For full reports and exact statements of the CRCNA position on a particular issue, see references provided below.
Position
In its position on abortion, the Christian Reformed Church condemns “the wanton or arbitrary destruction of any human being at any stage of its development from the point of conception to the point of death” (Acts of Synod 1972, p. 64). In specifically addressing suicide, Synod 2000 pointed out that, “Scripture clearly prohibits all wanton destruction of human life, and that includes the willful ending of one’s own life. The Heidelberg Catechism affirms this when it says, in its treatment of the sixth commandment, ‘. . . I am not to harm or recklessly endanger myself either’” (Acts of Synod 2000, p. 724). Synod observed that the appropriate Christian response to suffering, disability, and/or dying people (and their families) is pastoral, including compassionate palliative care instead of acting to cause death (Acts of Synod 2000, p. 686, 707-708).
In 2025, a task force dealt with the growing legalization of assisted suicide throughout North America. Affirming again the value of human life as a gift from God, synod reminded the church of the importance of honoring and caring for all lives - our own and others - especially during times of suffering and despair. In contrast to a culture which views medically assisted suicide as a tragic yet compassionate choice, the Christian perspective sees life as a gift of God, even when it appears weak or diminished. In all stages of our lives, we belong to God and to one another. Our commitment to honoring the preciousness of life is a communal practice in which we come alongside one another to “carry one another’s burdens” (Gal. 6:2). Though we do not always understand the purpose of suffering, the Christian response to it should be love, lament, and liturgy. Our inclination is toward life, and we should not act to end a life intentionally. We wait for death patiently and with hope, trusting that “the one who raised Jesus from the dead” is also the one in whom we “are being renewed day by day” (2 Cor. 4:14, 16).
The 2000 and 2025 reports also offer a number of practical pastoral guidelines for ways to care for those who are suffering and dying, and to commit to engagement with public policy makers to provide compassionate care so that those who are suffering and vulnerable do not feel pressured to end their lives.
History
In 1997 Classis Chatham requested the appointment of a committee to study the issue of euthanasia. Since the Committee for Contact with Government of the Council of the Christian Reformed Churches in Canada was already working on a study dealing with end-of-life issues, synod asked it to make future drafts of this study available to churches in the United States and Canada for evaluation and discussion. Its report on "responsibility and community at the end of life" was presented to Synod 2000, and many of its pastoral and public policy recommendations were adopted. The churches were reminded of their responsibilities toward families, members, the health-care community, and public policy. The report also offered guidelines for how churches could work with others in regard to caring for the dying.
In 2023 Classis Zeeland asked synod to “make a definitive statement on the practice of assisted suicide in all of its forms” (Agenda for Synod 2023, p. 355). Synod 2023’s response was twofold. First, the Office of General Secretary was tasked with creating “a position statement on assisted suicide based on the good work of previous synods” on issues such as abortion and life issues. The Office of General Secretary created the position statement above in response. Second, a task force was appointed “to make a definitive and comprehensive report on the practice of assisted suicide in all its forms” (Acts of Synod 2023, p. 981). That task force submitted its work to Synod 2025, where all of its recommendations were adopted unanimously and the report was commended.
References to Agendas and Acts of Synod
Agenda for Synod 1997, pp. 442-43
Acts of Synod 1997, p. 608
Agenda for Synod 1998, pp. 24-25
Agenda for Synod 2000, pp. 425-48
Acts of Synod 2000, pp. 685-86, 706-9, 724
Agenda for Synod 2023, pp. 354-56
Acts of Synod 2023, p. 981
Agenda for Synod 2025, pp. 281-310
Acts of Synod 2025, pp. 656-658