Synod 2026 discussed the need and value of the denomination’s Dignity Team, a group established in 2022 to work “with those who feel they have been victimized by abuses of power in the CRCNA to offer direction and support.” The Council of Delegates, the governance board that serves synod between meetings of synod, recommended a five-year renewal of the team’s mandate. Synod, after discussion mostly in favor of allowing the team to continue, voted to end the team’s work. It asked the Council of Delegates to work with current team members to resolve any current cases of support within a year.
Synod is the annual general assembly of the Christian Reformed Church in North America. It met June 12-18, 2026, in Grand Rapids, Mich.
Created as part of the work of an ad hoc committee assigned in 2019 to work on the prevention of abuse of power in the Christian Reformed Church, the Dignity Team was formed to be available to respond “to less tangible and less clearly defined abuses of power that occur within CRC circles, but may fall between or outside the scopes of the systems addressed elsewhere in the CRCNA’s system.”
Ralph Wigboldus, Classis Ontario Southwest, speaking for the committee recommending the Dignity Team’s dismissal, said, “In some way this was a three-year experiment to see what the Dignity Team would be about and how it would function.” Although the Council of Delegates recommended it continue, synod’s committee said, “the results of this experiment did not merit another five years.”
In dismissing the team, synod reminded “all CRC church assemblies, committees, and boards of the principles of responsible use of authority that ought to shape the CRCNA ministry and actions, especially as they relate to shaping a culture of dignity and respect, and to take greater responsibility for these matters.”
Jim Kirk, Classis Wisconsin, who was part of the committee recommending dismissal, said, “We think the right response is to strengthen those parts of the church that should be doing the work,” and making those spaces safe for people who do come to be treated with respect when it's time to “work through the hard issues that arise in the life of the church.”
Rob Toornstra, Classis Columbia, and a member of the Council of Delegates, spoke against dismissing the Dignity Team. “We (the Council) listened to the people who served and the work that they were doing and what their perspective was. We heard that yes, it is important to shift this work to local bodies … but to do that now would probably be premature.” Toornstra believed that it would serve everyone well by giving some time to make that transition.
Merick Roragen, Classis Pacific Northwest, also spoke against dismissing the team. “If we remove the Dignity Team we will never know the damage” coming from that decision. “Those who would be the most likely to be affected are those who are often most marginalized by our societies: women, children, and minorities.”
John VanderWindt, Classis Quinte, was concerned about the ability of current systems to absorb the role that had been filled by the team. Would “we not lose people in the gaps” while current systems adapt?
John DeVries, Classis Holland, was one voice speaking in favor of dismissing the team, contending “they have no specific guidelines for any process that they would follow” if there is any abuse of power. He relayed experience of a situation where a local classis corrected a determination made by the Dignity Team, suggesting operating “from a long distance” is “dangerous” and prone to errors.
Synod 2026 voted to dismiss the team “with thanks for the work done in response to instructions from previous synods.”
Synod 2026, the annual general assembly of the Christian Reformed Church in North America, met 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.