Synod 2026 rejected a recommendation from its Council of Delegates to move to a biennial meeting instead of meeting annually. Though there is a need to balance costs and revenue, that was a move delegates weren’t willing to make. They noted that the savings are not enough to justify a change and that this is a significant time in the life of our denomination when unity and strengthening are needed.
Delegates spent more time discussing the options for restructuring classes and a proposal for a task force to advise on the best way to do that.
Brandon Haan, Classis Grandville, didn’t favor a task force. “We do need to reorganize our classes,” he said. “It makes sense that individual classes have the conversations first.”
Gary Van Leeuwen, Classis Alberta South/Saskatchewan, urged delegates to remember that restructuring is about classis health above all, not just about money.
Josh Dykstra, Classis Illiana, was very wary about gerrymandering. “We already have effectively theological classes—churches that should be in one classis (geographically) but are in another,” he said. “There are so many factors here.”
Ben Gresik, Classis Eastern Canada, noted that the last time synod did redistricting was in 1936. “We’re asking a task force to make recommendations. The idea is to be helpful, not going in with authority.”
Synod voted to establish a task force to make recommendations about consolidations and/or overall restructuring of classes to Synod 2028. Synod noted that the primary goal of any restructuring should be to ensure a healthy classis. This task force will include someone from each of the six classical regions and classis leaders, among others.
While the task force is doing its work, synod asked the Office of General Secretary to aid any current classes working toward mergers, without having to wait for the completion of the task force.
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.