The Christian Reformed Church in North America is a denomination made up of people and congregations across the United States and Canada. It is governed by an annual assembly that includes representatives from a classis—regional groupings of the congregations. This annual meeting is called synod and is a time of worship, prayerful discernment, discussion, and decision-making.

The synod of the Christian Reformed Church in North America (CRCNA) is an ecclesiastical assembly of delegates that provides governance and leadership for the members, congregations, classes, agencies, and ministries of the CRCNA. The term synod is derived from the Greek σύνοδος (sýnodos), meaning “assembly” or “meeting.”

Synod fills an essential denomination-wide governance and leadership role alongside of the regionally delegated authority of the church classes and the locally elected church councils. The primary responsibilities of synod are listed on pages 1-2 in the Rules for Synodical Procedure on the Synod Resources webpage (crcna.org/SynodResources).

Each synod is made up of 196 delegates: 4 officebearers from each classis. Sometimes, individuals have expressed apprehension toward allowing their name to be considered by their classis as a delegate to synod. We hope that what follows can answer questions you may have, alleviate worries, and provide you with a clear overview of what to expect at synod so that you can prayerfully consider this important and oftentimes rewarding opportunity!

There are many benefits to participating as a synod delegate. First, synod is the church—when synod delegates come together, the church comes together. It is a blessing to be a part of this. Second, delegates are given the opportunity to hear and experience the joys and the excitement of ministry in the Christian Reformed Church. Third, the work of synod impacts the future of the church—our denomination. The decisions that you make, the things that you bring to the table, the ideas that you share will have an impact on the future of our church.

Delegates receive the Agenda for Synod (option for print or digital) in late April and are asked to complete their registration so that the Synodical Services Office can plan for their participation. Because delegates are assigned to an advisory committee that is responsible to review a particular portion of synod’s agenda, delegates should focus on reading materials for their advisory committee work prior to arrival at synod. This may take several hours. In addition, delegates are asked to listen to a series of orientation segments prior to synod. These orientation materials help to prepare delegates so that they know what to expect from their time at synod. Synod meets in person for a full week in June (usually beginning the second Friday though the following Thursday). The Synodical Services Office covers the cost of travel, lodging on campus, and meals during synod.

Every synod attendee should have some basic comfort with computers. Delegates are expected to participate through a Google-based “Synod Site,” including marking themselves present for roll call, voting, and using a speaker queue. If this sounds intimidating, have no fear . . . our tech staff is near! Not only do we have well qualified staff to assist you well before your arrival at synod, we offer “loaner” devices during synod—you don’t need to have your own device to be delegated to synod. Upon arrival at synod, our IT staff will take the time to sit with you and teach you how to start up the device, save quick links for easy use, and ensure your comfort with the device before synod meetings.

Delegates and advisers to synod are expected to participate fully in the gatherings/meetings of synod. Although each new assembly is free to alter the schedule, the following general schedule is tentatively in place:

Wednesday, 2 weeks prior to synod

• Virtual convening session to elect officers

Thursday orientation

• Orientation for new, or returning, delegates
• Orientation supper for chairs and reporters, and alternate chairs and alternate reporters of advisory committees
• Ministry fair and ice cream social

Convening Friday

• Opening worship for synod
• Plenary session
• Advisory committee meetings  

Saturday

• Brief plenary session
• Advisory committee meetings
• Presidents picnic
• Possible evening plenary session

Sunday

• Morning worship at area CRC churches
• Synodical Service of Prayer and Praise

Monday - Wednesday

• Plenary sessions running 8:30 - 8:30 with worship, meals and breaks throughout

Thursday

• Plenary sessions ending with closing worship by 3:00 pm

The officers of the previous year’s synod (Program Committee) appoint each of the delegates to an advisory committee (approx. 25-30 members ea.) to address a specific section of synod’s agenda. The officers also appoint a chair and reporter to the advisory committees. The chair will lead the committee through the respective materials assigned and help make arrangements for any guests scheduled to meet with the committee. The reporter records the committee’s recommendations along with any agreed upon background by the committee. The reporter also presents these recommendations to the full assembly for consideration by way of the “advisory committee report.” Examples of advisory committees from past synods include Synodical Services, Education and Candidacy, Congregational Ministries, and Finance and Administration.

What if I am new on council or don’t have a lot of experience attending classis meetings? This is totally ok. If you have a love for the Christian Reformed Church and its ministry, you’ll be in excellent company! Attending synod will further awaken your passion for the church. There is business to attend to during synod—addressed first within advisory committees (each delegate participates on a committee), then presented to the full body of synod for consideration and, many times, a decision. Synod and its officers are guided by the “Rules for Synodical Procedure” (described above in “rules of order”), providing means for order in how the assembly conducts its meetings. Your delegate orientation will provide explanation of the various rules prior to synod.

Alternate synod delegates should "be at the ready" in the event that the regular delegate is unable to attend the meetings of synod (with the approval of the Synodical Services Office or the officers of synod after elected). Prior to synod, if a delegate realizes they are unable to attend synod, they communicate with their stated clerk of classis, who contacts the Synodical Services Office. We take into consideration feasibility for the alternate to attend (timing, cost of flights, etc.). The alternate is contacted with the request to attend if applicable and provided with all the necessary information for the meeting.

An alternate would serve on the advisory committee that the regular delegate had been assigned to if the regular delegate is unable to attend the advisory committee meetings. An alternate serving in place of the regular delegate votes both in the advisory committee and in the plenary sessions.

Alternate delegates should familiarize themselves with the synod agenda materials when they are posted to www.crcna.org/synodresources to be prepared in the event they are asked to serve - which at times can be just days before the meeting.

John. M.

Don't be afraid to ask questions about what's going on. Synod is very procedural and runs by a specific set of rules, so if you're feeling confused, there's a 100% chance that someone else is also confused and is afraid to ask for clarification. Speak up for their sake!

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Rod H.

Pray a lot!
The place to help shape what is done is in your committee meeting, and those start on Day 1. Come prepared to offer your input.
It’s a deliberative body, not a political contest. Come with an open mind, a listening ear, and an understanding heart.
At meal times, eat with strangers.
If you are reticent to offer an idea, just blurt it out. If you can’t wait to share your idea, keep it to yourself.
Rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn.
Pack a large towel!
Have a cool ringtone for those embarrassing moments when you forget to silence your phone.

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Sheri B.

Ask your church to pray for you. Come to Synod ready to listen. Pray.

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Richard B.

Read. Watch. Listen. Think. Pray. Speak.
Read as much as you can from the agenda and other denominational material to learn about present and past decisions. 
Watch as much as you can. Body language. Movement within the body of delegates. It speaks volumes about what they are feeling. 
Listen to words and emotions. To arguments and hopes. Passions and desires.
Think about what is said and acted.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to move powerfully. For God's will to be done. For love to flow. For unity.
Only after all this should you speak.

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Roger S.

Read the whole agenda and speak up/ask questions during advisory committee sessions. That is where you will have the greatest impact. 

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Doug M. and Scott G.

Prepare! As much as you can, familiarize yourself with much of the Agenda before synod. 

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Anthony E.

Read the Agenda, celebrate what God is doing among us, and as you encounter things among us that you're less thankful for: pray for God's grace to love His church—your church—our church—deeply and well. Then, take a deep breath and squint harder to see how God might just be moving among us anyway (as well as how the Spirit might be lovingly calling us to change)! But do remember: your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ (including agency staff, "the denomination," and people you deeply disagree with) are not the enemy.  By God's reconciling work in Jesus Christ, we're all in this thing together! 

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Elizabeth V.

Read ahead of time - do your homework and ask lots of questions before you arrive - and watch the orientation videos - they are really helpful! And pray . . . for wisdom, humility and surrender. 

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John T.

In our fast changing world and in dedicating yourself to Jesus, try to have fewer fixed expectations and be truly open minded and hearted to listen not just for views and perspectives that you are comfortable with, but for promptings of Holy Spirit, Scriptures, sisters and brothers that could be calling you to change your mind, your thinking and your previous devotions. 

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George M.

Read the materials carefully, including the orientation materials and Rules for Synod before you arrive at Synod.