Honorable" release of ministers, "Banner" Editorial freedom, Seminary Staff and Diversity --- 1997-1999
- Folder 8: Scrapbook Pages - Articles and Correspondence - Topics include: Fuller Avenue Neighborhood Ministry and Outreach, Time limits at Synod --- 2000-2004
- Box 2
- Folder 1: Scrapbook Pages - Articles and Correspondence - Topics include: Liberal trends, Community Involvement --- 2004-2007
- Folder 2: Inter-Classical Conferences in South Holland, IL (CRC Conservatives) --- 1995, 1996
- Folder 3: Federation of United Reformed Churches --- 1996
- Folder 4: Protest of Ministerial Status of Dr. Derke Bergsma at Trinity Christian College
- Folder 5: Pastorate - Wayland CRC --- 1968-1971
- Folder 6: Pastorate - Eastside CRC, Cleveland, OH --- 1971-1989
- Folder 7: Pastorate - North Hills CRC, Troy, MI --- 1989-2000
- Folder 8: Fuller Avenue CRC, Grand Rapids, MI and Retirement --- 2008
