Synod 2026 declined to appoint a committee to articulate the CRC’s Reformed beliefs about what the church is.Classis Wisconsin, a regional group of churches, wrote that the CRC has lost sight of the fact that the church’s work always presupposes a theological vision of its faithful being. So it want
Continuing a relationship that extends back decades, Synod 2026 voted to “extend and affirm a relationship with the Nederlandse Gereformeerde Kerken as a church in cooperation.” The Nederlandse Gereformeerde Kerken (NGK) formed in 2023, resulting from a merger between two once-separated Reformed den
Lee Carter, new director of Thrive, told Synod 2026 delegates that in his short time at the congregational support ministry, he has discovered that the staff understand that they serve, not steer congregations, acting not ‘for’ but walking ‘with’ churches. Thrive supports Christian Reformed congrega
Rev. Darrell Delaney, the new director of ReFrame, asked Synod 2026 delegates the Romans 10 questions: How can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?His answer in part is ReFrame, the media ministry of the Christian Reformed Chur
For more than 40 years the Christian Reformed Church Loan Fund has provided low-interest loans to Christian Reformed congregations to build new buildings or expand their facilities with minimal losses.The fund’s founding documents limited lending to CRC congregations, but now Synod 2026 has ratified
In 2025, the board of directors for the Alliance of Reformed Churches voted to recognize the church in communion status with the Christian Reformed Church of North America, an invitation that had been extended by the CRCNA in 2024. Synod 2026 offered a prayer of thanksgiving for this affirmed relati
In a close vote, Synod 2026 approved the creation of a study committee to define Christian nationalism that will present a report to Synod 2028. The final tally of votes was 93 in favor, 84 against, with one abstention.Synod is the annual general assembly of the Christian Reformed Church in North Am
Synod 2026 agreed to have certain parts of the supplement removed from Church Order Articles 4 and 7, pertaining to Classis Red Mesa’s calling of officebearers (deacons and elders) and a previously used category of service that now is covered by the Church Order article for commissioned pastors.Syno
Synod 2026 delegates voted down a proposal to change synod’s meeting schedule. The Council of Delegates had proposed that synods convene on a Saturday, meeting until the following Saturday. Synods currently meet from Friday to the following Thursday.Lucas tenBrink, Classis Holland, favored the chang
Host Lora Copley, The Banner’s interim editor-in-chief, talks with guest Tim Blackmon, pastor of Second CRC (Grand Haven, Mich.), the convening church of this year’s synod. Lora and Tim talk about the important vision put forward through the four plenary messages of Saturday evening and Sunday’s joi
The evening before Synod will begin in full swing, and delegates and ministry leaders will take the mic, Synod 2026 came together for the Synodical Service of Prayer and Praise at the Covenant Fine Arts Center at Calvin University. Tim Blackmon, pastor of Second Christian Reformed Church in Grand Ha
“Truly God has more for this denomination instead of an ongoing church decline. The question is what are we going to do collectively?” Tim Sheridan, director of church planting for Resonate Global Mission, said that was the question of Synod 2025, and it only gave a year to have a plan for a 10-year
Elaine May, congregational renewal consultant for Thrive ministries, gave an impactful presentation to Synod 2026 of Thrive’s newly developed resources for church renewal across the Christian Reformed Church.Thrive is the CRC’s congregational support ministry that equips and encourages churches and
Delegates rising to their feet with applause after a synod speech is rare in the Christian Reformed Church, but that’s how Synod 2026 reacted to general secretary Zach King’s address this year—one where he encouraged the church to embrace its moment for mission.“I think they said ‘thanks,’” synod pr
Will Brouwers, a delegate to Synod 2026 from Classis Rocky Mountain, says he’s nostalgic for synod, despite this being his first time as a delegate. His first experiences of the annual general assembly of the Christian Reformed Church were as a son tagging along with his pastor dad, Gary Brouwers, m
Psalm 117, “Praise the Lord, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples,” opened worship for Synod 2026 on June 13, as delegates met in plenary session before returning to advisory committee deliberations for most of the day.The assembly sang in Spanish and English, with worship leader Rachel Bouwk
The Alumni Association board room, on the upper floor of Calvin University’s Commons building, typically hosts two things when the Christian Reformed Church’s synod meets at Calvin: early morning prayer and specialty dinners. Deacon delegates have one. Korean delegates, ecumenical guests and the com
Host Lora Copley, The Banner’s interim editor-in-chief, talks with guest Joshua Jiang, a first-time observer of synod, to get his take on the proceedings so far. Jiang is a member of Princeton CRC (Grand Rapids, Mich.) and a South Korea-based Chinese pastor working with Resonate Global Mission.Synod
The first plenary session of Synod 2026 opened with worship, thanksgiving, and the opening exercises familiar to the Christian Reformed Church’s annual general assembly: roll call, speeches, and welcomes. Synod president Chad Steenwyk, elected in an online convening two weeks ago, along with three o
Host Lora Copley, The Banner’s interim editor-in-chief, and guest John Hoekema, pastor of Horizon Community Church (Downers Grove, Ill.) and the denomination’s prayer shepherd, talk about the foundation of prayer laid before and during this year's synod.Synod 2026, the annual general assembly of the