In a conversation about the financial health of the Christian Reformed Church, Synod 2026 recognized that the conversation shows the need to rebuild trust in the ministry share system and how those funds are allocated.
In 2020, the denomination went from expecting a certain amount of money from each congregation to support shared ministries to asking each congregation and classis to pledge an amount it would contribute.
Primarily delegates were asking for transparency in how the funds are being spent, including reports on salary ranges and the number of full-time equivalent employees by agency and the head count. Synod noted that having the information will help church councils to make decisions about their ministry share pledge. It asked the Office of General Secretary to provide each classis complete financial statements along with explanatory materials by November. Currently, consolidated financial reports for the denomination's various ministries are included in synod agendas.
Ren Tubergen, Classis Thornapple, said transparency should not be an issue. “This must be done at a more granular level than we are getting.” Lucas tenBrink, Classis Holland, agreed, suggesting it’s not unreasonable considering how great an influence the denomination has.
Jeff Fisher, Classis Grand Rapids East, noted that there are already existing tables and charts that help us understand the work being done. “It just needs to be presented in a way accessible to classis.”
Al Postma, executive director of CRCNA-Canada, told delegates that if they google CRCNA financial statements, all the audited statements are available in incredible detail. He said that he and Dan DeKam, director of U.S. ministry operations, know that the way they communicate about the finances is something that can be improved. “We’ve been looking at it, working in the background about communicating effectively about the finances,” he said. “We’re taking this to heart, rowing in the same boat.”
Andrew Aukema, Classis Alberta North, didn’t agree with asking for so much information. “This calls it a trust issue,” he said. “Trust goes two ways. … Asking them for more transparency doesn’t seem like a good exercise in trust unless we’re really basically saying that there’s something they’re doing wrong that needs to change.”
Ben Gresik, Classis Eastern Canada, said, “This is not about oversight but letting churches make their own decisions.”
Synod also adopted a range of giving to help guide churches, recommending 6-12% of a church’s annual operating budget. But as giving reflects the way the Lord has blessed each church uniquely, some churches might and do give above this range.
Wilmar Bakker, Classis Huron, noted that delegates were questioning transparency in expenses but not transparency in giving. “It’s important to have transparency on what people are giving” as well.
Michael Ten Haken, outgoing president of the Council of Delegates, said there really isn’t a way to hold congregations accountable for giving, and it isn’t wise. “It’s a covenant (in which) we hold each other accountable when we agree to do these things together.”
Synod turned down a proposal that 50 percent of all ministry shares be devoted to the mission agencies Reframe and Resonate, noting that would actually hinder those ministries because it would reduce the shared support provided to all the ministries.
The good news? Since February, ministry share pledges have gone up by $500,000.
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 plenary recordings, photos, and reports. Find daily news and our video Synod Recap at thebanner.org/synod.