Synod 2026 commended a task force report on multisite churches to congregations considering multisite developments.
The report, requested by Synod 2024, offers multiple possible pathways for “multisite expressions” of church to relate to one another. Additionally, the report provides advice on multisite church governance, mergers, representation in assemblies, and pastoral accountability.
Synod is the annual general assembly of the Christian Reformed Church in North America. It is meeting June 12-18 on the campus of Calvin University in Grand Rapids, Mich.
Andy Sytsma, Classis Yellowstone, spoke in favor of the report. “It provides clear ecclesiastical guidance,” which, as a church planter, he would have found helpful. “It’s not just a pragmatic model, it’s grounded in Reformed polity.”
Some delegates expressed concern that the new guidelines would mistakenly encourage multisite churches to create authority structures outside the denominational structure of classes (regional assemblies) and synod. Josh Dykstra, Classis Illiana, quoted CRC Church Order speaking against the report. “No church shall in any way lord it over another church, and no officebearer shall lord it over another officebearer,” Dykstra said.
Issy La Brosse, Classis Greater Los Angeles, asked for clarification on what types of multisite churches were being considered and expressed concern about multisite churches that rely on video messages from one pastor.
“We offer strong cautions in our report against a group of satellites that are all just putting up the videos of one centralized preacher,” said Derek Buikema, vice president of synod, who served on the multisite task force. “We stress a couple of things throughout the report: one is the importance of local, established leaders … local preaching, (and) local administration of the sacraments.” In the Christian Reformed Church, the sacraments of baptism and the Lord’s supper are administered by the authority of the consistory in the public worship service by a minister of the Word, a commissioned pastor, or, in the case of need, an ordained person who has received the approval of classis (Art. 55 of Church Order).
Martin Spoelstra, Classis Quinte, spoke in favor of the report. “I think the beauty of this report is that it allows us to think differently and more creatively about how we do church,” Spoelstra said. He emphasized that the framework in the report could also help his work restructuring struggling congregations. “This is not only a way to grow the existing church that’s healthy, but it may be a way for us to keep the churches that might close from closing.”
Several delegates then shared personal experiences where they saw multisite models increasing the health of their local churches. Michael Yang, Classis B.C. Northwest, said he currently pastors a congregation that’s part of a multisite church in the Vancouver area.
“Each campus has localized established leadership. We have a shared council, so every campus has at least two representatives that sit on that shared council,” Yang said. He emphasized the importance of accountable leadership in any church model, whether single congregation or multisite.
“One of our current campuses was a dying church that our church came alongside and had many conversations with,” Yang said. “They didn’t have to join our multisite model or become a part of this, but they wanted to.”
Synod additionally directed the Office of General Secretary to develop and implement a method for collecting and reporting membership and leadership for various multisite arrangements “in order to support pastoral accountability, ecclesiastical transparency, and accurate denominational understanding.”
Synod adopted a supplement to Church Order Article 35, with guidance for multisite churches, including a template that potential multisite partners can use to establish and describe partnership agreements.
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.