I believe that Synod 2016 was also the first Synod that incorporated deacon delegates. So instead of a Classis sending 2 pastors and two elders, now a Classis could send 1 pastor, 1 elder, 1 deacons, and one 'other.' I'm guessing that reconfiguration of delegates caused the spike. Also, if 2016 was a "disastrous Synod" then I wonder if it is because that Synod also would have had a high percentage of first-time delegates. I was a delegate in 2016 and our Advisory Committee was over 50% first time delegates.
Interesting. I wasn't watching things as closely then as I am now (I haven't heard "disastrous Synod" before), but my sense is 2016 was, in hindsight, a very important pivot year for the CRC that we're only beginning to recognize.
I believe that Synod 2016 was also the first Synod that incorporated deacon delegates. So instead of a Classis sending 2 pastors and two elders, now a Classis could send 1 pastor, 1 elder, 1 deacons, and one 'other.' I'm guessing that reconfiguration of delegates caused the spike. Also, if 2016 was a "disastrous Synod" then I wonder if it is because that Synod also would have had a high percentage of first-time delegates. I was a delegate in 2016 and our Advisory Committee was over 50% first time delegates.
Interesting. I wasn't watching things as closely then as I am now (I haven't heard "disastrous Synod" before), but my sense is 2016 was, in hindsight, a very important pivot year for the CRC that we're only beginning to recognize.