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Synod News

During the week of synod, news coverage will be provided by CRC Communications in partnership with The Banner. Subscribe to get a daily summary by email.

Jul Medenblik speaks into a microphone

Seminary Thanked for Training Pastors, Asked for More Info on Instructional Personnel

Synod 2025 recognized several positive milestones for Calvin Theological Seminary and requested a report to Synod 2026 of confessional adherence for all instructional personnel.
Paul Vanderklay speaks into a microphone at Synod 2025

How Binding are Synodical Decisions?

New categories for decisions by synods of the Christian Reformed Church provide a hierarchy of their status.
Shirley Roels speaks into a microphone at Synod 2025

CRC Pursues Closer Relationship with Alliance of Reformed Churches

Some Christian Reformed pastors already serve in congregations that are part of the network of former Reformed Church in America congregations.
ERV translation of Holy Bible

ERV Bible Translation Not Recommended for Public Worship

The Easy to Read Version was commended with reservations for new believers and children’s worship.
Brahdon Seaver talks into a microphone

Synod 2025 Reaffirms Local Consistory’s Role in Baptism

Classis Grand Rapids South found a statement from Synod 2024 to be confusing; Synod 2025 agreed to reaffirm.
Noah Toly (Calvin Provost) and Perrin Rynders (incoming Calvin board chair) address Synod 2025

Calvin Reaffirms Partnership and Celebrates Faithful Progress at Synod

Synod expressed gratitude for Calvin University, recognized its efforts to maintain confessional alignment with the CRCNA and sought to understand differences between the university and the church.
Gary vanLeeuwen speaks into a microphone

Rubrics for How Denominational Boards Select Members to Be Public

Synod wants to know more about board member nominees that it has to vote on. It asked the CRC’s general secretary to obtain and publish the boards’ criteria.
Susan LaClear speaks from a podium into a microphone

Education Must Accompany Solo Pastoring

Christian Reformed Church commissioned pastors becoming solo pastors must work toward ordination as a minister of the Word, including the required education.
group of prayer intercessors at Synod 2025

Synod’s Intercessors: An Inclination to the Spirit

Members of the intercessory team at Synod 2025 have hearts for discernment and openness to the Holy Spirit.
lady delegate at Synod 2025 speaks into microphone

CRCNA to Stay United as a Binational Denomination

Synod 2025 voted to not accede to a request from an Ontario church council that wanted to “Envision Two Distinct Christian Reformed Churches.”
man speaking into a microphone at Synod

Officebearers Must Still Affirm the Confessions ‘Fully Agree’ with the Bible

The Covenant for Officebearers in the Christian Reformed Church will still affirm that the church’s historic confessions “fully agree” with the Word of God.
Greg Sinclair speaks into a microphone

Synod 2025 Clarifies What ‘Without Reservation’ Means in the Gravamina Process

Synod 2025 discussed request for a ‘Formal Act of Confessional Submission’ for officebearers. Saying no to that, synod did define the parameters of confessing “without reservation.”
Three men speaking at a podium

Covenant Must Be Affirmed At Every Classis Meeting

The form of affirming the Covenant for Officebearers might be varied, but delegates to classis are instructed to affirm it every classis meeting.
Al Postma

Canadian Justice: ‘Happy to Talk More’

A short exchange at Synod 2025 acknowledging the work of Canadian Justice Ministries had Al Postma, executive director-Canada, say ‘reach out’ with any questions.
Jessica Joustra at Synod 2025

Jessica Joustra Appointed to Calvin Theological Seminary in Systematic Theology

Newly appointed professor of systematic theology Jessica Joustra isn’t afraid of theological wrestling “because I have confidence in what we teach.”
Synod 2025 delegates pray over new candidates for ministry

Synod 2025 Welcomes 19 Candidates for Minister of the Word

Synod 2025 received the presentation of 19 candidates for ministry with a joyful service.
Jared Michelson gestures with his hand

Jared Michelson Appointed to Teach at Calvin Theological Seminary

Jared Michelson, newly appointed professor of systematic theology, says all pastors are public theologians.
Hannah denBak speaks into a microphone

Synod 2025 ‘Deplores’ Assisted Suicide, Affirms God’s Gift of Life

Synod 2025 unanimously voted to approve the recommendations of the Assisted Suicide Task Force, mandated by Synod 2023, and commend their report.
Martin Spoelstra speaks into a microphone

Governance Costs Review Task Force Asked to Consult With Classes

Synod 2025 instructed the Office of General Secretary, with the Council of Delegates task force, to review governance costs and to engage with the needs of classes affected by disaffiliations.
Natasha Klukach speaks into a microphone

Global Christian Forum Thanks CRC for Support

No agenda, no rule book, just building Christian relations is the aim of Global Christian Forum.
Jeff Bennett speaks into a microphone

Request Denied to Add Belhar to Covenant for Officebearers

The CRC has recognized the Belhar Confession as a contemporary testimony since 2017, but it hasn’t been in the Covenant for Officebearers, and that won’t change.
John Tamming speaks innto a microphone

Calvin University Called to Clarify their Confessional Exceptions

Synod 2025, in receiving a report from Calvin University on changes to the school’s approach to confessional subscription for its faculty and trustees, asks for clarification on one point.
Scott Elgersma speaks into a microphone

Pastoral Spouses to Receive Support

Synod 2025 agreed with a request to instruct churches and classes to provide financially for the spiritual care of pastors’ spouses.
Moses Jawara speaks into a microphone

Christian Reformed Church of Sierra Leone Growing, Needs Support

Moses Jawara, president of the Christian Reformed Church of Sierra Leone, thanked the CRC for its support, especially through Resonate Global Ministry.
Peter Sinia speaking into a microphone

Reformed Church in The Netherlands Celebrates Merger

Peter Sinia told Synod 2025 that the Reformed Church in The Netherlands bridged differences and did the tough work of reconciliation.
David Guretzki speaking into a microphone

Evangelical Fellowship Of Canada Grateful for CRC Contribution

The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada is at work on many legal issues, including human trafficking and medical assistance in dying—an issue also on the Synod 2025 agenda.
Eddy Aleman speaking into a microphone

Reformed Church in America: A Time of Change and Restructure

Eddy Alemán told delegates the RCA is committed to living together in disagreement, in the messy middle.
Zach King speaking into a microphone at Synod

Synod 2025 Celebrates Anniversaries

Synod 2025 recognized the 150th anniversary of Kelloggsville CRC and encouraged commemoration of the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicea.
Chris Samuels speaks in a microphone at Synod

The Right to Bear Arms, Even at Church?

Synod 2025 chose not to speak on prohibiting concealed handguns at ecclesiastical assemblies, regardless of local laws.
Rev. Gerben Meijer talking to Synod

Reformed Church in South Africa Facing Challenges

Rev. Gerben Meijer brought greetings from the Reformed Church in South Africa.
Peter Jonker delegate at Synod

Classis Toronto: The Dance Between Discipline and Trust

Synod 2025 told Classis Toronto it was wrong to seat delegates from churches under limited suspension but declined suggested remedies.
two men sharing a microphone

Council of Delegates Allowed to Decide on Loan Fund Changes, Other Decisions of Synod 2025

Without discussion, Synod 2025 accepted several recommendations related to matters of the Council of Delegates, the ecclesiastical board of the Christian Reformed Church.
men praying at a worship service

Worship at Synod 2025 Honors 100 Years of First CRC Chatham

Gathered in the auditorium of Redeemer University, Synod 2025 shared communion and was led in worship by First Christian Reformed Church in Chatham, Ont.
Zach King - bearded man behind microphone

The Real World is More Complicated than ‘Happily Ever After’

In a wide-ranging address noting various parts of the Christian Reformed Church, general secretary Zachary King looked at themes of rebuilding and renewal.
Greta Luimes, co-chair of council of delegates

The Council of Delegates Chair and Vice-Chair Address Synod 2025

Synod hears each year from the chair of the Council of Delegates. Vice-chair Greta Luimes, who is also chair of the Canada Ministry Board, shared this year as well.
Women gathered for dinner around tables

'You’re Part of a Global Sisterhood of Faithful Women'

World Renew director Carol Bremer-Bennet encouraged the 18 women delegates to the Christian Reformed Church synod: “you are not alone.”
Rev. Elaine May - Gather project manager

Synod 2025 Hears Report of First of Renewal Efforts: ‘Gather’

Elaine May, project manager for Gather, shared with Synod 2025 some of what the church learned and experienced through the 10 events and looked at principles for next steps.
Michael Winnowski - parliamentarian for Synod 2025

What’s a Synodical Parliamentarian?

Michael Winnowski, a retired pastor, former synodical deputy, campus chaplain, specialized transitional minister, and newly trained spiritual director is serving as Synod 2025’s parliamentary adviser.
choir and team leading worship at Synod 2025

Synod 2025 Opens With Worship, Reminders to ‘Behave Like Christ’

A team of students from Chatham (Ont.) Christian High School accompanied Pastor Nate Van Denend of First CRC in Chatham to lead worship as Synod 2025 commenced.
members of synod in prayer

Supplement to Synod 2025: One Appeal, Comments on Overtures, More

The supplement to the Agenda for Synod 2025 includes a Gather Initiative report, a new overture, updates from the Council of Delegates, and several comments on material already on the agenda.
2025 Synod officers on a Zoom call

Mix of Experienced, New Officers for Synod 2025

The delegates to Synod 2025 of the Christian Reformed Church in North America elected four pastors as officers to this year’s meeting: two who served Synod 2024 and two first-time officers.

Journey With Jesus to Synod

“Journey with Jesus” is a theme that will frame this year’s synod, and was central in the May 28 online convening session.