The Committee for Women in the Christian Reformed Church Collection

Collection

Identifier: COLL-358

Abstract

Details the efforts of the Committee for Women in the Christian Reformed Church in North America that worked to have all members of the denomination be able to make full use of their talents in the home, church, and society. The committee was not an official agency of the denomination but was made up primarily of people from the denomination concerned about gender equity. The collection details various educational efforts such as newsletters, a speakers bureau, informational material, correspondence, workshops, etc., used by the committee.

Dates

created: 1974-2002

Biographical or Historical Information

The Committee for Women in the Christian Reformed Church organized formally following Synod 1975’s decision to not open church offices to women. The committee sought to engage a dialogue in the denomination of the place of women in the home, in the church, and in society. A grass-roots effort, the committee conducted correspondence, collected information, issued a newsletter, disseminated data via speakers, workshops, retreats, mailings, and the like. In short, the committee served as a clearinghouse for views of the place of women in the denomination from 1975 until 1996 when that year’s synod left it to local congregations to decide on opening church offices to women.

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