Boards and Committees: Nominations

Council of Delegates (COD)

Contact: [email protected] 

The Council of Delegates (COD) is the governing board of the Christian Reformed Church. As an ecclesiastical governance entity serving in the interim of synod (broadest assembly), the COD provides governance by means of the authority delegated to it by synod and with its synodically elected membership representing classes or serving in at-large capacities.

The COD has a representative delegate from each of the classes, in addition to up to ten at-large members. The COD normally meets three times per year to:

• Lead the integrative ministries of the CRC in light of the Mission, Vision, and Callings established by synod, providing recommendations to synod when the Mission, Vision, and or Callings need to be reconsidered.
• Provide an intermediary role that serves three purposes: (1) To receive and understand input from congregations and their members (constituents), (2) bring the work and excitement of ministry to congregations and their members, and (3) understand the church—its various contexts and times—to such a degree that the COD assists in casting an appropriate vison for the future growth of the church.

Synod mandates the Council of Delegates with the following responsibilities:

• Provide appropriate financial management and advance policy guidelines and limits within which personnel function, thereby ensuring the financial integrity of the denomination's agencies and ministries.
• Identify when necessary, evaluate regularly, and support constructively administrative leaders of the denomination within the scope of policies.
• Provide the criteria (goals) and evaluation of progress toward goals for the unified ministry of the CRC while establishing the contours (policies) within which personnel pursue such goals.
• Attend to the organizational structure and health of the denomination by developing policies of assessment (e.g., Ministry Plan counts and measures; personnel surveys, etc.), reviewing outcomes, and addressing goals and policies as needed.

Qualifications:

• Be a member in good standing of a Christian Reformed Church, if nominated by a classis, the church must be located within the nominating classis
• Confirm agreement with the following COD Membership Policies before being recommended by classis for the COD or, in the case of at-large members, before the COD and its committees vote on membership.
  • COD Statement of Agreement with the Beliefs of the CRCNA
  • COD Code of Conduct for members
  • Conflict-of-Interest Policy
• Not employed as a CRCNA staff member

Commitment:

• Ordinarily meets three times a year for 2.5 days: February (3 hours via Zoom), May (in person), and October (in person)
  • Contribute to and review the agenda and materials prior to meetings
  • Seriously consider serving in a COD leadership role if requested or nominated
• Participate in assigned COD committee which ordinarily meets three times a year for 2-3 hours over Zoom, 2-3 weeks ahead of a COD meeting
• Fulfill the 3 fiduciary duties of a COD member
  • Duty of care: exercise responsibilities in good faith and with diligence, care, and skill.
  • Duty of loyalty: exercise responsibilities in the interests of the CRCNA
  • Duty of obedience: carry out the mission and purposes of the CRCNA, comply with applicable federal, state, and/or provincial laws, adhere to the COD governance handbook.
• Promote ecclesiastical partnership within the CRCNA
  • As a classical member, attend classis meetings, listen to the concerns and desires of the classis and provide updates to the classis, help facilitate the classis nomination process.
  • As a guest member, promote the organizational partnership and connection between Calvin Theological Seminary, Calvin University, or World Renew and the CRCNA.
  • As a member of the Canada or U.S. Ministry Board, attend respective ministry board and committee meetings, serve as the key link between the ministry board and classis, listen to the concerns and expectations of classis and provide updates on the work of ministry agencies and educational institutions.
  • Learn about, and become familiar with, the work of the ministry boards, ministry agencies, and educational institutions
• Serve a 3-year term, eligible for renewal of a second 3-year term

COD: Bible Translation Committee

Purpose

Review Bible translations for use in the CRCNA as requested by any church, classis, or synod.

Membership

• Three members of the theological faculty (Old Testament and/or New Testament) of a seminary with strong ties to the CRCNA.
• English-language stylist who may also be an English-language professor, communications expert, or other such professional who understands the current use of language in contemporary life. If translations are required in other languages, the committee may arrange for a member or consultant(s) proficient in such languages.
• Church leader or pastor who understands the needs of the pulpit.
• One current COD member who will serve as a nonvoting liaison between the Bible Translations Committee and the COD.
• Denominational representative appointed by the Office of General Secretary who will serve as convener (non-voting).

Authority & Responsibilities

• The committee will conduct a review using a rubric consisting of criteria to evaluate the translation philosophy and process used by translators for any version of the Bible.
• The committee will review the translation rubric, as well as an assessment of each new translation being reviewed.
• Report to the COD annually for recommendation to synod, indicating recommended use of translations for (a) pulpit, (b) Bible study, and (c) personal devotions.

COD: Banner Advisory Committee

Purpose

The purpose of The Banner Advisory Committee is to provide advice, feedback, and support to the editor-in-chief in the publishing of The Banner.

Membership

• Three (3) members of the COD for the duration of their term on the COD.
• Three (3) members at large are appointed for a three-year term, renewable for a second term. At-large members will represent areas of expertise including, but not limited to, theological foundations, journalism, and communications.
• Normally three members will be from Canada and three from the U.S.
• Ex officio members without a vote include:
  • The editor-in-chief of The Banner,
  • Canada and U.S. Executive Directors (or their designees)
  • The CRCNA’s Director of Partnership Administration

Authority & Responsibilities:

1. Advise: Advise the editor of The Banner on editorial policy, content, and matters that the committee believes affect the publishing of a denominational magazine.
2. Report: Report to the COD about editorial activities and decisions, as well as reactions, criticisms, and suggestions received.
3. Monitor: Monitor and report to the COD annually the fiscal welfare and ministry health of The Banner as it serves the denomination.
4. Ensure: Ensure the implementation of approved policies and procedures, recommending to the COD necessary changes to the policies and procedures.
5. Leadership: When the editorship becomes vacant, the Banner Advisory Committee participates in the search for and identification of a new Banner editor.
6. Report to synod: Provide an annual report to the COD and synod.

COD: Dignity Team

Purpose

The Dignity Team is to offer direction that ultimately encourages, builds up, and transforms the life of those persons who approach the Dignity Team because they feel they have been victimized by abuse of power in the CRCNA. The manner in which the Dignity Team carries out its work is by listening empathetically, praying with and for those who reach out to them, providing clarity and direction, and identifying resources and processes available toward the goal of healing and reconciliation. The Dignity Team desires to maintain a capacity of nimbleness in relating to people instead of being highly structured.

Membership

• One (1) member of the COD for the duration of their term on the COD
• Up to five (5) members at-large appointed for a three-year term, renewable for a second term. At-large members will represent, individually or collectively, some understanding including, but not limited to, awareness of how the CRCNA works, knowledge of the Church Order, grasp of community dynamics, and pastoral sensitivity.
• There will be no ex-officio members, however the team may seek support as needed from the General Secretary, the Director of Ecclesiastical Governance, or Thrive’s ministry consultants.

COD: Diaspora and Ethnic Ministry Committee

Purpose

The purpose of the Diaspora and Ethnic Ministry Advisory Committee is to listen to the perspectives of CRCNA members and leaders of different ethnic cultural backgrounds about their engagement within our denomination’s ecclesiastical system and advise the COD and its committees on policies and activities that will increase participation in that system in alignment with our denominational statement, God’s Diverse and Unified Family (1996).

Membership

• Six members of the COD for the duration of their term on the COD, including the vice-chair of the COD.
• Effort shall be made to ensure ethnic, gender, and binational diversity of these members.
• If possible, these members shall include those who are already serving on the Resonate, Reframe, Thrive, Synodical Services, and Governance Committees.  
• Ex officio members without a vote include: The general secretary and the director of ecclesiastical governance

Authority & Responsibility

• Advise: Advise the Council of Delegates and its committees about the effectiveness of the CRCNA’s efforts to enfold ethnic minority members and leaders into our denomination’s ecclesiastical governance (synod, classis, council, and Council of Delegates). When necessary, advise COD committees on concrete steps that might be necessary to enhance those efforts. 
• Report: Report to the COD and its committees about the results of efforts to live out our denomination’s vision as expressed by God’s Diverse and Unified Family.
• Review: As assigned by other COD Committees, review COD policies, procedures, and activities designed to enhance our denomination’s faithfulness to its biblical vision of diversity in its governance processes. Make appropriate recommendations to COD general or ministry committees.

Judicial Code Committee (JCC)

Contact: [email protected] 

The mandate of the Judicial Code Committee (JCC) of the Christian Reformed Church is to serve synod on an as needed basis by making recommendations regarding:

• disputes involving members and/or assemblies of the church and, in some limited instances, nonmembers (see Section 1, c, i of the Judicial Code found in the Church Order Supplement, Article 30-c), and
• disputes involving agencies, boards, or committees on one side, and members or assemblies of the church on the other side, excluding employee termination decisions (see Section 1, c, ii of the Judicial Code). 

The JCC reviews the written charges, makes a determination whether the matter is substantial enough to warrant a hearing and, if warranted, conducts the hearing in accordance with the Judicial Code. Whether a hearing is held or not, written recommendations are submitted to synod for its consideration. The committee for the most part functions as an advisory committee of synod.

Qualifications:

• A member in good standing of a Christian Reformed Church
• Fair-minded and demonstrates good judgment and common sense
• Familiar with the CRC Church Order and the Judicial Code of Rights and Procedures (found in Church Order Supplement, Article 30-c)
• Committed to good process and insistent on its guidance, as well as committed to justice in the church and its application to any case before the JCC
• Committed to confidentiality when sensitive cases are heard and adjudicated
• Ce willing to advise synod in the disposition of a case

Commitment:

• Meets via Zoom once/year in September.
• All other meetings are as needed, as cases arise.
• It is highly unlikely that an in-person meeting would be necessary, but in the event of one, travel expenses would be covered.
• Members of the JCC are elected by synod to serve a three-year term, beginning and ending on July 1, and eligible for renewal of a second three-year term.

Loan Fund

Contact: [email protected]

The Loan Fund assists CRC congregations in financing capital improvements through low-interest loans. The Loan Fund operates solely through lending revenue and does not receive ministry shares. It aims to grow both lending and investing activity. Board members oversee the loan approval process and determine interest rates.  The board provides general governance and oversight of the Loan Fund's operations including loan approvals and setting interest rates for both loans and securities (sold primarily to Christian Reformed constituents).  The Loan Fund board consists of six members.

Qualifications:

• Loan Fund members/directors must be members in good standing of a Christian Reformed Church
• The work experience of the directors should be in one of the following areas:  accounting/finance, banking/credit, law, marketing/business, the ministry, or real estate/architecture/construction.

Commitment:

• Ordinarily uses video conference technology to meet
• Meet 2-4 times a year with an additional 1-2 committee meetings as needed
• Serve a 3-year term, eligible for renewal of a second 3-year term

Pension Fund

Contact: [email protected] 

The Ministers' Pension Fund (MPF) was established by synod to provide honorable financial support for retired and disabled ministers, as well as their widows and orphans. This is rooted in the Church Order's requirement for the proper support of ministers. The Ministers' Pension Plan is mandated to operate on an advanced funding concept, meaning funds are set aside during a minister's active service to cover future retirement benefits. This approach aims to ensure the plan's solvency and avoid burdening future generations.

Beginning January 1, 1983, the Ministers' Pension Plan was divided into two distinct plans: one for Canadian participants and one for U.S. participants, each administered by a board. The U.S. and Canadian Ministers' Pension Plans are as similar as possible to achieve the goals of 1) enabling ministers to serve in Canada and the United States while maintaining consistent retirement benefits, 2) reduce the financial impact of serving smaller congregations, and 3) honor the covenant of the denomination to care for pastors with long-term disability and life insurance (the pension plans are defined-benefits plans that, in addition to retirement benefits, provide significant disability and survivor benefits).

The U.S. Board of Pensions and the Canadian Pension Trustees (collectively referred to as "pension trustees") are responsible for long-term planning, benefit-related decision-making, policy definition, and oversight of fund assets and investment returns. Trustees regularly review and approve actuarial assumptions based on historical data and future trends for determining the funded position of the plans. The trustees are the fiduciaries of the plans. Each plan has a five-member board and is aided by professional pension consultants. 

Qualifications:

• Each board selects members from their country.
• The pension trustees for each plan consist of one Minister of the Word who is actively participating in the plan.
• In addition, four at-large members bring various expertise (finance, accounting, banking, financial planning, legal fields, senior management/ administrative roles, etc.).  The at-large members must be members in good standing of a Christian Reformed Church.
• Members have a desire and commitment to serve the ministers and churches of the Christian Reformed Church.
• In addition to a diverse set of skills, the groups strive to include diversity of all types — geographic, gender, age, and ethnicity. Members are sought and nominated, based on the needs within each group, when there is member turnover.
• Note:  Due to the specific skill sets needed and the availability of members able to serve, the Pension Trustees provide a single nomination to each open position.

Commitment:

• Pension trustees typically meet in person twice a year, usually in April (in Grand Rapids) and September (in Toronto). For the in-person meetings, the two groups meet concurrently to learn from each other.
• There are occasional additional meetings scheduled via video conference when needed (due to investment strategies and decisions).
• Trustees are expected to participate in regular training sessions regarding pensions.  This will be provided through the trustees.

Trustees are asked to serve for an initial term of three years, which can extend for up to two additional consecutive terms. (Due to the technical nature of the work on the pension boards, synod has granted the possibility of serving three terms rather than two.)

Candidacy

Contact: [email protected] 

The Candidacy Committee, on behalf of the Christian Reformed Church synod, is the final partner in the process of candidacy preparation. Because the denomination has such a vital interest in the formation of ministers of the Word, Synod 2004 established the SMCC (now called the “Candidacy Committee”) to retain, direct, and enhance the denomination’s role in the process of equipping and forming its future leaders. Through this committee the denomination is able to oversee the nurture and training of those preparing for ordained ministry through Church Order Articles 6, 7, and 8. Synod 2006 also mandated the committee with the task of encouraging and equipping classes relative to ordination through Church Order Article 23.

Qualifications:

• A member in good standing of a Christian Reformed Church
• A passion for identifying and affirming individuals gifted for ministry
• Experience in an ethnically diverse congregation is preferred

Commitment:

• Ordinarily meets two times per year over Zoom and one time in person (all travel expenses are covered)
• Participate in candidacy interviews each April
• Recommend qualified individuals for candidacy to the synod of the CRC
• Work to ensure equity in student financial assistance among the classes of the denomination
• Assist classes in developing a Classis Ministerial Leadership Team (CMLT) and serve as a consultation and advisory resource to classical CMLTs
• Oversee the Article 6 candidacy process and Article 7 and 8 ordination process
• Oversee the denominational licensure process

Historical Committee

Contact: [email protected] 

The Historical Committee of the Christian Reformed Church was instructed by Synod to collect the records of local, active congregations and microfilm their minutes (council, elders, deacons, the executive committee and the congregation), returning the originals to the congregation, so that a back-up set of records was available to local congregations should anything happen to their original set. 

Qualifications:

• A member in good standing of a Christian Reformed Church
• Fair-minded and demonstrates good judgment and common sense

Commitment:

• Ordinarily meets twice per year over Zoom and as needed in person (all travel expenses are covered)

Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations Committee (EIRC)

Contact: [email protected] 

The mandate of the EIRC as embedded in Church Order Article 49 is two-fold. First, the committee is responsible for developing and maintaining, on behalf of synod, ecumenical relationships with other Christian churches, especially those that are part of the Reformed family. The underlying principles of, as well as the regulations that govern, such fellowship are detailed in the Ecumenical Charter of the CRC. In this respect, the EIRC is a committee of implementation for the ecumenical ministry of the Christian Reformed Church.

Second, the EIRC suggests, proposes, and makes recommendations to synod for enhancing ecumenical relationships that “promote the unity of the church of Jesus Christ.” In this respect, the EIRC is a standing committee of synod and reports directly to it. The EIRC is mandated to embody the ecumenical spirit of the denomination and participate in the broader church’s fellowship and witness.

Qualifications:

• Nominees should be male or female and reflect the diversity of the Christian Reformed Church.
• They may be an ordained Minister of the Word or from the general membership of the church.
• Have an appreciation for and competence in ecumenical matters. 

Commitment:

• meets three times a year: January/February (3 hours via Zoom), April (2-3 hours via Zoom), and October (typically a full day in person meeting alternating between Burlington, Ontario and Grand Rapids, MI).
• Travel expenses are covered.
• Committee members are not required to attend synod, but it is helpful to have some committee members attend so that ecumenical guests are welcomed.
• Other voluntary ways of involvement: Canadian ecumenical meetings, serve as a delegate to other ecumenical gatherings, etc.

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Calvin University Board of Trustees

Contact: [email protected]

The Calvin University Board of Trustees’ basic function is to ensure that the University accomplishes its mission. The Board does this primarily through its role in the determination of policies, strategies, and budgets. In this process trustees must consider the special mission of Calvin University and be aware of the trends and challenges in higher education in general.

The Board evaluates and sets educational policy by acting upon recommendations of the faculty as brought to the Board by the administration; makes appointments to the University’s faculty and administration upon recommendation by the faculty and the President, subject to the ratification of Synod; and determines financial policy by approving the budget and building plans recommended by the administration. The Board of Trustees is a legislative body whose primary responsibility is the determination of policy; it is not an administrative body. The Board articulates policies intended to guide the administration, but it does not itself execute the policies of the University. Calvin trustees are charged with the overall care and direction of the institution, but they do not “run” the school.

The authority of trustee’s rests in the Board as a whole, not in individual trustees. Trustees may initiate individual action affecting the University only when specifically commissioned to do so by the Board. The Board thus functions as a group, as a corporate body, with a view toward the enhancement of the institution as an educational agent of the church and an effective agency in the Kingdom of God.

Qualifications:

All trustees of Calvin University shall: 

1. Understand and affirm the historical creeds and Reformed confessions contained in the Calvin University mission endorsement form and sign upon acceptance to the board;
2. Demonstrate a commitment to a Reformed Christian view of education;
3. Promote diversity and inclusion in ways consistent with Reformed Christian theological ideas;
4. Demonstrate the dispositions that mark a life of Christian faith and service, and pledge to provide Calvin University with her/his excellence in gifts of service;
5. Provide a vita to the Trusteeship Committee;
6. Embrace the mission of the university, and 
7. Sign the Covenant for Faculty Members approved for use by Calvin University. 
   Classis Region Trustees (elected and at-large) shall also:
   • engage in Christian practices that are sustained by membership in a congregation of the Christian Reformed Church in North America (CRCNA). 
8. Alumni and At-Large Trustees shall also:
   • engage in Christian practices that are sustained by membership in a congregation of the Christian Reformed Church in North America (CRCNA), a church in ecclesiastical fellowship with the CRCNA, or a Calvin University–supporting Protestant congregation. 

Expectations:

The roles and functions of individual Board members and the Board as a body are detailed in section III of the Board of Trustees handbook (excerpted in attachment, which should be used for reference in the nomination process). In general, individual Board members are expected to:

• support the mission of Calvin University and appreciate its educational and scholarly roles
• engage in an orientation program and have a lasting curiosity and connection to campus life 
• work in assigned board committees according to individual gifts and university needs
• develop a good working relationship with the university president and other university leadership 
• practice confidentiality and professionalism in undertaking their Board duties
• advocate for the university in classical, regional and synodical discussions (particularly for Board members chosen through the regional process). 
• support the university financially and encourage such support in others.
• regularly assess their involvement in the Board and the Board’s collective performance 

Terms:

Appointments to the board (other than those necessitated by unexpected vacancies) shall be for three (3) year terms. Regional trustees and alumni trustees shall not serve more than two (2) consecutive terms. At large trustees may serve up to three (3) terms.