Just before adjourning the Monday evening session, Synod 2026 worked through recommendations from the denomination’s Candidacy Committee, adopting changes for commissioned pastors, declaring 36 new candidates for the position of Minister of the Word, and extending the candidacy eligibility for seven previously approved candidates. Candidates for ministry from a previous synod must request extension of candidate status at the next synod if they have not yet accepted a call to ministry. Fourteen of the new candidates attended synod in person Tuesday morning for a liturgy of commissioning.
Synod is the annual general assembly of the Christian Reformed Church in North America. It is meeting June 12-18 in Grand Rapids, Mich. on the campus of Calvin University.
In its report to synod, the Candidacy Committee presented a theologically reflective report on the office of commissioned pastor, along with suggested changes for the Church Order article pertaining to commissioned pastors, Art. 23. Synod 2026 voted to approve the suggested changes without discussion.
The office of commissioned pastor, at one time called “ministry associate” and “evangelist” is one of two recognized pastoral offices in the CRC, along with the position of Minister of the Word.
Commissioned pastors are ordained by classes (regional assemblies of Christian Reformed Churches) to specific areas of specialized ministry within the classis. The approved new changes clarify that the role of commissioned pastor can include “extending ministry into noncongregational settings, such as chaplaincy or missions.”
Synod approved three general categories for the office of commissioned pastor: specialized congregational ministers, church planters, and ministers in noncongregational roles.
Newly added to the general characteristics of commissioned pastors is that “these roles should have a primary function of equipping the body of Christ for the work of ministry” and “the job description should make clear that the role is ‘pastoral’ and ‘representative’ for the congregation, often—but not always—involving pastoral actions traditionally identified as ‘official acts of ministry,’ as described in Supplement, Art. 18.”
The changes to the office of commissioned pastor come at a time when about 17% of churches in the denomination have no pastor. The Candidacy Committee recognized that “training routes that were once the exception have gradually become more of the norm throughout recent decades.” As pastors come to the CRC from a wider range of educational pathways, the changes are intended to “foster the (potential commissioned pastor’s) knowledge of Reformed theology and sense of connection to the classis and denomination,” the report said.
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.