Synod 2026 approved several changes to how the annual synod of the Christian Reformed Church operates. The CRC’s Office of the General Secretary completed a review at the request of last year’s synod.
The most debated item was the role of a parliamentarian at each synod, a role that was established in 2019. Although the recommendation from the review was to eliminate the position because there are sufficient resources from staff, delegates disagreed, noting that having a parliamentarian has served synod well.
Jason Crossen, Classis Huron, said he’s been at four of the past five synods. “I’ve seen when things got contentious and the parliamentarian speaks into things,” he said. “(The parliamentarian) has more impartiality and comes up with something all of us missed.”
Other changes made:
- Synods will no longer be expected to provide opportunities for ministry-related learning, a practice that had been happening for about 10 years.
- Future synods are reminded of the confidentiality of the program committee report that lists all the delegates and what specific parts of the synod agenda they will discuss. This protects the deliberative nature of synod from pressure on delegates from outside lobbying and social media.
- Regarding the guidance for the annual synodical Sunday worship service, an expectation that all synod delegates attend was added.
- The deadline for having study committee reports in the hands of the churches was moved from Nov. 1 to Dec. 1 to give study committees more time to complete their work. Digital communication makes it possible to get the material to churches in a timely fashion.
- Synod will no longer distinguish between study committees and task forces, both of which are groups that study a specific issue to report to a future synod. Instead, only study committees will be appointed and will be distinguished by the nature of committee membership and timeline for reporting.
- Synod suspended the practice of holding a noon luncheon to honor retiring denominational leaders and seminary professors and directed the Office of General Secretary to work with the officers of synod each year to identify the best way to accomplish these purposes within the synod's schedule.
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.