Synod 2026 reminded the Christian Reformed Church of the resources of Thrive, the denomination’s congregational support ministry, and encouraged church leaders to reach out to Thrive for support. Synod also invited churches to make use of the ministry’s church renewal plan and made note of the staff’s efforts to work with classes to address membership decline and their coordinated work with Resonate Global Mission on church-planting strategy.
Synod is the annual general assembly of the Christian Reformed Church in North America. It is meeting June 12-18 in Grand Rapids, Mich.
Before any voting took place, Elaine May, congregational renewal consultant for Thrive, shared, “I have been listening, and I heard early today something coming out of the youth advisers … the need for a church to understand who they are. It is essential that a congregation knows who they are, why they exist, and that they can articulate it in a way that connects in your local context.”
Thrive can help with that. It has a clear, facilitated process for churches to seek and determine their congregation’s call in God’s plan.
“Nothing is more attractive than a church that knows who they are in Christ, understands the mission he has entrusted them with, and is sharing that mission broadly in their community,” May said.
Zach King, general secretary of the CRCNA, thanked Thrive for the significant work done on the renewals pathway and “their desire to connect as a ‘general practitioner’ and help to meet the needs of congregations.”
Gary van Leeuwen, Classis Alberta South/Saskatchewan, testified to Thrive’s effectiveness as a support. He noted that his classis has been through “some problems,” including with an individual church, and “Thrive was there.”
“There are a lot of good people in Thrive,” who are very well qualified, van Leeuwen said, strongly encouraging synod to promote the ministry’s availability and expertise.
Andrew Systma, Classis Yellowstone, expressed gratitude for Thrive’s collaboration with Resonate, saying as the mission agency has just challenged all delegates to be “all-in,” he’s “encouraged and motivated to work together.”
Matthew Haan, Classis Iakota, said he was “thankful for the recommendations that are here,” noting, “In honesty, this agency is the primary reason why we have not given what we could to ministry shares.” Haan added that he prays for the new director of Thrive, Lee Carter, and for the church that “this renewal will resound.”
Synod 2026, the annual general assembly of the Christian Reformed Church in North America, is meeting June 12-18 on the campus of Calvin University in Grand Rapids, Mich. Go to crcna.org/synod for the livestream, photos, reports, and a live blog of synod proceedings and decisions. Find daily news and our video Synod Recap at thebanner.org/synod.