Synod 2026 said that even though the Council of Delegates acts in an ecclesial fashion, the members do not need to be officebearers in the church. The Council acts in the interim of annual synods. Delegates to synod must be currently serving officebearers who have signed the Covenant for Officebearers signifying their agreement with the Christian Reformed doctrinal standards.
Historically, prior to the mid-1990s, the interim committee was all ordained people, and some delegates thought it should still be that way. Dirk Koetje, Classis Zeeland, said there are times when the Council does the work of synod, that it does function as an ecclesiastical body. In 2020 and 2021, when no synods were held because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Council of Delegates met in special session in lieu of synod.
Zeeland sent a formal request to Synod 2026 that membership on the Council of Delegates going forward include only current or former officebearers.
Michael Ten Haken, chair of the Council of Delegates, told synod every Council member signs a statement of agreement that is akin to the Covenant of Officebearers. “I sense a lack of trust, but these individuals are vetted in classis and denominational process.” He noted that classes have wide latitude in who they nominate as their delegate.
Kees Rystenbil, Classis Eastern Canada, said the Council deals with many different issues, including legal and financial, and needs to be able to attract individuals with those skills.
Ashley Bonnes, Classis Northern Michigan, was opposed to the idea as well. “This allows space for other voices to be heard.” Mark Verbruggen, Classis Hamilton, concurred. “We have at-large members so that we can hear the voice of women,” he said. “This (restricting membership to officebearers) would severely limit the voice of women in this denomination.”
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.