NR #1996-085 Classis Toronto Examines Ruth Hofman for Ordination as First
Female Christian Reformed Minister of the Word
On July 4, Ruth Hofman became the first female candidate to be examined by a
CRC classis for ordination to the ministry of the Word and sacraments in the
139-year history of the denomination. The event came during a special meeting
of Classis Toronto just weeks after the 1996 CRC Synod said "no" to 24
overtures requesting a change to last year's decision on women in office
which allowed churches to ordain women as elders and ministers by, in effect,
bypassing the church order. At the same time at Synod 1996 three women were
declared candidates for the ministry in the CRC.
NR #1996-085: For Immediate Release
Classis Toronto Examines Ruth Hofman for Ordination as First Female Christian
Reformed Minister of theWord
by John Van Dyk
Managing Editor, Christian Renewal
Distributed by United Reformed News Service
WILLOWDALE, Ontario (July 9, 1996) URNS - For all intents and purposes it was
a typical Christian Reformed ordination examination. Delegates offered sermon
evaluations, questions were asked in the areas of practica and biblical and
theological competency. What set the July 4 exam apart, however, was the fact
that a woman was answering the questions.
Ruth Hofman became the first female candidate to be examined by a CRC
classis for ordination to the ministry of the Word and sacraments in the
139-year history of the denomination. Hofman's examination was preceded last
March by that of Lesli van Milligen of North Hills CRC in the Detroit suburb
of Troy, who was ordained by Classis Lake Erie as an evangelist - a limited
office allowing persons to preach, administer