During the week of synod, news coverage was provided by CRC Communications in partnership with The Banner. They have a podcast, which you can watch in video form here, that explores the decisions of this year’s synod.
A Korean Delegate Reflects on Synod 2026
Elder Joseph Kim shares insights on his experience as a delegate at Synod 2026.
Synod 2026, In Our View
The Christian Reformed Church, as observed by Classis Hamilton delegate Mark Verbruggen, is in the same car and going in the same direction. There are some bumps in the road.
‘It’s a New Day in the CRC’
Synod 2026 came to a close with multilingual prayer, a meditation from parliamentarian Michael Winnowski, and a final sermon and blessing from president Chad Steenwyk.
Synod 2026 Decides Against Calling Virtual Ministries ‘Churches’
The CRC won’t call exclusively digital ministries “churches” for now. The decision doesn’t apply to online extensions of churches such as service livestreams or Bible studies that meet online.
Synod Celebrates, Hears From Diverse Groups Within the CRC
Synod 2026 made space to hear about and celebrate the work God’s Spirit is doing within the denomination’s major ethnic communities.
Other Decisions of Synod 2026
From rejecting a request to require all denominational employees to be confessing members of a Christian Reformed congregation, to no longer requiring the publication of a printed yearbook, some decisions of Synod 2026 passed without much discussion.
Synod 2026 Discusses Ministry Share Spending and Giving
Delegates asked for more financial information and explanation from the denomination and gave guidance for church giving.
Synod 2026 Removes the Contemporary Testimony from the Covenant for Officebearers
Although appreciative of the 2008 expression of faith “Our World Belongs to God,” delegates to Synod 2026 recommended taking it out of the Covenant that binds pastors, deacons, and elders to the creeds and confessions of the church.
Synod 2026 Seeks Language Clarity For Gravamen Process
Churches need clarity for members who are uncertain about the Christian Reformed Church's expectations for confessional alignment, synod said.
Young Adult Representatives: Blessing to Know That People Care for the Generation After Them
Synod 2026 young adult reps were thankful and encouraged by their experiences.
Synod 2026 Recap: Thursday Deliberations
Lora Copley discusses synod’s last day of deliberations with Sarah Zylstra, a member of New City Church (Kansas City, MO) and Derek Buikema, pastor of Orland Park CRC (IL) 9 minute video clip
CRCNA To Leave World Communion Of Reformed Churches
Synod 2026 voted to leave the World Communion of Reformed Churches, a group the CRC helped inaugurate in 2010. Rev. Philip Vinod Peacock, the WCRC general secretary, expressed sadness at the decision and read a letter of farewell.
World Renew: Mercy in Christ’s Name
Synod 2026 accepted a review of the work of World Renew and recommitted its covenantal relationship with the relief and development agency.
Synod 2026 Makes Changes to Synodical Operation
Synod 2026 reviewed some changes to rules that govern how the annual synod operates and chose to keep the recent practice of having a parliamentarian.
Synod 2026 Accepts Calvin U’s Confessional Alignment Efforts
Calvin University continues to pursue full confessional alignment with the CRC doctrine, but the presence of a Pride flag in the faculty wing caused consternation.
Synod 2026 Dismisses Dignity Team
Synod 2026 no longer sees the need for the Dignity Team, a group established in 2022 to help support people who feel they have been victimized by abuses of power in the church.
Synod Will Continue to Meet Annually, Study Classis Restructuring
While seeking to cut costs, Synod 2026 decided to maintain an annual synod but will look at classis restructuring.
Synod 2026 Provides New Guidelines On Multisite Church Leadership
Following extended debate on the purpose and governance of multisite churches, Synod 2026 passed new guidelines for the creation, support, and governance of several kinds of multisite congregations in the CRC.
Synod 2026 Recap: Wednesday Deliberations
Lora Copley, The Banner’s editor-in-chief, discusses synod’s third day of deliberations with David Bosscher, Lakeside CRC (Alto, Mich,) and Petr Kornilov, with Resonate Global Mission. 14 minute video
Fathers and Sons at Synod 2026
Jon Hoekema, the CRC’s prayer shepherd, whose son is a young adult representative, says mentoring helps teach the bigger picture of the church—what it is and can be.
Classes and Synod Can Discipline Local Councils
If councils don’t properly govern themselves, a broader body may step in, Synod 2026 affirms.
Council of Delegates Members Don’t Have to Be Ordained
Synod 2026 agreed to maintain its broader membership criteria for the Christian Reformed Church’s governance board. While not restricted to officebearers, all members sign a statement of agreement with the beliefs of the CRC.
Synod 2026 Approves Lora Copley as Banner Editor-in-Chief
Rev. Lora Copley, who has served as interim editor since December, is now editor-in-chief. The first time a woman has served in the role.
Worship as Covenant Dialogue Now in Church Order
Synod 2026 specifies what churches should include in worship in the Church Order. The actual change will need to be adopted by a subsequent synod.
Synod Wants a New Mission and Vision Statement
The over-20-year-old mission and vision statements for the Christian Reformed Church will get an update. The first report is due to Synod 2027.
Synod 2026 Recap: Tuesday Deliberations
Lora Copley discusses synod’s second day of deliberations with Susan LaClear, the CRC’s director of Candidacy, and Jason Ruis, associate pastor of Bethel CRC (Waupun, Wisc.) 16 minute video clip.
Dr. Christopher Fantuzzo Approved as New Calvin Seminary Professor of Old Testament
Aaron Vriesman, Classis Zeeland, interviewed Christopher Fantuzzo, PhD prior to his approval as a new professor of Old Testament at Calvin Theological Seminary.
Discipleship Deepens Confessional Commitment of Members
While officebearers face higher expectations for confessional alignment, members should be discipled, as well, through profession of faith classes and Reformed liturgies and forms.
Synod Encourages Churches: Thrive is There
Synod agrees to make known and to reach out to Thrive ministry for its resources and church renewal support.
Korean Delegates Lead Tuesday Afternoon Worship
Thrive Korean connector, Catheryn Jo, led Synod 2026’s Tuesday afternoon worship with a choir of Korean delegates.
Synod 2026 Celebrates 36 New Candidates For Ministry
Charged to “faithfully carry the love and the truth of Jesus Christ into the places where God has placed them,” 36 new candidates for ministry in the Christian Reformed Church were presented to Synod 2026.
Synod 2026 Adopts Changes For Commissioned Pastors
Synod accepted changes for the office of commissioned pastor, declared new candidates for Minister of the Word, and extended the candidacy eligibility for previously approved candidates.
The Start of a Movement, the Next 10 Years in the CRC
Synod passionately joins in Resonate Global Mission's 10-year strategic plan for church planting.
Synod 2026 Recap: Monday Deliberations
Host Lora Copley, The Banner’s interim editor-in-chief, reviews synod’s first day of full deliberations with Jason Ruis, Associate Pastor of Bethel CRC (Waupun, Wisc.) 13 minute video clip
Synod’s Ecumenical Guests: Witnessing Worldwide
Ecumenical guests of the CRC’s Synod 2026 gave uplifting presentations of unity and growth, along with the heart to share the gospel in their denominations and organizations.
New Director Says Thrive Serves, Doesn’t Steer, Congregations
Lee Carter, newly ratified director of the CRC’s Thrive ministry, told Synod 2026 that the agency’s mandate is to be a companion and guide for churches.
No Study to Articulate CRC Ecclesiology
Synod 2026 says a study to articulate CRC ecclesiology is not necessary.
Cooperation Status With New Dutch Reformed Denomination Approved, Direction Added
Synod 2026 voted to extend a church in cooperation relationship with the Nederlandse Gereformeerde Kerken, a new Dutch Reformed denomination that formed in 2023. Synod also provided directions for a memorandum between the denominations.
Alliance in Unity, Prayer for Safety
The Ecumenical and Interfaith Committee of the Christian Reformed Church’s report to Synod 2026 included joy over a communion relationship with the Alliance of Reformed Churches and prayers for the CRC in Nigeria experiencing violence and persecution.
Synod Hears From New ReFrame Director
Darrell Delaney told delegates ReFrame’s digital ministry is a way into the world’s darkest corners.
CRC Loan Fund Financing Churches’ First Buildings, Christian Schools
Synod 2026 ratified changes the CRC Loan Fund made to its articles of incorporation, expanding lending eligibility to CRCNA-related organizations.
Synod 2026 Approves Study Committee On Christian Nationalism
Synod affirmed its historic teaching on church and state and approved a study committee to define the parameters of Christian Nationalism and offer pastoral response and guidance.
Celebrating Our Christian Universities
Synod 2026 spent time celebrating milestones of its affiliated Christian colleges and universities and recognized the 2026 closure of Trinity Christian College.
Synod 2026 Removes Unnecessary Language from Church Order
Responding to a request from Classis Red Mesa, Synod 2026 agreed to remove no-longer-relevant text from two articles in Church Order.
Synod 2026 Recap: Worship
Host Lora Copley, The Banner’s interim editor-in-chief, talks with guest Tim Blackmon, pastor of Second CRC, about the important vision put forward through the first sessions of Synod 2026.
No Change in Synod Schedule
Future synods will continue to convene on Friday and conclude the following week on the fourth day of plenary sessions.
Kingdom Trust Means a ‘Healthy Disregard for the Impossible’
Pastor Tim Blackmon reminded Synod 2026 that the Kingdom of God operates on a radically different scale.
Thrive, a Partner in Church Renewal
Reminding that Jesus is at the center and every church has a place in God’s mission, Thrive’s Elaine May led Synod 2026 through the ministry’s plan to help churches learn and discern.
A 10-Year Plan: Resonate Casts Vision for Planting
Tim Sheridan presented to Synod 2026 the 10-year strategic plan for church planting, requested by Synod 2025.
Zach King: The CRCNA’s ‘Antioch Moment’
Delegates rising to their feet after a speech is rare in the Christian Reformed Church, but that’s how Synod 2026 reacted to general secretary Zach King’s encouragement to embrace God’s mission.
Synod or Summer Camp?
Dawn and Gary Brouwers started a trend 22 years ago when they brought their kids to synod while Gary was a delegate. In 2026, son Will is back as a delegate, kids in tow.
Multilingual Worship on Synod 2026’s Second Day
Synod 2026 delegates greeted one another Saturday in a variety of languages.
Synod 2026 Recap: Fresh Eyes
Host Lora Copley, The Banner’s interim editor-in-chief, talks with guest Joshua Jiang, a first-time observer of synod, to get his take on the proceedings so far. (11 minute video clip)
Women’s Dinner Focuses on Calling and Encouragement
Synod’s annual women’s dinner was a time of fellowship, encouragement and reflection.
Synod 2026 Recap: Prayer
Host Lora Copley, The Banner’s interim editor-in-chief, and guest John Hoekema, pastor of Horizon Community Church (Downers Grove, Ill.) and the denomination’s prayer shepherd. (12 minute video clip)
Synod 2026 Encouraged: Work Together, Build Up Neighbors
Synod’s first plenary session began with worship, thanksgiving, and an encouragement to be conscious of power and privilege dynamics when deliberating.
Guide to Synod 2026’s Agenda
Synod 2026 gathers on Friday, June 12, at Calvin University, Grand Rapids, Mich. All are welcome to attend or watch online.
Four Pastors to Serve Synod 2026 as Officers
Pastors Chad Steenwyk, president; Derek Buikema, vice president; Jose Rayas, first clerk; and Dave TenClay, second clerk, were selected to serve as Synod 2026’s officers.