Synod 2026 expressed appreciation for Calvin University, which is an educational institution of the Christian Reformed Church. Synod noted the work that the university, based in Grand Rapids, Mich., has done in bringing the university into alignment with the Christian Reformed Church’s doctrinal standards, particularly in the area of sexual ethics, and encouraged the university to continue that work.
Calvin president Greg Elzinga told synod, “When we hire faculty, we are not simply looking to fill a position. We are inviting them into a covenant community with a dual commitment to confessional integrity and academic calling.” He told delegates that with new faculty, Calvin is clear that it teaches from a Reformed perspective. It also provides a three- to six-year period of intentional formation for new faculty for study and mentoring, a time to engage deeply with the Reformed confessions. “We don’t require every faculty member to arrive with a full understanding. Teaching at Calvin requires openness and commitment to the journey.” In rare cases a faculty member can be given an indefinite exception on a particular point of doctrine.
Brandon Haan, Classis Grandville, approved. “I think CU has done a good job to adhere to synod’s guidelines. Last year’s synod said ‘good job,’” he said. “How many synods are we going to keep challenging what the university is doing? I think we can commend the university for working this out.”
Some synod delegates had committee meetings in the faculty wing of the school, where they saw a gay pride flag on one of the doors. It was later removed. John Aukema, Classis Minnkota, was upset about the flag. “The flag is hostile to Christ and his kingdom. … I want to trust (Calvin), but when I see the flag it’s really hard to trust.”
Elzinga asserted that Calvin remains aligned with the CRC on marriage and sexuality and believes, as also articulated by the Christian Reformed Church, that “same-sex oriented Christians, like all Christians, are called to discipleship, holy obedience, and the use of their gifts in the cause of the kingdom.”
“People who express same-sex attraction must receive acceptance,” Elzinga said. “A pride flag shouldn’t be understood as a change in confessional commitment, but a rare case of an employee (saying) if you are LGBTQ, you are welcome here, this is a safe space. You’re a child of God; we want to walk alongside you.”
John Lee, Classis Iakota, said, “That flag hurts. I want every door to be safe for LGBT. We don’t need flags to make it safe.”
Synod also encouraged the university to continue to pursue full confessional alignment of its Board of Trustees going forward and affirmed the board’s commitment to disclose to future synods, for synodical approval, any nominees who have confessional exceptions, and the rationales for trustee appointments.
The board has 31 trustees, 16 of whom represent classes of the CRC and must be confessionally aligned. The remaining 15 can be non-CRC delegates.
Elzinga reported that the vast majority of delegates are in alignment. “Since 2022, every trustee has been confessionally aligned.”
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.