A change of Church Order was brought to Synod 2026, to include specifics for Reformed worship directly as a supplement. The principles—to be centered around God’s Word, encouraging the singing of psalms, and being sacramental, not performative—were previously referenced in the order, but not written out.
Corporate worship is distinct but tied to all life, and it is a covenant dialogue between God and his people, synod affirmed. That will now be written into Church Order Article 52 and its supplement, pending ratification by a subsequent synod.
Synod is the annual general assembly of the Christian Reformed Church in North America. It is meeting June 12-18 in Grand Rapids, Mich.
Richard Grift, Classis Toronto, felt cautious about the change, noting a need to be careful of legalism and wondering whether “every single item needs to be present in (every worship) service.”
Others, including Daniel Vos, Atlantic North East, questioned if Church Order is where these details should be included. “I don't think the Church Order supplement is the right place for that.”
Willard Barham, Classis Atlantic Northeast, wondered about creating a directory for worship instead.
There were questions about some archaic-sounding language to be included, coming directly from the Belgic Confession, one of the CRC’s three doctrinal standards. “‘Rejecting all human innovations,’” Willem Delleman, Classis B.C. North-West, quoted. “What does that mean?”
Rob Toornstra, Classis Columbia, who chaired the committee recommending the change, said the principle is that “Worship should be done in a way God teaches us to do it in his Word.”
Joshua Carpenter, Classis Minnkota, the regional assembly that originally requested the Church Order change, said the specifications would be helpful “resources for planning and leading worship,” as well as for teaching elders what is necessary for worship.
Rob Golding, Classis Greater Los Angeles, said having the specifics “will serve our church as well as newcomers to the CRC” by showing the distinctiveness of Reformed worship.
Young adult representative Nathan van der Meer said he was “very very excited about the content” of the request from Minnkota and that “these (matters of worship) are things of substance” to be included in Church Order.
Bill Sytsma, Classis Chicago South, though, believed the change was unnecessary. As the Church Order gives the responsibility to regulate worship services to the elders, “I trust our elders to oversee worship.”
Miles Davis, Classis North Cascades, also questioned the inclusion of all the specifics. “It seems to me it's the hazard of church work sometimes that we mistake complexity for faithfulness,” he said.
Synod did adopt the replacement for the Church Order article on worship, Article 52, and the new supplement. It will be forwarded to Synod 2027 for ratification.
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.