Agenda for Synod 2024

2024

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

May 29, June 5, and June 14-20, 2024

Calvin University

Grand Rapids, Michigan

1700 28th Street SE

Grand Rapids, Michigan 49508-1407 U.S.A.

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AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Contents 3

CONTENTS

Preface ......................................................................................................................... 9

Announcements ...................................................................................................... 11

Delegates to Synod ................................................................................................. 15

Council of Delegates of the Christian Reformed Church in North America

Council of Delegates Report ........................................................................... 23

Appendix A: Conversational Gatherings .............................................. 61

Appendix B: Church Order Review Task Force Report ...................... 63

Appendix C: Report of the Team on Alliance of Reformed

Churches Matters ............................................................................... 167

Appendix D: Draft Conflict of Interest Policy for Delegates

to Synod ............................................................................................... 170

Appendix E: Financial Reserve Policy .................................................. 176

Appendix F: Cash Holding Policy ........................................................ 179

Appendix G: Fundraising Ethical Guidelines Policy ......................... 182

Appendix H: Investment Policy ............................................................ 186

Appendix I: Condensed Financial Statements .................................... 193

Reports of Agencies, Institutions, and Ministries

Introduction ..................................................................................................... 221

Calvin Theological Seminary ....................................................................... 223

Calvin University ............................................................................................ 238

Committee for Contact with the Government/

Centre for Public Dialogue ..................................................................... 251

CRC Loan Fund .............................................................................................. 254

Indigenous Ministry (Canada) ..................................................................... 257

Pensions and Insurance ................................................................................. 260

ReFrame Ministries ........................................................................................ 265

Resonate Global Mission ............................................................................... 272

Thrive ............................................................................................................... 277

World Renew ................................................................................................... 283

Standing Committees

Candidacy Committee ................................................................................... 299

Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations Committee ...................................... 316

Historical Committee ..................................................................................... 323

Denominationally Related Educational Institutions

Dordt University ............................................................................................. 335

Institute for Christian Studies ...................................................................... 337

The King’s University .................................................................................... 340

Kuyper College ............................................................................................... 342

Redeemer University ..................................................................................... 345

Trinity Christian College ............................................................................... 347

4 Contents AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

Overtures (Deferred from Synod 2023)

49. Classis Grandville

Amend Church Order Supplement, Article 5, B ....................................... 351

50. Classis North Cascades

Establish a Time of Discipleship for Officebearers with a

Confessional-Difficulty Gravamen .............................................................. 358

51. Classis Northcentral Iowa

Hold Officebearers to Biblical and Confessional Standards ................... 364

53. Classis Georgetown

Require Confessional-Revision Gravamina on the Occasion of

Clear Disagreement with the Confessions ................................................. 367

54. Classis Central Plains

Prohibit Exceptions and Gravamina in All Agencies, Ministries,

Boards, Broader Assemblies, and Other Entities of the CRCNA .......... 368

55. Classis Illiana

Do Not Accept Confessional Difficulties That Would Allow What

the Church Confesses to Be Sin; Officebearers Who Cannot Agree

with Our Beliefs Are to Resign or Be Released ......................................... 372

57. Classis Minnkota

Require Council of Delegates to Reverse the Process of Members’

Taking Exception to the Statement of Agreement with the Beliefs

of the CRCNA ................................................................................................. 375

58. Classis Minnkota

Clarify the Usage of Confessional-Difficulty Gravamina ....................... 377

60. Classis Greater Los Angeles

Amend Church Order to Define Gravamina .............................................. 381

61. Classis Heartland

Withhold Denominational Funding from Calvin University until

Faculty and Staff Adhere to CRCNA Covenantal Standards ................. 382

62. Classis Iakota

Restrict Delegates Who Have Not Signed the Covenant for

Officebearers without Exception or Reservation ...................................... 384

63. Classis Iakota

Prohibit Officebearers Who Have Submitted Confessional-Difficulty

Gravamina from Being Delegated to Higher Governing Bodies ........... 384

64. Classis Southeast U.S.

Remind and Instruct Churches and Institutions about Rules for

Confessional-Difficulty Gravamen .............................................................. 385

66. Classis Iakota

Require All Delegates to Synod 2023 to Sign the Covenant for

Officebearers .................................................................................................... 387

67. Classis Minnkota

Amend Rules for Synodical Procedure to Suspend Delegates Whose

Classes Have Not Adequately Implemented Discipline ......................... 388

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Contents 5

68. Council of Moline (Mich.) CRC

Shepherd Congregations into Another Denomination ........................... 390

69. Council of River Park CRC, Calgary, Alberta

Enable Listening to Facilitate Discernment ............................................... 392

73. Classis Chatham (Deferred from 2021)

Clarify Distinctions in Synodical Decisions ............................................... 401

74. Classis Zeeland (Deferred from 2020)

Adopt an Additional Supplement to Church Order Articles 82-84 ...... 403

75. Classis Zeeland

Evaluate Polity to Clarify Relationship of Assemblies ............................ 407

76. Classis Hackensack (Deferred from 2022)

Appoint a Task Force to Develop Church Order Procedures to

Discipline Officebearers, Including Disaffiliation Initiated by a

Major Assembly .............................................................................................. 408

Overtures to Synod 2024

1. Classis Quinte

Amend the Council of Delegates Governance Handbook to Clarify

Their Role in the Nomination Process ........................................................ 413

2. Classis California South and Classis Arizona

Grant Permission for Consejo Latino to Report on Its Work and

Share Resources at Synod ............................................................................. 418

3. Classis Niagara

Recommend that Ministers’ Pension Trustees Increase the Final

Average Salary Calculation to 100 Percent of the Average Ministers’

Compensation ................................................................................................. 420

4. Classis Muskegon

Close the Pension Fund to New Members and Create a New

Retirement Fund ............................................................................................. 421

5. Classis Ko-Am

Allow Transfer of All Nations Church, Bakersfield, California from

Classis Ko-Am to Classis Greater Los Angeles ......................................... 426

6. Classis Greater Los Angeles

Permit the Transfer of All Nations Church of Bakersfield, California,

from Classis Ko-Am to Classis Greater Los Angeles ............................... 426

7. Classis Chicago South

Appoint a Task Force on Multisite Churches ............................................ 427

8. Classis Chicago South

Reaffirm the Decision of 1996 regarding Racial Reconciliation ............. 429

9. Classis Chicago South

Encourage Observance of the 1996 Declaration on

Racial Reconciliation ...................................................................................... 431

10. Council of the CRC of St. Joseph, Michigan

Suspend the Work of the Dignity Team ..................................................... 431

6 Contents AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

11. Judy DeWit, Hancock (Minn.) CRC

Appoint a Committee to Explore the Need for a CRCNA Licensing

Board for CRCNA Pastors ............................................................................ 434

12. Judy DeWit, Hancock (Minn.) CRC

Ensure that Advisory Committees Review and Present All Pertinent

Information When Synod Receives Overtures or Appeals on Abuse .. 436

13. Classis Atlantic Northeast

Do Not Adopt Proposed Addition of Church Order Article 23-d and

Its Supplement ................................................................................................ 437

14. Council of the CRC of St. Joseph, Michigan

Regarding Belgic Confession, Article 36 .................................................... 439

15. Classis Iakota

Reexamine Ecumenical Relations with the Reformed Church

in America ........................................................................................................ 450

16. Council of Church of the Savior CRC, South Bend, Indiana

Solicit Resources for LGBTQ Ministry from the Churches ..................... 454

17. Andrew Aukema, Inglewood CRC, Edmonton, Alberta

Articulate What Is Expected of Confessing Members When

Agreeing with the Confessions .................................................................... 456

18. Classis Eastern Canada

Appoint a Task Force to Review the Covenant for Officebearers ......... 459

19. Classis Minnkota

Require that Synod Delegates Re-Sign the Covenant for

Officebearers .................................................................................................... 464

20. Classis Minnkota

Disclose Confessional-Difficulty Gravamina During Roll Call;

Seek Classis Nominations for Parliamentarian ......................................... 465

21. Classis Minnkota

First Order of Business for Synod 2024 ...................................................... 466

22. Classis Zeeland

Clarify the Nature and Use of Gravamina, Building on Forwarded

Report from Synod 2023 ................................................................................ 466

23. Classis Zeeland

Limited Suspension ........................................................................................ 472

24. Classis Atlantic Northeast

Clarify Church Order Supplement, Articles 82-84 ................................... 475

25. Classis Iakota

Call Noncompliant Churches to Either Repent or Disaffiliate ............... 476

26. Classis Georgetown

Require a Letter of Repentance from Consistory of

Eastern Avenue CRC ..................................................................................... 479

27. Classis Grand Rapids South

Maintain the Distinctive Authority of the Local Church in

Matters of Discipleship, Discipline, and Pastoral Care ........................... 481

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Contents 7

28. Council of Immanuel CRC, Burbank, Illinois

Declare as Heresy the Belief that Scripture Sanctions

Homosexual Marriage ................................................................................... 489

29. Classis Iakota

Declare that Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 108 Addresses a

Salvation Issue ................................................................................................. 493

30. Council of Edson-Peers CRC, Edson, Alberta

Guide Classes into Compliance or Discipline ........................................... 495

31. Classis Minnkota

Ensure Accountability regarding Synodical Decisions and

Instructions ...................................................................................................... 497

32. Classis Alberta North

Clarify Decisions Concerning “Unchastity” in Q&A 108 and How

This Definition Functions in the Life of the CRC ...................................... 498

33. Classis Chicago South

Rescind Compliance-Requirement Decision of Synod 2023 ................... 501

34. Classis Minnkota

Revise Decision of Synod 2023 and Carry Out Biblical Requirements .. 503

35. Classis Iakota

Amend Church Order Supplement, Article 5, B ....................................... 506

36. Classis Red Mesa

Preserve the Gravamen Process ................................................................... 508

37. Classis B.C. North-West

Maintain Local Council Authority over Timelines for the

Confessional-Difficulty Gravamen Process ............................................... 510

38. Classis Huron

Do Not Implement Any New Acts of Discipline or Mandatory

Timelines for Confessional-Difficulty Gravamen ..................................... 511

39. Council of Princeton CRC, Kentwood, Michigan

Clarify the Use of a Confessional-Difficulty Gravamen .......................... 512

40. Council of Church of the Savior CRC, South Bend, Indiana

Leave Gravamen Process as It Stands ......................................................... 513

41. Classis Grand Rapids South

Refrain from Making the Confessional-Difficulty Gravamen

Time-Bound ..................................................................................................... 516

42. Council of Fourteenth Street CRC, Holland, Michigan

Create a Category of “Confessional-Exception Gravamen”; Clarify

Its Regulations and Process in Church Order Supplement, Article 5 .... 518

43. Council of Brookfield (Wis.) CRC

Amend the Church Order Supplement to Reflect Grace and Truth

in the Confessional-Difficulty Gravamen Process .................................... 526

44. Classis Minnkota

Do Not Allow Calvin University Faculty to Take Exceptions to the

Covenant for Faculty Members ................................................................... 529

8 Contents AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

45. Council of River Park CRC, Calgary, Alberta

Appoint a Task Force to Shape a Gentle Pathway for Those

Departing the CRCNA .................................................................................. 531

Communications

1. Advisory Committee 8D Report (forwarded from Synod 2023) ................ 540

2. Advisory Committee 8E Report (majority)

(forwarded from Synod 2023) ........................................................................... 540

3. Advisory Committee 8E Report (minority)

(forwarded from Synod 2023) ........................................................................... 546

4. Classis Rocky Mountain ................................................................................ 548

5. Classis Holland ............................................................................................... 551

6. Classis Minnkota ............................................................................................ 552

7. Council of Fourteenth Street CRC, Holland, Michigan ........................... 553

8. Classis Grand Rapids East ............................................................................ 562

9. Council of Fourteenth Street CRC, Holland, Michigan ........................... 565

10. Member of Ivanrest CRC, Grandville, Michigan ...................................... 572

11. Member of River Park CRC, Calgary, Alberta .......................................... 576

12. Council of River Park CRC, Calgary, Alberta ........................................... 583

13. Classis Minnkota ............................................................................................ 584

14. Classis Minnkota ............................................................................................ 585

15. Members of LaGrave CRC, Grand Rapids, Michigan ............................. 587

16. Members of Inglewood CRC, Edmonton, Alberta ................................... 590

17. Council of First CRC, Vancouver, British Columbia................................ 592

18. Council of Church of the Savior, South Bend, Indiana ............................ 595

19. Council of Ann Arbor (Mich.) CRC ............................................................ 596

20. Council of Waterloo (Ont.) CRC .................................................................. 597

21. Members of Ebenezer CRC, Leduc, Alberta .............................................. 598

22. Council of Community CRC, Wyoming, Michigan ................................. 600

23. Council of Fellowship Church, Edmonton, Alberta ................................ 602

24. Council of Avenue CRC, Edmonton, Alberta ........................................... 603

25. Council of Bethany CRC, Muskegon, Michigan ....................................... 604

26. Classis Grand Rapids East ............................................................................ 605

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Preface 9

PREFACE

It is with gratitude to God that we look forward to coming together as dele-

gates and advisers to synod for conversation and deliberation and to cele-

brate the continued ministry of the Christian Reformed Church.

The Agenda for Synod 2024 provides a historical snapshot of what God has

continued to do in our ministries and denomination as a whole throughout

the past year. The reports of the ministries, agencies, and institutions of the

CRCNA, along with responses via overtures and communications, provide

an important reminder of God’s work among us.

The Council of Delegates of the CRCNA decided in February 2024 that, due

to the anticipation of a weighty agenda, Synod 2024 will begin with a vir-

tual convening session on Wednesday, May 29, at 7:00 p.m. (EDT). In addi-

tion, a virtual advisory committee meeting will take place on Wednesday,

June 5, at 7:00 p.m. Reverend Steve DeVries, pastor of Lee Street CRC, Wyo-

ming, Michigan, will serve as the president pro-tem until synod is duly con-

stituted and its four officers have been elected. Synod will meet in person

beginning on Friday, June 14, at 8:15 a.m. in the Calvin Chapel on the cam-

pus of Calvin University in Grand Rapids, Michigan. A community-wide

Synodical Service of Prayer and Praise will be held Sunday, June 16, 2024, at

6:30 p.m. at Lee Street CRC, 1261 Lee Street SW, Wyoming, Michigan.

Prior to the convening session, all delegates and advisers to synod are en-

couraged to take time to view the video orientations posted on the synod

site—designed as a secure site for delegates and advisers only. The orienta-

tion will assist first-time delegates and advisers in understanding the nature

of synod and will provide helpful reminders for returning delegates and

advisers to synod. In addition, special orientations will be held for advisers

to synod, as well as for advisory committee chairs and reporters and their

alternates (see the proposed daily schedule in the Announcements section

on the following pages for more information).

The congregations of the Christian Reformed Church in North America are

requested to remember the synodical assembly in intercessory prayers on

the Sundays of June 9 and 16. Let us pray that the Holy Spirit will equip the

synodical delegates to serve in faith and obedience and will lead the Chris-

tian Reformed Church in unity, growth, and renewal.

The apostle Paul writes in Philippians 2:1-2:

If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any

comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any ten-

derness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-

minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.

10 Preface AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

May we bring our Lord and Savior joy during Synod 2024 by demonstrat-

ing love, compassion, and care for one another. And may we give account

for the Spirit’s work among us during the joyful and difficult conversations.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or

imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be

glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for

ever and ever! Amen. (Eph. 3: 20-21)

Zachary J. King

General Secretary of the CRCNA

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Announcements 11

ANNOUNCEMENTS

I. Welcome

Thank you for serving as a delegate to Synod 2024. Whether you are a re-

turning delegate or you are coming for the first time, we sincerely hope and

pray that you will find synod to be a rewarding and blessed experience. We

come together as disciples of Jesus Christ, as members of the CRC, and as

delegates of the classes that appointed you to serve. Synod is more than just

a gathering of church leaders or a governing body. It is a reflection of the

church and a time for reflection and celebration of what God is doing in

and through the Christian Reformed Church in North America. Most of all,

it is a time to discern the Holy Spirit’s leading by listening to God through

the voices of our brothers and sisters in Christ, in prayer, and through care-

ful application of Scripture. God has richly blessed us, and you have been

given a unique privilege to serve him and his kingdom by your engage-

ment at synod.

The synodical services staff, under the leadership of Scott DeVries, is availa-

ble to assist you as you prepare for, arrive at, and serve throughout the

week of synod. Please feel free to contact the Office of Synodical Services, if

you need information or have any questions, by writing synod@crcna.org

or calling 800-272-5125.

II. Confidentiality of the executive sessions of synod

The Council of Delegates calls the matter of confidentiality to the attention

of Synod 2024 and urges that all necessary precautions be taken to prevent

violations of confidentiality.

Synod 1954 stated that “the very principle of executive sessions, or sessions

that are not open to the public, involves the practical implication that re-

porters may not ‘report’” (Acts of Synod 1954, p. 15). If reporters are not per-

mitted to report on executive sessions of synod, it is certainly a breach of

confidentiality also for delegates to the synodical assembly to report—pub-

licly, privately, orally, or in print—on the discussions held in an executive

session of synod (cf. Acts of Synod 1982, p. 16).

III. Social media contact

Synod 2019 recognized the increased influence of social media on synodical

delegates and advisers and decided that delegates and advisers shall follow

“guidelines to avoid inappropriate use of social media contact with non-

delegates during advisory committee meetings and plenary sessions of

synod, because such use might compromise the transparency and integrity

of the deliberative process” (Acts of Synod 2019, pp. 811-12).

12 Announcements AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2023

IV. Audio and video recordings of synod

Synod 1979 authorized the making of an official audio recording of the en-

tire proceedings of the general sessions of synod as a way to verify the writ-

ten record of the synodical proceedings. Although the general sessions of

synod are recorded, executive sessions are not recorded. Delegates to synod

are informed at the opening session of synod that all the general sessions

are being recorded. Synod has designated that the Office of General Secre-

tary be responsible for the use and storage of the recordings.

The following regulations were adopted by Synod 1989 concerning audio

and video recordings of synodical sessions by media representatives and

visitors:

A. Representatives of the media are permitted to make video record-

ings of synodical proceedings provided they observe the re-

strictions placed upon them by the synodical news office under

the direction of the general secretary of synod.

B. Visitor privileges

1. Visitors are at liberty to make audio recordings of the public

proceedings of synod provided they do so unobtrusively (i.e.,

in no way inhibiting or disturbing either the proceedings of

synod, the synodical delegates, or other persons).

2. Video recordings are permitted provided the following re-

strictions are observed:

a. Video cameras are permitted only at the entrances, not

backstage or in the wings.

b. Auxiliary lighting is not permitted.

c. Video[recording] is to be done unobtrusively (i.e., in such a

way that it in no way inhibits or disturbs either the

proceedings of synod, the synodical delegates, or other

persons).

(Acts of Synod 1989, p. 445)

V. Proposed daily schedule

Although each new assembly is free to alter the schedule, the following

general schedule is tentatively in place for Synod 2024:

Wednesday, May 29

7:00 -10:30 p.m. Virtual convening session

Wednesday, June 5

7:00 - 8:00 p.m. Virtual advisory committee meeting

Thursday check-in, June 13

3:00 - 5:00 p.m. Orientation for first-time delegates

5:30 - 7:00 p.m. Orientation during supper for advisory commit-

tee chairs, reporters, and their alternates

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Announcements 13

5:30 - 6:30 p.m. Supper

7:00 - 8:30 p.m. Ministry Fair/Ice Cream Social

Convening Friday, June 14

8:15 - 10:45 a.m. Opening worship and plenary

10:45 - 12:00 p.m. Advisory committee meetings

12:00 - 1:00 p.m. Lunch

1:15 - 5:00 p.m. Advisory committee meetings

5:30 - 6:30 p.m. Supper

7:00 - 9:00 p.m. Advisory committee meetings

Saturday

8:15 - 8:45 a.m. Opening worship

8:45 - 9:15 a.m. Brief plenary session

9:30 - 11:45 a.m. Advisory committee meetings

11:45 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Lunch

1:15 - 5:15 p.m. Advisory committee meetings

5:30 - 6:30 p.m. President’s Picnic

7:00 - 9:00 p.m. Advisory committee meetings or tentative

plenary session

Sunday

Morning worship at area CRC churches

12:15 a.m. - 1:15 p.m. Lunch

5:00 - 6:00 p.m. Supper

6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Synodical Service of Prayer and Praise, followed

by light refreshments at Lee Street CRC

Monday - Wednesday

8:15 - 11:45 a.m. Plenary session

11:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. Lunch

1:15 - 5:00 p.m. Plenary session

5:30 - 6:30 p.m. Supper

7:00 - 9:00 p.m. Plenary session

Thursday

8:15 - 11:45 a.m. Plenary session

11:45 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Lunch

1:15 - 3:00 p.m.* Final session

*Synod will adjourn no later than 3:30 p.m. on Thursday.

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Delegates to Synod 15

DELEGATES TO SYNOD 2024

Alberta North

Minister - Henry P. Kranenburg

Minister - Ken G. Douma

Elder - Art VanLoo

Deacon - Daniel K. Harder

Alternate - Tony Maan

Alternate - Arthur L. Verboon

Alternate - Helen M. Doef

Alternate - Nathan Harmata

Alberta South/Saskatchewan

Minister - Paul W. T. Verhoef

Minister - Paul J. Droogers

Elder - Judith L. Heim

Deacon - Grace Miedema

Alternate - David J. Swinney

Alternate - __________

Alternate - Lee C. Himbeault

Alternate - Joshua Johnson

Arizona

Minister - Anthony R. DeKorte

Minister - Jose Rayas

Elder - Rodney J. Hugen

Elder - Philip G. Fritschle

Alternate - __________

Atlantic Northeast

Minister - Willard H. Barham

Minister - Matthew D. Burns

Elder - Clyde H. Williams

Deacon - Adrian L. VandenBout

Alternate - Nicholas W. Monsma

Alternate - Michael R. Saville

Alternate - Lucille J. Huizinga

Alternate - __________

B.C. North-West

Minister - Michelle R. Ellis

Minister – Paul D. DeWeerd

Elder - Shelley K. Hempstead

Deacon - Robin de Haan

Alternate - Jesse M. Pals

Alternate - Andrew E. Beunk

Alternate - Jack A. Beeksma

Alternate - David P. Mayer

B.C. South-East

Minister - Christopher W. deWinter

Minister - Seok Won Jung

Elder - Sonya J. Grypma

Elder - Andre VanRyk

Alternate - Nathan Elgersma

Alternate - __________

California South

Minister - Jeffery A. Kempton

Minister - Ralph E. Mack

Elder - William C. Henry

Alternate - __________

Central California

Minister - Patrick D. Anthony

Minister - Aleah N. Marsden

Elder - Titus E. Davis

Deacon - Luann D. Sankey

Alternate - Mark Van Dyke

Alternate - Randolph A. Beumer

Alternate - Randall W. Postmus

Alternate - Jayne McClurg

16 Delegates to Synod AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

Central Plains

Minister - Mark J. Jicinisky

Minister - Michael Bentley

Elder - Daniel Frieswick

Deacon - Robert T. Vander Veen

Alternate - Johnlo Xu

Alternate - __________

Chicago South

Minister - Derek Buikema

Minister - Israel Ledee

Elder - Richard J. Dejong

Deacon - Elizabeth R. Koning

Alternate - Gary K. Foster

Alternate - __________

Alternate - Derk Deckinga

Alternate - __________

Columbia

Minister - Joel J. Sheeres

Minister - Jelmer P. Groenewold

Elder - Leonel Rodriguez

Deacon - Jeffrey A. Cutter

Alternate - John VanSchepen

Alternate - Roger D. Kramer

Alternate - __________

Alternate - Philip L. Dekker

Eastern Canada

Minister - Aaron M. Thompson

Minister - C. Gregg Lawson

Elder - Aaron Helleman

Elder - Karen L. Bastian

Alternate - Chris Schievink

Alternate - Joseph M. Groeneveld

Alternate - Kathy Vandergrift

Alternate - __________

Georgetown

Minister - Cory J. Nederveld

Minister - Samuel J. Krikke

Elder - Herb Kraker

Deacon - Eli Martiradoni

Alternate - Mark Elffers

Alternate - Jeremy Rhodes

Alternate - Roger Dykstra

Alternate - __________

Grand Rapids East

Minister - Ryan Schreiber

Elder - Cindy M. VanderKodde

Elder - Patricia L. Borgdorff

Deacon - Eric Walstra

Alternate - Nathan DeJong McCarron

Alternate - Shirley Roels

Alternate - __________

Alternate - Donna R. Anema

Grand Rapids North

Minister - John M. Mondi

Minister - Benjamin L. Gandy

Elder - Steven B. Den Besten

Deacon - Todd A. Ritzema

Alternate - Jonathan L. Huizenga

Alternate Elder - Brittany Clark

Alternate - Bryan R. Dam

Alternate - Shannon L. Rop

Grand Rapids South

Minister - Ronald G. Kool

Minister - Peter M. Jonker

Elder - Sidney J. Jansma, Jr.

Elder - John S. Dekker

Alternate - Willem de Vries

Alternate - __________

Grandville

Minister - Rodolfo Galindo

Minister - Joseph Vanden Akker

Elder - Ruth M. Carr

Deacon - James P. Heyboer

Alternate - Brandon L. Haan

Alternate - Tom Vander Ploeg

Alternate - Carl L. Burgess

Alternate - Benjamin C. Quist

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Delegates to Synod 17

Greater Los Angeles

Minister - Joel D. Van Soelen

Minister - Erick D. Westra

Elder - Gene J. Van Essen

Deacon - Lucinda L. Fleming

Alternate - __________

Alternate - Tyler C. Bouma

Hackensack

Minister - Petr Kornilov

Minister - Gabriel Wang-Herrera

Elder - Glenn P. Palmer

Deacon - Patricia A. Bushouse

Alternate - Paul A. Van Dyken

Alternate - __________

Hamilton

Minister - Doug J. Nieuwstraten

Minister - Hayden W. Regeling

Elder - Herb Grootenboer

Deacon - Eric Tisch

Alternate - Kenneth F. Benjamins

Alternate - Mark Verbruggen

Alternate - Peter Bulthuis

Alternate - Marian J. Simonffy

Hanmi

Minister - Jeong Ha Chun

Minister - Cheon Seon Lee

Elder - BooHwan Kwak

Deacon - In Chul Shin

Alternate - __________

Heartland

Minister - Jesse L. Walhof

Minister - Aaron Greydanus

Elder - Daniel P. Tracy

Deacon - Gary K. Hibma

Alternate - Benjamin Wiersma

Alternate - John Klompein

Alternate - Michael V. Krommendyk

Alternate - __________

Holland

Minister - Christopher J. De Vos

Minister - Matthew Hochhalter

Elder - Jason Bruxvoort

Deacon - Dwayne L. Nienhuis

Alternate - Stephen M. Hasper

Alternate - Darren C. Kornelis

Alternate - Donald A. Bemis

Alternate - Ann M. Schenkel

Hudson

Minister - Sam Han

Minister - Jason Chung

Alternate - __________

Huron

Minister - Sidney Couperus

Minister - Thomas W. Bomhof

Elder - John A. Tamming

Elder - Jeroen Oosterom

Alternate - Ray Vander Kooij

Alternate - Bart Eisen

Alternate - Ron Jack

Alternate - __________

Iakota

Minister - Kurt A. Monroe

Minister - Drew D. Hoekema

Elder - Stan L. Wynia

Deacon - Jevon Groenewold

Alternate - Steven A. Zwart

Alternate - Robert D. Drenton

Alternate - Neil Van Schouwen

Alternate - Cameron M. Stuive

18 Delegates to Synod AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

Illiana

Minister - James C. Hollendoner

Minister - Joshua M. Christoffels

Elder - Joshua Dykstra

Deacon - Nathan R. Dykstra

Alternate - Blake I. Campbell

Alternate - Randall Bergsma

Alternate - Gerrit H. De Vries

Alternate - Paul J. Epley

Kalamazoo

Minister - Maria L. Bowater

Minister - Simon Tuin

Elder - Craig Lubben

Elder - Bartel J. Huizenga

Alternate - Jeff Brower

Alternate - __________

Alternate - Bruce Merchant

Alternate - __________

Ko-Am

Minister - Kyung Ho Park

Minister - Edward Yoon

Elder - Jenny Yoon

Deacon - Yong Soo Kim

Alternate - __________

Lake Erie

Minister - Gerald W. Vander Hoek

Minister - Harry R. Winters, Jr.

Elder - James H. Brownlee

Alternate - __________

Lake Superior

Minister - Daniel S. De Graff

Minister - David M. Dick

Elder – Rob R. Braun

Deacon - Erica Snippe Juurako

Alternate - David P. Zigterman

Alternate - David Huizenga

Alternate - Gaye Hanson-Rieger

Alternate - Samuel J. van Huizen

Minnkota

Minister - Chad Werkhoven

Minister - C.J. Den Dulk

Elder - David Bosma

Deacon - John M. Meinders

Alternate - Shaun Furniss

Alternate - Gregory P. Timmer

Alternate - Joe Van Hoven

Alternate - Jake Dykstra

Muskegon

Minister - Arthur J. Van Wolde

Minister - Drew Sweetman

Elder - Luke A. Eising

Elder - David A. Zoller

Alternate - Jeffery A. Hough

Alternate - Mattthew J. Eenigenburg

Alternate - Beth Rinsema

Alternate - Patricia J. Cavanaugh

Niagara

Minister - Robert J. Loerts

Minister - Colin Vander Ploeg

Elder - Blair C. Schiebel

Elder - Gabrielle Veldboom

Alternate - Janet A. Ryzebol

Alternate - Michael Vandyk

Alternate - __________

North Cascades

Minister - Jonathan Young

Elder - Michael Jager

Elder - Marco Daniel

Deacon - Rob Hilverda

Alternate - __________

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Delegates to Synod 19

Northcentral Iowa

Minister - Stewart J. DeJong

Minister - Lora Copley

Elder - Herbert W. Schreur

Elder - Duane VanderPloeg

Alternate - Steven J. Mulder

Alternate - Jason T. Semans

Alternate - __________

Northern Illinois

Minister - Diego B. Flores

Minister - Matthew Lanser

Elder - Craig Buma

Deacon - Marv Tazelaar

Alternate - __________

Alternate - Al Diepstra

Alternate - Dirk Rauglas

Northern Michigan

Minister - Steven J. Datema

Minister - Mark A. Bonnes

Elder - Scott J. Chandler

Elder - Jared Yaple

Alternate - John Kostelyk

Alternate - Kenneth Koning

Alternate - Andy Liimata

Alternate - __________

Ontario Southwest

Minister - Michael G. Borgert

Minister - Andrew Zomerman

Elder - Ronald Middel

Deacon - James R. Poelman

Alternate - Ralph S. Wigboldus

Alternate - Nathaniel E. Van Denend

Alternate - Sara J. Stelpstra

Alternate - Jenica Groot-Nibbelink

Pacific Northwest

Minister - Douglas E. Fakkema

Minister - Mark Mohrlang

Elder - Jonathan Westra

Elder - Leroy Vanden Bosch

Alternate - __________

Quinte

Minister - Joshua C. Tuininga

Minister - Elizabeth A. Guillaume-Koene

Elder - Donald G. Harnden

Deacon - Cherri L. Le Forestier

Alternate - Daniel G. Brown

Alternate - John VanderWindt

Alternate - Peter Bouma

Alternate - __________

Red Mesa

Minister - Ram S. Aryal

Minister - Omar Tsosie

Elder - Sherry TenClay

Deacon - Lynn H. Johnson-Yazzie

Alternate - Caleb N. Dickson

Alternate - James H. Kuiper

Alternate - Kyu S. Paek

Alternate - Julia Alonzo

Rocky Mountain

Minister - Greg Brady

Minister - George N. Den Oudsten

Elder - Ronald J. Nydam

Deacon - Patrick A. Bredenberg

Alternate - Christian Sebastia

Alternate - Mike Slofstra

Alternate - Mary L. Gallegos

Alternate - __________

Southeast U.S.

Minister - Kristin J. Vos

Minister - Juan Sierra

Elder - Jesus Bayona

Deacon - Erik Pluemer

Alternate - __________

20 Delegates to Synod AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

Thornapple Valley

Minister - R. Scott Greenway

Minister - David J. Bosscher

Elder - Ren Tubergen

Alternate - __________

Alternate -__________

Toronto

Minister - Ruth Hofman

Minister - David Salverda

Elder - Maarten Reinders

Elder - Phyllis Alberts-Meijers

Alternate - Richard Grift

Alternate - Harry Frielink

Alternate - Anita VanZeumeren

Alternate - __________

Wisconsin

Minister - Evan Tinklenberg

Minister - Joshua Van Engen

Elder - Ben Van Weelden

Deacon - Kevin Riemersma

Alternate - Jason Ruis

Alternate - Kurtis Ritsema

Alternate - __________

Alternate - Deborah Fennema

Yellowstone

Minister - Andrew R. Sytsma

Minister - Steve Bussis

Elder - James L. Reed

Deacon - Robert A. Kincaid

Alternate - __________

Zeeland

Minister - Stephen F. Terpstra

Minister - Lloyd H. Hemstreet

Elder - Steven J. Schrotenboer

Deacon - Andrew Visser

Alternate - Tyler J. Wagenmaker

Alternate - Mark Vande Zande

Alternate - Matt A. Vander Jagt

Alternate - __________

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Council of Delegates Report 21

COUNCIL OF DELEGATES

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Council of Delegates Report 23

COUNCIL OF DELEGATES REPORT

The Council of Delegates (COD) of the Christian Reformed Church in

North America (CRCNA) began its service of interim governance on behalf

of the CRC’s annual synods after being appointed by Synod 2017. COD

delegates represent the CRC’s forty-nine classes. There are also currently six

at-large members. The ministry matters addressed by the COD include

governance matters regarding ReFrame Ministries, Resonate Global

Mission, and Thrive along with other matters concerning the ministries of

the CRCNA.

The COD presents the following report as a summary of its work in the in-

terim between the synods of 2023 and 2024.

I. Introduction

A. Governing on behalf of synod

The COD serves as the interim committee of synod. Any given synod exists

to take action and make decisions only during the time it is constituted—

currently only for one week. Throughout the rest of the year the Council of

Delegates ensures a continuity of denominational leadership over matters

that cannot await action by the next synod. This leadership is accomplished

in two ways. First, by carrying out or supervising matters that were as-

signed by a previous synod to the COD or to other denominational commit-

tees or staff. Second, by acting on behalf of synod regarding matters that

need decisions or actions before the next synod can meet. All of these mat-

ters are subjected to the oversight of the following synod by way of this re-

port and the upcoming COD Supplement report.

Recent synods have agreed to a division of the responsibilities traditionally

given to the COD—namely, ecclesiastical responsibilities and organiza-

tional responsibilities. This manifests in a COD structure wherein the full

COD handles ecclesiastical matters, but organizational matters are handled

by the Canadian and U.S. ministry boards. The ministry boards are the legal

boards of trustees over the CRCNA and ReFrame corporations in Canada

and the United States. The ministry boards are made up of the COD dele-

gates from their respective nations. This is done to ensure compliance with

national laws while also ensuring ecclesiastical unity. These legal entities in

Canada and the United States interact via joint ministry agreements to pro-

vide organizational governance to ReFrame and to the CRCNA ministries

that are shared across the national borders.

It is also worth noting the distinction between the kind of governance the

COD and ministry boards provide (board-level governance) and the kind of

24 Council of Delegates Report AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

governance provided by staff leadership. The people serving on the COD

and on the ministry boards chart the direction and set the policies for the

denomination as directed by synod. Conversely, the administration and

staff handle the management functions, serving as implementers, working

within the contours of COD-set policies toward the goals and limitations

identified by synod in conjunction with the CRC constituency. As the COD

sets direction and evaluates the effectiveness of outcomes, staff and admin-

istration attend to context, making recommendations and providing analy-

sis to the COD in ways that consider national contexts, diversity, and the

like.

The COD provides denominational oversight on behalf of synod through-

out the year. The Office of General Secretary (OGS) serves as the primary

link between the COD and the denomination’s ministries. The OGS is re-

sponsible for ensuring that all ministries and legal entities are appropriately

implementing synodical decisions and ecclesiastical mandates.

The Council of Delegates met two times since May 2023—in regular meet-

ings in October 2023 and in February 2024. A third regular meeting is

scheduled for May 2024, an account of which will come via the COD Sup-

plement report to synod.

The COD’s agenda items are first reviewed by one of eight committees: Ex-

ecutive, Governance, Finance, Synodical Services, Thrive, ReFrame, Reso-

nate, and Connections. These committees hear and study reports regarding

the mission, vision, and values of our various ministries; the ways our min-

istries are integrated into and evaluated according to a strategic ministry

plan; and the ways in which the COD responds both to synod and constitu-

ents. Committees present their recommendations to the full COD for infor-

mation and any required action. In addition, the COD is responsible for

overseeing the work of the general secretary of the CRCNA.

The COD meeting schedule also incorporates time for delegates to meet

separately with their legal ministry boards incorporated nationally, as men-

tioned above. The ministry boards focus on nonecclesiastical matters such

as reviewing the financial status, administrative leadership, and nonecclesi-

astical aspects of organizational health. In compliance with Canadian regu-

lations, the Canadian ministry boards review and approve all actions rela-

tive to providing effective national direction and control for collective

ministry and any other matters that relate directly to uniquely national mat-

ters of law.

The COD, as synod’s agent, is grateful for the opportunity to serve the en-

tire church. This report is laid out primarily according to the COD’s work

on the four milestones of the CRCNA Ministry Plan, Our Journey 2025,

along with synodically mandated work falling outside of that ministry

plan, and activities that are comprehensive of all of our work.

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Council of Delegates Report 25

II. COD activities related to Our Journey 2025 (Ministry Plan)

The denominational Ministry Plan, Our Journey 2025, was endorsed by the

COD acting on behalf of Synod 2020, and is well under way (see

crcna.org/OurJourney). There’s something about a journey that’s exciting

and invigorating—a promise of new horizons, new possibilities, new chal-

lenges. The Christian Reformed Church is on such a journey. It’s called Our

Journey 2025. “Our” because we are on it together as CRC people from con-

gregations across the United States and Canada. “Journey” because we are

moving ahead in our shared mission to express the good news of God’s

kingdom that transforms lives and communities worldwide, while also

striving toward specific goals that our congregations and leaders have iden-

tified. And “2025” to remind us that this is just one stage of a journey that

will see us living and growing together in new ways and new places by the

year 2025. For the current five-year period, churches and classes helped to

identify four “milestones” that we are working toward. We desire to be-

come congregations and communities that do the following:

• Cultivate practices of prayer and spiritual disciplines, transforming

our lives and communities by the power of the Holy Spirit.

• Listen to the voices of every generation, shaping us for ministry to-

gether.

• Grow in diversity and unity by seeking justice, reconciliation, and

welcome, sharing our faith as we build relationships with and honor

the cultures of our neighbors and newcomers.

• Share the gospel, live it missionally, and plant new churches in our

neighborhoods as we discover how to connect with our local and

global ministry contexts.

Churches can request resources including visuals, conversation cards, and

other tools that can help congregations and members feel excitement and

ownership of the ministry plan in more than a theoretical way. Leaders in

each of the four areas are also sharing the “stories, stats, and opportunities”

that are arising out of these efforts. Visit crcna.org/OurJourney to learn

more about sharing in the excitement!

In October the Council of Delegates received a recommendation from the

Ministries Leadership Council (CRCNA agency and institution leaders) to

extend Our Journey 2025 to the year 2030. The COD is recommending this

proposal to synod as well (see Recommendation C). The early years of the

current ministry plan were slowed by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the

four milestones still represent a timely, critical, and ongoing call for the

whole of the CRCNA. In addition, this would be an inopportune time to de-

velop a new ministry plan while the current one fits well in the present con-

text and is oriented toward the kind of congregational renewal envisioned

in recent synodical directives such as reversing membership decline.

26 Council of Delegates Report AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

A. Cultivate practices of prayer and spiritual discipline

One cause for joy in the CRCNA is that in recent years the Holy Spirit

seems to be increasing the desire for prayer and other practices of spiritual

discipline in the hearts of many members and leaders. That desire was

heard quite clearly in the many listening sessions leading up to the creation

of this ministry plan, and we see signs of it continuing to build throughout

the denomination.

The COD is being intentional about focusing on board development at the

beginning of each of its meetings. In February for its development session

the COD invited Sean Baker, Thrive ministry consultant, and Jon Hoekema,

the CRCNA prayer shepherd, to present and share about good spiritual

practices in board government. We were taught solid prayer practices for

grounding our decisions in seeking God’s will rather than our own, for re-

maining in Christ, and for loving one another.

B. Listen to the voices of all generations

The family of God has members from infancy through old age. This is both

wonderful and challenging. Many families have multiple generations wor-

shiping God together each Sunday in the same congregation. There are also

numerous stories of children growing up with surrogate “grandparents”

through their local church. Yet there can also be challenges in listening

across generational divides. The desire to faithfully face these challenges so

as to facilitate the joys of being a multigenerational family of God has been

another priority identified by churches and classes in the ministry plan.

Young adult representatives to Synod 2024

Since 2009 synod has welcomed the engagement of youth and young adults

(18- to 26-year-olds) in the current issues faced by our denomination and

has sought to raise up leadership within the church through the appoint-

ment of young adult representatives to participate in the deliberations of

synod. These individuals bring a valuable and unique perspective to the is-

sues we face as a denomination by listening, engaging delegates during ad-

visory committee meetings, and offering input on matters that arise in ple-

nary.

The COD has appointed the following persons to serve as young adult rep-

resentatives to synod (* indicates service in this capacity in 2023). We ex-

press gratitude for their commitment and gracious willingness to serve the

denomination in this way.

Ireland Bosworth

Verity Johnston

Eric Katerberg

Lain Martinez

Iain Monroe

Gavin Schaefer*

Samantha Sebastia*

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Council of Delegates Report 27

C. Grow in diversity and unity

1. Ethnic advisers to synod

Determination of the need for the appointment of ethnic advisers to synod

is based on a rolling three-year average of having more than 25 ethnically

diverse delegates appointed to synod. The Council of Delegates appointed

the following as ethnic advisers to Synod 2024: Joao Pedro Macimiano

Trabbold and Patrick Lin. We are grateful for their willingness to offer their

unique perspectives to the issues before synod.

2. Annual report on denominational efforts to address ethnic diversity

and racial justice

At the instruction of Synod 2013, each CRC agency and ministry, Calvin

Theological Seminary, and Calvin University are asked to submit to the

general secretary, as part of their strategic plan, diversity goals and time-

lines in their leadership, administrative, and regional ministry teams. This

annual report was received by the general secretary, and the compliance

and progress were reported to the Council of Delegates in February.

In addition, the director of synodical services regularly reminds and en-

courages stated clerks and denominational boards to seek ethnic diversity

in nominating people to serve on denominational boards and as delegates

to synod. We need to be diligent in continuing to increase diversity.

3. Annual report on gender and ethnic diversity on denominational

boards

Synod 2016 tasked the administration with requesting “an annual diversity

report from each agency and ministry” and including a summary of these

reports to COD each February (Acts of Synod 2016, p. 829).

Data for the board diversity report (with regard to gender and ethnic diver-

sity) for the 2023-2024 year has been received from the denominational

boards (Council of Delegates, Calvin Theological Seminary, Calvin Univer-

sity, and World Renew). In addition, data from the World Renew Joint Min-

istry Council (JMC) is included along with data from the World Renew

Board of Delegates. Note: The JMC is elected from the membership of the

World Renew Board of Delegates.

There are presently 148 denominationally appointed board members (not

including the JMC count), and the JMC, elected from the World Renew

Board of Delegates, has 13 members. Among a total of 161 members, 51

(32%) are women, and 29 (18%) are people of color. The data received for

the 2023-2024 board term reflects a decrease in 8 board members (169 total

members in 2022-2023), a decrease of 5 percent in women delegates, and an

increase of 1 percent in delegates who are people of color on our denomina-

tional boards in comparison to the 2022-2023 reporting year.

The diversity on individual denominational boards is also reported in light

of synod’s goal of having at least 25 percent ethnic minority membership. The

28 Council of Delegates Report AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

current board membership of Calvin Theological Seminary is 25 percent

ethnic minority (a 1% increase as compared to 2022-2023); Calvin University,

19 percent (a 3% increase); World Renew (JMC), 31 percent (an 11% increase);

and the COD, 14 percent (a 4% decrease).

4. “One Family Conversation” update

The COD Supplement report to Synod 2022 noted that many classis partici-

pants from non-Caucasian backgrounds feel they are treated as guests ra-

ther than members. The COD tasked the general secretary to

facilitate a “One Family Conversation” related to the topic of diver-

sity and its key place in the CRCNA, both now and in the future. The

conversation will include the following:

• How the gifts and challenges of living in a diverse community can

be fully included in our classes.

• How to structure listening sessions, facilitated by an outside

group, at classis meetings in order to find out what is really hap-

pening with regard to diversity and the inclusion of ethnic-minor-

ity leaders.

• How to structure the sharing of resources with fledgling churches

from various backgrounds.

• A review of the CRC’s historical perspective and synodical re-

ports.

(Acts of Synod 2022, p. 709)

The plan for this conversation was included as Appendix E in the COD re-

port to Synod 2023 (Agenda for Synod 2023, pp. 80-82). Several classes have

already begun engaging in this work, but there are still many to go. Staff

continue to meet regularly to strategize on appropriate ways to support

classes and classis leaders in this very important work.

5. Resources and tools for pastoral ministry with and to our LGBTQ+

members and neighbors

Synod 2023 directed the Office of General Secretary to “develop resources

and tools, or endorse existing external resources and tools, that align with

our Reformed doctrinal standards (as articulated in previous synodical de-

cisions), to equip congregations for pastoral ministry with and to our

LGBTQ+ members and neighbors” (Acts of Synod 2023, p. 1023).

On December 1, 2023, the general secretary released a communication to all

CRC congregations restating the pastoral positions of Synod 2023 regarding

human sexuality and inviting churches to explore a list of suggested re-

sources in fulfillment of synod’s direction (crcna.org/SexualityResources).

Thrive is working to identify resources that are already being utilized by

CRCNA congregations.

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Council of Delegates Report 29

D. Share the gospel

1. Response to membership decline

Synod 2023 directed the general secretary to “work with the Council of Del-

egates, each agency, and churches and classes to develop a comprehensive

unified strategy and plan to arrest and reverse the trend of decline and

bring about a positive trend of membership growth to our denomination”

(Acts of Synod 2023, p. 976). In partnership with our CRCNA agencies, the

general secretary is rolling out a program to gather classes together to help

address membership decline in our churches. This initiative will be called

“Gather” (crcna.org/gather) and will be spearheaded by Rev. Elaine May of

Thrive. Ten gatherings of groups of fifteen people from five classes at a time

will meet to encounter God together, to be empowered to gather their own

congregation and classis in a similar way, to hear examples of God renew-

ing CRC congregations, to return with a helpful imagination for renewal,

and to strengthen relationship through fellowship. The gatherings will hap-

pen between April 2024 and May 2025. Feedback will be compiled by staff

and reviewed by the COD. This plan is detailed in Appendix A.

COD members agreed to take specific steps to promote “Gather” and to en-

courage classis participation. They also agreed to provide assistance in se-

lecting appropriate classis leaders to participate and to make every effort to

participate themselves.

2. Report on Virtual Churches

Synod 2023 instructed the Office of General Secretary to “oversee the crea-

tion of a report that gives thought to and a theological framework for the

possibilities and parameters of a virtual church: ‘A church which, by de-

sign, meets only online.’” The report was also given certain parameters. It is

required to have input from faculty or staff of Calvin Theological Seminary,

Resonate Global Mission, and Thrive. It needs to “address the marks of the

true church articulated in the Belgic Confession.” And it “might address

similarities and differences between online ministry and a virtual church,

exploring opportunities and pitfalls for each” (Acts of Synod 2023, p. 979).

Synod also acknowledged that “online ministry remains an emerging mis-

sion field, but the possibility of virtual community and an entirely virtual

church remain untested areas of exploration within the CRCNA” (Acts of

Synod 2023, p. 980).

Synod noted that the report “should be presented to the COD for discern-

ment” without specifying a date. A progress report came to COD in Febru-

ary. At that time, the staff currently involved had determined that the team

working on the report needed more members and input from pastors cur-

rently in church leadership in CRCNA congregations. The COD approved a

recommendation to expand the team’s mandate to “address the important

theological, missiological, pastoral, and polity implications of a virtual

30 Council of Delegates Report AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

church.” The COD will stay apprised of this important work and expects a

draft report in February 2025.

3. Materials to support bivocational pastors

The Study of Bivocationality Task Force report (Agenda for Synod 2023, pp.

285-314; crcna.org/sites/default/files/study_of_bivocational-

ity_task_force_2021.pdf) points out the many ways our bivocational pastors

help to share the gospel. Synod 2023 adopted several ways recommenda-

tions on how the CRCNA can better support our bivocational pastors and

their ministries.

One important way to support bivocational pastors is through recognizing

them and their ministry appropriately in the Church Order. Synod 2023

adopted and has recommended several such changes to the Church Order

for adoption by Synod 2024 (see Recommendation E).

The Office of General Secretary is currently working on other assignments

from Synod 2023 to support bivocational pastors and their ministries. These

include creating “an exit interview/ministry postmortem learning process

for classes, churches, leaders, and their families to use when burnout occurs

in bivocational ministry,” providing “a ministry wellness assessment for

pastors in bivocational ministry and their supervisory councils to use as

part of their regular conversations,” and working “with the pension boards,

in consultation with clergy couples, to find a just and equitable solution that

recognizes the ordination of both spouses who are ministers of the Word.”

Further updates are expected through the COD Supplement report to

synod.

4. Report of the Bible Translation Committee

The translation of the Bible into common languages was a crucial part of the

Reformation. The importance of translation continues to this day, and the

Bible Translation Committee exists to review Bible translations that

CRCNA churches, classes, or synod have become interested in.

The Bible Translation Committee has been asked to review the Easy-to-

Read version of the Bible. A report of this review is planned for the May

COD meeting and will be included the COD Supplement report to synod.

The COD accepted the resignation of Dr. Sarah Schreiber from the Bible

Translation Committee in February. Dr. Gabriela Tijerina-Pike was ap-

pointed to fill the vacancy.

III. COD activities related to Our Calling (ministry priorities)

The work to which God has called the CRCNA extends beyond the four

milestones of Our Journey 2025, the current ministry plan. Since 2014, synod

has recognized five ministry priorities as calling areas into which our

shared ministry falls. Our agencies and institutions have synodical man-

dates, in many cases extending back generations. And each synod delegates

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Council of Delegates Report 31

aspects of the work on important current issues to the COD or the Office of

General Secretary.

Our Calling as a denomination includes five calling areas that serve as

“ministry priorities to strategically focus and adaptively organize the work

of the Christian Reformed Church in North America while respecting and

building on our previous mission efforts, history, and legacy of relation-

ships and member support” (Acts of Synod 2015, p. 680). These calling areas

are described as follows:

Faith Formation—As a community of believers, we seek to introduce

people to Jesus Christ and to nurture their faith through all ages and

stages of life.

Servant Leadership—Understanding that the lifelong equipping of leaders

is essential for churches and ministries to flourish, we identify, recruit,

and train leaders to be servants in the kingdom of God.

Global Mission—Called to be witnesses of Christ’s kingdom to the ends

of the earth, we start and strengthen local churches in North America

and around the world.

Mercy and Justice—Hearing the cries of the oppressed, forsaken, and dis-

advantaged, we seek to act justly and love mercy as we walk humbly

with our God.

Gospel Proclamation and Worship—Believing that faith comes through the

hearing of God’s Word, we proclaim the saving message of Jesus Christ

and seek to worship him in all that we do.

All of the features of the CRCNA Ministry Plan connect at various points

within this broader calling, and significant work in these calling areas is

taking place as outlined below.

A. Faith formation

Beyond some of the faith-formation focused activities related to the Minis-

try Plan, the COD has had no particular assignments from synod related to

faith formation. Many other important initiatives in this area are built into

the mandates of our agencies and institutions and are included in their re-

ports to Synod 2024.

B. Servant leadership

Raising up, training, and supporting servant leaders is something the

CRCNA has always been serious about. This can be seen in our history of

promoting good parenting, developing Sunday school education materials,

setting up Christian day schools and institutions of higher education, and

ensuring that church leaders have opportunities to continue growing and

serving. Along with the considerable work being done by Calvin Theologi-

cal Seminary, Calvin University, ReFrame, Resonate, Thrive, World Renew,

and other associated organizations and institutions, included here are some

32 Council of Delegates Report AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

examples of the ways the COD supports leaders by attending to our polity

and governance.

1. Church Order Review Task Force

Synod 2022 directed the COD to “form a task force to conduct a compre-

hensive review of Church Order Articles 8, 12, 13, 14, 16, and 17 and their

supplements.” The task force was also directed to “develop suggestions for

clearer guidelines to pastors and churches in times of conflict, as well as as-

sistance for positive pastoral transitions and more effective oversight of in-

dividuals in specialized ministries, including attention to the readmission of

pastors via Article 8” (Acts of Synod 2022, p. 849).

The Church Order Review Task Force report is included in Appendix B.

The recommendations of this task force are not repeated in this COD report

to synod, but the COD does recommend that synod take up this report and

its recommendations for adoption (see Recommendation F).

2. Team on Alliance of Reformed Churches Matters

Synod 2023 directed the Office of General Secretary to “appoint a team of

staff and subject-matter experts to work with the Alliance of Reformed

Churches to address matters related to church in communion status, Church

Order matters regarding “orderly exchange” of officebearers (Church Or-

der Supplement, Art. 8), and other matters related to benefits of CRC office-

bearers” (Acts of Synod 2023, p. 990).

The Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations Committee handles matters per-

taining to church in communion status, so the appointed team focused on

matters related to Church Order, pensions, and benefits.

The report of the Team on Alliance of Reformed Churches Matters is in-

cluded in Appendix C. The report finds that no changes are currently neces-

sary to the Church Order or to pensions or other benefits in order to allow

the full participation of congregations or officebearers with previous

CRCNA/RCA dual-affiliation credentials who may wish to maintain affilia-

tion with the CRCNA. The COD recommends that synod receive this report

as information (see Recommendation G).

C. Global mission

The CRC has a long and vibrant dedication to mission work at home and

abroad. This is most obvious in the historic and ongoing efforts of Resonate

Global Mission, ReFrame, and World Renew. These ministries arose out of

a heart for the world shared by myriad CRCNA members, churches, and

classes. It is a privilege for the COD and denominational staff to help pro-

vide leadership to these godly ambitions.

Global Vision Team

For well over 100 years the focus of mission work outside of North America

was to establish and support existing or new denominations in other geo-

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Council of Delegates Report 33

graphical areas. Happily, many of these denominations came to have ecu-

menical relations with the CRCNA as churches in cooperation or commun-

ion.

In recent years various changes have led churches from outside of North

America to seek affiliation with the CRCNA. In response to this develop-

ment the Council of Delegates instructed the General Secretary “to gather a

discussion group to study the integration of international churches into the

composition of the CRC.” The General Secretary assembled a binational

team of globally experienced and connected CRC leaders—called the

Global Vision Team—to develop “a conceptual framework for a global

Christian Reformed Church. The framework would include general princi-

ples/models of partnership, shared ministry, organization, governance, and

communication.” In February the COD gave the team some feedback on in-

itial findings and ideas. A report to the COD is expected in May for possible

approval and inclusion in the COD Supplement report to synod.

D. Mercy and justice

1. Judicial Code Committee

The Judicial Code Committee (JCC) hears appeals from a decision made by

a council, a classis, or an agency of the Christian Reformed Church if it is al-

leged that an action violates the Church Order or the agency’s mandate.

The procedures followed by the Judicial Code Committee are set forth in

Church Order Supplement, Article 30-c. The committee’s members from

both Canada and the United States include people with legal expertise,

clergy, and nonclergy.

a. Membership

Synod 2014 adopted guidelines stating that the composition of the JCC

reflect the diversity of the denomination and provide balance in exper-

tise among its members (trained in law, ordained as minister of the

Word, nonordained/nonlaw background). In addition, terms have been

staggered to provide continuity to the work of the committee.

Edward Bosveld and Cindy de Jong are completing a second term in

2024 and are not eligible for reappointment. Kim Rhodes is completing a

first term in 2024 and has decided not to pursue a second term. It is rec-

ommended that synod express gratitude for their years of service to the

denomination (see Recommendation H).

The COD Synodical Services Committee, on behalf of the COD, has so-

licited nominees for the anticipated vacancies of two persons trained in

law. The Council of Delegates recommends that synod appoint the fol-

lowing single nominee to a position on the Judicial Code Committee, for

a first term of three years (see Recommendation I):

34 Council of Delegates Report AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

Arlyn Bossenbrook is a retired attorney from East Lansing, Michigan. He

currently spends half the year in Florida and the other half in South Ha-

ven, Michigan. He is a Calvin University Graduate (1964) and received a

Juris Doctorate from Wayne State University Law School. He is a found-

ing member of WealthCounsel LLC and has experience working with

the Meals on Wheels program and the Cristo Rey Community Center.

He and his wife have two adult children and five grandchildren.

The COD anticipates presenting two other nominations by way of the

COD Supplement report to synod.

b. Reappointment to a second term

The Council of Delegates recommends the following JCC member for

reappointment to a second term of three years: Richard Bodini (see Rec-

ommendation J).

2. Judicial Code Review Team

Synod 2019 initiated a plan to review the Judicial Code every five years

(Acts of Synod 2019, p. 763). This was delayed in order to allow the Council

of Delegates to complete a review of the appeal process, but a task force

was formed in late 2022 and has held ten virtual meetings since January

2023. The task force reviewed the existing Judicial Code line by line and is

currently writing recommendations for revisions. Their report is planned

for submission to the COD prior to its May 2024 meeting for inclusion in

the COD Supplement report to synod.

3. Appeals of discipline

Synod 2023 directed the Office of General Secretary to “assemble a task

force (or similar body) to design and/or clarify an appeals process for

church members under discipline. This body shall address processes for

members under general discipline” (Acts of Synod 2023, p. 1013).

The recommendations of such a task force would have implications for both

the regular appeals process (Church Order Art. 30-a) and the Judicial Code

appeals process (Art. 30-c). Since any changes to the Judicial Code would fit

within the mandate of the existing Judicial Code Review Team, they have

been asked to design or clarify the appeals process of general discipline un-

der the Judicial Code. Their report, including this matter, is expected to be

ready for the COD Supplement report to synod.

After receiving the recommendations of the Judicial Code Review Team on

this matter, the COD aims to determine whether those recommendations

might simply be adapted to Church Order Article 30-a or if another team

should be formed for that portion of the work.

4. Abuse of power

In response to the report of the Addressing the Abuse of Power Committee

Synod 2019 adopted an extensive plan for working against abuses of power

within the CRCNA. Every synod since then has received reporting on the

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Council of Delegates Report 35

implementation of many parts of that plan. The COD recommends that

synod take note of the ongoing work being done on abuse of power as re-

ported in this section (see Recommendation K).

a. Monitoring implementation

Under the new COD structure and with Thrive taking on certain re-

sponsibilities from Safe Church Ministry, synod’s instruction to monitor

progress at each COD meeting (Acts of Synod 2019, p. 799) will now be

fulfilled through notes in Thrive reports to the COD. This will include

an annual update on safe church advocacy regarding how Thrive is sup-

porting classis-based leadership roles and networks of volunteers, in-

cluding safe church coordinators.

b. Abuse of power training

Thanks largely to the efforts of Thrive’s Amanda Benckhuysen, a course

titled Power to Do Good has been developed and is required for all candi-

dates entering ordained ministry in the CRCNA. There is a goal to cre-

ate Korean and Spanish editions as well.

c. Dignity Team

In response to Synod 2019’s directive that the COD “establish a team

that would act as a guardian of our commitment to foster a culture char-

acterized by respect for all and mutual service” (Acts of Synod 2019,

p. 798), the Abuse of Power Ad Hoc Committee proposed the creation of

a denominational Dignity Team, and the COD, on behalf of Synod 2021,

adopted that proposal (Agenda for Synod 2021, pp. 63-68; Minutes of the

Special Meeting of the Council of Delegates 2021, pp. 634-37). This team be-

gan its work in summer 2022. It is currently working with staff and the

COD to clarify its mandate.

d. Code of Conduct

Also in connection with addressing the abuse of power Synod 2023

adopted the Code of Conduct for Ministry Leaders, encouraging coun-

cils and classes to implement it “for all staff (nonordained as well as or-

dained) and volunteers who are providing leadership in the church or

classis,” and mandating the Office of General Secretary to “oversee the

development of training modules that orient ministry leaders to the

Code of Conduct” (Acts of Synod 2023, pp. 992-94).

1) Thrive staff have drafted a plan to create orientation materials for

councils and other ministry leaders to use at the beginning of con-

versations about the Code of Conduct. The materials are expected to

be made available through a Network post in the summer or fall.

2) Synod 2023 proposed adding the Code of Conduct to the Church Or-

der (Acts of Synod 2023, pp. 992-93). The specific changes are in-

cluded in Recommendation L of this report.

36 Council of Delegates Report AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

5. Conflict of interest

In response to discussions about the abuse of power the COD adopted a

Conflict of Interest Policy in 2021, and this was recognized by Synod 2022

(Acts of Synod 2022, p. 931; see Minutes of the Special Meeting of the Council of

Delegates 2021, pp. 556-58). Synod 2022 asked that “a Conflict of Interest Pol-

icy for delegates to synod” be adapted from the COD conflict of interest

policy for implementation at synod (Acts of Synod 2022, p. 931). This seemed

a straightforward task, but because of the differing nature of synod as an

ecclesiastical assembly in comparison to the COD as an interim committee

whose members are also members of legal boards, staff and the COD have

found that the potential for conflicts of interest is considerably different for

delegates to synod than for members of the COD. The COD also recognized

that it is unclear how such a policy would relate to synodical delegates who

may also be involved in external advocacy groups, including but not lim-

ited to groups advocating for different positions on human sexuality. As

such, while our best effort at drafting a Conflict of Interest Policy for Dele-

gates to Synod is shared for information in Appendix D, we recommend

that synod reassess the necessity of this policy for synodical delegates (see

Recommendation M).

6. Assisted suicide

a. Position statement

Synod 2023 tasked the Office of General Secretary “to promptly create a

position statement on assisted suicide based on the good work of previ-

ous synods on abortion (Synods 1972, 1997, 2010, etc.), life issues (Syn-

ods 2000, 2003), and previous pastoral advice given (Synods 2000,

2003)” (Acts of Synod 2023, p. 981).

Staff quickly created a statement to include with the Synod 2023 FAQ

document (crcna.org/synod-2023-faq-document) and included the state-

ment later in the annual update to the CRCNA’s Position Statements at

crcna.org/welcome/beliefs/position-statements.

b. Assisted Suicide Task Force

Synod 2023 appointed a task force “to make a definitive and compre-

hensive report on the practice of assisted suicide in all its forms” (Acts of

Synod 2023, p. 981). The task force is making progress and intends to

meet its deadline of submitting a report by February 15, 2025, to be in-

cluded on the agenda for Synod 2025.

Synod required that the task force “consist of two theologians, two

health-care professionals, two lawyers, and two additional ad hoc mem-

bers.” Due to an unusual number of resignations during the first months

of the Assisted Suicide Task Force, the COD deemed it necessary to fill

the vacancies. The task force now includes Brian Dijkema (ad hoc), Deb

Fennema (health-care), David Shin (theologian), Caroline Short (ad hoc),

Doug Vande Griend (lawyer), Stephen Vander Klippe (health-care), and

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Council of Delegates Report 37

David Van Der Woerd (lawyer). At the writing of this report the COD is

working to solicit one more pastor/theologian to complete the task force.

E. Gospel proclamation and worship

Beyond some of the Ministry Plan initiatives that relate to gospel proclama-

tion and worship, the COD has had no particular assignments from synod

related to this area of Our Calling. Many other important initiatives in this

area are built into the mandates of our agencies and institutions and in-

cluded in their reports to Synod 2024.

IV. COD activities related to polity, policies, and procedures

A. Current COD membership

The members of the Council of Delegates from the classes include Matthew

T. Ackerman (Lake Erie), Jesus Bayona (Southeast U.S.), Rachel Bouwkamp

(Grandville), Wayne A. Brower (Holland), Steve Bussis (Yellowstone),

Thomas Byma (Greater Los Angles), Paula Coldagelli (Wisconsin), Janet

deVries (Niagara), Jeff Dykema (Arizona), Sherry E. Fakkema (Pacific

Northwest), Jill Feikema (Illiana), Roy G. Heerema (Hudson) Michael

Irshad (Toronto), Joyce G. Jackson (Hackensack), John Jansen (California

South), Casey Jen (Thornapple Valley), Michael Johnson (Rocky Mountain),

Jeanne Kallemeyn (Georgetown), Debbie Karambowich (Alberta

South/Saskatchewan), Ronald Karelse (Grand Rapids North), Jonathan J.

Kim (Ko-Am), Hyung-Jun Kim (B.C. North-West), Michael D. Koetje

(Kalamazoo), William T. Koopmans (Hamilton), John R. Lee (Iakota), Thea

Leunk (Grand Rapids East), Jessica Maddox (Grand Rapids South), Tabitha

Manuelito (Red Mesa), Peter Meerveld (Huron), Amy Nydam (Alberta

North), Herbert W. Schreur (Northcentral Iowa), Anthony T. Selvaggio

(Atlantic Northeast), Bonnie Zigterman (Northern Illinois), Drew Sweetman

(Muskegon), Rob J. Toornstra (Columbia), Arie A. Vander Zouwen (North

Cascades), Mark VanDyke (Central California), Andre VanRyk (B.C. South-

East), Loren Veldhuizen (Heartland), Tyler J. Wagenmaker (Zeeland), Jim

Winkel (Northern Michigan), and Bonnie Zigterman (Northern Illinois).

The following persons are serving as interim delegates until Synod 2024 can

act on their appointments (presented in section IV, B, 1 below): Phil Apoll

(Ontario Southwest), William Krahnke (Lake Superior), Sally Larsen (Chi-

cago South), and Ronald Van Auken (Quinte).

The delegate positions for Classes Eastern Canada, Central Plains, Hanmi,

and Minnkota are currently vacant due to the resignations of Daniel

Meinema (Eastern Canada), Thomas Wolthuis (Central Plains), Paul K. Im

(Hanmi), and Ryan Blom (Minnkota). The COD anticipates presenting

nominations to fill the recent vacancies by way of the COD Supplement re-

port to synod.

Seven at-large members currently serve the COD. They include Henry

Eygenraam, Greta Luimes, Melissa Van Dyk, Roberta Vriesema, Ralph S.

38 Council of Delegates Report AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

Wigboldus in Canada, and Christian Sebastia and Michael L. Ten Haken in

the U.S.

The denomination’s general secretary (Zachary J. King) serves as an ex offi-

cio member of the Council of Delegates (without vote). The general secre-

tary also serves the CRCNA U.S. Ministry Board and the ReFrame U.S.

Ministry Board and is invited as a guest to the meetings of the CRCNA

Canada and ReFrame Ministries Canada ministry boards.

In addition, guest representatives from three denominational boards attend

the meetings of the COD and serve on the COD’s Connections committee:

Robert Drenten from the Calvin Theological Seminary Board of Trustees;

Kevin J. Adams and E. Wayne Coleman from the Calvin University Board

of Trustees; and Chuck Adams and Andrew Geisterfer from the World Re-

new Board of Delegates. These nonvoting COD guests are given privilege

of the floor during committee and plenary meetings.

The following serve as officers of the COD and of the respective ministry

boards for the 2023-2024 term:

1. COD officers: Michael L. Ten Haken, chair; Greta Luimes, vice chair;

John R. Lee, secretary; Henry Eygenraam, treasurer.

2. Ministry board officers

a. CRCNA Canada Ministry Board: Greta Luimes, president; Ralph Wig-

boldus, vice president; Henry Eygenraam, treasurer; Roberta

Vriesema, secretary.

b. CRCNA U.S. Ministry Board: Michael L. Ten Haken, president; Jill

Feikema, vice president; Drew Sweetman, secretary; John R. Lee,

treasurer.

c. ReFrame Ministries Canada Ministry Board: Greta Luimes, president;

Ralph Wigboldus, vice president; Henry Eygenraam, treasurer; Rob-

erta Vriesema, secretary.

d. ReFrame Ministries U.S. Ministry Board: Michael L. Ten Haken, presi-

dent; Jill Feikema, vice president; Drew Sweetman, secretary; John R.

Lee, treasurer.

3. Executive Committee: Michael L. Ten Haken, chair; Greta Luimes, vice

chair; Henry Eygenraam; Michael Irshad; Michael D. Koetje; and John R.

Lee. Zachary J. King and Shirley DeVries serve ex officio.

B. COD nominations

1. Interim nominations

The COD appointed the following persons as interim delegates and recom-

mends these interim members to synod for appointment to the specific

terms as indicated (see Recommendations N, O):

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Council of Delegates Report 39

Classis Chicago South

(First term will conclude June 30, 2024; a second term is not being sought.)

Sally Larsen is a member of Hope CRC in Oak Forest, Illinois, and has

served as an elder, clerk of council, and vice president of council. She also

represented Classis Chicago South as a delegate to Synod 2022. Previously,

while part of Bethel CRC in Lansing, Illinois, where she was a member for

48 years, Sally served as a Stephen minister, a Coffee Break leader, and on

several committees including Congregational Life and Worship Planning.

She represented Classis Illiana as a delegate to the Council of Delegates for

three years and as a delegate to the ReFrame Ministries board for two years.

Sally is married to Dave Larsen. They have a blended family of five chil-

dren, their spouses, and 11 grandchildren. Sally is a retired information

technology professor.

Classis Lake Superior

(First term will conclude June 30, 2026, and the nominee will be eligible for

reappointment to a second term.)

William Krahnke is a member of Pease (Minn.) CRC. He has significant expe-

rience working in youth ministry and worship ministry. He has served as a

young adult representative and as an ethnic adviser to synod. He is cur-

rently employed as a lumber worker in Minnesota and serves on the Ecu-

menical and Interfaith Relations Committee.

Classis Ontario Southwest

(First term will conclude June 30, 2026, and the nominee will be eligible for

reappointment to a second term.)

Phil Apoll is the pastor of Hope Community CRC in Mount Brydges, On-

tario. He completed a doctorate of ministry degree at Knox Theological

Seminary. He has a passion for college students, having served on the Cam-

pus Ministry Board of the University of Toronto and the Board of Gover-

nors for Redeemer University.

Classis Quinte

(First term will conclude June 30, 2026, and the nominee will be eligible for

reappointment to a second term.)

Ronald VanAuken is a member of Hebron CRC in Oshawa, Ontario. He has

experience in strategic planning and executive directorship. He has worked

in both the U.S. and Canada, with the Presbyterian Church in Canada, and

with the Anglican Diocese of Toronto. He has experience on many boards

and committees inside and outside of the church and currently serves on

the Classis Quinte visitation restorative team.

2. New-term nominations

The COD Synodical Services Committee works from an adopted rotation of

concluding terms for the current COD membership—ideally eight or nine

40 Council of Delegates Report AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

members conclude their term of service with the board each year to provide

continuity.

Concluding service after two terms on the Council of Delegates in June 2024

are the following members:

Classis Member

Holland Wayne A. Brower

Iakota John R. Lee

Pacific Northwest Sherry Fakkema

Wisconsin Paula Coldagelli

Zeeland Tyler J. Wagenmaker

Canada at-large Ralph S. Wigboldus

Casey Jen (Thornapple Valley) and Sally Larsen (Chicago South) are com-

pleting a first term on the COD and have decided not to serve a second

term.

The COD recommends that synod express its gratitude to these members

for their faithful service and significant contributions to the denomination

during their tenure on the Council of Delegates (see Recommendation P).

The COD recommends the following nominees from the classes indicated

for appointment to a first term of three years on the Council of Delegates

(see Recommendation Q):

Classis Pacific Northwest

Doug Fakkema is the pastor at Anacortes (Wash.) CRC. He is a longtime pas-

tor, has served on the ministry multiplication committee of his classis as

chair, and has a deep love for the church.

Classis Thornapple Valley

Steven Hull is the lead pastor at Princeton CRC in Kentwood, Michigan. He

has extensive experience serving on various classis teams, largely related to

church planting and renewal. He has also served on the EPMC Facilitation

Team, working with candidates in the CRCNA coming from other denomi-

nations.

Classis Zeeland

Lloyd Hemstreet serves as the pastor at Coopersville (Mich.) CRC. A gradu-

ate of Calvin Theological Seminary, he has served Classis Zeeland on the

student fund committee and presently serves on the healthy churches com-

mittee. He has served as the president of council for the past seven years,

and he served as a delegate to Synod 2023.

The COD recommends the following members for reappointment to a sec-

ond term of three years (see Recommendation Q):

Classis Member

Central California Mark VanDyke

Columbia Rob J. Toornstra

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Council of Delegates Report 41

Georgetown Jeanne Kallemeyn

Hudson Roy G. Heerema

Huron Peter Meerveld

Toronto Michael Irshad

Canada at-large A. Henry Eygenraam

C. Polity matters

1. Ecclesiastical marriage

Synod 2023 adopted the report of the Ecclesiastical Marriage Task Force

(Acts of Synod 2023, pp. 961-62; see Agenda for Synod 2023, pp. 251-84;

crcna.org/sites/default/files/ecclesiastical_marriage_task_force_2021.pdf).

Synod instructed the Office of General Secretary to disseminate the report

and a letter of warning to pastors and councils “regarding the potential le-

gal ramifications of solemnizing an ecclesiastical marriage” (Acts of Synod

2023, p. 962). That letter is planned for distribution this spring.

2. Convening churches and locations of synod

a. Synod 2025

Synod 2022 had approved Covenant CRC, Sioux Center, Iowa, as the

convening church of Synod 2025, to be held at Dordt University in Sioux

Center (Acts of Synod 2022, p. 940). However, due to a construction pro-

ject, Dordt University will not be able to host Synod 2025. As COD wres-

tled with other options and opportunities, Covenant CRC graciously

withdrew their invitation to convene Synod 2025, making room for a

celebration of the CRC in Ontario, Canada.

The year 2026 will mark coinciding milestone anniversaries of 100 years

for First CRC in Chatham, Ontario, and 150 years for Calvin Theological

Seminary and Calvin University. The COD suggested that a celebration

of the Ontario anniversary kick off one year early at Synod 2025. As the

first Christian Reformed church established in Ontario, First CRC in

Chatham has graciously agreed to invite synod to accept them as the

new convening church for Synod 2025, to be held at Redeemer Univer-

sity in Ancaster, Ontario. The COD recommends that synod approve its

work in securing a site for Synod 2025 (see Recommendation R) and ac-

cept the invitation of First CRC, Chatham, as the convening church of

Synod 2025 (see Recommendation S).

b. Synod 2026

Calvin University is being recommended as the host site for Synod 2026.

Along with Calvin Theological Seminary, Calvin University is hoping

that Synod 2026 can join in the celebration of their 150 years of provid-

ing Christian higher education together (see Recommendation T).

3. COD Governance Handbook updates

The following updates to the COD Governance Handbook are presented as

items for the consent agenda for Synod 2024.

42 Council of Delegates Report AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

a. Governance Charter

1) Add a new bullet point to section 4.d. Steward post-meeting

COD surveys.

Grounds:

a) The Executive Committee assigned this role to Governance in

October 2023.

b) This fits naturally under Governance Committee's mandate to

"assess board effectiveness" (GVC Charter 4.d).

2) Edit section 4.e, second bullet. Nominate Facilitate the nomina-

tion process for COD members for election as officers.

Grounds:

a) This is in keeping with the intent of the original wording.

b) This clarifies that the role of Governance is not to unilaterally

nominate an officer slate but rather to facilitate a process of

nomination and election by the COD as a whole.

3) Edit section 4.f, second bullet. Appoint non-COD members to

serve on committees and ensure agreement with Statement of

Agreement with Beliefs of the CRCNA, the Code of Conduct, and

signing the Conflict of Interest.

Grounds:

a) This provides transparency and clarity of expectations to both

nominating boards and non-COD nominees.

b) This ensures a set of shared expectations across all voting

members within COD governance structures.

b. Synodical Services Charter

1) Add section 4.b. Process reporting on directives provided by

synod to the Office of General Secretary as appropriate.

2) Edit section 4.g.h. Develop and oversee communication plans

and activities Make recommendations to improve and strengthen

the overall functioning of denominational communications in-

cluding during and after synod, COD, and classis gatherings.

3) Edit the wording in the note behind the Synodical Services Com-

mittee in the Committee Membership Matrix table on page 21 of

the COD Governance Handbook to read “Ordinarily 50/50 bal-

ance between CDN and US.”

Grounds:

a) This maintains a normative expectation of intentional binational-

ity in Synodical Services as a matter of wisdom.

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Council of Delegates Report 43

b) This minimizes departure from precedent under the prior Minis-

try Plan, Communications, and Synodical Services Committee

(MPC).

c) This provides future flexibility to assign members to committees

based on member interest or organizational need when there is

compelling rationale.

c. Connections Committee Charter

Edit section 4.e. Annual report to synod: Submit an annual written

report to the COD and synod addressing the following topics: Mat-

ters to be discussed in preparation for annual synodical reports: Cal-

vin University, Calvin Theological Seminary, and World Renew sub-

mit annual reports to synod via its agenda and supplemental agenda

(Rules for Synodical Procedure, pp. 9-12). These annual reports, sub-

mitted to the Office of General Secretary, include:

• Mandate and mission – How the agency is fulfilling its mandate

and mission.

• Ministry plan and ministry goals – How the organization is

aligned with the ministry plan and its calling areas and mile-

stones.

• Leadership – Leadership plans and changes in leadership struc-

ture.

• Financial – An annual financial overview including a balance

sheet, revenue and expenses, and advancement activities.

• Organizational governance updates as required and appropriate.

When necessary, some of these items should come to the attention of

the Council of Delegates for information and/or endorsement, such

as changes in leadership (as required by organizational bylaws and

synodical procedures), requests for changes in synodical mandates,

and changes to organizational bylaws (when required). Such items

should be included in the Connections Committee agenda and be

processed by COD in the report of the Connections Committee to the

plenary COD.

Grounds:

1) This aligns the content of synodical reporting with the purpose of

the Connections Committee.

2) Reduces duplication of existing board governance.

3) Clarifies that COD committees report to synod via the COD.

d. All Committee Charters

Edit Sections 7 (Banner Advisory, Bible Translations), 8 (Executive,

Thrive, ReFrame, Resonate, Connections), or 9 (Governance, Finance,

Synodical Services). The _______ Committee charter is intended to

44 Council of Delegates Report AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

be a dynamic document. As such, the charter should be reviewed

and updated on a regular basis by the committee. In consultation

with the Governance Committee, recommended changes can be

made to the COD for review and approval.

Grounds:

1) As the shepherd of board policies and practices, Governance

Committee can serve committees as they explore changes to their

mandates.

2) This ensures a consistency of editorial language and governance

process across the whole of the Governance Handbook.

e. COD Policy Updates

1) Financial Reserve Policy (Appendix E)

2) Cash Holding Policy (Appendix F)

3) Fundraising Ethical Guidelines Policy (Appendix G)

4) Investment Policy (Appendix H)

4. Calvin University Board of Trustees interim appointments

Synod 2023 inadvertently missed voting on two appointments to the Calvin

University Board of Trustees. The COD exercised its role as the interim

committee of synod to make these appointments on an interim basis and

presents them to Synod 2024 for ratification (see Recommendation U).

Region 1

Jack Beeksma is a 1978 graduate of Calvin University with a bachelor of arts

degree in education. He received his master’s degree in teaching in 1992

while teaching in Nigeria with Christian Reformed World Missions. He

spent 35 years teaching in Christian schools in Calgary, Alberta; Nigeria;

and Prince George, British Columbia. He has a love for the Reformed faith

and has been a lifetime member of the Christian Reformed Church. He

served on councils in Calgary and Prince George. He has a deep gratitude

to Calvin for shaping his faith and giving direction to his life. He is cur-

rently a member of the Christian Reformed Church of Prince George.

Region 5 at-large trustee

Adam Ramirez is a graduate of Northwestern College (Iowa) with a bachelor

of arts in history and biblical studies. He is from Pipestone, Minnesota. He

earned a master in theological studies degree from Calvin Theological Sem-

inary and is currently finishing his doctorate in worship studies from Rob-

ert E. Webber Institute. He currently serves as a home missionary and

church consultant for spiritual formation and cross-cultural rural ministry

with Classis Minnkota at Nueva Vida en Jesus Christian Reformed Church

in Pipestone, Minnesota, in collaboration with Resonate Global Mission and

the CRC’s Consejo Latino. He has a passion for building bridges between

the Latino community and the Christian Reformed Church. He is in the

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Council of Delegates Report 45

process of transferring his membership to Faith Community Christian Re-

formed Church in Colton, South Dakota.

5. Synodical deputy and alternate interim appointments

On behalf of synod, the COD has ratified the following classical appoint-

ments of synodical deputies and alternate synodical deputies* and presents

them for synodical approval (see Recommendation V):

Classis Member Alternate Term

Alberta South/

Saskatchewan Rev. Gary van Leeuwen Rev. David Swinney 2027(1)

Hudson Rev. Albert (John) Sideco, Jr. 2026(2)

Huron Rev. Sid Couperus Rev. Victor Laarman 2025(2)

Illiana Rev. Josh Christoffels 2025(2)

Quinte Rev. Josh Tuininga Vacant 2025(2)

Wisconsin Rev. Greg Schuringa 2025(2)

*Terms of alternate synodical deputies run concurrent with those of the

synodical deputies.

The COD Supplement report to synod is expected to include further actions

whereby COD ratified, on behalf of synod, the classical appointments of

synodical deputies and alternate synodical deputies.

6. Compliance with biblical guidelines on same-sex relationships

Churches and classes have had questions regarding Synod 2023’s instruc-

tion to “guide into compliance the officebearers of their constituent

churches who publicly reject the biblical guidelines affirmed by Synod 2022

regarding same-sex relationships” (Acts of Synod 2023, p. 1029). The primary

interpreters of this decision must be the leaders of each classis. Keeping that

thought central, denominational staff have provided some helpful guide-

lines in the Synod 2023 FAQ document (crcna.org/synod-2023-faq-

document). Staff have also worked with classis stated clerks, church visi-

tors, regional pastors, and others to empower them in addressing this in-

struction. In addition, the Office of General Secretary has produced a video

(crcna.org/SexualityResources) summarizing the denominational position

and providing helpful guidance for ongoing discussion. The COD has en-

dorsed these materials and extends its gratitude to the staff for their efforts

in creating and curating these resources.

7. Classes that have declared that women officebearers (ministers, elders,

deacons) may not be delegated to classis

In accordance with the instructions of Synod 2007, the general secretary

keeps a list of classes that, in keeping with their understanding of the bibli-

cal position on the role of women in ecclesiastical office, declare that

women officebearers (ministers, elders, deacons) may not be delegated to

classis. Although some of these classes have developed their own regula-

tions regarding the permissibility of women officebearers participating in

46 Council of Delegates Report AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

classis meetings, some classes have adopted a decision to declare that

women officebearers may not be delegated to classis. A list of these classes

may be obtained by contacting the Office of General Secretary.

8. Adding Thrive to the Rules for Synodical Procedure

The COD recommends adding Thrive to the Rules for Synodical Procedure

in order to include this new agency among those reporting to synod

through the COD (see Recommendation W).

D. Staffing and leadership

Salary disclosure

At the directive of synod, the Council of Delegates reports the following sal-

aries for senior CRCNA, ReFrame Ministries, and Resonate Global Mission

staff directly employed by the Council of Delegates:

Job level # of positions # below target # at target

E1 1 1 0

E2 5 5 0

E3 6 6 0

Synod 2014 adopted a salary administration system that uses a salary range

target and a minimum of 85 percent of that target. In addition, the COD re-

cently adopted a revised salary structure with fewer levels than the previ-

ous structure. Salary ranges for the current fiscal year are as follows:

2023-2024 Salary Grade and Range Structure

U.S. Range Canadian Range

Level Minimum Target Minimum Target

E1 $163,294 $204,117

E2 $147,361 $184,201 $141,762 $177,202

E3 $124,881 $156,103 $124,220 $155,275

H $105,833 $132,290 $106,471 $133,089

I $89,688 $112,110 $91,258 $114,073

J $76,007 $95,008 $78,219 $97,774

K $64,413 $80,516 $67,043 $83,804

L $54,587 $68,233 $57,464 $71,830

M $46,260 $57,825 $49,253 $61,567

N $39,204 $49,004 $42,216 $52,770

O $33,224 $41,530 $36,184 $45,230

E. Financial matters

1. Introduction

In order to assure that synod has the most up-to-date and accurate financial

information, detailed financial data will be included in the Agenda for Synod

2024—Business and Financial Supplement, which will be made available to the

delegates at the time synod convenes. This supplement will include finan-

cial disclosure information and agency and ministry budgets for fiscal year

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Council of Delegates Report 47

2025 (July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025). In addition, synod will be asked to ap-

prove a schedule for one or more above-ministry-share offerings for the

ministries of the denomination and a quarterly offering for World Renew in

lieu of ministry-share support (see Recommendation X). Additional finan-

cial information and/or recommendations will also be included in the

Council of Delegates Supplement report to synod in May.

2. Ministry shares system

a. Synod 2023 directed the Office of General Secretary to “provide greater

flexibility in the pledge process cycle, allowing churches to determine

their pledge cycle based on their fiscal year,” to “suggest to the churches

what would be a reasonable amount to cover basic/core denominational

operational costs as part of their pledge,” and to “provide to the

churches and classes more information on pledges and giving results,

including what comprises the basic/core denominational costs” (Acts of

Synod 2023, p. 987).

Classes have now been informed that they can tell the appropriate de-

nominational staff what timeframe their pledge cycle will cover. (The

classis remains responsible for collecting pledges.)

Staff are working to determine how best to convey costs that are essen-

tial to being a denomination. Staff are also working to communicate this

amount in a manner that is consistent on both sides of the border and

provides transparency and a clear message while not discouraging

churches who already give faithfully.

Quarterly reports providing churches and classes with more infor-

mation on pledges and giving results have begun to be shared in the

United States and will begin to be shared in Canada in April.

b. Synod 2023 directed the COD “to continue the Review of Ministry

Shares Reimagined” by conducting a survey or making personal con-

tacts to churches not currently participating in the ministry-share pro-

gram and by comparing our system with the ministry funding mecha-

nisms of other denominations. Based on the findings of those tasks the

COD is to “make recommendations for further changes to the ministry-

share program” (Acts of Synod 2023, pp. 987-88).

Staff have begun categorizing churches that are not participating in the

ministry-share system. This will enable surveys that are more likely to

engage these churches. COD members may also be asked to contact spe-

cific churches in their classes.

Information has been gathered from the Reformed Church in America,

the Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians (ECO), and the Evan-

gelical Presbyterian Church on how their funding mechanisms are

planned and how well they are utilized. More information may still be

gathered from additional denominations.

48 Council of Delegates Report AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

3. Criteria for vetting charitable organizations

Synod 2023 discontinued the practice of having staff vet and recommend

charitable organizations to CRC churches for offerings (Acts of Synod 2023,

p. 986). Synod also directed the Office of General Secretary to provide the

vetting criteria used by CRCNA staff so that churches can more easily vet

organizations themselves. These criteria are posted on The Network at net-

work.crcna.org/topic/church-administration/church-admin-finance/church-

guidance-vetting-organizations-donations.

4. Sale and purchase of the U.S. ministry building

Stemming from Synod 2016’s instructions to the then Board of Trustees to

reduce the institutional footprint of the CRCNA, one item that came under

scrutiny was the size and use of the current Grand Rapids, Michigan, facil-

ity and property. Previous plans for a major remodel, including tearing

down one wing of the building, were scrapped because of the COVID-19

pandemic. Today the space required is much less than was used prior to the

pandemic. This situation has led to a decision to sell the existing building

and to seek a ministry facility more suitable to the needs and goals of the

CRCNA U.S. ministries today.

The building at the corner of Kalamazoo Avenue and 28th Street in Grand

Rapids is for sale at the time of this report. Options for relocation some-

where within the greater Grand Rapids area are being considered. Prepara-

tions for a move are well under way.

5. Condensed financial statements

The condensed financial statements of the agencies and institutions of the

CRCNA are shared for information in Appendix I (see Recommendation Y).

F. Ministry oversight

1. Ministry presentations at synod

Presentations by CRC ministries play an important role in the function of

synod. Reports provide the means for accountability, celebration, prayer

support, encouragement, and increased understanding. In a world that in-

creasingly questions the relevance of the church, reports on the work of the

church allow us to display the difference the church is making in our world.

It has often been reflected that God has blessed the CRCNA, a relatively

small denomination, with the ability to make a big impact. Delegates to

Synod 2024 will receive presentations from Calvin Theological Seminary

and the Candidacy Committee.

2. Ministry evaluation

Synod 2018 instructed the COD and the general secretary “to continue the

important work of evaluation and prioritization by working together to im-

plement a robust evaluation strategy whereby in a five-year cycle all agen-

cies and ministries will be continually evaluated through the framework of

the five ministry priorities” (Acts of Synod 2018, p. 455). In response to this

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Council of Delegates Report 49

directive, the COD adopted a policy to ensure continual evaluation of all

agencies and ministries over a four-year cycle according to the five ministry

priorities. The agencies and ministries are required to have comprehensive

and strategic program goals and objectives and, by means of fitting evalua-

tion and assessment approaches, to provide annual outcomes in their re-

porting year. After a one-year pause to finalize the COD reorganization, the

Office of General Secretary continues to review this practice in light of a

new Council of Delegates reporting process and the consolidation of nine

congregational ministries into Thrive.

G. Publications and services

1. Yearbook

Following an extensive process to gather ordained personnel and local-

church information each fall (data effective as of August 31), staff within the

Synodical Services Office produce an annual “snapshot” each February as

the CRCNA Yearbook. The Yearbook is made available in print, as a down-

loadable PDF (available at faithaliveresources.org), and in online format

(crcna.org/Yearbook). In addition, data received from the churches, classes,

and ordained personnel throughout the rest of the year is continually up-

dated in the online Yearbook, often making the most current information

available within days. The online format includes the Church Finder feature

(crcna.org/church-finder), which provides maps, church service times,

membership information, and links to church websites, among other help-

ful information. Minister service history, special days to be observed in the

church calendar, and denominational ministry-share information are all

linked via the online Yearbook.

In addition, classis and denominational statistics can be accessed or down-

loaded at crcna.org/Yearbook. Among some of the statistics available in the

online Yearbook are the total number of members (baptized and confessing)

in a local congregation, number of families, number of professing members

over eighteen years of age, number of professing members, number of bap-

tized members, number of membership transfers from other CRCs, and

number of members received through evangelism and from other denomi-

nations. This data continues to present a historical record of our church and

ministry together through the years.

2. Church Order and Its Supplements and Rules for Synodical Procedure

The Church Order and Its Supplements 2023 reflects revisions to the Church

Order adopted by Synod 2023. The latest version of the Church Order and Its

Supplements, published by the Office of Synodical Services, is in process of

distribution to the churches at this time of writing. It will also be translated

into Korean and Spanish.

50 Council of Delegates Report AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

The Rules for Synodical Procedure, last updated following decisions of Synod

2023, is available in digital format only. Both the Church Order and Its Sup-

plements and the Rules for Synodical Procedure are available for download at

crcna.org/SynodResources.

3. Agenda for Synod and Acts of Synod

The publication of the Agenda for Synod and the Acts of Synod is the responsi-

bility of the director of synodical services under the direction of the general

secretary. From time to time some decisions need to be made by the general

secretary about which material properly belongs in the Agenda for Synod.

The general secretary may consult with the COD or Program Committee

(officers of the previous synod) for advice and input when materials are in

question. In many cases, erring on the side of grace seems more appropriate

than erring on the side of rigid regulation. Synod itself will finally decide in

all cases whether material is properly on its agenda.

Synod 2019 decided that to improve the connections between synod, clas-

ses, and churches, a summary of the Agenda for Synod should be sent to del-

egates and church council clerks with an encouragement to pass it along to

church members. The summary document is usually available for distribu-

tion in mid-spring.

4. Manual for Synodical Deputies

The Manual for Synodical Deputies is distributed to synodical deputies, their

alternates, and the stated clerks of classes. The latest revision of the manual

was completed in summer 2023 by the Office of Synodical Services. Anyone

desiring to access or download a copy of this tool for the classes may do so

by way of the stated clerk and synodical deputy webpage at crcna.org/Syn-

odicalDeputies.

5. Manual of Christian Reformed Church Government

A very helpful tool for churches and classes, the Manual of Christian Re-

formed Church Government was updated by Henry DeMoor in fall 2019 to re-

flect changes made through Synod 2019 that have been incorporated into

the Church Order. The manual has now been revised by Kathy Smith, pol-

ity professor at Calvin Theological Seminary, and hopefully will be availa-

ble for purchase by late spring 2024. We are grateful to Rev. Smith and Dr.

De Moor for their contributions in providing a tool for use by classes,

churches, and many others working and advising on polity matters. This

resource is intended as a companion to the CRC’s Church Order, offering

commentary and explanations of guidelines and decisions made by synod

over the years. The manual is available for reading in the CRC Digital Li-

brary (crcna.org/DigitalLibrary), and print and downloadable versions are

available through Faith Alive (faithaliveresources.org).

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Council of Delegates Report 51

6. Christian Reformed Church Order Commentary

Henry DeMoor updated the Christian Reformed Church Order Commentary in

2020. This invaluable resource, providing context for the rules of the

church—the “why” behind the rules—is available for viewing in the CRC

Digital Library (crcna.org/DigitalLibrary), and print and downloadable ver-

sions are available through Faith Alive (faithaliveresources.org).

H. Denominational survey summary results

With the rollout of Our Journey 2020 (denominational Ministry Plan) in

2015, an annual denominational survey was implemented to help track pro-

gress of the Ministry Plan, in addition to metrics recorded along the way.

Synod delegates are invited to read an executive summary of the 2023 de-

nominational survey at crcna.org/survey/survey-results. The 2024 survey

was distributed in February and March, and results will be available soon.

I. Legal entity to house the Office of General Secretary

Synod 2022 tasked the Council of Delegates with the formation of a sepa-

rate legal entity to house the Office of General Secretary (Acts of Synod 2022,

p. 929). This task has not been completed because there are likely implica-

tions related to the Global Visioning process. When that work is complete

or at least much further along, we will be able to understand the implica-

tions that work will have on the creation of a distinct legal entity to house

the work of the Office of General Secretary. We are therefore postponing

the completion of this task until that time.

J. Ministry Support Services

a. Shared Ministry Services

The staff of Ministry Support Services (MSS) is responsible for The Banner,

Faith Alive Christian Resources, Libros Desafio (Spanish-language re-

sources), and a number of professional services that support CRC minis-

tries. These services include marketing, order and subscription processing,

call center, editorial services, translation, rights and permissions manage-

ment, design and web services, purchasing, and distribution. At any one

time, more than 100 projects are in process, and thousands of words are be-

ing combined with design elements for publication via paper or pixels. The

call center handles about 20,000 phone calls per year, in addition to pro-

cessing online orders, email, and live chats on various CRCNA websites.

In the interest of consistent style, branding, and quality presentation, MSS

has supported CRC communications staff in creating guides for Brand

Standards and Editorial Style.

b. The Banner

The Banner, the magazine of the Christian Reformed Church, currently

prints and distributes more than 60,000 copies of its paper version. Website

pageviews average more than 85,000 per month, and more than 12,000 peo-

ple have signed up to receive the weekly Banner email. Our efforts on social

52 Council of Delegates Report AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

media also help to ensure that Banner content is available to anyone in a va-

riety of forms.

The Banner app is available for free download on iPhone and Android de-

vices (thebanner.org/App); monthly, the app is receiving more than 10,000

pageviews.

We are most thankful for a huge show of support from Banner readers, as

around 5,000 donors gave approximately $470,000 for the annual appeal

fundraiser in 2023.

c. Faith Alive and Libros Desafio

Synod 2013 approved the dissolution of the Faith Alive Christian Resources

board and transitioned critical functions of Faith Alive to MSS. We continue

to sell and reprint resources that were already published, support the ongo-

ing development of the Dwell Sunday school curriculum and Discover Your

Bible series, and publish a small number of new titles as requested by our

ministries. Sales of older products continue to decline, and the pandemic

radically halted sales of curriculum and other church-based resources.

Those sales have now bounced back, but not to pre-pandemic levels. Thrive

and MSS continue to pour energy into the Dwell curriculum, including fur-

ther development of Dwell Flex (for smaller churches and multi-age con-

texts) and Dwell Digital (the online version of our Dwell leader materials).

Similarly, Libros Desafio has ceased publishing new titles but continues to

sell and reprint backlisted titles for as long as it is economically viable. We

are exploring options for selling our translated works to other Spanish-lan-

guage publishers so that they can continue to be made available throughout

Latin America and beyond.

Christian Reformed congregations continue to receive a special “CRC dis-

count” in comparison to what churches of other denominations pay. In ad-

dition, the CRC Digital Library allows anyone attending a Christian Re-

formed congregation free access to most Faith Alive titles online. Since the

start of the pandemic we have also provided CRCs with free, online access

to Dwell Digital (other churches pay up to $500 per year to access these Sun-

day school curriculum resources). All of these initiatives are intended to

help Christian Reformed churches make full use of these resources that

they helped to publish.

d. The Network

Over the past decade the Network has become one of the CRC’s most-vis-

ited websites where people involved in their local church can connect—

with each other and with denominational staff—about the practical aspects

of doing church ministry. Although the half-time community manager now

reports into the CRC Communications office, Ministry Support Services

staff continue to be involved in the technical aspects of the website. The site

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Council of Delegates Report 53

receives about one million pageviews per year, as folks across the denomi-

nation read, ask questions, and share ideas with each other about their con-

gregation’s ministries.

V. Recommendations

A. That synod grant the privilege of the floor to Michael L. Ten Haken,

chair of the Council of Delegates; Greta Luimes, vice chair of the Council of

Delegates; Zachary J. King, general secretary; and members of the executive

staff as needed when matters pertaining to the Council of Delegates, Re-

Frame Ministries, Resonate Global Mission, or other ministries of the

CRCNA are discussed.

B. That synod grant all requests for privilege of the floor by the COD, agen-

cies and ministries, educational institutions, standing committees, and

study committees of synod contained within the reports to Synod 2024.

C. That synod extend the Our Journey 2025 Ministry Plan to 2030 with the

appropriate evaluation and updated communications strategy (II).

Grounds:

1. The Our Journey 2025 Ministry Plan was developed with feedback

from the congregations and classes during 2018 and 2019. It was ap-

proved by the Council of Delegates on behalf of synod at its special

meeting in June 2020 (Minutes of the Special Meeting of the Council of

Delegates 2020, pp. 421-23). However, implementation of the ministry

plan in its early years was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

2. The milestones of Our Journey 2025 still represent a timely, critical,

and ongoing call for CRCNA congregations, classes, agencies, and

institutions.

3. Now is not an opportune time to develop a new ministry plan while

the current one fits well in the present context. Staff time would bet-

ter be spent evaluating and strengthening the current ministry plan.

4. Recent synodical directives such as developing a plan to reverse

membership decline (Synod 2023) call for a ministry plan that is ori-

ented toward congregational renewal like Our Journey 2025.

5. The Ministry Leadership Council has made this recommendation.

D. That synod receive for information the plan for conversational gather-

ings in 2024-2025 pertaining to growing the denomination (II, D, 1; Appen-

dix A).

E. That synod adopt the following changes to Church Order Articles 14, 15,

and 23 and their Supplements as proposed by Synod 2023 in support of

bivocational pastors (with additions indicated by underline and deletions

by strikethrough) (II, D, 3).

54 Council of Delegates Report AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

Proposed Article 14-d

A minister of the Word who has entered upon a vocation which clas-

sis judges to be nonministerial and forsakes the calling of a minister

of the Word shall be released from office within one year of that

judgment. The concurring advice of the synodical deputies shall be

obtained at the time of the judgment.

Grounds:

a. Without this addition, Article 14 implies that a nonministerial vo-

cation is in conflict with the work and ordination of a minister of

the Word.

b. The addition clarifies that forsaking the office is cause for a min-

ister to be released.

Proposed Article 15

Each church through its council shall provide for attend to the

proper support of its minister(s). By way of exception and with the

approval of classis, a church and minister may agree that a minister

obtain primary or supplemental income by means of other employ-

ment. Ordinarily the foregoing exception shall be limited to churches

that cannot obtain assistance adequate to support their minister.

Grounds:

a. The change in phrasing maintains the covenantal relationship be-

tween pastor and congregation while giving flexibility with re-

gard to where “proper support” is coming from.

b. The removed section discriminates against bivocational ministry

as an “exception” rather than recognizing it as a desired, mis-

sional choice.

Proposed Supplement, Article 15

“Proper Support” Defined

Proper support of a church’s minister is to include an adequate sal-

ary, medical insurance, disability insurance, a housing provision,

payment to the denomination’s ministers’ pension planpayment to

an appropriate pension or retirement plan, a continuing education

stipend, and other employment-related items.

To “attend to” proper support does not imply that the calling church

is responsible to provide all of these items of support. Rather, the

calling church is responsible to ensure that the minister has a plan

that addresses these items. In many ministries the local church itself

accepts these responsibilities in order to facilitate full-time or part-

time ministerial service. In other settings—such as church planting,

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Council of Delegates Report 55

various forms of chaplaincy, bivocational arrangements, multipoint

ministries, and so on—the financial plan will include income and

benefits provided by a variety of potential sources. The financial

plan should be carefully reviewed and signed by the classical coun-

selor when a call to ministry is made or when a pastor and church

decide to change their financial arrangement.

Guidelines for Churches Whose Ministers Receive Salary Support from

Other Employment in Conversations with Pastors about “Proper Support”

1. The church is responsible for a total compensation package pro-

portionate to the time spent in ministry to the church (forty-eight

hours equals full time). The compensation package shall ordinar-

ily be based on synodically stated minimum salary, fringe bene-

fits, and housing costs.

2. Since the compensation package includes a percentage allowance

for health insurance, the minister is expected to secure adequate

health insurance for the minister and the minister’s family.

31. The value of the parsonage provided by the congregation may be

used for part or all of the compensation package.

42. The minister shall receive pension credits in the Ministers’ Pen-

sion Fund proportionate to the percentage of time devoted to the

duties of the church. Eligibility for full pension credit may be se-

cured if full contribution to the Ministers’ Pension Plan is made.

53. The nature and amount of time of the task(s) other than ministry

shall be specified shall be mutually discerned by minister(s) and

the supervising council. The support plan in the letter of call, in-

cluding the financial plan, shall be specified in writing, approved

by the classical counselor, and normally reviewed annually by

the supervising council. The average amount of time expended

upon the total of the ministerial and nonministerial tasks shall

not normally exceed sixty hours per week.

4. The supervising council shall annually attend to nonfinancial

support of ministers, including but not limited to physical, emo-

tional, and spiritual support.

Grounds:

a. These revisions address issues described in section VIII of the

task force report (“Financial Considerations”).

b. These revisions provide further clarity to the proposed Article 15.

c. These revisions promote flexibility while also promoting the cov-

enantal arrangement between the minister and the calling

church.

56 Council of Delegates Report AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

Proposed Article 23-d

Each church through its council shall attend to the proper support of

its commissioned pastor.

Grounds:

a. The proposed addition calls for the proper support of commis-

sioned pastors.

b. The proposed addition parallels the proposal for Article 15.

Proposed Supplement, Article 23-d

“Proper Support” Defined

Proper support of a commissioned pastor is to include an adequate

salary, medical insurance, disability insurance, a housing provision,

payment to an appropriate pension or retirement plan, a continuing

education stipend, and other employment-related items.

To “attend to” proper support does not imply that the calling church

is responsible to provide all of these items of support. Rather, the

calling church is responsible to ensure that the commissioned pastor

has a plan that addresses these items. In many ministries the local

church itself accepts these responsibilities in order to facilitate full-

time or part-time ministry service. In other settings—such as church

planting, various forms of chaplaincy, bivocational arrangements,

multipoint ministries, and so on—the financial plan will include in-

come and benefits provided by a variety of potential sources. The

calling church’s support of the financial plan should be carefully re-

viewed at the time classis approves the commissioned pastor’s posi-

tion. This includes a call to bivocational ministry or when a pastor

and church decide to change their financial arrangement.

Guidelines for Churches in Conversations with Pastors about “Proper

Support”

1. The value of the parsonage provided by the congregation may be

used for part or all of the compensation package.

2. The nature and amount of time of the task(s) shall be mutually dis-

cerned by the commissioned pastor(s) and the supervising council.

The support plan, including the financial plan, shall be specified in

writing, approved by classis along with the position description, and

normally reviewed annually by the supervising council. The average

amount of time expended upon the total of the ministerial and non-

ministerial tasks shall not normally exceed sixty hours per week.

3. The supervising council shall annually attend to nonfinancial sup-

port of commissioned pastors, including but not limited to physical,

emotional, and spiritual support.

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Council of Delegates Report 57

Grounds:

a. This addition provides further clarity to the proposed Article 23-d.

b. This addition promotes flexibility while also promoting the cove-

nantal arrangement between the commissioned pastor and the

calling church.

c. The proposed supplement reflects similar proposed changes to

Supplement, Article 15.

F. That synod receive the report of the Church Order Review Task Force

and its recommendations for adoption, including dismissal of the task force

with gratitude for their work (III, B, 1; Appendix B).

G. That synod receive the report of the Team on Alliance of Reformed

Churches Matters for information, with gratitude for their work (III, B, 2;

Appendix C).

H. That synod express gratitude to Edward Bosveld, Cindy de Jong, and

Kim Rhodes for their years of service to the denomination on the Judicial

Code Committee (III, D, 1, a).

I. That synod by way of the ballot appoint Arlyn Bossenbrook to the Judi-

cial Code Committee for a first term of three years (III, D, 1, a).

J. That synod reappoint Richard Bodini to a second term of three years on

the Judicial Code Committee (III, D, 1, b).

K. That synod take note of the updates on addressing Synod 2019’s direc-

tives regarding abuse of power (III, D, 4).

L. That synod adopt the following changes to the Church Order proposed

by Synod 2023 in relation to the Code of Conduct for Ministry Leaders (III,

D, 4, d, 2).

Proposed changes to Article 5 and its Supplement

Add the following new Article 5-b and Supplement, Article 5-b to

the current Church Order Article 5 and its Supplement (the existing

Article 5 and its Supplement would become Article 5-a and Supple-

ment, Article 5-a; additions are indicated by underline).

Article 5-b

All officebearers shall uphold the standards of behavior summarized

in the CRCNA Code of Conduct for Ministry Leaders.

—Cf. Supplement, Article 5-b

Supplement, Article 5-b

[The full text of the CRCNA Code of Conduct for Ministry Leaders, as pre-

sented in the Acts of Synod 2023, pp. 998-1002, would become the text of

Church Order Supplement, Article 5-b.]

58 Council of Delegates Report AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

Proposed change to Church Order Supplement, Article 13-c, section c

(addition indicated by underline)

The duties of the minister are spiritual in character and directly re-

lated to the ministerial calling, and such duties do not conflict with

the minister’s commitment to the faith and practice of the Christian

Reformed Church as required by one’s signature to the Covenant for

Officebearers and as articulated in the Code of Conduct.

M. That synod receive the Draft Conflict of Interest Policy for Delegates to

Synod (Appendix D) for information and reassesses the necessity of this

policy for synodical delegates (III, D, 5).

Grounds:

1. Synod 2022 asked that “a Conflict of Interest Policy for delegates to

synod” be adapted from the COD’s recently adopted Conflict of In-

terest Policy (Acts of Synod 2022, p. 931).

2. Much of the COD’s Conflict of Interest Policy addresses the role of

each COD delegate as a member of a legal corporation of the

CRCNA (Canada or U.S.) and of ReFrame (Canada or U.S.), whereas

synodical delegates do not have the same interest in these legal cor-

porations. Moreover, in distinction from COD delegates, synodical

delegates are required to be members of a council (which is also a le-

gal board) and are also sometimes members of the legal boards of

their classes—and these situations create a confluence of interests

aligned with our doctrine of the church as the one body of Christ.

These findings have shown that the potential conflicts of interest for

synodical delegates and COD delegates are considerably different

and that a simple adaptation of the COD Conflict of Interest Policy is

not possible.

3. Considering that a simple adaptation is not possible, we believe this

matter should return to synod for reassessment.

4. While we have not previously had a synodical conflict of interest

policy, we recognize that the work of outside advocacy organiza-

tions in which synodical delegates might be involved may warrant a

task force review on the advisability of such a policy.

N. That synod approve the work of the COD regarding the interim appoint-

ment of Sally Larsen as the Classis Chicago South delegate. Her term ends

June 30, 2024, and she decided not to pursue a second term (IV, B, 1).

O. That synod by way of the ballot appoint Phil Apoll (Ontario Southwest),

William Krahnke (Lake Superior), and Ronald VanAuken (Quinte), each

previously appointed as an interim COD classical delegate, to a modified

first term, eligible for reappointment to a second three-year term (IV, B, 1).

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Council of Delegates Report 59

P. That synod thank COD members who are retiring from or concluding

service on the Council of Delegates for their faithful service and significant

contributions to the denomination (IV, B, 2).

Q. That synod by way of the ballot elect new members to the COD from the

nominations presented to a first term of three years and reappoint members

to a second term (IV, B, 2).

R. That synod approve the work of the COD in securing Redeemer Univer-

sity in Ancaster, Ontario, as the location for Synod 2025 (IV, C, 2, a).

Grounds:

1. Due to a construction project, Dordt University is no longer able to

host Synod 2025, as approved by Synod 2022 (Acts of Synod 2022,

p. 940).

2. Planning and contracts with the venue needed to begin immediately

to ensure a successful synod in 2025, and this change of plans

aligned with the COD’s mandate to make decisions that cannot

await action by the next synod.

3. This change aligns with the request of First CRC in Chatham, On-

tario, to be the convening church of Synod 2025 in anticipation of cel-

ebrating 100 years of the Christian Reformed Church in Ontario.

S. That synod accept the invitation of First CRC in Chatham, Ontario, to

serve as the convening church of Synod 2025, to be held in Ancaster, On-

tario, on the campus of Redeemer University (IV, C, 2, a).

Ground:

First CRC of Chatham will celebrate 100 years in 2026. This marks not

only 100 years for First CRC but also 100 years of the Christian Re-

formed Church in Ontario.

One hundred years ago Classis Grand Rapids East and Oakdale Park

CRC took an interest in a small group of immigrants in Chatham and

provided them with financial and spiritual support. First CRC was es-

tablished in 1926. In the late 1940s and early 1950s First CRC sent repre-

sentatives to Halifax, Nova Scotia, to greet new Dutch immigrants and

help them find work and land.

Since then CRC members, many of whom spent time at First CRC in

Chatham or had relatives who did, established Christian Reformed

churches and Christian schools throughout Ontario.

We would like to celebrate not only our 100-year anniversary but also

100 years of God's faithfulness to the CRC and its members in Ontario.

60 Council of Delegates Report AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

T. That synod approve Calvin University as the location for Synod 2026 (IV,

C, 2, b).

Grounds:

1. Calvin University and Calvin Theological Seminary started as one

school in 1876. They have asked to host synod as a way to cap off

their joint celebration of 150 years.

2. This request aligns with the decision of Synod 2019 to have no more

than one in four synods outside of Grand Rapids, Michigan.

3. The estimated savings of having Synod 2026 meet at Calvin Univer-

sity would exceed $150,000.

U. That synod approve Jack Beeksma (Region 1) and Adam Ramirez (Re-

gion 5 at-large) as board members to the Calvin University Board of Trus-

tees, previously approved by the COD as interim members, each for a first

term ending June 30, 2026, eligible for a second three-year term (IV, C, 4).

V. That synod approve the interim appointments made by the COD for syn-

odical deputies and alternate synodical deputies (IV, C, 5).

W. That synod update the Rules for Synodical Procedure, section V, B, 10

(“Supplementary Reports”), to include Thrive among the agencies report-

ing to synod through the COD (additions in underline, deletions in

strikethrough) (IV, C, 8).

The Council of Delegates of the CRCNA, including reports by ReFrame

Ministries, and Resonate Global Mission, and Thrive; the Board of Trus-

tees of Calvin Theological Seminary; the Board of Trustees of Calvin

University; the Board of World Renew; the Ecumenical and Interfaith

Relations Committee; the Historical Committee; and the Candidacy

Committee are permitted to file a supplementary report after March 15.

These boards and standing committees are expected to incorporate as

much of their materials as possible in the printed Agenda, and matters

for the supplementary reports must be kept to a minimum.

X. That synod approve all requests for special offerings for the agencies,

ministries, and educational institutions of the CRC that are contained

within the reports to Synod 2024 (IV, E, 1).

Y. That synod receive as information the condensed financial statements of

the agencies and educational institutions (IV, E, 5; Appendix I).

Council of Delegates of the

Christian Reformed Church in North America

Michael L. Ten Haken, chair

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Council of Delegates Report 61

APPENDIX A

Conversational Gatherings 2024-2025:

An Overview for the Council of Delegates

Since the mid-1990s, the CRCNA has experienced a steady decline in mem-

bership. Cultural divisions, demographic challenges, struggles with evan-

gelism and church planting, and differing views on women in ministry

have all played a role. Political polarization, the COVID-19 pandemic, eco-

nomic uncertainty, and debates around human sexuality are the most re-

cent issues affecting us and our ability to engage mission locally and glob-

ally.

Our churches are feeling the impacts of this reality. In fact, they sent a re-

quest to Synod 2023 asking for help to “arrest and reverse the trend of de-

cline and bring about . . . membership growth” (Agenda for Synod 2023,

p. 392). Yet we know there are significant pockets of renewal and growth in

our churches even in the midst of such challenges. As staff and leaders of

the CRCNA, we would like to develop a replicable, grassroots, storytelling

process to help our churches learn from one another how to move faithfully

into the future. We need your help.

Our plan is to convene ten regional gatherings with lay and ordained lead-

ers throughout the United States and Canada. Each two-day event will in-

clude prayer, worship, fellowship, storytelling, and facilitated dialogue. The

goal will be to facilitate a process of discovery for congregations and lead-

ers, revealing to them and us how God is already at work renewing the

church. As we build a culture of narrative testimony, we anticipate that

churches and classes will develop a receptive, open, and hopeful imagina-

tion based on the existing work of God in our midst.

Throughout these events, we will be identifying what is happening on the

leading edge of missional ministry, how God is renewing his church, and

what our role in that work should be. We will be watching for barriers to

renewal that our churches are experiencing, and we will be seeking to dis-

cover how to overcome those barriers. This project will leverage the

CRCNA’s regional strategy and strengthen our corporate discernment prac-

tices so that together we can evaluate, clarify, and align the churches of the

CRCNA with God’s ongoing missional purposes.

But, most importantly, churches will listen to and learn from each other.

Each participant who attends an event will be inspired by others to create

an action plan that they can take back to their local congregation. In addi-

tion, data from the gatherings will be collected and reviewed for themes of

renewal. The discoveries from this initiative will be integrated to inform the

development of an adaptable renewal strategy for congregations as re-

quested by synod. It is our hope that having representatives participate in

62 Council of Delegates Report AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

these gatherings will help congregations and classes develop interest and

buy-in for the synodical plan or pathway.

A donor has come forward with a substantial gift to get us started. How-

ever, we are approaching other donors, including foundations and endow-

ments, to cover the remaining costs. Our hope is to hold these events at no

cost to individual participants and without diverting any funds from minis-

try.

Elaine May (Thrive) has been charged with leading this initiative and is al-

ready at work planning the first event, which we hope to hold in April

2024. She is consulting with leaders from all the CRCNA agencies to ensure

appropriate buy-in and participation. She will also invite representatives

from all six CRCNA geographic regions to the first event to help ensure that

there are “local” people who can discuss their experience and encourage

others to attend.

We need the Council of Delegates’ assistance in promoting this initiative

and identifying people to attend.

Recommendation

In response to Synod 2023’s direction to “work with the Council of Dele-

gates, each agency, and churches and classes to develop a comprehensive

unified strategy and plan to arrest and reverse the trend of decline and

bring about a positive trend of membership growth to our denomination”

(Acts of Synod 2023, p. 976), we ask COD members to do the following:

• promote and encourage full participation in the upcoming classis

gatherings at their classis meetings using materials provided by the

Office of General Secretary

• reach out to all the churches in their classes through an appropriate

medium and inform them using materials provided by the Office of

General Secretary

• have personal conversations with the appropriate classis leaders

about the plans for classis gatherings

• provide assistance as needed in selecting appropriate classis leaders

to participate

• attend the gathering in which their particular classis is taking part

and participate as requested

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Council of Delegates Report 63

APPENDIX B

Church Order Review Task Force Report

Report Outline

I. Introduction

II. Mandate, observations, and background

III. Accountability and supervision

IV. Transitions and release from ministry

V. Concluding observations

VI. Recommendations

Addenda

A. Updates to Church Order Articles 12-13 and Their Supplements

B. Updates to Church Order Articles 8, 14-17, and 42 and Their Sup-

plements

C. Covenant of Joint Supervision for Ministers of the Word and Com-

missioned Pastors Serving in Noncongregational Ministry Positions

D. Separation Agreement Template

E. Guidelines for Pastors and Congregations in Times of Conflict

F. Resources and Forms Related to the Calling, Supervision, and Re-

lease of Ministers

I. Introduction

Over the past several decades, the Christian Reformed Church in North

America has seen an increase in the number of issues and concerns related

to the calling and supervision of ministers of the Word in what are often

called “specialized ministries,” and to the release of ministers from congre-

gations and/or from the denomination as a whole. One of the more com-

mon concerns relates to Article 17 of the Church Order because actions re-

lated to this provision often bear a stigma for pastors and churches. This

concern has caused a number of individuals and churches to suggest

changes to our way of handling these kinds of situations as a denomination.

Some of the concerns and suggested changes are highlighted in Overtures

4, 5, and 6 deferred from 2020 to be addressed by Synod 2022, and in Over-

ture 10 to Synod 2022. These overtures suggest that our churches and clas-

ses would be helped by clearer guidelines and possible changes to Church

Order provisions related to the supervision and release of ministers.

As a result of these discussions, Synod 2022 approved the establishment of

a Church Order Review Task Force (CORTF) (Acts of Synod 2022, p. 849).

Following the parameters of composition and membership delineated by

synod, the task force was formed with the following members: Rev. Laura

64 Council of Delegates Report AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

de Jong, Rev. Chelsey Harmon, Pastor James Jones, Mr. Casey Jen, Rev. Rita

Klein-Geltink (reporter), Rev. John Sideco, Rev. Kathy Smith (ex-officio),

and Rev. Joel Vande Werken (chair). The task force was also assisted by ad-

visors Rev. Dave Den Haan (Thrive) and Rev. Susan LaClear (Candidacy

Committee), and we gratefully acknowledge the administrative assistance

provided by Cassie Beadle and the wisdom of other denominational staff

with whom we consulted.

The mandate of the task force has been as follows:

to conduct a comprehensive review of Church Order Articles 8, 12, 13,

14, 16, and 17 and their Supplements in conversation with Pastor

Church Resources [now called Thrive] and relevant voices, and to

bring an interim report to Synod 2023 through the COD and a final re-

port to Synod 2024.

The task force shall develop suggestions for clearer guidelines to pas-

tors and churches in times of conflict, as well as assistance for positive

pastoral transitions and more effective oversight of individuals in spe-

cialized ministries, including attention to the readmission of pastors

via Article 8.

(Acts of Synod 2022, p. 849)

The task force met on a number of occasions via Zoom (Nov. 7 and Dec. 5,

2022; Feb. 28, Apr. 11, May 23, July 17, Aug. 22, Sept. 25, Oct. 30, Nov. 9,

and Nov. 20, 2023) and conducted one in-person meeting in Grand Rapids,

Michigan (Feb. 1-2, 2023). The task force submitted an interim report

through the COD to Synod 2023 (Agenda for Synod 2023, pp. 72-73). And

here, following regular updates to the Council of Delegates and interactions

with a number of individuals across the CRCNA, the Church Order Review

Task Force presents its full report to Synod 2024.

II. Mandate, observations, and background

A. Initial Observations

The Church Order addresses a wide variety of situations in Articles 12-17.

While it is important for the church to have agreed-upon processes to regu-

late its organization, it is not possible to create a separate set of rules or pro-

cedures to address every situation. In fact, it is expressly not the purpose of

the Christian Reformed Church Order to do so. Dating back to the time of

John Calvin, the purposeful practice within the Reformed tradition has

been to create guidelines grounded in theological commitments that enable

the church to function in a healthy and peaceful way (1 Cor. 14:40) and

which allow for both flexibility and wisdom to be used in any particular sit-

uation.

Because our polity is rooted in a deep commitment to the creeds and con-

fessions, these statements of faith provide the conceptual guidance that al-

lows us to have a relatively “thin” Church Order that does not need to

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Council of Delegates Report 65

anticipate or address every eventuality but provides general guidance, with

the assumption that other denominational resources will be available for

particular situations. As the introduction to the Church Order states, these

articles contain the “collective wisdom of the church” so that this wisdom

might be “passed on from generation to generation.” The task force com-

mitted to carrying out its mandate in the same spirit. Thus we recognize

that the following guidelines may seem too general for some situations, but

we believe this approach is necessary and appropriate within a covenant

community seeking the wisdom of God’s Spirit for their particular situa-

tion. And while we believe that good structures and policies can contribute

to healthy church life, we also humbly recognize the limits of Church Order

to address concerns that may arise. On many occasions as we carried out

our work, we were reminded of the importance of covenant community

and relationship building, and we encourage pastors, councils, classes, and

any others who are involved in the issues addressed in this report to recog-

nize Church Order as no more than a tool—a good tool, but only a tool—

that points us toward deeper and healthier relationships rooted in Christ.

One particular issue the task force was asked to recognize was “the increas-

ing use of Article 17 and its often-perceived stigma” (Acts of Synod 2022,

p. 849). Of all the areas covered in this report, the discussion concerning ap-

propriate application of Article 17 arouses the strongest feelings, because

the article is often applied in situations of conflict and pain for both pastors

and churches. While synod’s mandate primarily addresses the need for ad-

ministrative guidelines and potential updates to the Church Order, the task

force is also keenly aware that behind every situation involving transition

and supervision are real people and real ministry situations. Our goal is to

help churches and pastors find ways to address these situations in commu-

nity rather than in isolation, with a balance of grace and truth that reflects

the ministry of Christ. We also acknowledge that the increased use of Arti-

cle 17 is due in part to a rise in the release of ministers for nonconflict re-

lated reasons, such as the pursuit of further degree studies, family care

leave, spousal job changes, and the disbanding or disaffiliation of congrega-

tions.

1. Organization of this report

As we began our work, we recognized two broad areas of discussion within

our mandate. First, we faced several issues dealing with supervision, ac-

countability, and support for ministers of the Word in noncongregational

settings. These issues roughly corresponded (but were not limited to) mat-

ters addressed in Articles 12-13. Second, we identified a number of issues

related to transitions in ministry, especially when a minister of the Word is

released from a particular call without another call in place, or when a min-

ister resigns from ordained ministry in the denomination as a whole. These

issues roughly corresponded to (but were not limited to) matters addressed

in Articles 14 and 17. This report will largely use these two areas as a

66 Council of Delegates Report AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

framework for organizing the material we reviewed as we carried out

synod’s assignment. For each of these two main sections, we will attempt to

meet four objectives:

• provide background observations and theological reflections

• identify key issues, observations, and concerns arising in today’s

context, with particular attention to those named in the overtures

referred to the task force

• note resources and guidance available within the denomination

• provide recommendations for the improvement of the Church Or-

der and its Supplements, as well as potential action steps by de-

nominational assemblies or staff

We also intend, in this first main section of our report, to offer observations

about the theology of office and ordination that guides our thinking as a de-

nomination. While there are a number of practical and pastoral considera-

tions to keep in mind as we process matters related to a specific call, or to a

release from a specific ministry, it is essential for the work of the church

that we keep in mind the overall goal of advancing the work of God’s king-

dom. Thus we want to ground all of our work, including those matters that

appear more administrative in nature, in the testimony of Scripture and in

the wisdom of theological reflection done within the Reformed tradition

over the years. We hope to return to some of these reflections in the con-

cluding section of our report as well (see section V, B), before providing a

summary of our final recommendations to synod.

2. The limits of our mandate

It is also helpful to recognize the limits of our mandate. First, we note that a

number of issues that could be related to the calling and supervision of

ministers of the Word are not covered in the articles of Church Order as-

signed in our mandate. To begin with, we were not tasked to reconsider the

definition of the “ministry of the Word” (Art. 11). Thus we will assume the

validity and usefulness of that definition. Nor does our mandate cover is-

sues related to bivocationality and the support of bivocational ministers by

their councils (Art. 15). Those topics have already been addressed by the

Study of Bivocationality Task Force (see Agenda for Synod 2023, pp. 285-314;

Acts of Synod 2023, pp. 962-67, 975), and we found that their report provided

helpful observations and insights about the changing nature of ministry to-

day. Our mandate also does not specifically call us to address the supervi-

sion of retired ministers (Art. 18), though we will make some observations

about this task (see section V, A, 2). In addition, with Overture 4 (deferred

from 2020): “Amend Church Order Articles 12, 13, 14, and 17 with Respect

to Supervision and Transition of Ministers,” we observed that many of our

discussions about ministers of the Word could foster similar dialogues

about commissioned pastors, a subject to which we will return in our con-

clusion (see section V, A, 1). Because these matters are outside the scope of

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Council of Delegates Report 67

our mandate, we will explore only in limited detail the applications of our

work in those areas.

3. Terminology

For the sake of simplicity, we will use the terms “pastor” and “minister”

throughout this report as synonyms for “minister of the Word,” the tech-

nical term for the office under discussion in Articles 12-17. We recognize

that these terms could also apply to some persons serving in the office of

commissioned pastor, so we want to clarify at the beginning of this report

that, unless otherwise noted, our observations about officebearers in the

CRCNA are limited to the single office under consideration in Articles 12-

17.

We also tried to determine the best way to describe pastors who are not

serving in a local CRC setting. For many years the CRC described these po-

sitions as “extraordinary” (for example, see Acts of Synod 1971, pp. 55, 643).

More recently, the language of “specialized” ministries has been used (see

Church Order Supplement, Art. 13-b). Neither term, however, is satisfac-

tory in our present context. “Extraordinary” implies there is something un-

usual or unique about a particular calling, but such a term hardly seems ap-

propriate for a rapidly growing number of positions beyond the local

congregation. Additionally, congregations are increasingly creating “spe-

cialized” ministry positions, bringing confusion when the term is only in-

tended to apply to positions outside the local congregation. Thus we have

chosen to identify these roles as “noncongregational,” with the understand-

ing that this term also has limits because it may include calls to congrega-

tions outside the CRC. However, we believe the term is the best one availa-

ble to describe positions outside a local CRC congregation, provided we

bear in mind the term’s application to the on-loan or orderly-exchange pro-

visions as well.

Finally, as Overture 4 observes, the language of Church Order has been

somewhat inconsistent in the way it refers to the nature of calling and su-

pervision, and churches and pastors could benefit from further clarity about

the church polity expectations involved in these related concepts. Again,

there are limits to any terminology we might choose, and some of the con-

fusion about terminology reflects the growing influence of corporate struc-

tures on the organization of the church. However, we also recognize that

there is no single theological term that applies to the specific avenues for

ministerial service covered in Church Order Articles 12-17. Thus, while we

will use a variety of terms in this report—including “role,” “work,” “task,”

and “ministry”—we have opted to recommend changes to the Church Or-

der that use the term “position” consistently to refer to the specific call in

which a pastor is supervised.

68 Council of Delegates Report AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

B. Theological reflection on the nature of office

The present version of the Church Order has its basis in the revisions ap-

proved by synod in 1965, but the principles behind our Church Order date

back much further. We begin with a theological consideration of the nature

of office as a recognition that our Church Order and practice must flow

from our theology, and not the other way around. The Belgic Confession

(Art. 30) teaches that the work of a pastor is to “preach the Word of God

and administer the sacraments.” Together with the elders and deacons, pas-

tors “make up the council of the church” and provide for the faithful minis-

try of the church. The Belgic Confession draws on biblical principles em-

phasizing the need for leaders who “preach the Word” and who “correct,

rebuke, and encourage” the development of sound doctrine and care for

God’s people (2 Tim. 4:2-5; see also Acts 6:4; Matt. 18:18). Traditional forms

used in the CRC for the ordination of ministers of the Word similarly em-

phasize the tasks of preaching, administering the sacraments, prayer, and

shepherding the people of God in the Christian life (see Psalter Hymnal

1987, pp. 992-93, 995-96). These tasks receive a formal summary in Church

Order Article 11, which declares: “The calling of a minister of the Word is to

proclaim, explain, and apply Holy Scripture in order to gather in and equip

the members so that the church of Jesus Christ may be built up.”

The CRC’s understanding of the nature of ecclesiastical office is based to a

significant extent on two synodical study committee reports. Synod 1973 re-

ceived a report titled “Ecclesiastical Office and Ordination,” which looked

at the “nature of ecclesiastical office and the meaning of ordination as

taught in Scripture and as exhibited in the history of the church of Christ”

and considered “the question of the ministerial status of ministers engaged

in extraordinary types of service—like Bible teaching in high schools or ad-

ministrative duties” (Acts of Synod 1973, p. 635; see Acts of Synod 1971, pp.

55, 643). Synod acknowledged that while some individuals are appointed to

special tasks, the offices are to be understood in terms of functionality and

“are primarily characterized by service, rather than by status, dominance,

or privilege. The authority . . . associated with the special ministries is an

authority defined by love and service” (Acts of Synod 1973, p. 715).

Twenty-eight years later, Synod 2001 received the report of the Committee

to Study Ordination and “Official Acts of Ministry” and adopted “guide-

lines for understanding the nature of, and relationships among, the con-

cepts and practices of ordination, the ‘official acts of ministry,’ and church

office” (Acts of Synod 2001, p. 503). Among several recommendations

adopted by Synod 2001 from that report, these two regarding leadership

continue to define our view of office and leadership today:

Leadership is centrally a relationship of trust and responsibility. Lead-

ers are entrusted by Christ, the great shepherd of the sheep, to take

pastoral responsibility for a part of his flock. With this responsibility

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Council of Delegates Report 69

comes the authority of Christ for the purposes to which the leader has

been called. . . .

Leaders must at the same time be recognized and trusted by the peo-

ple of God as those who come with authority and blessings from the

Lord. This dual relationship of leader to Christ and leader to the peo-

ple is what above all defines leadership in the church. Leaders are

those who have both the call of Christ and the call of the people.

(Acts of Synod 2001, pp. 503-4)

These reports offer a helpful summary of the CRC’s understanding of the

nature of ordained ministry, which guides the application of Church Order

to particular situations. And the important emphases on service and leader-

ship continue to shape our denomination’s approach to ordained ministry,

especially to the work of a minister of the Word, to varying degrees in vary-

ing situations in the present context. This theological and pastoral summary

leads to some additional reflections on specific theological issues to which

we will return throughout this report.

1. The nature of a minister’s call

In the Reformed tradition the office of minister of the Word is shaped by

both an internal call—that is, a personal sense of the Spirit’s nudging to-

ward leadership in the church—and an external call, extended by the

church through its assemblies. Thus a call to ministry, and to a specific min-

istry, is not simply a matter for personal discernment but one that also in-

volves congregations, councils, and classes in the deliberative process. Min-

istry has historically been seen as a lifetime vocation that can be given up

only in exceptional circumstances, as reflected in the language of Church

Order that refers to pastors who “forsake the office” (Art. 14-c). Because

ministers of the Word exercise their office on behalf of the wider church, it

is also the office most specifically and extensively regulated by Church Or-

der, both in terms of training and of accountability to the assemblies.

Because a minister’s call is one considered in conjunction with other church

leaders, the church has a special role to play in discerning calls to noncon-

gregational positions. However, the classis and synodical deputies play an

additional role of discerning whether a position outside the local congrega-

tion provides an appropriate avenue for service in ministerial tasks with the

endorsement of the church. Some positions are considered to be preap-

proved for ministers of the Word, such as missions, chaplaincy, specialized

transitional ministry, and synodical appointments or appointments ratified

by synod (Art. 12-b). Other positions must be approved by classis with the

concurrence of the synodical deputies as work that is “consistent with the

calling of a minister of the Word” (Art. 12-c). In all calls, whether to congre-

gational or noncongregational positions, the classis plays a role through its

designated counselor (Art. 9).

70 Council of Delegates Report AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

Collective discernment is also required as ministers transition out of a par-

ticular call. The relationship between church and pastor is different from

the relationship between a typical employer and employee. The CRC holds

that pastors are not simply hired but that God is acting through the call of

the congregation to bring a pastor into a specific place of ministry. This un-

derstanding is reflected in the questions asked of a pastor at an ordination

or installation service. Thus ministers may not leave an existing call without

the consent of the council that issued the particular call (Art. 14-a). Further,

CRC polity also prevents a congregation from dismissing a pastor simply

because they no longer appreciate his or her ministry. The calling process

and polity assume that both a community left behind and a community be-

ing entered should take part in the discernment process concerning a pas-

tor’s ministry. In addition, the wider church participates in this discernment

through the involvement of classis functionaries or, on specific occasions,

synodical deputies.

2. Ordination clings to a role in the church

CRC theology and practice tie ordination to an office, not an individual.

Not only are the church assemblies involved in discerning a general calling

into ministry, but also each ordained pastor requires a valid call from a

church council in order to maintain standing as a minister of the Word in

the CRC. This means that both pastors and councils must take the calling

process seriously enough to see it as more than just a decision to “hire” or

“fire” a church employee, or to “accept a position” with a particular em-

ployer. A pastor is not a “free agent” who can decide on the basis of per-

sonal preference where and when to serve in ministry. Thus Church Order

insists that only those “officially called and ordained” may exercise office

(Art. 3-b) and requires the consent of a council even when a pastor leaves a

particular congregation (Art. 14-a). These requirements reflect Scripture’s

warning about persons who seek to represent the church on their own per-

sonal authority (see Rom. 16:17-18; 2 John 10-11).

Further, though the ministry of the Word has traditionally been seen as a

lifetime vocation, the CRC has never considered lifetime ordination as an

automatic privilege (although this principle comes to expression in different

ways for a minister of the Word than for the other offices). Synod 1973, as it

considered a significant study on the nature of ecclesiastical office and ordi-

nation, observed that ordination recognizes a minister’s calling to a particu-

lar task—namely, that of preaching the Word and administering the sacra-

ments in a certain setting. Thus ordination confers not a special status on an

individual but rather the fact of their being set apart for a particular minis-

try that is strategic for the accomplishment of the church’s total ministry

(Acts of Synod 1973, pp. 62-64). It should be noted that the CRC is somewhat

different in this regard from other denominations, including many Presby-

terian polities, in which the offices of pastor and elder are understood to

have lifetime tenure. Though most ministers of the Word are called for

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Council of Delegates Report 71

indefinite terms, unlike the specific terms typically used with elders and

deacons—ministerial term calls are also sometimes used (Supplement, Art.

8, C). The principle of limited tenure comes to expression in our polity for

ministers of the Word in that ministers are ordained for a certain role and re-

tain their ordination only as long as they serve in a position which is “min-

isterial” in nature, consistent with this role.

3. The supervision of ministers of the Word

Because the ministry of the Word is a labor in and for the church, pastors

exercise their office in close coordination with elders and deacons, who pro-

vide supervision and accountability as well as support and encouragement

to those in the pastoral office. In distinction from other Reformed and Pres-

byterian polities, pastors in the CRCNA are supervised directly by a council

rather than by a major assembly. This is true not only of pastors called to

serve directly in a local congregation but also of those called to noncongre-

gational service such as chaplains, professors of theology, ministers en-

gaged in denominational work, or those serving in the growing number of

other such noncongregational positions (as is clear by comparing Art. 13-a

and 13-b). This local oversight of pastors places a significant responsibility

on elders and deacons to understand their role in providing supervision

and support as it relates to ministerial work, and this is evident in such re-

sponsibilities as the requirement of a council’s approval for release from a

call (Art. 14-a; 17-a).

Synod 1978 dealt in some detail with the issue of the “ordinary” and “ex-

traordinary” tasks of ministers of the Word (see Acts of Synod 1978, pp. 474-

83). Among the key observations made to that synod was the principle that

a minister of the Word is set apart by and for the church, for official tasks

assigned by God to the church. While recognizing the challenge of super-

vising the work of noncongregational ministers at times, the study commit-

tee reminded synod of the importance of ecclesiastical oversight for all who

represent the official ministry of the church (Acts of Synod 1978, pp. 477-78).

This reminder is perhaps even more important today, as the church has

come to accept an increasing diversity of positions in which an individual

may retain official standing as a representative of the institutional church.

This reality affects both those ministers who serve in noncongregational po-

sitions (Art. 12-13) as well as those who are between calls because of a re-

lease from active ministry service in a congregation or other institution (Art.

17-a).

C. New cultural realities and shifts in thinking about ministerial office

Along with an increasing diversity of ministry positions in the church, there

have been many other changes in the church and in wider culture since the

substantial revisions to Church Order were adopted in 1965. Some of these

changes are cultural; others are specific to the life of the church or of the

Christian Reformed denomination. These changes have naturally shaped

72 Council of Delegates Report AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

the way the church views office and ordination in our present context, as

noted particularly in Overture 5 (deferred from 2020): “Appoint a Study

Committee to Review Church Order Articles 12-17.” We highlight several

of these changes here:

1. Growing use of “business” language and expectations in church leader-

ship

One of the most notable shifts is the application of business principles to the

life of the church. This is evident in churches using the language of “hiring”

or “firing” a pastor rather than “calling” an individual to serve and “releas-

ing” an individual from his or her call. It is seen in pastors who go about a

“job search” without consulting their fellow officebearers, and in “pastor

job descriptions” that resemble the job descriptions of corporate officers. A

business model often emerges from a kind of pragmatism or desire for effi-

ciency on the part of both churches and pastors, and from a loss of appreci-

ation for the spiritual nature of ecclesiastical office or a respect for the indi-

vidual holding office in the church. While pragmatism and efficiency have

their place, such priorities can obscure the role of God in the life of his peo-

ple and thus diminish the significance of the calling to a “ministry of the

Word,” and to the sometimes difficult work of laboring together as wit-

nesses to the grace of Jesus Christ. It may also result in unrealistic or unsus-

tainable expectations from congregations, eventually resulting in conflict

between pastors and churches. While there is much the church can learn

from a variety of sources, including the business world, it is important to

hold to a biblically and theologically informed view of the church and of or-

dained ministry when in the process of calling and supervising ministers of

the Word. The church is a spiritual reality shaped by different principles,

driven by different goals, and assessed according to different measure-

ments. In a business model “hiring” and “firing” are pragmatic responses

to a perception about how ministry is going and may not allow room to see

how God’s Spirit may be at work in prophetic ways that challenge the un-

derstanding we have of ourselves as individuals and as church communi-

ties.

2. Significant differentiation of ministry positions within and beyond the lo-

cal congregation

As in many occupations, ministry has seen increasing specialization in the

past several decades. Whereas it was common for churches to have only a

solo pastor, it is now becoming common for churches to be served by sev-

eral individuals who may each bear a title such as “Pastor of _______.” The

number of noncongregational ministry positions is also expanding, with

pastors serving in denominational positions, as faculty in higher-education

institutions, and with other ministry organizations. This requires the church

to reframe its thinking about the specific tasks of ministers even as it contin-

ues to reflect on what lies at the center of those tasks. Individuals who serve

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Council of Delegates Report 73

in ministry both hold an “office” (an ecclesiastical designation) and a “posi-

tion” (an organizational designation).

3. Diminished longevity in any occupation or career

In today’s job environment, adults will typically change jobs a number of

times in their lifetime. This reality is also reflected in the church. While once

it could be assumed that ordained ministry was a call to dedicate one’s life

and full-time labor to the work of the institutional church, that is no longer

the case. Further, life circumstances such as a spouse’s career opportunities,

a desire for further education, or the need to care for children or elderly

parents can affect one’s sense of continued calling to the traditional tasks of

ordained ministry in ways not envisioned several decades ago. And as the

Study of Bivocationality Task Force noted, the ministerial calling is increas-

ingly seen as one that can be fulfilled in combination with other occupa-

tions which may or may not be related to positions traditionally seen as

pastoral (see Agenda for Synod 2023, pp. 294-96). Yet despite the growing

number of reasons for leaving a particular congregation or ordained minis-

try altogether, there remains a certain stigma attached to such a departure.

Our single process for separation from a specific call means that the suspi-

cion of conflict may attach to pastors who leave any ministry role, even if

conflict played no part in the decisions. We will explore this reality in more

detail in section IV, B, 4, below.

4. Increased concern over ministerial “fit”

Just as pastoral ministry is becoming increasingly specialized, congrega-

tions are sensing a uniqueness in their own calling, such that pastoral calls

must include increasing awareness of the particular local needs of a congre-

gation. As individual CRC congregations increasingly see themselves as

having a unique culture and set of expectations, they become more particu-

lar about their minister’s alignment with the congregation’s values. Pastor

search processes take longer, and fewer opportunities exist for pastors to

move to a congregation that will offer a better fit. In addition, pastors, who

have become more particular themselves, are less likely to accept new calls.

This situation can create a sense of impatience at times on the part of a con-

gregation, a pastor, or both, when there is a sense of misalignment between

them.

5. Anxiety from increased pace of change

The speed with which the surrounding culture moves has created in many

churches a reactionary impulse to move just as quickly, diminishing the ca-

pacity to bear with one another and look prayerfully for the leading of the

Holy Spirit. Churches in North America face a season of declining member-

ship, and congregations sometimes believe that a change in pastoral leader-

ship may be the needed catalyst for renewal or growth.

74 Council of Delegates Report AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

6. Decreased awareness of or appreciation for church procedures

As Overture 5 notes, “Church leadership is often undertrained in Church

Order which, in times of conflict or dissatisfaction with the pastor, can re-

sult in (1) failure to use the tools Church Order provides, such as church

visitors and/or the wisdom of classis and other classical functionaries, and

(2) deferring instead to Pastor Church Resources [now Thrive] for a quick

solution.” Sometimes assemblies and pastors opt for pragmatic solutions,

perhaps in an effort to avoid conflict or avoid the awkwardness or formality

prescribed by Church Order. Unfortunately, as was emphasized to our task

force on several occasions by classis leaders and denominational staff,

sometimes the “shortcuts”—which seem convenient at the time—result in

more work later on as informal solutions lead to uncertainties about what

was actually decided, or how to implement agreements concluded upon as-

sumptions rather than clear decisions. As one denominational staff member

observed, “In a world full of devices and apps, we need to resist the temp-

tation to find quick fixes that allow us to bypass the hard work of discern-

ment and discipleship that’s done as we seek the Spirit’s guidance in messy

community.” It is important to recognize that Church Order, similarly, can-

not provide a “quick fix.” Rather, it offers a framework for doing the kind

of discernment and discipleship necessary to identify ways in which God’s

Spirit may be working in a particular situation.

7. Increasing ethnic and cultural diversity within the denomination

CRC theology and ecclesiology are heavily shaped by Reformed thinking

that has emerged from a Dutch-American and Dutch-Canadian context.

Nevertheless, our community of faith is not identical to that of the genera-

tions before us. All facets of our church life and identity have changed and

are changing, from theological understanding, biblical interpretation, and

mandates in Church Order, to cultural and societal values that call us to

faithful witness in the world. Some find that the CRC they know from the

past is not the CRC they are experiencing in the present. Likewise, we have

become more diverse as God has enfolded people from various ethnic and

cultural backgrounds, and congregations in new geographic regions, into

the Christian Reformed Church. Such diversity, from the past to the present

and across ethnic and cultural contexts, results in diversity of thought and

practice, and all of this changes the cultural context for CRC congregations

as well as for the denomination as a whole.

Beyond the simplistic generalization of Western individual rights versus

Eastern communal responsibilities, within various cultures there are differ-

ent emphases on law and guilt versus interpersonal relationships, demo-

cratic egalitarianism versus hierarchical structures, and leaders’ authority

versus servanthood, to name but a few. With this in mind, we want to note

that the application of the Church Order should take cultural context into

consideration, and the processes should be held loosely in any particular

situation rather than tightly across all situations. Our structures of

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Council of Delegates Report 75

accountability are important, but these should not be reduced to the con-

fines of paperwork and reports. As followers of Christ, we commit to live

out an accountability that is marked by a posture of “one another” and the

productive stewardship of relationships. The values articulated in the 1996

synodical report that is now published as God’s Diverse and Unified Family

(see crcna.org/sites/default/files/diversefamily.pdf; Acts of Synod 1996, pp.

510-515, 595-619) provide a helpful framework for living out this call in the

application of Church Order to an increasingly diverse number of situations

in the CRC today.

Conclusion

We want to emphasize that a number of these shifting realities are not, in

and of themselves, either good or bad. They are simply changes that we

need to be aware of because they affect our understanding about the rela-

tionship between Christ’s church and the world today and thus also affect

the way we think about the nature of ministry and leadership in and for the

church. In the next two sections of this report we will identify some of the

ways these cultural changes may call us to rethink the practical workings of

Church Order in relation to the supervision of ministers and releases from

calls. Again, our desire in this process is not simply to create different pro-

cedures but to recognize these procedures as tools to help pastors, churches,

and assemblies feel a deep sense of connection and belonging as we collec-

tively discern how to serve faithfully in the CRC.

D. Methodology

As our task force began its work, we spent a significant amount of time re-

viewing classis and denominational records in order to understand the cur-

rent landscape of ministry in the CRCNA as it relates to matters addressed

in Articles 12-17. In addition, the task force requested feedback from the

stated clerks through an online survey and through an in-person discussion

at the stated clerks’ conference in January 2023. Hearing stories was a neces-

sary part of our process; we solicited these through our networks. Direct

feedback and stories came from individuals via emails, conversations, de-

nominational representatives, and classis contacts.

Because the topics covered in this report affect specific groups of individu-

als, the task force also consulted with denominational leaders with experi-

ence in the areas of chaplaincy (Tim Rietkerk) and diversity (Reginald

Smith). We corresponded with the leadership of Resonate Global Mission

with regard to its understanding about how calls to missions should be pro-

cessed, with ethnic ministry leaders from various non-Anglo communities

across the CRC, with denominational Human Resources personnel in both

the U.S. and Canada regarding employment best practices, and with the

Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations Committee concerning implications of

changes proposed to the present Church Order Article 13-c. We gratefully

76 Council of Delegates Report AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

acknowledge the contributions they have made to this report, as well as the

input of all who shared stories of ministry from which we could learn.

Finally, the task force looked at a significant amount of data from classis

minutes, from the CRCNA Yearbook, and from the Acts of Synod to help us

understand trends related to noncongregational ministries and the fre-

quency with which classes address specific requests related to Articles 12-17

of the Church Order. Relevant findings will be reported at appropriate

points as they affect the recommendations presented later in this report.

The task force is thankful for the work of the Yearbook staff and other de-

nominational employees for their assistance in collecting the data relevant

to our discussions.

III. Accountability and supervision

A. Background and theological observations

As noted in the introduction, one key area of our task force’s mandate in-

volves the calling, supervision, and support of pastors serving in settings

outside a local CRC congregation. Within this area of focus, we will first ex-

plore the subject of calling (Art. 12) and then move on to issues of accounta-

bility and support (Art. 13).

The CRC’s understanding of all ministry is rooted in the perspective de-

scribed in section II of this report: ordained ministry recognizes both the

call to serve the risen Lord and the responsibility to represent that risen

Lord in a position of trust and authority. Since the time of the Synod of Dort

(1618-1619), Reformed churches have recognized a legitimate place for min-

istry in settings other than the local congregation. However, the CRC has al-

ways experienced a certain tension about such positions, as it has sought to

discern which positions should be deemed “ministerial” and how to apply

such discernment to changing cultural situations.

The historic tension in the CRC over what has been called “extraordinary”

ministry is evident in past reports to synod (see Agenda for Synod 1930,

pp. 30-49; Acts of Synod 1950, pp. 322-43; Acts of Synod 1961, pp. 233-52; Acts

of Synod 1978, pp. 474-83). These reports provide helpful background for

our present work and thinking on these matters.

1. Calling ministers to serve in noncongregational settings (Art. 12)

a. The nature of ordained ministry

Church Order Article 12 addresses the specific tasks and callings of a

minister of the Word. Article 12-a describes the tasks of a minister in a

CRC congregation, which has historically been the work of most CRC

ministers: to “preach the Word, administer the sacraments, conduct pub-

lic worship services, catechize the youth,” and other similar responsibili-

ties. Exceptions were granted for ministers serving in the work of mis-

sions, in denominational leadership, or in chaplaincy positions deemed

clearly “ecclesiastical”—generally these positions were, by definition,

“extraordinary” and their ministerial character was undefined. As a

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Council of Delegates Report 77

result, synod heard recurrent concerns about the consistency of the

standards applied to determine what work was, indeed, genuinely “min-

isterial” (see Acts of Synod 1950, p. 324; Acts of Synod 1961, p. 56).

When it adopted the present reading of Articles 11-12, Synod 1978 help-

fully observed that the CRC recognizes only one class of ministers. What

distinguishes pastors of congregations from other ministers is not their

call to minister the Word but rather the setting (either the local congrega-

tion, or some other setting) and the specific tasks (either general congrega-

tional ministry, or some “specialized” work applying the message of the

Word to the world). Synod 1978 therefore abandoned the traditional lan-

guage requiring that positions outside the local CRC congregation be

“spiritual in character and directly related to the ministerial calling,” and

concentrated instead on attempting to ensure that “each approved minis-

try position will be in fact a meaningful and appropriate expression of

the essential nature (purpose and primary task) of the ministry of the

Word” (Acts of Synod 1978, p. 479). This shift in language provides a

helpful starting point for our own current reflections on ways to connect

ministry outside the local congregation to the work of the wider church.

One recurrent emphasis in the discussions of synod has been the expec-

tation that fields of labor beyond the local church still require a formal

call from and accountability to “the church as an organization” through a

local consistory [now council] (Acts of Synod 1978, pp. 477-78; cf. Acts of

Synod 1950, p. 61; Acts of Synod 1961, p. 58). We note that this is different

from the practice in other Reformed and Presbyterian denominations,

which place the supervision of pastors at the classis level. Because this is-

sue needs further definition, we will return to it below (see section

III, C, 1).

b. Two categories of “extraordinary” positions

Synod has been hesitant to identify all of the specific types of positions in

which a pastor may serve beyond the local congregation in an ordained

capacity, preferring to leave such decisions to the classis. There are, how-

ever, some positions that synod has granted blanket endorsement. As

such, synod has developed two basic categories of noncongregational

service: those which have prior synodical endorsement (Art. 12-b), and

those which require the classis to judge the merits of the position’s con-

nection to ordained ministry (Art. 12-c). This distinction first originated

in 1947, when synod approved the position of radio minister as being

ministerial and subsequently determined that its ruling applied retroac-

tively to other synodically appointed positions and to missionaries; later,

chaplains and specialized transitional ministers were also added (Acts of

Synod 1947, pp. 21, 59-60, 71; see also Acts of Synod 1961, pp. 249-53 and

section III, B, 7 below). All other positions are covered in Article 12-c and

require a specific declaration from the classis, with the concurrence of

synodical deputies, that the position being filled “is consistent with the

78 Council of Delegates Report AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

calling of a minister of the Word '' and is in keeping with other synodical

requirements.

c. Limitations on approval of ministry positions outside a congregation

Ordained ministry must be focused on the Word and sacraments (Art.

11); as an earlier synodical report puts it, such ministry has a focus on the

“welfare of the church” rather than on the welfare of another institution

(Acts of Synod 1961, p. 248; cf. Acts of Synod 1978, p. 477). At the same

time, the growth of bivocational (or multivocational) ministry makes

clear that ordination as a minister of the Word does not require that a

pastor be focused only on the welfare of the church or on the Word and

sacraments. But this understanding does provide at least a helpful start-

ing point for evaluating a new request for a “noncongregational” posi-

tion. It is further worth noting that Article 12-c expects that a vacancy in

such a position will lead to a review by classis and the synodical depu-

ties before another call to that position is issued (current Supplement,

Art. 12-c, a, 4).

d. Ministers serving on loan

The current Article 13-c was added to the Church Order in 1976. The

study committee reporting to that synod (see Acts of Synod 1976, pp. 32-

34, 497-517) noted that while there is overlap among ministers serving on

loan to non-CRC congregations and ministers serving the CRC in non-

congregational positions, the question for those on loan is consistency

with the work of a CRC minister rather than consistency with the work

of a minister in general. We would note that this category of pastors

serving on loan is also similar to, but distinct from, that governed by pro-

visions for the “Orderly Exchange of Ordained Ministers,” which allows

CRC pastors to receive calls to RCA congregations (cf. Supplement,

Art. 8, D).

Synod agreed that such loans to other denominations could be consistent

with CRC ministry, but with the stipulation that these provisions are

temporary and serve the cause of a Reformed witness in the context of the

non-CRC congregation (Acts of Synod 1976, pp. 510-11). Put simply, the

CRC did not intend to train and ordain ministers or to supervise pastors’

work in positions in other denominations, and synod thus attempted to

put specific criteria in place to ensure that the loaning of pastors to

churches outside the CRC did not become a general practice. The chal-

lenges of enforcing this latter provision is a subject to which we will re-

turn below (see section III, C, 4).

Summary

The issues noted here indicate the basic understandings of the nature of

called ministry positions in the CRC. While the nature of ecclesiastical office

involves service to the Lord, ordination also confers a representative func-

tion on those who serve in ecclesiastical offices. Ministers of the Word

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Council of Delegates Report 79

visibly represent and speak for the institutional church. Thus ordination re-

quires some kind of significant connection to the gospel witness of the wider

denomination. This reality will affect the way councils and classes discern

whether a particular position fits our denominational understanding of the

ministry of the Word, and will affect the nature of supervision for such po-

sitions.

2. The nature of supervision (Art. 13)

Ministers of the Word are required to submit themselves to continuing su-

pervision as they carry out their work. As observed in section II of this re-

port, ordained servants in the church are not simply “free agents” but rep-

resentatives of the church whose position therefore requires them to be in

contact with other church leaders who can encourage, support, and super-

vise them in their service to the Lord. Article 13 identifies some key princi-

ples that guide the outworking of this supervision:

a. Accountable to the local council

One key element of the CRC view of ministers in noncongregational po-

sitions is the recognition that they remain under the supervision of the

local council. Article 13-a summarizes the supervisory arrangements of

pastors in congregational settings by noting that such pastors are “di-

rectly accountable to the calling church, and therefore shall be super-

vised in life, doctrine, and duties by that church.” With the exception of

supervising duties, this summarizes the CRC’s view of all noncongrega-

tional pastors as well: each minister of the Word is accountable to, and

supervised by, the council of the local church, which has “primary re-

sponsibility” for overseeing the minister’s doctrine and life (Art. 13-b).

b. For the ministry of the Word

Recalling that Article 11 governs this whole section of the Church Order,

we could say that the council is regularly to consider how a pastor’s

work of proclaiming, explaining, and applying Holy Scripture fulfills the

ministerial calling to “gather in and equip the members so that the

church of Jesus Christ may be built up.” As we have noted before, the

ministry of the Word is central to the calling of this office: while all Chris-

tians are to be people of the Word, there is a particular responsibility of

ministers to live and work in a way that allows the Word of God to be

displayed at the center of their vocation.

c. Joint supervision

The current Articles 13-b and 13-c address the situation of pastors whose

position is not in a local CRC congregation and is therefore subject to the

authority of more than one body. The supervising organization may be a

denominational agency, an educational institution, a hospital, the mili-

tary, a corporation, or another congregation. In all of these cases, Church

Order and synodical regulations distinguish between supervision of life

and doctrine, which remains with a local CRC council, and supervision

80 Council of Delegates Report AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

of duties, which is exercised by the “partner(s) in supervision” (see Sup-

plement, Art. 13-b). This distinction means that ecclesiastical discipline

remains the responsibility of the council. While the current Church Or-

der Supplement only notes this disciplinary responsibility in the section

of the Supplement describing the joint supervision of pastors on loan to

other denominations (Supplement, Art. 13-c, f), the principle is implied

in all joint-supervision arrangements.

d. Continued adherence to CRC doctrine and polity

We list this consideration separately in order to call particular attention

to it. Though this expectation is currently only spelled out in regard to

ministers serving on loan (Supplement, Art. 13-c, c), the CRC clearly ex-

pects all its officebearers to adhere to the doctrine and polity commit-

ments of the denomination as indicated by their commitment to the Cov-

enant for Officebearers (Art. 5). Missionaries, chaplains, and other CRC

ministers who serve outside a local CRC congregation are no less bound

to these commitments than are congregational pastors or those serving

on loan.

e. “Proper support”

The CRC expects that councils shall attend to the “proper support” of the

work of ministers of the Word (Art. 15). While this is not, strictly speak-

ing, a matter of accountability, it is a matter that speaks to the relation-

ship between the pastor and the council of the calling church. Again,

these issues are not covered directly by the Church Order but are im-

plied in portions of the Supplement that address participation in the

Christian Reformed Church ministers’ pension plan and other benefits

(e.g., see Supplement, Art. 13-c, g; and Supplement, Art. 15). In the past,

synod has recognized that salary and benefits support for ordained

clergy are the primary responsibility of the employing organization (Acts

of Synod 1969, p. 48; Acts of Synod 2004, pp. 622-23; Acts of Synod 2005, pp.

742-43). Thus the calling church’s main duty in the matter of “proper

support” is to work with the ministers it calls to ensure that the matters

addressed in Article 15 and its Supplement have been sufficiently ad-

dressed in the calling process (see also Acts of Synod 2023, pp. 963-64).

It should be noted, however, that the support of ministers of the Word is

not just a matter of salary and benefits. For this reason we encourage

congregations to consider ways to support the work of noncongrega-

tional ministers through prayer and other relational support (see section

III, C, 6 below).

Conclusions

Articles 12 and 13 identify a number of important principles for the calling

and supervision of ministers of the Word in the CRC, and in particular in

how the local church is called to support and oversee the work of pastors

not in the direct service of a CRC congregation. However, as we shall see,

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Council of Delegates Report 81

the context in which calling and supervision occur today has continued to

grow in complexity and scope. Thus it is important to note the principles

we have identified above as we consider particular questions that arise in

the present context.

B. Issues and Observations

The cultural realities and changes in thinking about the ministerial office

(mentioned in the opening section of this report) present a number of issues

and questions about the supervision and accountability of pastors.

1. Growth in the number and variety of “other called positions”

In 1950 the vast majority of pastors in the CRC served in a congregational

setting. As the chart below indicates, the number of CRC pastors serving in

“other called positions” increased dramatically between 1950 and 1975, and

that number has continued to grow (though not as significantly, particu-

larly as a percentage) in the years since. This increase appears somewhat

less significant when considering a roughly corresponding decrease in the

percentage of CRC pastors serving in world missions, but the rise still indi-

cates an expansion of the areas in which CRC ministers serve. The CRC has

a significant number of active pastors ordained as chaplains (almost 9%)

and a roughly similar number serving as professors, administrators of

Christian organizations, or ministers on loan to congregations outside the

CRC (about 3% in each of these categories).

1950

1975

2000

2023

Congregational Ministry#

283

580

612

808

Missions^

Other called positions*

147

236

273

Eligible for call but not

serving+

Emeritus

169

368

786

#This number includes church planters whose credentials are held by another church.

^Numbers for 1950 include home missionaries without a set charge.

*This includes chaplains, educators, denominational personnel, and other similar posi-

tions.

+This largely includes those who are eligible for call via Article 17 but not actively serv-

ing in a called ministry position.

(Source: CRC Yearbook for years shown)

When combining the numbers of missionaries and of pastors who have no

call with the number of “other called positions,” the result is that almost a

third of all active (not retired) CRC pastors have their primary responsibil-

ity outside the ministry of a local congregation. (This does not take into ac-

count those serving in such positions as commissioned pastors.) This dra-

matic shift means that some questions that have long accompanied our

understanding of ordained ministry, and how such positions are related to

82 Council of Delegates Report AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

the local church, have now come to the fore in new ways. The sheer number

of “other called positions” also means that local congregations are faced

with both the challenge and the opportunity of determining how best to

provide accountability and encouragement for the significant number of

pastors whose ministry may not be readily visible to the local congregation.

Our task force identified a number of positions for which a significant por-

tion of the responsibilities are supervised outside of a local CRC congrega-

tion, while the official responsibility for doctrine and life remains with the

council:

• Chaplains

— Military, hospital, or workplace chaplains (Art. 12-b)

— Other institutional chaplains (Art. 12-c)

• Pastors serving congregations other than the CRC congregation that

holds their credentials

— Missionaries (Art. 12-b or 12-c)

— Church planters (Art. 38-a)

— Serving churches in the RCA (Art. 8)

— On loan to other denominations (current Art. 13-c)

— Specialized transitional ministers (Art. 12-b)

— Pastors serving two congregations (either within or outside the

CRC)

— Interim pastors (often retired or sometimes between calls, cf. Art. 17

or 18)

• Pastors serving in educational settings

— Theology professors at Calvin Theological Seminary (Art. 12-b)

— Theology professors at other institutions (Art. 12-c)

— Christian school teachers (Art. 12-c)

— University campus ministry leaders (Art. 12-c)

• Pastors working in administrative settings

— Denominational employees (Art. 12-b or 12-c)

— Employees of other nonprofit organizations (Art. 12-c)

• Bivocational pastors (proposed Supplement, Art. 15, Guideline 3)

• Pastors without a current call

— Released from a congregation (Art. 17)

— Term call concluded (Art. 8)

• Retired pastors (Art. 18)

(For a representative list of specific positions approved over the years,

see the Index of Synodical Decisions 1857-2000, pp. 404-10.)

As is evident from this list, many but not all of these positions are regulated

by Articles 12-13 of the Church Order. For some types of positions, the reg-

ulations may be covered by more than one area of Church Order; for others,

wisdom is required to determine how best to address each situation. In

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Council of Delegates Report 83

addition, we observe synod’s existing expectation that church visitors in-

quire annually about the status of all pastors not serving in congregational

ministry, and that appropriate action is taken in cases that do not conform

to synodical regulations (Acts of Synod 1982, p. 72).

2. A “patchwork” of regulations

Because of the growth in noncongregational positions over the past several

decades, the Church Order articles and supplements addressing these situa-

tions have developed in an ad hoc fashion rather than as a coherent ap-

proach to ordained ministry in noncongregational positions. We note the

following gaps and inconsistencies:

• The current Supplement to Article 12-c contains regulations for

“other called positions,” but it is clear that its calling process, in

general, also applies to those positions covered in Article 12-b.

• While most regulations for pastoral responsibilities are addressed

in the current Article 12, some other situations are covered else-

where in the Church Order. Most notably, the calling process for

ministers serving on loan to other denominations is covered in the

current Article 13-c, and calls for CRC pastors serving in the RCA

are covered in the Supplement to Article 8.

• The current Supplement to Article 13-b contains a variety of regula-

tions addressing both the calling process and the supervision of

ministers in a way that focuses especially on service in a CRC

agency or in an institutional chaplaincy. This material could be

more appropriately divided between Article 12 and Article 13 and

their Supplements, and it could be articulated in a way that makes

it more generally applicable to all ministers in noncongregational

service.

• Calls extended via Article 13 and the orderly exchange process in

Supplement, Article 8, D, currently lack specific reference to the

mechanism of a classis counselor who would normally review the

terms of call on behalf of the classis.

• Regulations for participation in the ministers’ pension plan, which

is a matter applicable to the call process for all pastors, is currently

addressed only in the supervisory portions related to ministers

serving on loan (Supplement, Art. 13-c).

In our recommendations concerning Church Order, we have attempted to

standardize the approach to the material in Articles 12-13 so that, as much

as possible, all material related to the calling of pastors appears in Article 12

and its Supplements and so that all material related to supervision appears

in Article 13 and its Supplements. Further, we have tried to express princi-

ples of calling and supervision in ways that make them generally applicable

to as many situations as possible.

84 Council of Delegates Report AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

3. Determining the scope and parameters of an ordained position

Perhaps the most basic question to be considered is what it means for an in-

dividual to serve in ordained ministry. The CRC has long had an unclear

sense of the boundaries of ordained ministry. Almost every study commit-

tee reporting on this topic has called synod’s attention to the challenges of

determining which positions are acceptable expressions of the ministerial

office, and which ones are not. Noting the complexity of determining what

is or is not a ministerial calling, and the “growing elasticity in what consti-

tutes the work of a chaplain,” the advisory committee for Synod 1978 chal-

lenged the classes to “prevent the development of many pseudo-ministerial

positions which may be proposed as being consistent with the calling of a

minister of the Word” (Acts of Synod 1978, pp. 45-46).

As the Church Order indicates, the denomination has determined that cer-

tain kinds of noncongregational positions are, indeed, ministerial and do

not require special permission from a classis before a call is extended (Art.

12-b). This informal list of “approved positions,” which historically in-

cluded educators, missionaries, and chaplains, was expanded in 1978 and

again in 2002 to include appointments made or ratified by synod (Acts of

Synod 1978, pp. 45-48; Acts of Synod 2002, p. 469) and again in 2013 to in-

clude specialized transitional ministers (Acts of Synod 2013, p. 614).

Yet this growing support for nontraditional views of ordained ministry still

leaves unanswered some of the basic questions: Which areas of service

qualify for “ordained ministry of the Word,” and which ones do not? What

lies at the center of all ordained ministry? While Church Order makes clear

that service in a particular congregation is not essential to ordination as a

minister of the Word, it is less clear at what point a noncongregational min-

ister no longer serves to “gather in and equip the members” for the build-

ing up of Christ’s church (cf. Art. 11). We will return to this question in sec-

tion III, C, 1, below.

4. Balancing an individual’s personal sense of call versus ecclesiastical dis-

cernment processes

The Reformed tradition has long emphasized the importance of corporate

discernment in the calling process. But as the landscape of ministry changes

to include an increasing desire for flexibility in career paths, there are a

growing number of occasions in which a person takes what would have

been considered a nonministerial job, but for various reasons wishes to

maintain ordained status as he or she engages in that position. The calling

church must therefore determine if a position fits within the scope of minis-

try as outlined by the Church Order. Such requests for consideration, how-

ever, often come after the person has accepted the position, and there may

be a lack of clarity regarding how that position is consistent with the calling

of a minister of the Word. Situations like that can leave the church in an

awkward position and without a real sense that they have extended a call; it

may seem rather like they are merely rubber-stamping an action that has

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Council of Delegates Report 85

already been taken, and with limited input into or a sense of ownership

over the call being extended. That is unfortunate for both the church and

the individual receiving the call, who then loses the support and encourage-

ment that the calling process is designed to offer.

Church Order Article 14-a also requires that a minister seek the permission

of the calling church before leaving an approved position. As Overture 4

(deferred from 2020) points out, however, ministers can have their position

in an organization terminated or radically changed solely at the discretion

of the organization without prior consultation with either the minister or

the calling church. In any case, whether the change in status is effected uni-

laterally or upon prior consultation, it still renders the minister without a

call to a specific position, prompting the need to redefine the relationship

between the noncongregational minister and the calling church. The some-

times-abrupt nature of such transitions and the inconsistent nature of some

organizations’ communications with the noncongregational ministers’ call-

ing or supervising churches can place churches and classes in an awkward

position. At the same time, we note, councils and classes can still choose not

to succumb to outside pressures to bypass the processes spelled out in the

Church Order, and they can work with individual pastors to discern how

best to provide both support and accountability as they serve in CRC minis-

try.

5. Congregational responsibilities for pastoral calls

In addition, congregations are sometimes hesitant to extend calls for non-

congregational ministry positions due to concerns over financial require-

ments such as housing allowance, pension, or insurance for the pastor be-

ing called. This concern extends perhaps especially to matters of liability—

financial and pastoral—should a ministry position be terminated by an-

other institution, perhaps even while a pastor is serving in a position at a

nonchurch institution. Traditionally, the CRC denomination assumed a

great amount of responsibility for the financial support of its pastors, even

to the point of funding pensions for those employed outside the local

church until just a few decades ago (Acts of Synod 2004, pp. 622-23). As

noted above, synod has indicated that primary responsibility for providing

“proper support” for all pastors who serve outside a local CRC congrega-

tion lies with the employing organization, not with the calling church (see

above, section III, A, 2, e). Nevertheless, these concerns are real. We will at-

tempt to address some of these issues when we return to our recommenda-

tions and resources below (see Section III, C).

6. When to involve synodical deputies

One issue in particular that deserves mention here is the role of the classis

and the synodical deputies in the approval of chaplaincy positions as con-

sistent with the ministry of the Word. Originally the CRC’s Church Order

allowed for ministers to serve “institutions of mercy or otherwise” as long

as they had a valid call from a local congregation (pre-1965 Church Order

86 Council of Delegates Report AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

Art. 6). To this provision synod added the regulation that the classis should

review the “spiritual character” of the specific assignment, a measure to

which the concurrence of synodical deputies was later added (see Acts of

Synod 1950, p. 61; Acts of Synod 1961, p. 138). Further, Synod 1978 specifi-

cally noted that ecclesiastical endorsement of chaplains was not intended to

be a substitute for the process of ecclesiastical discernment about the appro-

priateness of an ordained minister serving in that position (Acts of Synod

1978, p. 46), a position still accepted by the CRC’s chaplain support minis-

tries through Thrive. The subsequent amendment of Article 12-b to include

mention of chaplaincy (see Acts of Synod 2003, p. 687), however, gives the

impression that endorsement as a chaplain is, in fact, a synodically author-

ized endorsement of all such positions for ordained pastors. And while syn-

odical regulations specifically address the issue of chaplaincy, we would

note that the growth in the types of mission positions, as well as the devel-

opment of specialized transitional ministries, means that there is additional

need to clarify the distinction between which of these positions are covered

by Article 12-b and which are addressed by Article 12-c.

7. Joint supervision of pastors in noncongregational ministry positions

As noncongregational ministry positions become increasingly common, so

does the need for joint-supervisory relationships between the calling church

and the hiring organization. Article 13-b states that in such cases, “the coun-

cil of the calling church shall have primary responsibility for supervision of

doctrine and life. The congregations, institutions, or agencies, where appli-

cable, shall have primary responsibility for supervision of duties.” It is

sometimes unclear, however, what the responsibility of each party is to in-

form the other of changes or problems that have arisen in the scope of their

supervision, and by what means this reporting happens. In some settings,

such as military chaplaincy, the employing institution does not feel bound

to ecclesiastical processes before implementing changes that might affect a

pastor’s call from the church. If there is a change in job description or a ter-

mination of a position, the pastor called to that position can suddenly find

they are without the position to which they were ordained, thus making

their ordination status unclear. If the calling church is similarly unaware of

this situation, it can become even more difficult to navigate. This requires

some measure of flexibility from the institutional church as well as pastors.

Synod 2002 considered the overlap between legal and ecclesiastical aspects

of employment for ministers serving as denominational staff. Such pastors

are, in legal terms, “at-will employees” who may be dismissed from em-

ployment due to internal considerations, subject to procedures that protect

against arbitrary or capricious decision making by the employer (Agenda for

Synod 2002, pp. 43-47). As increasing numbers of CRC pastors are employed

by institutions outside the denomination, however, calling churches face a

correspondingly growing number of potential employment scenarios to

navigate as they carry out the responsibilities inherent in the calls they have

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Council of Delegates Report 87

extended. This requires wise consideration as churches develop systems of

joint support and supervision for pastors in noncongregational positions,

and it calls for diligence on the part of churches and pastors to live out the

commitments they have made for support and supervision. This considera-

tion is currently articulated specifically in the Supplement to Article 13-b,

which was put in place by Synod 2002 to ensure that each ministry partner

in supervision would inform the other about any deviations in doctrine,

life, or duties “before any action is taken” that would affect the minister’s

status (see Acts of Synod 2002, pp. 469-70).

8. Geographical considerations

Since oversight of the everyday duties of a minister in a noncongregational

position happens by the hiring organization, the calling church’s supervi-

sion can happen from a greater distance and with less frequent direct re-

porting. Thus it is possible for a minister to be called to a position and have

their credentials held by a church significantly outside any geographic

proximity to where they work, perhaps because of prior affiliation with or

affinity to that congregation. This raises questions regarding membership—

can a person called by one church be a member at another church (includ-

ing one outside the CRC)?—and, in turn, regarding classis engagement and

the importance of local congregations’ knowing who is ministering in their

midst or on their behalf elsewhere. While the Church Order presently ex-

pects that pastors serving on loan to a congregation “in close proximity to a

Christian Reformed congregation of another classis” gain “approval” from

that classis as well as from the classis of his or her own calling church (Sup-

plement, Art. 13-c, d), we note that synod has, in the past, endorsed the

principle of geographic proximity in all noncongregational calls (Acts of

Synod 1961, p. 58; Acts of Synod 1964, p. 58). While notification may feel bur-

densome at times, particularly when classes lie in close geographic proxim-

ity to one another, there is wisdom in synod’s suggestion for respectful

communication when official ministry takes place on behalf of the CRC

within the bounds of another classis.

9. Encouragement, not just regulation

While we believe that the intent behind our Church Order has always been

mutual support and encouragement for those serving the Lord and his

church, the current framework of these portions of Church Order leans

heavily in the direction of regulation and discipline. This is most evident in

the current Supplement to Article 13-b, which leads by focusing on discipli-

nary situations, but even a quick glance at this portion of the Church Order

reveals that encouragement of pastors has not been a stated priority. While

we recognize the necessity of regulation, we believe that both pastors and

churches would be well served to have at least some mention of the im-

portance of mutual encouragement in the Church Order. Holding the min-

isterial credentials for a minister in noncongregational service should be

seen as an opportunity for a congregation, not a burden. This is especially

88 Council of Delegates Report AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

true given the increasing diversity of the CRC. As outlined in the previous

section, processes of supervision and accountability should be seen not

simply as matters of administrative paperwork but as opportunities to

build relationships and to invest in ministry together. Where cultural gaps

exist between a pastor and the calling church, the intentionality required in

such relationships only grows.

C. Resources and guidance

As we work toward our recommendations concerning the calling and su-

pervision of pastors whose position lies outside a local CRC congregation,

we want to highlight some resources to assist councils, classes, and pastors

in applying the principles of Church Order to the context of ministry today.

But, first, we want to address some matters of terminology. There are two

phrases used frequently in Church Order and synodical pronouncements

that would benefit from further definition as we consider accountability

and supervision for ministers in noncongregational positions.

1. “Consistent with the calling of a minister of the Word” (current Art. 12-c)

This phrase is intended to convey a distinction between work that is done

by a representative of the CRC’s ministry, and that which is done as part of

the general office of all believers. As noted above, there is no firm distinc-

tion between a position that is “ministerial” and one that is not. However,

we agree with past synods that it is important to maintain the character of

the ministerial office as one that is more than just an endorsement of one’s

service as a valuable Christian witness but also contributes significantly and

officially to the church’s witness to the Word of God. As Synod 1978 put it,

“The real nature of ministry [is] proclamation under the authority of the

church . . .” (Acts of Synod 1978, p. 45). In keeping with the understanding of

office and ordination outlined in the previous section (II, B), a good work-

ing definition of “consistent with the calling of a minister of the Word”

could be as follows:

Positions “consistent with the calling of a minister of the Word” are

those in which a minister serves to proclaim, explain, and apply Holy

Scripture under the authority of and as a public representative of the

church, in a way that the members of the church may be gathered in and

built up in Christ.

Thus we suggest some key questions to help discern whether a position un-

der consideration is indeed “consistent with the calling of a minister of the

Word,” and particularly with that calling as a CRC minister (which is a key

part of our common ecclesiastical discernment):

a. Does the position involve a significant degree of proclamation of the

Word in preaching, public worship, pastoral care, or other contexts in

which the minister is understood to be a representative of the church of

Christ?

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Council of Delegates Report 89

b. Does the position help to gather in and equip members for the church of

Jesus Christ so that the body may be built up?

c. Does the individual in this position intend to carry out these tasks in co-

operation with a local congregation, and under the authority of a CRC

council, with the appropriate training and gifts?

d Do the tasks assigned under the position conflict in any way with the

commitment a minister makes as a signatory of the CRC’s Covenant for

Officebearers?

We have drawn these questions from Church Order Article 11 and from the

CRC’s liturgical forms for the installation of ministers of the Word. In pos-

ing these questions, we suggest that they might serve as a kind of template

by which to discern, in conversation with the pastor and the assemblies of

the church, whether the intention of the position is to continue in the formal

service of the local congregation or to serve the Lord in some other way.

We could also note here some of the positions that classes and synods have

judged to be nonministerial in character, such as “spiritual director,” “spir-

itual care practitioner,” “pastoral counselor,” professors of nontheological

subjects, teachers at non-Reformed educational institutions, school adminis-

trators, fundraising positions for Christian organizations, and editorial posi-

tions for publishing houses (cf. Acts of Synod 1928, pp. 140-41; Acts of Synod

1950, p. 61; Henry De Moor, Christian Reformed Church Order Commentary

[2nd Edition, 2020], p. 80); it should be noted that these positions would

also apply to discussions about Article 14-d. While this is not an exhaustive

list, it does make clear that persons who choose to serve the Lord in such

capacities may not necessarily be able to keep or establish ministerial cre-

dentials or be called by local congregations in those capacities. The church

should also be aware of ways in which expectations for chaplains are

changing: in an increasing number of cases, public institutions prefer that

chaplains be seen as “psychospiritual therapists” rather than as representa-

tives of a particular Christian church. Such an employer expectation would

then clash with the church’s desire that its ordained leaders faithfully ex-

tend the ministry of the body of Christ.

2. “Called in the regular manner” (current Art. 12-b)

The “regular” means of extending a call are not identified in any single

place in the Church Order, but the basic pattern can be established from

various articles:

• A council extends a call to a pastor by presenting a nomination to

the congregation (Art. 4-a), who affirms the council’s call by means

of a congregational vote (Art. 4-c; Art. 37).

• Candidates elected to office are ordained or installed in a public

worship service of the church (Art. 4-d).

• The classis is involved in these matters through the work of a clas-

sical counselor, who is an officebearer from another congregation

90 Council of Delegates Report AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

who acts on behalf of the classis to see that ecclesiastical regulations

have been followed (Art. 9; Art. 42-c).

• The ordination of candidates and the installation of ministers are

regulated according to Articles 10-a and 10-b.

This may sound burdensome at first glance, but these steps actually pro-

vide an opportunity for the congregation to embrace the way its ministry is

extended through the specialized service of the individual being called.

These regulations also provide protection for both the local church and the

pastor being called by ensuring that various aspects of “proper support”

and potential issues in joint supervision have been adequately addressed

during the calling process. The involvement of the classis, through the clas-

sical counselor, provides one additional level of awareness and support to

that of the other parties involved in these discussions. By means of the de-

nomination’s letter of call and other documents that draw on the wisdom of

numerous conversations about the nature of ministry, the calling process

encourages clarity about the arrangements for a noncongregational call and

hopefully avoids misunderstandings that could lead to hurt and confusion

further on.

With the exception of the liturgical forms listed below, it should be noted

that the letter of call and other documents are not synodically approved in

the sense that they need to be used in a specific form. Rather, they are tem-

plates that reflect the priorities synod has expressed in the past for provid-

ing proper support and accountability for pastors in various tasks within

and outside the local CRC congregation. The denomination’s website in-

cludes sample letters of call as well as a template for a covenant of joint su-

pervision, for chaplains. The denomination also provides liturgical forms

for the ordination of ministers of the Word, not just in local congregations

but for other areas of service as well. We suggest that these forms be

adapted for use in a variety of ministry settings and collected in one place

on the denominational website.

Some of the current resources that exist are listed in Addendum F. We will

be recommending some templates for adoption, but it should be under-

stood that the documents we are recommending do not need to replace the

existing ones already developed to address more specific situations.

3. Distinction between Article 12-b and Article 12-c positions

One area of confusion has to do with trying to determine which calls re-

quire classis approval and synodical deputy concurrence, and which do

not. As noted above, Article 12-b reflects a long-standing recognition in the

Reformed tradition that missions and chaplaincy offer important ways for

the church to extend its witness beyond the local congregation. However,

Article 12-b is not intended to bypass the question of whether a particular

position fits the ministerial calling or not; it merely leaves that question fully

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Council of Delegates Report 91

in the hands of the local assemblies rather than requiring classis approval

with the additional concurrence of synodical deputies.

As a task force, we recommend the following guidelines for determining

whether a position can be approved under Article 12-b or 12-c:

a. When Article 12-b refers to “the work of missions, chaplaincy, or special-

ized transitional ministry,” we understand it to be indicating positions in

which ministers specifically represent the CRC in work ordinarily recog-

nizable as fitting into those categories of service. This article, then, would

cover such positions as missionary pastors; chaplains in health care, mili-

tary, or prison settings; and trained STMs—and only those endorsed by

an appropriate denominational agency. All other missions, chaplaincy,

and transitional ministry positions should be reviewed through Article

12-c.

b. When Article 12-b refers to those appointed by synod directly, or ratified

by synod, it is referring to those individuals for whom synodical ap-

proval is required in some formal way. This includes the general secre-

tary and other executive leaders of the CRC, as well as theology profes-

sors at Calvin Theological Seminary who also serve as ministers of the

Word. All other denominational staff positions, as well as positions for

professors of theology at other institutions, should be processed via Arti-

cle 12-c.

c. Synod has spoken in the past about the importance of classis discern-

ment even in chaplaincy positions. We would suggest, therefore, that

even for positions covered by Article 12-b, the classis take note in its

minutes that a call has been extended that is consistent with the work of

a minister of the Word. We believe this could happen quite naturally if

all pastors are “called in the regular manner,” as such noncongregational

calls would also then be reported to the classis as part of the work of the

classis counselor.

d. Endorsement by a denominational agency does not necessarily imply

that a position is “consistent with the calling of a minister of the Word.”

Some individuals may meet the professional requirements for chaplaincy

endorsement but may be invited to serve in institutions where the dis-

tinctive witness of the Christian church is not welcome. Councils and

classes should exercise discernment in each individual case, particularly

when considering whether “spiritual care practitioners,” “spiritual direc-

tors,” transitional ministers not endorsed by Thrive, or positions in coun-

seling or academic settings are “consistent with the calling of a minister

of the Word” as required by Article 12-c.

4. Provisions for loaning pastors beyond the CRC

The provisions under which CRC pastors may serve on loan outside the de-

nomination have not been reviewed in any significant way since they were

adopted in 1976. In particular, the requirement that the “inviting body” (to

92 Council of Delegates Report AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

use the language of “orderly exchange” with the RCA—Supplement,

Art. 8, D) “seriously contemplates affiliation with the Christian Reformed

Church” (Supplement, Art. 13-c, a) requires new consideration. In the con-

text of growing ecumenicity and increasingly porous boundaries between

denominations, this requirement now seems unnecessarily restrictive and

increasingly unenforceable.

We note further that the CRC allows its own pastors to be loaned to another

denomination but does not allow another denomination’s pastors, except

for those in the RCA, to accept a call to a CRC congregation. This too seems

at first glance to be unnecessarily restrictive. However, this policy reflects

an intentional decision on the part of the denomination: our understanding

of office requires that those who serve in church office must be, first of all,

“confessing members of the church” (Art. 3-a; Acts of Synod 1976, p. 506).

Thus any congregation that desires to call a non-CRC or non-RCA minister

is asked to follow the procedures of Article 8 and its Supplement before

simply pursuing the services of a non-CRC minister.

Extended service beyond the boundaries of the CRC, like all noncongrega-

tional service in the CRC, requires discernment not only on the part of the

minister of the Word but also on the part of the assemblies placing a call.

This is explicitly stated in the regulations concerning the orderly exchange

of ministers with the RCA, which require “consultation with and . . . con-

currence of the” calling church (Supplement, Art. 8, D, 7). The precise

mechanism for such consultation and concurrence is not specified in the

case of an “orderly exchange.” Thus we suggest that, for any call beyond

the local CRC, there is wisdom in obtaining some kind of formal concur-

rence from both the calling church and the classis. This approach would in-

clude the kinds of informal arrangements that sometimes happen when

neighboring churches who share an ethnic community might invite a CRC

pastor to fill the pulpit on an extended basis. In the case of on-loan service,

a second installation by the calling church would be an unnecessary step;

however, formal representation by the calling church at an installation ser-

vice, and a notification in the minutes of the council and classis, would

seem a wise and helpful way to indicate the CRC’s encouragement and offi-

cial support for this kind of ministry.

5. Guidance for participation in the major assemblies

One area of uncertainty lies in how best to apply the privileges of office-

bearers in relation to the major assemblies. For a number of years the

Church Order has allowed classes, at their discretion, to allow the delega-

tion of officebearers from emerging churches (Supplement, Art. 40-a, c).

These officebearers (ministers of the Word or commissioned pastors serving

as church planters) are delegated by the supervising church council on be-

half of the emerging church they serve. However, though other noncongre-

gational pastors may serve a variety of functions within a classis, they may

serve as delegates only if the council holding their credentials delegates a

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Council of Delegates Report 93

chaplain, missionary, or other noncongregational pastor in place of the con-

gregation’s own pastor. This practice makes clear the CRC understanding

that classis be a gathering of churches rather than of ministers (see Acts of

Synod 1964, p. 57, pp. 167-70). Though classes have often utilized the provi-

sion of Article 40-a that allows noncongregational ministers an “advisory

voice,” there are occasionally awkward moments when nondelegated of-

ficebearers have different expectations than what is allowed by Church Or-

der (classis has discretion about whether to allow such officebearers to re-

main for executive session, but as guests of the classis they are not

permitted to vote).

Though we want to be sensitive to the contributions such officebearers may

make to a classis meeting, we would reaffirm the principle of Church Order

that major assemblies are composed of officebearers from the constituent mi-

nor assemblies (Art. 34). The classis is a gathering of neighboring churches

(Art. 39), not a ministerial gathering, and therefore delegates must be office-

bearers of the local congregation which has sent them (Art. 40-a). This

means that most ministers serving in institutions other than the local con-

gregation are not eligible to serve as delegates unless they are serving as an

elder or deacon in that congregation. STMs and other interim pastors, be-

cause their credentials are not held in the local congregation, cannot serve

as delegates to a classis meeting (though we recognize the wisdom of such

ministers attending classis and presenting, in an advisory fashion, the in-

sights they have as the temporary leaders of a local congregation), nor to a

gathering of synod. One exception to this rule is that RCA ministers serving

as pastors of CRC congregations are allowed to serve as delegates to classis

and synod (Supplement, Art. 8, D, 10; Supplement, Art. 38-g, 1, k; Supple-

ment, Art. 38-h, h).

6. Encouragement, not just regulation

It is impossible for the Church Order to offer a full list of ways in which

congregations can provide ongoing support and encouragement for minis-

ters whose primary service is somewhere other than the local church that

holds their credentials. However, the following list identifies some of the

practices which churches or pastors in noncongregational ministries have

found helpful:

• Preaching opportunities

• Opportunities to participate in the administration of sacraments

• Opportunities to share reports about the work of ministry and to

gain encouragement for that work

• Opportunities to equip the congregation and/or classis for Chris-

tian witness and service in the world

• Dinner with council representatives

• Regular contact from church leaders

• Prayer support

• Pastoral ministry in cases of need

94 Council of Delegates Report AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

• Opportunities to serve the classis (e.g., assisting with a candidate’s

examination, or as a church visitor, etc.)

Scripture in several places instructs the church to honor the work of those

who serve in ministry and to find ways to encourage and support their

work (1 Thess. 5:12-13; Heb. 13:7, 17). Our congregations have long em-

braced the idea of supportive care in response to missionaries; we would

encourage churches to take a similar attitude toward chaplains, professors,

pastors serving on loan, denominational employees, and other such minis-

ters. The church visitors can help to keep this encouragement in front of

churches by making the support of noncongregational ministers one topic

addressed in the annual conversation with the council (see Acts of Synod

1982, p. 72).

Because all ministry involves relationships that take time to build, we offer

these suggestions not as regulatory material but as ideas for how to make

these relationships more meaningful, so that the concept of call is honored

more effectively, ministers in noncongregational service are blessed and en-

couraged, and the calling church is aware of its ministry "reach" via the

ministers whose credentials it holds. A covenant of joint supervision has re-

lationship at its core, and should be seen by both churches and pastors as

an invitation to supportive ministry relationships rather than just a contract

spelling out required details of a calling process. For this reason we are en-

couraging covenants of joint supervision for all pastors called to serve be-

yond a local congregation. While such covenants may have mixed results

depending on the degree to which they are embraced by both ministers and

churches, they are helpful in identifying the specific issues that all parties

need to think through.

In addition, “proper support” recognizes the value of a regular review of

the terms of joint supervision for pastors serving outside a local congrega-

tion. The chaplaincy support team at Thrive requires a formal review of the

terms of endorsement every five years. While no such requirements exist

for other positions outside the local congregation, we note the wisdom of

including such a regular review as part of the initial calling process. Includ-

ing relationship-building opportunities, such as the ones listed above, will

help to facilitate such reviews and hopefully to identify potential concerns

before they become serious issues.

Summary

As this section indicates, the changing nature of ordained ministry presents

pastors, churches, and classes with an increasingly complex task of identify-

ing ways to support, encourage, and hold accountable those who represent

the church of Christ in ministries beyond its institutional boundaries. How-

ever, the complexity of the task should not discourage churches from also

recognizing the important opportunities gained by commissioning minis-

ters of the Word to serve in such contexts, and by viewing such pastors as

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Council of Delegates Report 95

agents of the local church who extend the congregation’s ministry where

other members of the church may find it difficult to go. It is our desire that

the following recommendations will call attention to these opportunities

and encourage congregations and pastors to work together to serve the

Lord of the church faithfully in settings beyond the local church.

D. Recommendations concerning accountability for pastors in noncongregational

settings

Synod’s mandate charges this task force to provide, among other things,

suggestions for “more effective oversight of individuals in [noncongrega-

tional] ministries” (Acts of Synod 2022, p. 849). We have also attempted to

engage with the suggestions of Overture 4 (deferred from 2020), which ad-

dressed concerns about inconsistency of language related to noncongrega-

tional positions, the desire for a Covenant of Joint Supervision for all pas-

tors in such settings, and a clear instruction to communicate with the calling

church when significant changes are made to a position outside the local

congregation. In fulfillment of this portion of our mandate, we will be mak-

ing the following recommendations to synod regarding ministers of the

Word in noncongregational positions (see section VI. Recommendations,

below, for the full text):

• changes to the wording of Articles 12-17 to clarify the distinction

between the “work” of a minister and the “position” to which a

pastor is called

• rearrangement of the material in Articles 12-13 and their Supple-

ments to provide greater clarity and consistency in matters related

to the supervision of pastors in noncongregational settings

• proposed formal definitions of the concepts of being “consistent

with the calling of a minister of the Word” and being “called in the

regular manner”

• requirement of a Covenant of Joint Supervision for all pastors in

noncongregational positions

• commendation of identified resources to celebrate and support the

ministry of pastors in noncongregational settings

It is our prayer that these updates and reflections will enable the church

better to support and celebrate the work God is doing beyond the bounds

of the local church in order to gather in and equip the members of Christ’s

church so that the kingdom of God may grow.

IV. Transitions and release from ministry

A. Background and theological observations

The second key area of our task force’s mandate relates to the release of

ministers of the Word from ministry positions or from service in the de-

nomination as a whole. As noted in the introduction, the issues addressed

here roughly correspond to matters addressed by Church Order Articles 14-

96 Council of Delegates Report AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

17, though they are not strictly limited to those portions of the Church Or-

der.

In section II of this report, we identified some aspects of a Reformed under-

standing of the nature of a minister’s call, and these inform our understand-

ing of how and when a pastor may be released from a call. As noted there,

ordination is understood as a long-term (traditionally lifetime) calling exer-

cised on behalf of the church, and ordination is tied not to an individual but

to a specific set of ministry roles. Therefore the release of a pastor from a

congregation or from service in the denomination is not a light matter.

As we move on to discuss the Church Order articles pertaining to the sepa-

ration of ministers of the Word from their ministry positions, we begin with

a few stories. These stories are compilations of accounts that many have ex-

perienced during an Article 17 or 14 separation—and the names in these

stories are fictitious.

Story 1

Pastor Liam wasn’t expecting the Article 17 separation request issued by his

council. Even after nearly three years of increasing disagreement with his

council over the future of the church, Pastor Liam was surprised that his

council sent a formal request to classis asking for his removal as their pas-

tor. They cited his lack of leadership and their lack of trust in him. At the

next classis meeting, in executive session, Pastor Liam shared his perspec-

tive on the situation. No one spoke on his behalf. In the discussion that fol-

lowed, there appeared to be little room for Spirit-led discernment and con-

versation, and no possibility of reconciliation. Classis approved the Article

17 separation with three-months’ salary and benefits, and they appointed

an oversight committee for him but not one for the church. The classis

minutes did not include a reason for the separation. A year later, the classis

oversight committee recommended to classis that he be allowed to take an-

other call, and classis approved. Fifteen years later, Liam and his family are

still extremely discouraged and hurting. In every one of his applications for

another call, Liam cannot share about the healthy years of his ministry

without questions about his Article 17 separation, thus reopening his and

his family’s wounds in every interview. There is no healing and no closure

for them.

Story 2

The council of Lakewood CRC wasn’t expecting the Article 17 separation

request issued by Pastor Ethan. There had always been some level of disa-

greement between Pastor Ethan and the council on matters of both leader-

ship style and theology, but the council was surprised when Pastor Ethan

said it had reached a point where he didn’t think those disagreements could

be resolved. At the next classis meeting, in executive session, both Pastor

Ethan and council representatives shared their perspectives on the situa-

tion, but the classis found it difficult to know what to discuss. Classis

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Council of Delegates Report 97

approved Pastor Ethan’s Article 17 separation with three-months’ salary

and benefits, recommended the church retain a specialized transitional min-

ister, and appointed an oversight committee for both Pastor Ethan and the

church. The classis minutes did not include a reason for the separation. Six

months later, the classis oversight committee recommended to classis that

the church be allowed to call another minister, and classis approved. Years

later, church members remain confused about what really happened with

Pastor Ethan, and some still wonder what they did to make him want to

leave. There is no healing and no closure for the church.

Story 3

Pastor Val was very confused and discouraged. After four years of trying to

start and grow a church plant, it was becoming clear to everyone that this

church plant would struggle to become a stable church. Whenever a new

person showed up at the church, it seemed that a previously committed at-

tendee would move on. Pastor Val was not sure what she should do next.

Had she misheard God’s call to be a church planter and a proclaimer of the

good news? She and her sponsoring church’s council could ask classis for

an Article 17 separation of her call to the church plant, with a two-year eli-

gibility period to receive a call to another ministry in the denomination. Or

they could ask classis for an Article 14 separation of her call from the minis-

try to enter a nonministerial vocation or to serve in another denomination.

Should she go for more education and training, using either an Article 17

separation to allow her to work toward a second theological degree, or an

Article 14 separation enabling her to contemplate a completely different ca-

reer? Or should she take extended time off from pastoral ministry through

either Article 14 or 17 and use her time to care for her young children and

aging parents? If she did, what would her identity be? What were her gifts

to use in the kingdom? What was her next calling, and where? But, most

importantly, where was God in all of this?

The issues raised in these composite stories are not new. Synod has re-

ceived significant reports on matters related to the release of ministers sev-

eral times in the past few decades (see Acts of Synod 1982, pp. 581-89; Acts of

Synod 1987, pp. 422-30; Acts of Synod 1998, pp. 392-400). In addition, the pas-

tor and church support team at Thrive has developed a number of re-

sources that provide valuable guidance for various situations leading to

separation from a ministry setting. These reports provide important back-

ground for the reflections of this present task force, which we summarize

here:

1. The reality of separations

Though Reformed church polity has historically held that neither churches

nor pastors should ordinarily break the ministry partnership to which they

have mutually committed in the calling process, the Church Order has al-

ways provided space for separations by way of exception. Synod has recog-

nized that situations may exist that would warrant the separation of a

98 Council of Delegates Report AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

pastor and a church without requiring discipline or rendering the pastor in-

eligible to receive another call (Acts of Synod 1960, p. 46). Prior to 1965 the

Church Order required “proper support” for pastors by preventing coun-

cils from dismissing a minister from service “without the knowledge and

approbation of classis” and the synodical deputies (pre-1965 Church Order,

Art. 11). By the time a revision of the Church Order was adopted in 1965,

the matter of separation was given more formal attention, and the proce-

dures now outlined in Article 17 had begun to take shape (see Acts of Synod

1960, p. 139, for background).

In addition, the Church Order has always provided for release from office

in the case of “weighty reasons” (pre-1965 Church Order, Art. 12). At one

time, such releases required only the approval of the classis; in 1965 the con-

currence of synodical deputies was added to what became Article 14 in or-

der to provide further safeguards for pastors. Recent decades have seen an

increase in releases from office for various reasons, and the Church Order

has become more specific in identifying which pastors may leave CRC min-

istry for a ministry outside the denomination (Art. 14-b) and which ones

may leave for a nonministerial vocation (Art. 14-c or 14-d). In both situa-

tions, reentry into CRC ministry is possible via Article 8 for those who have

been ordained in another denomination, or via Article 14-e for those who

have left to pursue a nonministerial vocation.

The growing number of both Article 17 and Article 14 separations has at-

tracted a great deal of attention and concern in recent years. Data from the

Acts of Synod offers a picture of the dramatic rate of growth in such separa-

tions in recent decades:

CO Art.

1985

1990

1995

2000

2005

2010

2015

2020

2021

2022

2023

14-b

14-c

14-d

17-a

17-c ex-

tension

17-c/d

release

Note: Some subsections of the present Church Order Articles 14 and 17 were not in force

in the earlier periods covered by this chart and so are left blank.

Classis and synod minutes for the past 10 years (2013-2022) show a yearly

average of seventeen Article 14-b/-c/-d processes and sixteen Article 17-a

processes. As the chart above indicates, this represents a significant increase

in separations from just a few decades ago.

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Council of Delegates Report 99

2. Many reasons for separations

As noted above (in section II, C), the increase in these situations of separa-

tion can be attributed, in part, to a changing cultural context. The CRC has

traditionally recognized the call to ordained ministry of the Word as a life-

long calling (Art. 14-c). But there is a growing sense that people may be

called to different roles and tasks during their lifetime. In fact, Synod 1978

added Article 14-c precisely to call attention to legitimate reasons why a

pastor might leave ordained ministry, and synod observed that there is no

biblical warrant to say that a minister of the Word must be expected to

serve in this office for life (Acts of Synod 1978, p. 47).

As the ministerial role has evolved in different ways, so has the congrega-

tional setting. In section II, C of this report we discussed increased concern

over ministerial “fit” and the corresponding decrease in tolerance for situa-

tions perceived to be a less-than-ideal “fit,” leading to an increase in Article

17 separations. But similar to Article 14 releases, there are a number of rea-

sons why a pastor and congregation might part ways:

• A pastor might need to step away from ministry for a time while el-

derly parents require extensive care.

• A pastor may choose to be a stay-at-home parent.

• A pastor might leave to pursue further education.

• A pastor’s giftedness and the church’s ministry context might not

align. “No minister can be expected to be able to serve any and

every congregation” (Acts of Synod 1982, p. 586).

• A church closure or disaffiliation, or downsizing of staff, may mean

that a pastor’s ministry position ends.

• God may be leading a pastor to consider a new vocation.

• A pastor’s spouse’s career or education path may necessitate a

move.

There may be a combination of factors, opportunities, and needs that would

necessitate a separation between church and pastor. As the Thrive website

notes, “Whatever the reason, these separations are always significant, and

therefore require substantial discernment from the pastor, the council, the

classis, and the synodical deputies." Thus the Church Order wisely avoids

naming specific situations and instead generalizes that releases may be al-

lowed for “weighty reasons.”

100 Council of Delegates Report AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

Drawing on classis records, the preceding chart reflects the growing num-

ber of reasons for ministerial separations. From the materials available, rea-

sons could be determined for only about 52 percent of the Article 14 and 17

actions (239 of 454), so we should be cautious about placing too much em-

phasis on this small set of data. A wide range of reasons for separation were

declared, including chaplaincy, pursuit of another vocation, church closure

or disaffiliation, family reasons, and further education. Only about 15 per-

cent of the reasons (38 of 239) appeared to be related to conflict between a

pastor and a congregation, and yet at the same time, about 52 percent of Ar-

ticle 17-a separations (81 of 156) involved an oversight committee for the

pastor, church, or both. To summarize the data in this chart: Articles 14 and

17 provide for a wide range of situations and circumstances—anything that

does not qualify as retirement (Art. 18) or a situation involving special disci-

pline (Art. 82-84). Yet the assumptions of many in our denomination are

that releases are related to conflict, a perception reinforced by the fact that

much of the denominational resources assume conflict as an underlying

cause of a release from a call.

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Council of Delegates Report 101

It should be noted that the ministerial role is unique in that the consent of

the council is required for a minister of the Word to be released from a

given call (Art. 14-a). This provision extends as well to any separation be-

tween a church and a minister (including calls to noncongregational set-

tings) regardless of who initiates the separation. This provision also recog-

nizes the role of the Holy Spirit in the call to ministry and the covenantal

nature of the relationship between a pastor and the calling church (see sec-

tion II, B above). Further, ministers cannot simply be released from their call

by a council without discernment from the wider church through its assem-

blies and synodical deputies. Thus situations in which “fit” may be an issue

are predisposed to potential conflict as pastors and churches seek to discern

how to maintain a ministry partnership from which there is no simple exit.

3. Resignations and leaves of absence

The Church Order contains several articles regulating releases from minis-

try, whether temporary or permanent, depending on the circumstances of

the separation. Releases from congregational ministry have received the

majority of attention in the overtures assigned to this task force by Synod

2022. Article 17 is used to address the separation between a calling church

and a minister of the Word, but it is worth noting that this article governs

the release from any call (including calls to noncongregational positions).

Ministers released under Article 17 retain their ordination, are not under

discipline, and are expected to return to active ministerial service.

When a longer absence from CRC ministry is anticipated, a minister might

resign to enter either a ministry outside the denomination or a nonministe-

rial vocation. These situations are handled through Article 14. Church Or-

der requires that a declaration be made “reflecting the resigned minister’s

status that is appropriate to the way and spirit in which the minister acted

during the time leading up to and including the minister’s resignation from

office” (Supplement, Art. 14-b, c, 2). Such declarations provide a context for

potential future discussions about readmission to ministry, should a pastor

sense, once more, a calling to serve in the CRC.

Church Order also allows for a temporary leave of absence processed by

the local council through Article 16. In no case was this article intended to

offer an indefinite or terminal leave of absence. Some of the overtures as-

signed to this task force suggest that something like Article 16 might offer a

mechanism to grant a permanent separation without the stigma of Article

17 (see, for example, Overture 6 from 2020). We observe, however, that past

synods have addressed this matter with regard to educational leave, and

for a time the CRC even attempted to create a system that allowed Article

16 to be used for certain terminal leaves of absence (see Acts of Synod 1987,

pp. 425-27; cf. Acts of Synod 1928, p. 141). It became clear, however, that use

of Article 16 as a mechanism for permanent release from a particular call

was being used to circumvent the process of separation in Article 17, so,

102 Council of Delegates Report AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

after a decade, synod decided to return to the system now in place (see Acts

of Synod 1998, pp. 399-400).

It should be noted that Article 17 is itself a kind of temporary leave of ab-

sence, except there is no official call to which the minister will return and no

set time frame for how long the leave should last. But, as with Article 16, el-

igibility for call following a pastoral separation is not indefinite. Article 17-c

specifies that the term of eligibility shall last for two years, with the possi-

bility of annual extensions with the approval of the classis and synodical

deputies. This time frame was first adopted by synod in 1982, which recog-

nized the importance of a consistent guideline for how long a pastor may

remain without a congregational call before the call to “ministry in general”

may be questioned by the wider church assemblies (Acts of Synod 1982,

pp. 585-87).

4. Disciplinary actions

Articles 14 and 17 are intended to address situations in which pastors are

not “worthy of discipline” (Art. 17-a). However, it must be recognized that

the “release from ministry” through Articles 14 and 17, despite the attached

stigma, may sometimes be used to circumvent the even greater stigma of

formal ecclesiastical discipline. Our task force was specifically asked to note

this concern (Acts of Synod 2022, p. 849, ground 3). As synod has observed,

when doctrinal or ethical behavior is not recognized and addressed openly

and honestly, the church as a whole suffers, and in particular future congre-

gations served by the pastor may be affected by a failure to apply discipline

where it is required (see Acts of Synod 1996, pp. 578-79). In 1978 synod in-

structed churches and classes to adopt a “resolution of dismissal” in all

cases of resignation. This instruction was given a more formal definition in

1994 when synod adopted the four potential declarations regarding the sta-

tus of released ministers—“honorably released,” “released,” “dismissed,”

or “in the status of one deposed”—which are now listed in Supplement, Ar-

ticle 14-b (see Acts of Synod 1978, p. 73; Acts of Synod 1993, pp. 581-82). The

chart on the next page indicates the frequency of the use of each of these

categories. While the use of the categories “dismissed” or “in the status of

one deposed” suggests that a release may have occurred for reasons for

which a pastor would otherwise be subject to discipline, it should be noted

that the declaration is technically related to the “manner and spirit” in

which a pastor resigned and may not necessarily indicate the reason for the

resignation.

Because it is assumed that ministers released under Article 17 are not “wor-

thy of discipline,” no similar declarations currently apply to releases from a

particular call.

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Council of Delegates Report 103

Situations requiring disciplinary action are processed through Church Or-

der Articles 82-84. While the Supplement to Article 14 currently focuses on

ministers who resign from the denomination because of doctrinal differ-

ences or schismatic activities, in recent years the CRC has become increas-

ingly aware of the potential for ministers to resign due to moral failings.

This task force calls attention once again to the instructions of Synod 2016

that guide the responses of the church assemblies to pastors who resign ra-

ther than allowing the process of formal discipline to run its course (Acts of

Synod 2016, p. 866; see Supplement, Art. 14-e). Our confessions remind us of

the validity of Christian discipline, indeed even as a tool used by God to

bring about repentance and reform in the church (Heidelberg Catechism,

Lord’s Day 31; Belgic Confession, Art. 29). We also recognize that sin has

consequences on one’s interactions with the community, and in some cases

being forgiven does not necessarily mean that an offending pastor can or

should continue representing Christ in the official ministry of the church.

B. Issues and observations

While our theology provides a foundation for how the CRC responds to is-

sues of leadership transition and longevity in the ministerial calling, these

issues are also affected by cultural realities and changes in thinking about

the ministerial office. Section II of this report identified, in a general way, a

number of these changes. We now turn our attention to issues and concerns

particular to the processes addressed by Articles 14, 16, and 17.

1. Uncertainty about process

At face value, the process usually followed for any separation is relatively

straightforward: a request for a pastor’s release is made to classis (Art. 14-

b/c or Art. 17-a), along with a proposal “for the support of a released minis-

ter” (Art. 17-b), and the classis and synodical deputies consider whether

104 Council of Delegates Report AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

these arrangements meet their approval. The Supplements for Article 14

and 17 contain additional guidance concerning the involvement of church

visitors, the appropriate responses of classis to the “manner and spirit” of a

separation, potential oversight for a minister or a congregation after a sepa-

ration occurs, and the proper support for a released pastor.

The actual details of a separation, however, can be much more challenging

in particular situations. Especially in the case of Article 17 separations, a

pastor and congregation may not always agree on the specifics of the sepa-

ration agreement required by Article 17-b, or even on the reasons for the

separation itself. Synod wisely called the attention of the churches to a sepa-

ration agreement template (Acts of Synod 2022, pp. 757-58, 935), but the ex-

istence of such a document is not well known among churches; nor is the

process for working through differences of opinion well defined. In some

cases, pastors and councils come to a classis meeting in general agreement

about the necessity and terms of a separation but with lingering frustrations

over the reasons and terms of the separation agreement. That can place clas-

sis delegates in an awkward situation as they try to discern who can ad-

dress classis, and at what times, and who else may be in the room to over-

hear such conversations.

In this regard, it is helpful to remember that a classis meeting is a gathering

of churches (Art. 39), so the official presentations on the floor of classis must

be matters first addressed by a council. Though Article 17-a speaks of the

possibility of a release initiated by a pastor, such releases are formally pro-

cessed by the council in keeping with the principle that no minister should

leave a call without the consent of the council that originally issued that call

(Art. 14-a). Thus separation agreements are formally a request of a council

to its classis even if initially requested by a pastor. In cases where a pastor

disagrees with the reasons or terms of a separation, that disagreement

would formally become an appeal to be processed by the classis under the

procedures of Church Order Article 30. This means that a classis may, at

times, exclude a pastor from executive-session proceedings in which his or

her future is discussed by the classis delegates. Such governance is sound in

theological principle (Belgic Confession, Art. 30) but may leave pastors feel-

ing vulnerable as their ministry future is determined without their input. It

is worth noting that entrance to ministry is similarly handled by assemblies

who discuss the future of a candidate while the individual is not in the

room (Supplement, Art. 10).

Another area of uncertainty involves release from a call issued jointly with

another agency or a congregation outside the CRC. While Article 14-a ex-

pects that significant changes not be made to a pastor’s call without the con-

sent of the council holding the minister’s credentials, the reality is that out-

side employers do not always consult the calling church before adjusting

terms of employment. This is particularly the case with government em-

ployees and with those who work for large institutions. In such cases, the

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Council of Delegates Report 105

calling church and pastor should simply do their best to honor the princi-

ples of joint supervision even when the release (employment termination)

process does not fully align with the expectations of Church Order or with

our theological convictions about ministry. Again, it is helpful to remember

that just as all calls to noncongregational positions should be processed “in

the regular manner,” so also Church Order expects that all releases from

such positions should occur in keeping with synodical regulations.

Even when the pastor is supervised by another ecclesiastical entity, the pre-

cise process for a release is sometimes not clear. Church Order Supplement,

Article 8, D, which governs the orderly exchange of ministers with the

RCA, indicates that the polity of the calling church should be used for pro-

cessing separations, adding that the calling church should act “in consulta-

tion with the sending church” (D, 7). This statement was added in response

to confusion about the process of terminating a call in a unique setting—a

call issued jointly by two denominations (Acts of Synod 2014, pp. 564-65). It

is worth noting that pastors facing release from calls in union congregations

or dually affiliated congregations (Art. 38-g or 38-h) could face similar is-

sues even if the specific steps of release are different—though we are una-

ware of any situations in which this has developed in such congregations.

In such situations it seems wise to expect that the process of “consultation”

be conducted in a manner parallel to that of the role synodical deputies

play in our own polity: receiving the documentation describing the pro-

posed release, and taking part in the deliberations of the assembly pro-

cessing that release. Because these situations are unusual, we do not believe

it is necessary to develop regulations around them but merely to observe

the importance of using similar situations to develop a wise response in

whatever cases may arise.

2. Severance agreements

One of the most difficult aspects of an Article 17 separation is the establish-

ment of a severance agreement. The Supplement to Article 17-a refers to

guidelines adopted by Synod 1998 (Acts of Synod 1998, pp. 392-96) and up-

dated by Synod 2010 (Acts of Synod 2010, pp. 915-16). Though this infor-

mation has been made easier to find through its inclusion on the Thrive

website, historically its omission from the Church Order Supplement made

it difficult for individual churches to access if they were unfamiliar with

past acts of synod. In addition, some of the guidance provided may no

longer fit today’s context. Specifically, while synodical guidelines on this

matter require a minimum of thirteen weeks’ severance, that does not ad-

dress the question of what a fair severance amount in today’s environment

would be. As the calling process today increasingly takes more time, we

may need to consider that the minimum severance amount required by

synod may no longer meet the financial needs that arise in Article 17 situa-

tions today.

106 Council of Delegates Report AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

In some cases, pastors and church leaders have cited a “rule of thumb” that

suggests a month of severance for each year served in that ministry (see

DeMoor’s Church Order Commentary, pp. 103-4). But this “rule of thumb” is

not an actual guideline, and in some cases a longer severance may place un-

due financial burdens on a church, especially in cases where a separation

occurs after a long term of service or when a classis recommends that a

church contract with (and pay) a specialized transitional minister. Con-

versely, depending on the situation, a minister and council might agree that

a smaller severance package is appropriate and will provide a just compro-

mise between meeting the needs of the pastor and the congregation.

Though local situations may determine the appropriate amount, it is wise to

recognize that any “rule of thumb” may have an upper limit. (For instance,

some denominations specifically cap severance at no more than six months;

others specify no more than nine).

Past guidance from synod and from Thrive identifies several principles that

could be taken into account when deciding on an appropriate amount of

severance. We offer the following purposes of severance for synod’s consid-

eration as official guidance toward assisting councils and classes in their de-

liberations about these matters:

a. Ministers are viewed not merely as employees but as individuals with

calls from God that have been affirmed by the church. As part of the re-

sponsibility to provide “proper support” (Art. 15), councils and classes

should seek to honor a minister’s ordination (see Art. 17-c; also 1 Cor.

9:10; Luke 10:7).

b. Severance is a means for the releasing congregation to provide for the re-

leased minister during a period of time after the release, when the minis-

ter might otherwise be left without reliable income.

c. Providing adequate financial resources for a limited period of time after

a pastor is released from a call creates space for healing and for discern-

ment about God’s call and the church’s continued call in the midst of

possible anxiety and grief. Historically, synod has stated that a minimum

of thirteen weeks of severance should be offered to allow for such a heal-

ing process to begin (Acts of Synod 1998, p. 394).

d. While severance may be somewhat related to the amount of time served,

it is not primarily intended to honor the length of service in a particular

call, nor to be seen primarily as an indication of where the “blame” for

the release belongs. The final determination of a severance amount re-

quires discernment by the church assemblies with attention to all of the

local variables involved.

e. These guidelines for the severance package “may not apply in every cir-

cumstance of separation such as when a pastor leaves for purely per-

sonal reasons” (Acts of Synod 2010, pp. 915-16.) Some ministers receive no

severance or choose not to request or to receive any compensation, due

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Council of Delegates Report 107

to their personal reasons. In addition, the provision of a severance ar-

rangement to pastors in noncongregational positions is ordinarily the re-

sponsibility of the employing organization rather than the council which

has called the minister.

f. Synodical regulations require that severance ordinarily be paid from the

date of the classis meeting at which the separation agreement is ap-

proved. In some cases, such as when a pastor has been placed on a leave

of absence prior to classis approval of the separation, it may be appropri-

ate to consider any prior paid leave in discerning the final amount pro-

vided to the pastor.

g. Some jurisdictions have specific rules governing the minimum size of an

employee’s severance. Churches and classes should consult local regula-

tions to ensure that the arrangements for severance comply with any ap-

plicable laws.

h. Because publicly stated reasons for a release from a call may not offer a

full picture of the situation that led to a separation, the discernment of

classis in decisions about the severance package is an important step and

should not be neglected (Art. 17-b).

In the end, as with other matters related to calling and release, the amount

of severance is intended to be a matter of common discernment and prayer-

ful discussion among church leaders, focused on the thriving of the minis-

ter and the congregation.

Whenever possible, details of severance should be worked out ahead of a

classis meeting as part of a separation agreement that receives formal ap-

proval from the classis as it processes the separation. In some cases, sever-

ance may not be needed at all (such as when a pastor intends to wait to pur-

sue another call because of family circumstances or in order to seek further

education), though it may still be a gracious gesture. In each situation, it

may be helpful for the council to explain the factors leading to the decision

to recommend a specific severance package. Since looks may be deceiving,

it is helpful for a classis to follow all of the procedures prescribed for Article

17 for all such requests. Churches and classes seeking additional infor-

mation should consult the guidance available online and in person through

Thrive.

Our task force received requests from some correspondents to consider

whether the severance ordinarily given for Article 17 separations was ade-

quate, and whether to recommend the establishment of classis funds to pro-

vide additional funding in order to allow pastors a longer time to transition

between calls. While it may be wise for classes to consider such special re-

quests, a synodical requirement in this regard could place an undue burden

on classes that already face increasing strains on available funds. We recog-

nize that unfortunately the financial resources of churches and classes are

limited and that sufficient funds may not be available to provide the

108 Council of Delegates Report AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

desired level of support to cover a lengthy time of transition. Churches and

pastors facing unusually long periods of transition are encouraged to com-

municate transparently about the needs and expectations of financial sup-

port and to think creatively about ways to meet those needs.

3. Continued eligibility for call

Church Order specifies that pastors are eligible for call for two years follow-

ing an Article 17 separation, and annual requests are allowed for an exten-

sion of eligibility after the initial two-year period. This time limit was

adopted in 1982; prior to that time, the Church Order stated that a pastor

should be released to enter a secular vocation via Article 14 if a call was not

“eventually” forthcoming (Acts of Synod 1982, p. 586). The growing variety

of circumstances leading to Article 17 separation today, however, means

that the appropriate length of eligibility for call is not necessarily the same

in each situation and requires continued discernment on the part of the

church assemblies in conversation with the pastor. It should also be noted

that the conclusion of a term call initiates a similar process to Article 17 with

regard to oversight and continued eligibility for call (see Supplement, Art.

8, C, 3).

The limitations on eligibility for call reflect our theological conviction that

pastors are not “free agents” and that ordination clings to the office rather

than to a person (see section II, B, 2). Synod 1982 deemed two years to be

sufficient for a pastor to ordinarily receive a new call. Though the data is

difficult to interpret precisely, it appears that somewhere between half and

two-thirds of pastors who experience an Article 17 separation receive a call

within the next year; about 25-30 percent either choose retirement (Art. 18)

or release from ministry (Art. 14-b/c/d) before facing the potential of a re-

lease from ministry due to the end of a period of eligibility for call (Art. 17-

c). This suggests that the two-year time frame is likely sufficient and that

the mechanism of continued requests for eligibility (Art. 17-d) is normally

able to handle those situations in which further time may be appropriate to

allow a pastor to receive a call.

Some situations will, inherently, anticipate a longer time frame between

calls. If a pastor leaves a call in order to pursue further studies, for example,

a period of five years or more may not be unusual before seeking another

call. It should be noted that at some points in our history, educational leave

was granted via what is now Article 16 rather than Article 17. Because Arti-

cle 16 is not intended for indefinite leaves of absence, however, synod re-

quired pastors leaving congregational ministry for further study to request

a release from ministry rather than a leave of absence (Acts of Synod 1928,

p. 141; Acts of Synod 1932, p. 165). While this decision of synod has never

formally been rescinded, it appears that an increasing number of pastors

are using Article 17 for just such an extended leave. The same could be true

when Article 17 is used to address certain life changes such as family leave,

though synod has never formally addressed such situations.

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Council of Delegates Report 109

Determining when the two-year period of eligibility begins poses another

challenge for classes. While acknowledging there may be exceptions (such

as when a pastor has been on leave for a lengthy period prior to the classis

meeting), it seems most consistent to set the time period to commence on

the date of the classis action. If the Article 17 request is approved without

restrictions, the pastor would be eligible for two years from the date of that

classis meeting. If an oversight committee is appointed, the pastor would be

eligible for two years from the date of the classis meeting at which he or she

is declared eligible for call following the period of oversight.

We are aware that in some situations, such as educational leave, classes

have occasionally granted a term of eligibility longer than two years in or-

der to avoid the need for continued extensions. Our task force received

some feedback suggesting that a mechanism should be provided for grant-

ing “extended family leave” or “long-term study leave”—something with a

time frame longer than two years. The challenge remains in determining

when in fact an individual ceases to serve in the kinds of positions tradi-

tionally expected of someone serving as an ordained representative of the

church (see section II, B, 2). We have therefore resisted creating an addi-

tional set of regulations that would determine in what situations a longer

period of eligibility might be appropriate. Instead, we encourage pastors

and churches to keep in mind that “eligibility for call” indicates that an in-

dividual is, indeed, actively intending to seek a call, and that ordination

clings to such calls and not to the individuals. In cases where an extended

period of eligibility is anticipated, continued conversation is helpful about

what it means to do the work of a minister during a season of transition,

and how to provide opportunities for ongoing encouragement and account-

ability (in line with section III, C, 6, above). We encourage pastors and con-

gregations to consult the wisdom provided by past synodical studies on

bivocationality (Agenda for Synod 2023, pp. 285-314) and term calls (Acts of

Synod 1982, pp. 587-88) for further reflection on how such arrangements

might provide avenues for continued service in positions consistent with

the ministry of the Word for pastors in transition.

4. The perceived stigma

Despite the various reasons for which an Article 17 separation is a valid and

helpful process, there remains a perceived stigma attached to an Article 17

separation. One likely source is the continued association of this article with

what earlier versions of Church Order identified as an “intolerable situa-

tion” (the reading of Art. 17 from 1965 through 1983), as well as the associa-

tion in many minds connecting conflict situations with Article 17. This

stigma has led some to describe Article 17 as the “scarlet number” (see, for

example, The Banner, Feb. 2012).

For many in the church, the assignment of an oversight committee would

also signal to future ministry partners that something was “wrong” with

the pastor or the church that needed to be fixed, and there would be

110 Council of Delegates Report AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

lingering doubts as to whether those “problems” were actually resolved.

Further, our cultural stigmas against feeling in any way inadequate, infe-

rior, or wrong can be strong shame triggers. However, this stigma runs

counter to what we know about the Christian life individually and commu-

nally: the Spirit is continuously inviting us to grow and mature, and we are

all called to be constantly learning and changing so that we, as the church,

might grow up into the mature body of him who is our head, the author

and perfecter of our faith, Jesus Christ. With this in mind, when oversight

committees are assigned, we could describe their work as being similar to a

vocational coach, spiritual director, and accountability partner for church

councils and pastors.

Another source of the stigma comes from the misuse of Article 17 to impose

disciplinary measures on a pastor instead of going through the steps of for-

mal discipline outlined in Church Order Articles 82-84. Other churches and

pastors have used Article 17 from an unwillingness to engage in conflict or

challenge, retreating to Article 17 to escape from a moment when God may

be prompting his people to grow and change. The general knowledge that

this has happened has led to doubts about the integrity of Article 17 separa-

tions and has fed its unhealthy—and unhelpful—stigma. In addition, many

of us have heard from churches, pastors, and pastor families who have

deeply unsettling stories related to past Article 17 releases. Such stories

form a “cloud of concern” around all Article 17 separations.

The task force weighed several options for addressing this perceived

stigma. First, we considered a change in wording. The term "weighty rea-

sons," used to describe valid reasons for release from active ministerial ser-

vice in a congregation, can carry a negative connotation. But “weighty rea-

sons” are to be understood as valid or substantive reasons, many of which

are not negative at all. After reviewing various options, we are recommend-

ing a change in the language of Articles 14-17 to refer to “valid” reasons, in

a manner consistent with the use of that term elsewhere in Church Order.

While we acknowledge that new terminology may take on the same nega-

tive connotations of past wording, we hope that this minor change may in-

dicate a slight shift in the way Article 17 separations are perceived by re-

moving some of the “weight” from these situations.

Second, we looked at the possibility of a terminal leave of absence in lieu of

an outright release from a ministry position. A revised version of Article 16

has sometimes been suggested as a means of graciously allowing a pastor

to separate from a call without the stigma of Article 17. But as was noted

above (section IV, A, 3), Article 16 is not designed to provide an indefinite

or terminal leave of absence. There are possibilities for using this article in a

wider way than is currently practiced (see IV, C, 1, e, below), but such uses,

we believe, would not replace a substantial number of Article 17 requests.

In addition, a leave of absence without an intent to return to the ministry

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Council of Delegates Report 111

position to which a pastor has been called could create additional confusion

about his or her status. Therefore we largely rejected that possibility.

Some overtures (see Deferred Agenda for Synods 2020-2021, pp. 438, 446-48)

also suggested that we create a new mechanism for the more “routine” sep-

arations between a pastor and a particular call, distinguishing such a re-

lease from those addressing conflicted situations. In some ways, this idea

seems appealing because it could create an alternative means of handling

separations that would avoid the stigma of Article 17. A two-track option,

however, could also create a means to avoid naming the real reasons in sit-

uations where conflict is indeed a factor. This is not a new concern. In fact,

the CRC attempted just such a two-track approach between 1988 and 1998

and decided to abandon the experiment and revert to the single approach

for all separations (see Acts of Synod 1988, p. 550; Acts of Synod 1996, p. 578;

Acts of Synod 1998, pp. 399-400). As recently as 2012, synod considered the

option again and rejected it on the basis of not wanting to single out any

one special reason for release (Acts of Synod 2012, p. 749). We believe that

the combined wisdom of past synods still provides sufficient reason to re-

sist a multiple-track approach to releases.

In the end our task force concluded that the system we have in place now—

namely, a single-track process for addressing all separation requests—re-

mains the best and fairest system despite its drawbacks. Nor is our system

unusual; other Reformed and Presbyterian denominations have taken a

similar approach (see, for example, RCA Book of Order, 1, II, 15, 8; PCUSA

Book of Order, G-2.09). Instead, we believe, the most fruitful approach to the

issue of stigma will be to emphasize the variety of situations covered by Ar-

ticle 17 and the reality that many situations do not arise out of conflict.

Proper use of this article, including a recognition of the place of formal dis-

cipline (Art. 82-84) when appropriate, can also help to limit the stigma by

ensuring that Article 17 is not associated with inappropriate doctrine or be-

havior.

At the same time, denominational records indicate that some pastors and

churches find themselves going through multiple Article 17 separations.

The existence of a pattern may justify some measure of caution for ministers

or churches as they explore subsequent calls. Perhaps the most important

step the CRC can take is to foster a greater spirit of trust and transparency

about the reasons for separations and to strengthen the work of church visi-

tors and oversight committees so that churches and pastors can consider

how God may be at work in these situations—and particularly in situations

where conflict is a reality.

5. The reality of conflict and the need for healing

While this report attempts to emphasize that Article 17 separations occur

for a variety of situations, the reality remains that there are times when a

lack of compatibility between a church and pastor, or between members of

112 Council of Delegates Report AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

the ministry staff, is, in fact, the reason for the separation. We must also

take into consideration that traumatic events, both in the personal lives of

pastors and their families, or occurring during their work in ministry, can

require permanent separations in order to bring about healing. We avoid or

ignore these realities to the detriment of both pastor and church. As the

Thrive website notes, an Article 17 process often becomes the formal ac-

knowledgment that a pastor and council who once shared a common un-

derstanding of God’s call no longer do or can share that understanding. In

itself, that different sense of calling is enough to generate feelings of frustra-

tion and pain, even abandonment or rejection. Failing to address such a dif-

ficult situation can cause harm in the subsequent ministries of both the pas-

tor and the church.

CRC polity has long recognized the possibility of conflict. Earlier editions of

Church Order recognized that situations may arise that “make it impossible

or undesirable that a minister continue to serve . . . [a] Church, even though

these troubles and difficulties are not of such a nature that the minister

must be suspended” (Church Order Commentary, 1941 edition, p. 55, on pre-

1965 Art. 11). In the early years of the CRC, classes were permitted to take

active steps to transfer a minister from one call to another in extreme situa-

tions. This was changed by Synod 1914 due to a growing recognition that

the “hierarchical” nature of this process could be seen to be at odds with the

CRC’s deliberative polity (see pre-1914 Church Order Art. 11 and Van Del-

len and Monsma, Church Order Commentary, 1967 ed., p. 72). The involve-

ment of classis and the synodical deputies was required in order to provide

protection and “proper support” for the released minister. Subsequent to

the adoption of the 1965 edition of the Church Order, synod recognized the

challenge that could be posed when a council continued to hold the creden-

tials of a pastor released due to conflict, and allowed for the transfer of cre-

dentials in such situations (Acts of Synod 1973, p. 35).

While a separation may be the most gracious and fruitful way to address

the hurts and disappointments of a breakdown between church and pastor,

the administrative process of separation can sometimes be in tension with

pastoral care. Processing an Article 17 release requires a balance of trans-

parency and confidentiality. In times of conflict, it may be helpful to con-

sider the wisdom of earlier editions of the Church Order, which viewed

separations in the context of “proper support” (pre-1965 Art. 11).

A 1982 report on Article 17, which led to the creation of the Pastor Church

Relations office (now combined with other specialized ministries into

Thrive), emphasized two key themes of prevention and healing (Acts of Synod

1982, pp. 581-89). This applies prior to conflict as well as in the midst of con-

flict and is reflected in our current procedures. For instance, as soon as one

or the other begins to wonder if they’re “stuck,” the council and pastor are

expected to honor their high view of God’s call by inviting church visitors

to come and help them reconcile their diverging impressions of God’s call.

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Council of Delegates Report 113

It should also be noted that a pastor should reach out to the regional pastor

for support. Only after inviting the classis’ support may the pastor or

church begin the formal Article 17 process.

Once a pastor and council recognize that separation is inevitable, it is im-

portant to be mindful of the painful aspects of such a process. While it is

difficult for an assembly to fully address the pain that results from a pasto-

ral separation, it is pastorally wise to at least take some formal note of this

reality. Synodical guidance advises that a pastor going through a separation

identify an advocate—perhaps the regional pastor or another trusted advi-

sor in the classis—who can be a liaison between the pastor, the council, and

the classis (Acts of Synod 1998, p. 395; see c, 4, c).

The oversight committee may also play an important role in providing

healing as they walk alongside a pastor and/or a church after a separation.

While part of the oversight committee’s role is “evaluation,” the committee

is also asked to address areas of “assistance” (Supplement, Art. 17-a, a and

b). Thrive notes that pastors, during or after an Article 17 process, may ex-

perience difficulty in establishing healthy rhythms of sabbath and personal

discipleship, inattentiveness to family and friends, a lack of self-awareness,

or inattention to physical, emotional, and mental health. (This can be true

for all pastors or church leaders undergoing an Article 17 process, regard-

less of whether conflict was a factor.) While an oversight committee cannot

be expected to resolve every personal challenge faced by a separated pastor

or council, it can play a role in asking helpful questions and connecting the

people to healing resources in the denomination or beyond.

It is important to recognize that congregations too, may face deep wounds

as a result of an Article 17 process. These wounds can present significant

challenges for a community because various members of a church may pro-

cess their emotions in radically different ways. Specialized transitional min-

isters (see Article 12-b) may help with this process, as they are trained to ad-

dress challenges particular to a church in transition. Other denominational

resources (see below) can help congregations identify areas where growth

or spiritual renewal may be needed to confront any sinful patterns or hurt

inflicted during the time of conflict.

Though much of the attention of the Church Order Review Task Force has

been directed to issues related to Article 17, it should be noted that Article

14 releases from office may arouse similar emotions and concerns in both

pastors and congregations. While the situations are different when a pastor

has left formal ministry in the CRC altogether, it may be helpful for a classis

to keep in mind the importance of finding ways to maintain connections

and relationships through which God may bring about healing or reconcili-

ation. As a people who proclaim that God can and does use conflict to ac-

complish his work in us, we need not fear conflict if we are able to see it as a

114 Council of Delegates Report AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

tool, albeit a sometimes painful one, to make something of God’s character

and care for us as his people.

6. Supervision of pastors in between calls

As the rate of Article 17 separations increases, so too does the eventuality of

pastors without a formal call. This situation creates some theological ten-

sion in light of our conviction that ordination clings to a role and not to a

person. It is therefore important for churches and classes to consider the im-

portance of continued supervision for ministers whose credentials they

hold but who do not have a current call, and especially for those who con-

tinue to do ministerial work during a transitional period (such as during

educational leave). It may also be important for pastors without a call to be

honest about their intentions if a lengthy period of eligibility is anticipated,

and to request an Article 14 release from office instead of seeking continued

eligibility when they are not actually pursuing a call.

It is not always clear what ministry limits, if any, exist for a pastor sepa-

rated from a congregation. As Thrive resources note, some kind of tempo-

rary restrictions on public ministry tasks can sometimes help a pastor re-

build relationships with God and others in nonprofessional ways. If a

pastor is not eligible for call, it follows that some kind of restriction on for-

mal ministry may be in place: a long-term role as stated supply in a church,

for example, would seem to be against the spirit of such restrictions. These

restrictions may be unique to each situation, preventing a set of standard

guidelines, but should be discerned and clearly stated in the separation

agreement. It would be wise for pastors under oversight to communicate

regularly with the oversight committee to discern together what opportuni-

ties would be appropriate and would help the pastor become ready to re-

engage ministry, and what should be declined at particular stages in the

process of evaluating readiness for renewed ministry work. It should also

be noted that pastors may refuse to cooperate with the expectations of a

classis oversight committee. In such situations, a classis may find it has little

choice but to release the pastor from ordained ministry via Article 17-d.

Though unfortunate, this is a reasonable response by a classis in line with

our understanding about the importance of discernment by church assem-

blies. At other times, pastors may decide to resign (Art. 14) or retire (Art.

18) rather than to follow through with the oversight process. Classes then

can follow the process for a release from office with an appropriate declara-

tion, or decide whether or not to approve of a retirement with retention of

the title of the office and the authority to perform official acts of ministry.

Many of the principles for supervision of pastors in noncongregational po-

sitions outlined in section III, C, 6 would apply to the kinds of care, ac-

countability, and oversight a council could give to a pastor whose creden-

tials it holds while the pastor is without an active call. In situations

following a release, it may be necessary to consider additional aspects of

care specific to the emotions of ministry transitions. Recognizing that the

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Council of Delegates Report 115

calling church may, at times, not be in the best position to offer such care, it

is also possible that the classis could include such considerations in the

mandate of an oversight committee, or bring them to the attention of the re-

gional pastor. We also note that the Supplement to Article 17-a allows for

the transfer of ministerial credentials to another church during this time of

transition—within the classis only, if the minister is under oversight. In ad-

dition, we observe synod’s previous expectation that church visitors inquire

annually about the status of all pastors not serving in congregational minis-

try, and to take appropriate action in cases that do not conform to synodical

regulations (Acts of Synod 1982, p. 72).

7. Reinstatement

When pastors experience an Article 17 separation, the hope is that there will

be an eventual return to called ministry. While a new call may not resolve

all the pain of a separation, it does provide a continued public affirmation

of a pastor’s sense of calling and of his or her service to the wider church.

Article 14 creates a different kind of situation for pastors seeking reinstate-

ment. Synodical regulations currently stipulate that pastors released to ser-

vice in other denominations (Art. 14-b) be readmitted through the proce-

dures outlined in Article 8 (Acts of Synod 1994, pp. 491-92; see also Agenda

for Synod 2014, pp. 467-68). Pastors released for a “non-ministerial vocation”

(Art. 14-c or 14-d) seek readmission to CRC ministry through Article 14-e,

processed through the classis that originally released the minister. As Over-

ture 10 (Agenda for Synod 2022, pp. 514-15) notes, this creates an incon-

sistency in how the “manner and spirit” of the minister’s conduct leading

up to and during a release is considered during the request for reinstate-

ment process. It also means that any new synodical requirements for ordi-

nation added in the intervening years (such as abuse of power training or

diversity training) may be overlooked.

While it is difficult to create a standard process for handling the variety of

cases that may arise during a request for reinstatement to CRC ministry,

some additional consistency in the process would be helpful. One im-

portant step would be the requirement of a similar examination of the “cir-

cumstances surrounding the release” (Art. 14-e) for pastors being readmit-

ted from other denominations, as is currently the expectation for former

pastors who resign for nonministerial vocations. We recognize that the clas-

sis which released the former pastor is best suited for this task, since they

would presumably have the best access to local leaders with memory of the

“circumstances surrounding the release" as well as to any records or classis

executive session minutes regarding the release. It is also important that

this process of declaring a person re-eligible for call is done in a manner

consistent with the current standards set by synod. This function is ordinar-

ily handled by the denominational Candidacy Committee.

116 Council of Delegates Report AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

Our task force examined a number of different options for processing such

requests for re-eligibility for call. In the end, we determined that the local

classis that released the pastor is the best judge of the minister’s readiness

for re-eligibility for call, in keeping with the patterns also established with

regard to reinstatement in cases of discipline (see Supplement, Art. 82-

84, h). Thus our recommendations will reflect our conclusions that all pas-

tors released from CRC ministry via Article 14-b/c/d or 17-c/d follow the

same pattern of requesting to be declared re-eligible for call through Article

14-e. A proposed new Supplement to Article 14-e outlines the process: the

classis interview currently required by Article 14-e (with concurrence re-

quired from the synodical deputies) would be followed by a referral to the

Candidacy Committee, which would oversee the completion of any addi-

tional requirements for ordination imposed by synod since the pastor’s

original admission to ministry in the CRC. Then, once these requirements

have been completed, the pastor may be declared eligible for call and may

receive and accept a call. As is the case for other pastors “called in the regu-

lar manner,” the classis of the calling church, through its counselor and in-

terim committee, would be responsible for ensuring that all ecclesiastical re-

quirements for ministry have been met before the (re)ordination may

proceed.

Conclusion

As with issues of supervision and accountability (Art. 12-13), the situations

related to separation from a call or from CRC ministry are varied and

unique, making it difficult to provide specific answers that would address

every occasion. This report attempts to identify some of the important is-

sues above, and in the remainder of this section attention will be given to

some additional resources and recommendations that may potentially offer

churches and pastors assistance as they work through a process that can be

confusing and even painful. In the end we recognize again how even the

best processes are limited by the people who are responsible for implement-

ing them. Pastors who lack self-awareness or members of a church council

who act in bad faith can misuse any set of procedures in ways that cause

harm and sow distrust. While we cannot prevent such misuse, it is our

hope, as authors of this report, that these reflections will offer opportunities

for better communication and discernment of God’s will on occasions when

pastors and churches find it necessary to work toward a formal separation.

C. Resources and guidance

The mandate of the Church Order Review Task Force includes the charge to

“develop suggestions for clearer guidelines to pastors and churches in

times of conflict, as well as assistance for positive pastoral transitions” (Acts

of Synod 2022, p. 849), a request echoing Overture 5 (deferred from 2020). As

we review the existing materials, our task force believes that a number of

such guidelines already exist and that the issue is not necessarily a lack of

guidelines but a limited awareness of the resources and guidance that have

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Council of Delegates Report 117

already been adopted. In this section we highlight some of these resources

while also commending a few updated processes to the churches for con-

sideration:

1. Resources for Prevention

Our high view of calling and ministry invites us as churches and pastors to

make use of resources that aid discernment. When diverging impressions of

God’s call arise, our shared commitment to the work of Christ in his church

should lead us to seek ways to reconcile these impressions in order to con-

tinue shared ministry for the Lord’s sake. Churches and pastors, then,

should carefully and prayerfully consider the nature of called ministry (see

section II, B above), acknowledging its origin in God’s call and cultivating a

curiosity about God’s ways, especially in seasons of difficulty or disagree-

ment.

Concretely this means using the resources available in our church polity to

work toward healing and reconciliation in times of conflict. Those resources

include the following:

a. Church visitors: Church visitors represent the care and concern of the clas-

sis, and churches should avail themselves of the support and advice of

church visitors. Church Order Article 42-b describes the involvement of

church visitors in terms of permission: churches “are free to call on the

church visitors whenever serious challenges arise. . . .” As reflected in

this report’s recommendations, we believe that stronger encouragement

to make use of church visitors would be appropriate, indicating that

churches are expected to seek the wise counsel of the wider church in

times of difficulty or tension.

The CRC’s Guide for Church Visiting contains a number of suggested

questions that can help churches and pastors discern the health of a min-

istry setting. We suggest that this resource be reviewed and updated to

include questions that would assist church visitors and others in work-

ing through situations of pastoral discernment, especially in the face of

growing tension. As synod has observed, such early intervention can

provide “a possibility of healthy resolution that becomes less likely after

tensions have risen to a breaking point” (Acts of Synod 2012, p. 755).

b. Regional pastors: Regional pastors serve as “pastors to pastors,” coming

alongside pastors in their classes as advocates and as supports for their

spiritual, emotional, mental, and even physical health. The expertise and

advice of regional pastors are a wonderful resource for ministers who

encounter challenges in ministry and want to discern more clearly God’s

will for them in their ministry career.

c. Thrive: The CRCNA agency Thrive provides support to pastors and con-

gregations, implementing a commitment to promote healthy relation-

ships, encourage one another in ministry, and aid in the discernment of

next steps in seasons of growth, transition, or challenge.

118 Council of Delegates Report AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

d. Classical counselors: This functionary role is designed to provide wise

guidance to churches and pastors as a call is being processed, and to fos-

ter healthy relationships between a church and a pastor at the beginning

of a call. Some classes have identified one or two individuals to whom all

classical counselor assignments are given, in order to assure that all

councils in need of counsel have access to an individual familiar with

“ecclesiastical regulations and sound process” (Art. 42-c) to guide them

through the calling process. While we do not believe this arrangement is

always necessary, we see it as a helpful model to follow. At the very

least, we encourage classes to recognize the importance of this function-

ary role and to value counselors who have the same kind of “experience

and counsel” that Church Order currently expects of church visitors (Art.

42-b). We encourage classical counselors to understand the significance

of their role, to be available to councils throughout the search and calling

process, and to help churches send calls that will lead to fruitful relation-

ships between the churches and pastors.

e. Leaves of absence: Church Order Article 16 provides a process whereby a

pastor can request a temporary leave of absence. In times of personal dif-

ficulty or church conflict, a leave of absence may provide valuable time

and space to both a church and a minister. A period of rest can provide

the soul care a minister may need, and that can allow both the church

and the minister the opportunity to evaluate the present situation or to

work through the challenges of discerning God’s will in a particular call.

We are aware of a small but growing number of situations where coun-

cils have required a pastor to take a leave of absence. While we recognize

the dangers of such a council-imposed leave, we believe there are times

when a council may be in a better position than a pastor to discern the

wisdom of a leave. Our recommendations will reflect this conviction,

with the expectation of additional concurrence from classis functionaries

as a safeguard against abuse.

2. Process questions

If indeed a church and pastor determine that the best course of action is

separation, it is extremely important to have a healthy process in place in

order to limit harm to either party, to honor the dignity and worth of all in-

volved, and to ensure the most potential for fruitful ministry after the sepa-

ration. In response to questions and uncertainties about the separation pro-

cess, this report recommends several revisions to the Church Order and its

Supplements. Synod 1998 adopted a series of guidelines for the separation

of churches and pastors; these were updated slightly by Synod 2010 (Acts of

Synod 1998, pp. 392-96; Acts of Synod 2010, pp. 915-16). As we reviewed

these guidelines, it became clear that some of the material actually provided

suggestions for addressing conflict before a separation between church and

pastor became inevitable. As a result of our discussions, we have revised

these guidelines substantially and have included additional provisions

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Council of Delegates Report 119

aimed at resolving conflict before it reaches the point of a separation (see

Addendum E). We include these updates in the hope that they will bless

both the pastor’s and the church’s ministry when conflict plays a role in an

Article 14 or 17 separation.

It should also be noted that the denomination has already produced many

valuable resources to help address situations of separation. Because

churches and classes may be uncertain about how to access the information,

we list them here to highlight the particular aspects of guidance already

available to churches. These documents can be found on the denomina-

tional website (see Addendum F).

Again, we highlight the fact that many of the issues and emotions that arise

in an Article 17 separation have parallels in Article 14 situations. Because

each of these situations is unique, we encourage church leaders—particu-

larly those in councils and classes—to utilize the written resources identi-

fied above and to call on those with greater experience in such situations

(such as the denominational staff of Thrive) when questions arise or greater

guidance may be necessary. We would, further, encourage a regular review

of these resources in order to identify areas where updates may be needed.

3. Separation agreements

The use of a separation agreement in times of conflict already has the strong

encouragement of synod (see Acts of Synod 1998, pp. 393-95), and a template

for separation agreements was approved by Synod 2022 (see Acts of Synod

2022, pp. 757-58). Such templates are not only useful in situations of conflict

but could be helpful in providing clarity in any time of separation, so we

are recommending the use of this template for all Article 17 separations.

Separation agreements can also help to supply an important means by

which a council can provide “proper support” (Art. 15; Art. 17-b) for a pas-

tor in a time of transition.

The separation agreement template presented in Addendum D may be

adapted to specific situations. We also observe that the provision for non-

disclosure in statement 5 of this template may strike some as unwise. Non-

disclosure agreements are not prohibitions against all conversations related

to a separation but, rather, about the terms of the agreement (especially

those related to finances) and about demonstrably false statements that fos-

ter questions about the character of the other party.

The text of the pro-

posed template places boundaries around those forms of speech in order to

allow for healthy conversations about separation that bring clarity to the

community. We encourage councils and pastors with concerns about issues

For more on nondisclosure agreements as they relate to the proposed template, see the

article written by Thrive’s Dave Den Haan on the CRC Network (network.crcna.org):

“Who Gets to Say What, to Whom? New Separation Agreement Template” (9/23/2022,

updated 12/11/2023)

120 Council of Delegates Report AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

of communication to draw on the wisdom of denominational resources

such as Thrive in such situations.

As part of this report, our task force has developed an updated version of

the template to address some of the issues of process identified above (see

especially sections IV, B, 1-2 and IV, B, 6), and we recommend that the

Church Order be updated to stipulate that separation agreements should be

used in all Article 17 situations. Because Article 14 releases sometimes in-

volve issues similar to those in Article 17 separations, we would also en-

courage churches and classes to consider whether a similar separation

agreement might be helpful for managing an Article 14 release as well.

4. After the separation

After a declaration of release has been made by the classis, a number of is-

sues will require ongoing discernment and care, particularly if the release is

due to conflict.

a. Oversight committees: When a classis processes an Article 17 separation,

the classis may choose to set up a committee to work with the church, or

the minister, or both, to provide feedback and guidance in order to work

toward a healthier calling process for subsequent ministry. Oversight

committees are not simply intended to provide accountability but to

work on creating positive transitions as well. These committees are

charged with the responsibility of recommending whether a released

pastor should be eligible for call and, if so, when. When assigned to a re-

leasing congregation, an oversight committee is charged with recom-

mending whether the congregation is ready to extend another call. The

Thrive website includes a number of documents to guide this important

work.

b. Finishing well together: When a pastor and congregation separate from

one another by way of an Article 17 release, it is important to bring the

minister-congregation relationship to a close as well as possible. This will

almost always involve a process involving prayer, discernment, and con-

versation rather than focusing on a single event. It may, especially in

times of conflict, require attention to the work of reconciliation and to the

need to provide pastoral care to the minister and the minister’s family.

Thrive is a valuable resource in such matters, and tools such as restora-

tive conversation are valuable as well.

Yet particular events may, at times, provide a means of bringing closure.

In some denominational traditions, including that of the Reformed

Church in America, liturgies focusing on a “release from service to a con-

gregation” are available to offer ways to publicly recognize the close of a

season of ministry. Such liturgies also provide opportunities, though per-

haps limited, to express a need for forgiveness and healing where neces-

sary. Our task force is aware of some cases in which churches have uti-

lized an informal liturgy of release, but it appears to us that in many

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Council of Delegates Report 121

cases (especially awkward ones) churches in our denomination tend to

move quickly to the “business” aspects of release without bringing these

situations into times of worship. While liturgical resources focusing on

release may not be applicable to every situation, we would encourage

churches and pastors to consider these or similar means to lean into the

spiritual nature of releases from ministry and to find appropriate ways to

help pastors and congregations celebrate what God has done through a

past season of ministry and to look for divine grace to sustain each party

in the future. Such liturgies can help to reinforce our theology of calling

and remind churches and pastors that just as God’s voice leads them to a

call, we can expect God to work through a release as well.

If the separation is a particularly painful one, it will be critical for council

leaders, with the help of church visitors, to discern the nature of the re-

leased minister’s involvement in the final worship service. Will the re-

leased pastor lead, preach at, participate in, contribute to, or simply be

acknowledged in that final worship service together? What will enable

the congregation to move toward thriving? What will provide the minis-

ter with the opportunity to bid farewell? What will be the best way for

the minister and the congregation to speak to and listen to God together

in the context of corporate worship?

c. Specialized transitional ministers: Specialized transitional ministers (STMs)

are trained to help congregations who have experienced the departure of

a pastor due to resignation or release from call. Their work is to help con-

gregations navigate the transitions from conflict to peace, from grief to

joy, from unhealth to health, and from mission confusion to mission clar-

ity. Thrive can help churches connect with STMs, and more information

can be found at the STM website (crcna.org/pcr/stm).

d. Resources for vocational assessment and discernment: Thrive has identified a

number of resources to assist pastors in the process of self-understanding

and discernment about God’s leading in the internal call to ministry. A

number of these resources are listed in Addendum F. In addition, pastors

should remember that an external call to ministry should be discerned in

careful discussion and prayer with other church leaders. Thus pastors

should actively seek to engage their councils in conversation when think-

ing about changes to their position (Art. 14-a).

5. Prayer

We echo the comment of the Synod 1987 advisory committee that noted it

“would like to have seen more attention given . . . to the role of the Holy

Spirit in calling, the nature of calling, and the covenantal nature of the rela-

tionship between a pastor and a calling church . . .” (Acts of Synod 1987,

p. 574). Though much of our reflection to this point has focused on proce-

dure and policy, we reaffirm our comments made at the beginning of this

report that the discernment of ministry calling is first and foremost a

122 Council of Delegates Report AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

spiritual matter. Through Thrive there are a number of options to aid both

churches and pastors at various stages of ministry in prayerful discernment.

When we neglect this spiritual aspect, we can easily overlook what God

might be doing in a particular situation.

Conclusion

The denomination has developed a wide variety of resources and guidance

to assist churches and pastors in times of transition. Unfortunately many of

these resources are unfamiliar or underutilized. This may be due, in part, to

the awkwardness of many releases (even ones taken for relatively positive

reasons) and the desire to simply bring a process to completion. We encour-

age both churches and pastors also to take the time to look for God’s work

in the changing circumstances of ministry.

D. Recommendations related to transitions and release from ministry

Synod’s mandate charges this task force to provide, among other things,

“suggestions for clearer guidelines to pastors and churches in times of con-

flict, as well as assistance for positive pastoral transitions . . . including at-

tention to the readmission of pastors via Article 8” (Acts of Synod 2022,

p. 849). In addition, we reviewed the requests of the overtures that led to

the formation of this task force, which included (in addition to the items as-

signed by synod’s mandate) suggestions about distinguishing between

“routine” and “complex” Article 17 separations (Overtures 4-6) and ad-

dressing instances of inappropriate avoidance of special discipline (Over-

ture 5).

Our recommendations at the end of this report address these instructions

and requests in the following ways:

1. Suggestions for clearer guidelines in times of conflict

Though synod has already adopted a number of helpful guidelines over the

years, many of these instructions have not been readily accessible to coun-

cils and classes. Other aspects of this guidance may have been generally un-

derstood by some church leaders but not spelled out in Church Order or in

synodical regulations. We have attempted to remedy this by recommend-

ing the following:

• additions to the Church Order Supplement, Article 17-a to clarify

how requests for release from a call are to be processed through

church assemblies, and to require separation agreements in all situ-

ations of release from call (see Addendum B, proposed Supple-

ment, Art. 17-a, a, 1 and a, 3)

• guidance for release from a call issued jointly by congregations in

different denominations (see Addendum B, proposed Supplement,

Art. 17-a, a, 5)

• changes to the Separation Agreement Template that clarify process

questions (see Addendum D; also proposed updates to the guid-

ance of Synod 1998 in Addendum E, C, 4)

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Council of Delegates Report 123

• principles for determination of severance for consideration by

synod (see section IV, B, 2)

• a reminder to the churches that Articles 14 and 17 are not appropri-

ate tools for the avoidance of special discipline (Recommendation

J, 3)

Grounds for these recommendations will be provided at the conclusion of

the report.

2. Assistance for positive pastoral transitions

As noted above, we understand this portion of our mandate to be focused

on transitions related to release from ministry and not from those related to

acceptance of a call to a new church or ministry position (Art. 14-a). Inher-

ent in this part of our mandate is also the underlying concern over stigma

from Article 17 releases that, in some cases, inhibits positive pastoral transi-

tions. Our recommendations will include the following:

• proposed changes to existing guidance from Synod 1998 to high-

light the possibility of reconciliation even in the documentation fo-

cused on release from a call, and to note the importance of contin-

ued care for pastors and congregations in the time following a

release (see proposed Supplement, Art. 17-a, a, 2 and a, 6)

• a proposed requirement that classis minutes record specific and

publicly acknowledged reasons for a release from a call in order to

help distinguish between “routine” or “complex” Article 17 pro-

cesses (see proposed Supplement, Art. 17-a, a, 4)

• recognition of the growing variety of reasons for which Article 17

separations may occur, including cultural factors that do not in-

clude conflict as an underlying cause

• commendation of templates for oversight committee mandates and

liturgical resources that can assist with the process for Spirit-led

discernment and celebration of ministry transitions

• proposed changes to Church Order Article 16 to allow a council to

initiate a leave of absence for a pastor in certain situations

• resources for vocational assessment and discernment

Grounds for these recommendations will be provided at the conclusion of

the report.

3. Readmission of pastors via Article 8

We are recommending that synod adopt a process that directs all who have

left ordained ministry in the CRC, either for service in another denomina-

tion or for nonministerial work, to a single consistent process for readmis-

sion via Article 14-e. We are further recommending that this process be

spelled out in the Church Order Supplement.

The Recommendations section at the end of this report will provide greater

detail and more specific grounds regarding these items.

124 Council of Delegates Report AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

V. Concluding observations

As we conclude this report, we observe again that the sections of Church

Order we were asked to review cover a wide variety of situations, and, de-

spite our best intentions, it is not possible to address all of them by means

of synodical regulations or through this report. We recognize, then, that

much of what we have said still requires the wise application of church

leaders in their own local contexts, seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit

in each individual situation.

In our mandate, synod asked that we review the Church Order articles and

their Supplements related to supervision and accountability, as well as

those related to ministers’ releases, and to make recommendations about

how to more effectively offer support, supervision, and positive assistance

in times of conflict. We hope that the proposals and resources we identified

throughout this report, and especially in our closing recommendations, pro-

vide the kind of support and guidelines requested by synod. In this report

we have also attempted to interact with the overtures that prompted synod

to form this task force, as well as with input we received from others across

the denomination.

A. Issues for future consideration

Despite the many issues we have been able to attend to in this lengthy re-

port, we found there are also several issues that either fall outside our man-

date or that we were unable to address in the time we were assigned.

1. Commissioned pastor impact

While the distinctive nature of the office of commissioned pastor means

that not all the principles in this report apply to that office, we acknowledge

along with Overture 4 (deferred from 2020) that some of the issues that af-

fect ministers of the Word in noncongregational settings also affect commis-

sioned pastors.

a. The boundaries of “ministerial” work and the significance of ordination

may provide assistance in giving further definition to the kinds of job de-

scriptions that meet synodical guidelines (see Art. 23-a and its Supple-

ment).

b. The discussion of “proper support” and encouragement for commis-

sioned pastors who serve in roles beyond the local congregation has as-

pects similar to those of ministers of the Word who serve in similar roles.

c. The guidelines offered in Articles 14, 16, and 17 pertaining to both re-

lease from a call and reordination provide additional material to help

councils and classes process the release of a commissioned pastor (Art.

24-d).

We recommend that synod task the Candidacy Committee with consider-

ing whether an update of the Commissioned Pastor Handbook would be

appropriate for taking these matters into account.

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Council of Delegates Report 125

2. Retired pastors

Though matters related to Article 18 are beyond the scope of this task force,

we note that councils and classes face similar issues and concerns regarding

retired pastors as for those regarding ministers who serve in noncongrega-

tional settings. Many retired pastors, though not serving in an active call,

still serve in ways that officially represent the CRCNA and the wider

church through a ministry of the Word, sacraments, and pastoral presence.

“Providing honorably for [these pastors’] support” (Art. 18-b) goes beyond

the provision of a pension, which is the main intention of Article 18; it also

means supporting ministry in many of the ways identified above (section

III, C, 6). As with noncongregational ministries, some congregations do well

at providing support and accountability; other congregations, however,

view retired ministers as a category that no longer requires such support.

Of course, retired pastors themselves may also benefit from the reminder

that they remain under the “supervision” of a council as long as they retain

the “title . . . and the authority” to perform official actions on behalf of the

church (Art. 18-b). Today many retired pastors are not as closely connected

to a local congregation as they would have been in a different generation.

Some retire far from a CRC or use retirement to pursue other avenues of

service that would not have been possible while in called ministry. In such

cases, supervision and accountability may be somewhat challenging. So

while it is technically outside our mandate to make observations about Arti-

cle 18, we would note the importance of good communication and support-

ive relationships between retired pastors and the councils to which they re-

main accountable in faith and life.

3. Reinstatement of pastors released under special discipline

Just as our task force has noted the inconsistencies of our existing proce-

dures regarding readmission of pastors who were released under various

provisions of Article 14, we also note that the readmission process for min-

isters deposed under Articles 82-84 is not always clear. The current provi-

sions of Church Order and synodical regulations presume but do not spec-

ify a process similar to what we have proposed as a supplement to Article

14-e. Though we believe that matters of readmission are properly the pur-

view of the releasing classis, we also recognize the wisdom of having de-

nominational staff (with greater resources and experience) provide a more

consistent review of readmission applications, and in such a way as pro-

vides for a restored pastor's completion of synodical requirements imposed

since the initial ordination. We believe that the denomination would be well

served by a review of these procedures although they are beyond the scope

of our mandate.

4. New trends in the calling process

An additional dynamic that came to the attention of our task force as we

discussed the meaning of being “called in the regular manner” is a chang-

ing understanding of the call process. In churches shaped by different

126 Council of Delegates Report AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

cultural expectations, but also in an increasing number of other situations,

leadership transitions sometimes occur when a pastor or a council works to

“raise up” the next leader of the church, or for a given ministry. This ap-

proach seems scriptural in terms of the church identifying gifts and encour-

aging their expression and use, but it also seems to run against the Church

Order requirement of having a number of names of suitable candidates pre-

sented to the congregation. We sense that care must be taken to ensure that

the process of raising up leaders is open to communal discernment

throughout. Such discernment can lead to ongoing refinement of a trainee’s

sense of call, transparent assessment of the trainee’s readiness for next

steps, and confidence within the trainee that ministry really is what he or

she is called to.

In other contexts, councils have sought assistance from church staffing con-

sultants to find suitable candidates in times of pastoral transition. Here too

we recognize the benefits to be gained from seeking guidance and direction

from “experts” with more experience than the typical search committee in

looking at pastoral candidates. However, such a process can bypass the

covenantal obligations we have as a denomination to give priority to CRC-

ordained or -eligible candidates, and it can overlook the discernment we ex-

pect from the denominational assemblies that have confirmed the sense of

God's call to specific individuals on behalf of our churches. In addition,

challenges arise when staffing consultants fail to acknowledge any dispari-

ties between a given candidate and the denomination in terms of theologi-

cal commitments, educational expectations, and assumptions about the role

of the minister within the congregation. This has further implications too

for the ability of those released from call (Art. 17) to receive a new call, since

there is an increasingly wide pool of potential pastoral candidates from

which churches feel free to choose.

In some ways, these trends may be neither good nor bad but may simply

reflect the reality of current cultural pressures. Therefore we do not believe

that these issues currently need additional regulation from synod. But to

the extent that these trends reflect the growing influence of business models

that may at times be in tension with our theological commitments as a

church, we encourage the churches and classes to take note of these trends

and to exercise wise discernment as church leaders.

5. Church Order changes proposed by Synod 2023

Two decisions of Synod 2023 specifically affect the work of this task force.

Synod 2023 proposed changes to Church Order Article 14-d and to Supple-

ment, Article 13-c for adoption by Synod 2024 (Acts of Synod 2023, pp. 962,

993). The wording of Article 14-d falls within our mandate to review, and

we agree with the basic premise that Article 14 intends to address situations

in which a minister has forsaken the office completely and not those in

which a pastor is intentionally pursuing bivocational ministry (see Adden-

dum B). With regard to the proposed changes to Supplement, Article 13-c,

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Council of Delegates Report 127

we recognize that the specific changes there are intended to address

whether and how to include the Code of Conduct in our Church Order, and

that that particular discussion is beyond the scope of our task force’s man-

date. However, in this report we are proposing that the material in Supple-

ment, Article 13-c be shifted to Article 12 and its Supplements, and we have

stated the requirements to adhere to the “faith and practice” of the CRC in a

way that applies to all pastors in noncongregational settings, not only to

those serving on loan to a congregation in another denomination (see Ad-

dendum A).

We call synod’s attention to these issues in order that the impact of the deci-

sions of Synod 2023 requiring a later synod’s adoption are clear as synod

takes action on our proposals this year.

B. Additional observations

As noted at the beginning of this report, we observe again that ecclesiastical

processes have limited power to transform realities; these processes are

worthwhile and significant only to the degree that they help to support re-

lationships from which wholeness and healing may result. This is why our

Church Order must be set in the light of Scripture and the confessions,

which call us into relationship with the living God in Christ. It is out of our

shared relationship in Christ that ministry flows, and through this relation-

ship supervision and even releases become pathways to encouragement

and even hope in the God who raises the dead.

Because we recognize that processes depend on people to implement them

faithfully, and that the aim of the Church Order is to foster a framework for

healthy relationships within the body of Christ, we highlight again the im-

portance of building bridges especially in situations where issues of super-

vision, accountability, and release are being applied across cultures. We

would encourage the denomination to ensure ready access in multiple lan-

guages to the Church Order and to synodically approved templates and

guidance identified in this report. The CRC has sought, at various times, to

provide resources in a variety of languages, and we are aware of work be-

ing done by the Office of General Secretary to develop internal capacity for

translation services and to provide lists of theological and church polity

terms in various languages for consistency in translation. Often these re-

sources have been provided by leaders within these language groups,

whose benefit to the denomination cannot be overstated. The principle of

providing translations of such resources was, until 1965, even part of our

Church Order (pre-1965 Art. 52; see also Acts of Synod 1902, p. 77; Acts of

Synod 1989, p. 308). Unfortunately, that process has often proven costlier

and more time intensive than expected (see Acts of Synod 1990, p. 598;

Agenda for Synod 2012, pp. 215-16). While recognizing the challenges inher-

ent in developing access to resources in a variety of languages, we would

encourage a renewed look at the ways in which even translation software

128 Council of Delegates Report AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

can provide the beginning of such translations into languages frequently

used in the CRC (such as Spanish, Korean, Chinese, and Navajo) and to ac-

tively collect such resources on the denomination’s website. With the Can-

didacy Committee report of a decade ago, we commend this matter to the

churches and synod for discussion and consideration in the coming year

(see Acts Synod 2012, p. 216).

In response to the increasing diversity of the denomination it is essential to

recognize the need to listen to people who represent nonmajority cultures,

and to mentor congregations and church leaders who are new to the CRC,

in order to be sensitive to their own particular experiences. When a council

or classis is dealing with an issue involving a congregation or pastor of a

nonmajority cultural or language background, it may be helpful to seek as-

sistance from other denominational leaders who can facilitate conversations

in first languages with the requisite knowledge of cultural factors as well as

CRC polity and practice. Ethnic minority leaders (such as those employed

by Resonate) would not replace classis functionaries but should be seen as

guides to help provide the relational ties that are essential to help Church

Order function in a healthy manner. The denomination should continue to

regularly update translations of the Church Order and its Supplements and

make them easily available to non-Anglo congregations and classes. Finally,

we encourage majority-culture churches to work together with nonmajority

churches to bridge cultural gaps so that churches whose ethnic background

is not Anglo may feel adequately supported and invested in the processes

of church polity.

We would furthermore recommend an update to the introduction of the

Church Order to highlight for readers the importance of seeking out such

language and cultural resources as would help foster a deeper understand-

ing of and trust in the systems established by synod to promote healthy

ministry and address conflict. The more that local councils and classes can

gain a sense of ownership over these processes, the easier it will be to dis-

cover the gift of healing and hope that God provides through the collective

discernment and witness of the wider church. This is true even in situations

where cross-cultural issues are not in play. For many churches and classes,

supervision of pastors in noncongregational settings and questions of re-

lease from call are not everyday realities, so it is important to seek out the

wisdom and learned experience from others in the wider denomination.

This is also an important reason to continue to develop training resources

for stated clerks, synodical deputies, regional pastors, church visitors, and

other classis leaders who can assist churches and pastors in seasons of dis-

cernment and uncertainty. In some cases, that process could be assisted by

updates to materials such as the Manual for Synodical Deputies or the Guide

for Conducting Church Visiting, which should be reviewed in light of the

changes proposed and the commentary provided by this report.

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Council of Delegates Report 129

As we wrap up this report, we return to an observation we made as we be-

gan—that our overall goal in any regulations regarding ministry and lead-

ership is to advance the work of God’s kingdom. Thus we want to ground

all of our work, including those matters that appear more administrative in

nature, in the testimony of Scripture and the wisdom of theological reflec-

tion done within the Reformed tradition over the years. In this regard, we

echo the observations of a previous study committee addressing issues sim-

ilar to ours: “The issues faced . . . are very complex and involve many facets

of our church’s polity. Our primary concern is the welfare of God's church

and the individual ministers, congregations, and other parties concerned in

stressful situations. . . . The success of these recommendations, it must be

observed, will depend in the final analysis upon the local churches, their

consistories, and pastors working together to do what is right and best”

(Report of the Healing Ministries Committee, Acts of Synod 1982, p. 582). We

reiterate the fact that the situations we are addressing depend, in the end,

on the faithfulness and integrity of those tasked with carrying out the pro-

cesses mandated by synod.

Unfortunately, in a sinful world there will always be ways in which our ac-

tions in a particular situation do not match our Christian commitment to

truth and justice. No measure of regulation can prevent pastors or church

assemblies from a sinful application of church regulations. What we can do,

however, is provide guidance and regulations that help to foster the kind of

Christlike conversation that brings about appropriate measures of support

and accountability for people in ordained leadership that goes beyond a

“quick fix” mentality. We can also encourage churches and leaders to slow

down enough to listen to each other in order to bring their stories together

in ways that create space for mutual discernment, following the lead of the

Holy Spirit and drawing on the collective wisdom of past denominational

policies as well as the collaborative experience of our various cultural con-

texts and individual situations in which God has placed us. We believe that

our report and recommendations offer assistance in developing the types of

practices that foster such mutual discernment and space for careful listen-

ing, and we pray that God's Spirit directs our churches and pastors to appli-

cations of this guidance in ways that honor Christ and glorify him in the

public ministry of the Christian Reformed Church in North America.

May God bless the work of his people in leadership and in our churches so

that “the peace of Christ may rule in [our] hearts, since as members of one

body [we are] called to peace.” And in all we do, as our church assemblies

process matters of supervision or release, “whether in word or deed,” may

it be done “in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father

through him” (Col. 3:15-17).

130 Council of Delegates Report AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

VI. Recommendations

A. That synod grant the privilege of the floor to Joel Vande Werken (chair)

and Rita Klein-Geltink (reporter) when matters related to the Church Order

Review Task Force report are considered.

B. That synod commend the report of the Church Order Review Task Force

to the churches as a resource for addressing questions and concerns about

the calling and supervision of pastors in noncongregational settings, for

thinking about situations that may lead to a pastor’s release from a call, and

for considering the cultural factors that contribute to the complexity of

these issues today.

Grounds:

1. The report identifies and reaffirms much of the wisdom of past deci-

sions of synod regarding the calling and supervision of pastors in

noncongregational settings and regarding issues related to a pastor’s

release from a call.

2. The report presents in accessible form many of the resources pertain-

ing to matters in the task force mandate.

C. That synod remind the churches that the Church Order and other polity

resources identified in this report exist for the purpose of supporting minis-

try, giving shape to our church community, and fostering Spirit-led discern-

ment and transparent conversation about the nature of ordained ministry

and the work of building God’s kingdom. These resources should be used

in conjunction with diligent prayer and concerted efforts to deepen relation-

ships for the reign of Christ among his people (sections II, A; V, B).

D. That synod reaffirm the following principles related to the calling, super-

vision, and release of ministers of the Word, with the understanding that

these regulations form the basis for the proposed revisions to the Church

Order and its Supplements that follow in later recommendations:

1. There is only one category of CRC ministers—that of minister of the

Word—and the ministry of this office comes to expression in differ-

ent settings within the service of the part of Christ’s body known as

the Christian Reformed Church (Acts of Synod 1978, p. 478; see section

III, A, 1, a).

2. All ministers of the Word, whether serving in a local CRC congrega-

tion or in some other organization or congregation beyond the CRC,

are expected to adhere to CRC doctrine and polity as indicated in the

Covenant for Officebearers (Acts of Synod 1976, p. 502; see section III,

A, 2, d).

3. All calls to ministers of the Word should be processed “in the regular

manner,” which requires a formal call from a council and congrega-

tion with accountability to the classis (Acts of Synod 1964, p. 58; see

section III, C, 2).

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Council of Delegates Report 131

4. Participation in the major assemblies of the church is limited to office-

bearers of the constituent minor assemblies (with the exception of

RCA ministers serving as pastors of CRC churches, per Supplement,

Art. 8, D, 10). While other CRC officebearers who are not delegated

may attend classis and be given an advisory voice, the participation

of such officebearers is subject to the discernment and regulations of

each classis (Acts of Synod 1964, p. 57; section III, C, 5).

5. Councils are responsible for ensuring that “proper support” has been

provided for all active ministers whose credentials they hold, and to

provide encouragement for the ministry done by those pastors,

whether within or beyond the local CRC congregation (Acts of Synod

2023, p. 967; see section III, A, 2, e; B, 5; C, 2).

6. Church visitors should inquire annually about the status of all pas-

tors not serving in congregational ministry, and should take steps to

ensure that councils are providing appropriate “proper support” and

encouragement and that situations comply with all synodical regula-

tions (Acts of Synod 1982, p. 72; see section IV, B, 6; C, 6).

7. Ecclesiastical endorsement for chaplains, specialized transitional min-

isters, and other such positions is not intended as a replacement for

the discernment of the church assemblies to determine whether a par-

ticular position is “consistent with the calling of a minister of the

Word” (Acts of Synod 1978, p. 46; see section III, B, 6; C, 3).

8. When feasible, ministers of the Word should ordinarily be called by a

local church in close geographic proximity to the congregation, insti-

tution, or agency being served, and the pastor’s membership should

normally reside with the calling church (Acts of Synod 1964, p. 58; see

section III, B, 8).

9. Classes are assemblies composed of delegates from the constituent

councils; therefore the business to be conducted is that of the coun-

cils. This means that an individual pastor may be allowed to address

the classis in a matter related to their call or release, but the matters

considered by the classis are those brought to it by a council, except

in cases of appeal (see Church Order Art. 39; section IV, B, 1).

10. Pastors are called by both God and the church as the Spirit speaks

through the church’s members. It should be a weighty matter, there-

fore, requiring discernment from the wider church through its assem-

blies, when a pastor leaves a particular call or when a congregation

requests permission to release a pastor. It is also important that the

church avoid business language such as “hiring” to refer to the call-

ing of a pastor (see Church Order Art. 14-a; section IV, A, 1).

11. The call to ministry, either in a local congregation or in the service of

the wider church, is not necessarily a lifetime call. Therefore it should

be understood that people following the call of God may be led into

132 Council of Delegates Report AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

different kinds of work over the course of a lifetime, and should wel-

come the wisdom of the wider church and its assemblies in the pro-

cess of discernment when leaving a call (Acts of Synod 1978, p. 47; see

section IV, A, 2).

12. Ordination clings to a role in the church, not to any specific individ-

ual. Because the ministry of the Word is a calling connected to the of-

ficial service of the CRC and is not simply a professional credential,

pastors who are not actively engaged in such service should seek to

discern, in cooperation with the assemblies of the church, at what

point a release from ministry would be more appropriate than contin-

ued ordination (Acts of Synod 1986, p. 586; see section II, B, 2).

E. That synod adopt the following regulations with regard to the calling, su-

pervision, and release of ministers of the Word, with the understanding

that these regulations form the basis for the proposed revisions to the

Church Order and its Supplements that follow in later recommendations:

1. The basic pattern of what it means to be “called in the regular man-

ner” (proposed Supplement, Art. 12, A; see section III, C, 2).

• A council extends a call to a pastor by presenting a nomination to

the congregation (Church Order Art. 4-a), who affirms the council’s

call by means of a congregational vote (Art. 4-c; Art. 37).

• Candidates elected to office are ordained or installed in a public

worship service of the church (Art. 4-d).

• The classis is involved in these matters through the work of a clas-

sical counselor, who is an officebearer from another congregation

who acts on behalf of the classis to see that ecclesiastical regulations

have been followed (Art. 9; Art. 42-c).

• The ordination of candidates and the installation of ministers are

regulated according to Church Order Articles 10-a and -b.

Ground: This gathers the regulations regarding the call process into

one location in the Church Order.

2. The definition stating that positions “consistent with the calling of a

minister of the Word” are those in which a minister serves to pro-

claim, explain, and apply Holy Scripture under the authority of and as

a public representative of the church, in a way that the members of the

church may be gathered in and built up in Christ (see proposed Sup-

plement, Art. 12, A). The questions for discernment as presented in

section III, C, 1 of this report are key to this definition.

Ground: This definition reflects the general outline of the calling of a

minister in Church Order Article 11 and aligns with past declarations

of synod.

3. The requirement that all calls to positions beyond the bounds of a sin-

gle local CRC congregation, whether such service is the minister’s

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Council of Delegates Report 133

primary service or part of a bivocational or temporary arrangement,

include a Covenant for Joint Supervision. This requirement also in-

cludes all pastors serving congregations outside the CRC, as well as

pastors serving multiple congregations within the CRC (see section

III, B, 6; C, 4).

Grounds:

a. Such covenants protect both pastors and churches by ensuring that

proper boundaries are in place and expectations are clearly spelled

out to prevent misunderstanding or burnout, and to strengthen the

encouragement a church provides for the ministry carried out in its

name outside the local congregation.

b. While these covenants are currently required only of chaplains and

denominational staff, there are benefits to the clarity gained for any

minister whose ecclesiastical supervision and work lie with differ-

ent organizations.

c. Though Church Order currently specifies the nature of supervision

for pastors serving in RCA congregations (Supplement, Art. 8, D, 9;

Supplement, Art. 13-c, f), the expectation of regular reporting to the

sending council is not made explicit.

d. Synod 2023 recognized the importance of regular engagement con-

cerning the “health and welfare” of pastors as part of conversations

about the provision of “proper support” (Acts of Synod 2023, p. 967).

4. The stipulation that approval of a position according to Article 12-b or

12-c requires a formal declaration that the position is “consistent with

the calling of a minister of the Word” as part of the process of calling

“in the regular manner” (section III, C, 3).

Grounds:

a. It is the task of the assemblies to discern what positions outside the

local congregation are “consistent with the calling of a minister of

the Word.”

b. This procedure is consistent with previous declarations of synod

(Acts of Synod 1950, p. 61; Acts of Synod 1978, p. 46) and with the

current understanding of chaplaincy supported through Thrive,

but this is not often understood to be part of the calling process for

Article 12-b positions today.

c. Requiring a formal note about the ministerial nature of all such po-

sitions helps to strengthen practices of oversight and support for

ministers in noncongregational settings.

d. Article 12-b recognizes that there is general agreement about the

ministerial nature of certain kinds of work in missions, chaplaincy,

or transitional ministry that do not require the extra discernment of

synodical deputies.

134 Council of Delegates Report AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

5. The provision that ministers of the Word being loaned to non-CRC

congregations, either as a primary call or as part of an arrangement to

serve multiple churches, should serve only congregations who recog-

nize the value of a Reformed witness and allow the minister to serve

in a way consistent with the faith and practice of the Christian Re-

formed Church, ordinarily articulated through statements of faith in

harmony with those of the Christian Reformed denomination. Such

churches are not, however, required to be actively contemplating affil-

iation with the CRCNA as currently expected by Church Order (sec-

tion III, C, 4).

Grounds:

a. Though CRC pastors must remain true to the doctrinal commit-

ments made in the Covenant for Officebearers, our current expecta-

tion that the receiving congregation “seriously contemplates affilia-

tion with the Christian Reformed Church” (current Supplement,

Art. 13-c, a and b) is increasingly unrealistic.

b. This provision offers pastors, particularly in smaller non-Anglo

churches who may face requests for long-term service in congrega-

tions outside the Reformed theological tradition, with a means of

discernment from the wider church regarding the appropriateness

of such arrangements.

6. The updated guidelines from Synod 1998 dealing with the separation

of pastors and churches, which have been expanded to include mat-

ters related to prevention and healing for pastors and churches in

times of conflict without the presumption of an inevitable separation,

as presented in Addendum E (see section IV, C, 2).

Grounds:

a. Synod 2022 specifically requested that the task force provide clearer

guidelines for pastors and churches in times of conflict.

b. Though the title of the regulations adopted by Synod 1998 indicates

their usefulness in guiding the process of separation between pas-

tors and churches, the document also includes a number of helpful

remarks aimed at helping churches and pastors through conflict

without the presumption that a separation will be necessary.

c. The guidelines have not been substantially reviewed since 1998, de-

spite significant shifts in ministry culture since that time.

7. The purposes of severance identified in section IV, B, 2 of this report.

Ground: While the appropriate amount of severance requires the dis-

cernment of council and classis with regard to the specific details of

each unique situation, a clear sense of the purposes of severance ar-

rangements can assist church leaders in providing just and gracious

provisions for pastors released from a call.

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Council of Delegates Report 135

8. The updated readmission process for those who have been previously

released from CRC ministry (see section IV, B, 7 and Addendum B,

Proposed Supplement, Art. 14-e).

Grounds:

a. Current regulations provide no requirement that candidates for re-

admission complete the synodical requirements for ordination im-

posed since the initial admission to the ministry.

b. This will provide consistency in the way that all releases from CRC

ministry are handled, thereby rescinding the previous directives

that ministers released to another denomination should be read-

mitted through Article 8 rather than Article 14-e (Acts of Synod

1994, pp. 491-92).

9. The expectation that pastors and councils have a mutual responsibil-

ity to formulate and conclude a separation agreement that meets the

approval of classis in all situations where a release from a call is nec-

essary (section IV, C, 4).

Grounds:

a. Synodical guidelines currently imply, but do not mandate, that

separation agreements be used for all Article 17 situations (see Acts

of Synod 1998, pp. 392-95).

b. Requiring a separation agreement in all situations fosters mutual

discernment between pastors, councils, and classes about the cir-

cumstances of a release from a call.

c. A mutually agreed-upon separation agreement provides clarity of

expectations and provisions for the pastor and council moving for-

ward.

10. The process of “consultation,” in situations of release from calls is-

sued jointly by both a CRC council and a congregation in another de-

nomination (Supplement, Art. 8, D, 7), requires receiving the docu-

mentation describing the proposed release, and taking part in the

deliberations of the assembly processing that release, in order to pro-

vide some measure of formal communication and mutual discern-

ment between the appropriate assemblies in each denomination (sec-

tion IV, B, 1).

Ground: As joint ministry opportunities become more common, it is

helpful to have guidelines to address ministerial supervision and re-

lease in such situations.

F. That synod propose the updates to Church Order Articles 12-13 and their

Supplements for adoption by Synod 2025, as presented in Addendum A. It

is understood that where these regulations place new expectations on coun-

cils or pastors (such as a Covenant of Joint Supervision), they apply only to

new calls placed after the formal adoption of these changes by synod.

136 Council of Delegates Report AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

Grounds:

1. These changes explicitly incorporate the principles of earlier synods as

well as the new regulations recommended above (see Recommenda-

tions D, 1-8; E, 1-5).

2. These updates standardize the language of the Church Order and Its

Supplements with regard to the “work” or “position” of a pastor, and

they provide consistency in the descriptions given to service outside

the local CRC congregation (section II, A, 3).

3. Moving the present Article 13-c into Article 12 places all of the Church

Order material related to the calling process in the same article (sec-

tion III, B, 2).

4. The new material in the proposed Supplement, Article 12 clarifies the

universal nature of expectations about the council’s responsibility of

“proper support” for all called positions, as well as the general ap-

plicability of regulatory processes that Church Order currently ad-

dresses to specific situations (section III, C, 2 and Recommendation 3,

a).

5. The order of the proposed Supplement, Article 13-b makes clear that

the priority of the church is care and support rather than discipline

(section III, C, 6).

6. Applying these changes only to new calls placed after the effective

date of these Church Order changes reduces the administrative bur-

den on churches and pastors whose current calls were formulated un-

der different expectations.

7. Because the proposed Supplements are tightly bound up with the pro-

posed updates to the Church Order, it makes sense to combine final

approval of both until 2025 even though synod has already adopted

the principles and regulations undergirding these revisions.

G. That synod propose the updates to Church Order Articles 8, 14-17, 42

and their Supplements for adoption by Synod 2025, as presented in Adden-

dum B.

Grounds:

1. These changes explicitly incorporate the principles of earlier synods as

well as the new regulations recommended above (see Recommenda-

tions D, 9-12; E, 6-9).

2. Church Order Articles 14 and 17 do not currently state explicitly that

changes to and releases from a call to a noncongregational position

are handled according to the same principles as those governing

changes to and releases from a call to congregational ministry.

3. Replacing the word “weighty” with the word “valid” offsets the nega-

tive connotation that causes many to resist the procedures of Articles

14 and 17.

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Council of Delegates Report 137

4. While pastors currently have the option of requesting a leave of ab-

sence, no provisions currently exist in Church Order to allow a coun-

cil to provide an administrative leave in situations where discipline

does not apply.

5. Because the proposed Supplements are tightly bound up with the pro-

posed updates to the Church Order, it makes sense to combine final

approval of both until 2025 even though synod has already adopted

the principles and regulations undergirding these revisions.

H. That synod commend to the churches the following templates as models

for use in the situations identified in this report, with the recognition that

additional templates may already exist to address similar particular situa-

tions (sections III, A, 2; B, 7; C, 2; IV, B, 1-2; C, 3):

1. The model Covenant of Joint Supervision (Addendum C)

2. The updated Separation Agreement Template (Addendum D)

Grounds:

a. These resources provide churches and classes with a basic format for

mutual discernment in situations of noncongregational ministry or re-

leases from service, while recognizing the value of templates that al-

ready exist to address specific situations.

b. This recommendation follows the pattern established by synod in

adopting the sample letter of call and allows flexibility in applying

sample documents to particular circumstances.

c. The Separation Agreement Template was formally adopted by synod

and thus requires synodical approval to be updated (Acts of Synod

2022, pp. 757-58, 935).

I. That synod commend to the churches the resources for letters of call, li-

turgical forms, suggestions for encouragement in ministry, and reporting

templates found in Addendum F of this report (sections III, C, 2; IV, C, 2, 4).

Ground: Synod 2022 requested that the task force provide resources for

more effective supervision of pastors in noncongregational positions.

J. That synod take the following steps to address the growing number of

Article 17 releases, and to address concerns over the stigma of releases via

Article 17 (sections IV, B, 4-7).

1. Note the variety of reasons why a minister might be released from a

particular call, and that many of these reasons are related to cultural

and ecclesiastical changes not associated with relationship tension or a

lack of fit between the congregation and the pastor (see section IV,

A, 2). These realities mean that separations between churches and pas-

tors may continue to rise despite efforts to address them.

2. Remind classes and congregations of the importance of consistent and

transparent application of the principles of Article 17, its Supplement,

138 Council of Delegates Report AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

and other synodical guidance in ways that assist churches and pastors

to see the work of Christ even in difficult situations (section IV, A, 1).

3. Remind churches that Article 17 is not intended to serve as a mecha-

nism to address violations of the Covenant for Officebearers, and that

issues of special discipline should be addressed through the proce-

dures of Church Order Articles 82-84 (section IV, A, 4).

4. Commend to the churches the resources identified in this report for

addressing concerns about the relationship between a minister and a

congregation, particularly those aimed at preventing and managing

conflict, noting especially the assistance for churches that is available

through church visitors, regional pastors, and denominational sup-

port staff at Thrive. See Addendum F for a full list (sections IV, C, 1-2).

5. Direct the Office of General Secretary to develop resources and guid-

ance for Articles 14 and 17 where conflict is not the presenting issue,

in order to reinforce the fact that conflict is not always the root cause

of release from ministry (section IV, A, 2).

6. Direct the Office of General Secretary to develop materials to assist

church visitors in identifying and working through conflict between

pastors and churches (sections IV, B, 5; C, 1, a).

7. Remind churches of the need for continued prayer and mutual dis-

cernment regarding transitions in ministry, and of the importance of

spiritual care for released ministers and their families (sections IV, B,

3-4; C, 5).

Grounds:

a. The growing number of separations between churches and pastors,

while concerning, stem in part from greater trends within the wider

culture that will likely lead to continued growth in these requests de-

spite efforts to address the issue.

b. Many people in our churches continue to see a stigma for congrega-

tions and pastors who have experienced an Article 17 separation.

c. Our single process for release of pastors from a call resembles that of

other denominations, and synod has previously reaffirmed the valid-

ity of this approach to releases from call (Acts of Synod 1998, pp. 399-

400; Acts of Synod 2012, p. 749).

d. Synod specifically asked this task force to take note of the temptation

to use Articles 14 and 17 inappropriately as means of avoiding special

discipline (Acts of Synod 2022, p. 849).

K. That synod instruct the Office of General Secretary to gather the re-

sources identified above (Recommendations H; I; J, 4-5) into a single place

on the CRC website for ready access by the churches, classes, and others

who might use them (sections III, C, 2; C, 6).

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Council of Delegates Report 139

Ground: These resources are not currently accessible in a single place on

the denominational website.

L. That synod instruct the Council of Delegates to review any denomina-

tional policies for the translation of the Church Order and Its Supplements,

and materials such as the key principles and regulations affirmed above

(Recommendations D-E), with the goal of providing improved access to

such materials for non-English speakers (section V, B).

Grounds:

1. The CRC has long recognized the importance of access to such docu-

ments in the languages in use in local contexts (Acts of Synod 1902,

p. 77; Acts of Synod 1989, p. 308).

2. Though synod has been encouraged to consider the importance of in-

tentional translation of documents (Agenda for Synod 2012, pp. 215-16),

our task force was unable to find policies related to that instruction.

3. Many in the wider denomination do not appear to be familiar with

the existing translations of such resources in other languages (see

crcna.org/synodresources; crcna.org/languages).

M. That synod instruct the Office of General Secretary to update the intro-

duction to the Church Order to call attention to the translations of church

polity materials available on the CRC website (crcna.org/synodresources;

crcna.org/languages), and to highlight the importance of consulting with

ethnic ministry leaders when addressing situations of cultural and linguis-

tic complexity, bringing these updates for approval by Synod 2025 (section

II, C, 7).

Grounds:

1. This highlights the importance of consultation and conversation, par-

ticularly in situations where language or cultural differences may add

greater complexity to already challenging situations.

2. The introduction to the Church Order has previous synodical ap-

proval (Acts of Synod 2010, pp. 912-15).

3. Many in the wider denomination do not appear to be familiar with

the existing translations of such resources in other languages.

N. That synod instruct the Office of General Secretary to review the forms

for synodical deputies, guide for church visiting, training resources for clas-

sis personnel, and other relevant documents in order to make appropriate

updates in light of the recommendations of this report (section V, B).

O. That synod instruct the Candidacy Committee, while recognizing the

differences that exist between the office of minister of the Word and the of-

fice of commissioned pastor, to note the implications of this task force’s

work on the boundaries of ministerial work, the nature of “proper sup-

port,” and the regulations pertaining to release from a call, as it relates to

commissioned pastors, and to bring to Synod 2025 any updates necessary to

140 Council of Delegates Report AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

the Commissioned Pastor Handbook as a result of this task force’s observa-

tions and recommendations (section V, A, 1).

P. That synod note the implications of the process for declaring formerly re-

leased ministers as eligible for call in the proposed Supplement, Article 14-e

and instruct the Council of Delegates to review Article 84 and its Supple-

ment and propose appropriate updates to synod to bring the process for re-

instatement of disciplined pastors into harmony with the procedures for re-

admission of released pastors (section V, A, 3).

Q. That synod note the impact of this report’s proposals on the changes to

Church Order Article 14-d and to Supplement, Article 13-c being consid-

ered for adoption by Synod 2024 (Acts of Synod 2023, pp. 962, 993) and in-

corporate those changes appropriately as it considers the proposed changes

to the Church Order in this report (section V, A, 5).

R. That synod declare the mandate of the Church Order Review Task Force

fulfilled and dismiss the members of the task force with thanks.

ADDENDUM A

Updates to Church Order Articles 12-13 and

Their Supplements

Note: In the following Church Order materials, proposed additions are indi-

cated by underline and deletions are indicated by strikethrough.

Article 12

a. [unchanged]

b. A minister of the Word who (1) accepts a position endorsed by the

CRC related to enters into the work of missions, chaplaincy, or special-

ized transitional ministry; or (2) is appointed directly by synod; or (3) ac-

cepts an appointment that is ratified by synod shall be called in the regu-

lar manner by a local church, which acts in cooperation with the

appropriate committees of classis or synod to ensure that provisions for

accountability to the calling church are in place.

—Cf. Supplement, Article 12

c. A minister of the Word may also serve the church in other positions

that relate work which relates directly to the calling of a minister. Such

ministers shall be called in the regular manner by a local church, but only

after the calling church has demonstrated to the satisfaction of classis,

with the concurring advice of the synodical deputies, that the said work

is consistent with the calling of a minister of the Word, that provisions

for accountability to the calling church are in place, and that the duties of

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Council of Delegates Report 141

the position do not conflict with the minister’s commitment to the faith

and practice of the Christian Reformed Church.

—Cf. Supplement, Article 12-c

[The following proposed Article 12-d has been moved and adapted from the pre-

vious Article 13-c.]

dc. A minister of the Word may be loaned temporarily by the calling

church to serve as pastor of a congregation outside the Christian Re-

formed Church, provided that the duties of the position do not conflict

with the minister’s commitment to the faith and practice of the Christian

Reformed Church. Such ministers shall also be called in the regular man-

ner by a local church, but only with the approval of classis, the concur-

ring advice of the synodical deputies, and in accordance with synodical

regulations, including the concurring advice of the synodical deputies

when necessary. Although the specific duties may be regulated in coop-

eration with the other congregation, the supervision of doctrine and life

rests with the calling church.

—Cf. Supplement, Article 12

Article 13

a. [unchanged]

b. A minister of the Word whose position work is with a congregation,

institution, or agency other than the calling church shall be supervised

by the calling church in cooperation with any other congregations, insti-

tutions, or agencies involved. The council of the calling church shall have

primary responsibility for supervision of doctrine and life. The congrega-

tions, institutions, or agencies, where applicable, shall have primary re-

sponsibility for supervision of duties.

—Cf. Supplement, Article 13-b

[Article 13-c has been moved and adapted to become the proposed Article 12-d.]

c. A minister of the Word may be loaned temporarily by the calling

church to serve as pastor of a congregation outside of the Christian Re-

formed Church, but only with the approval of classis, the concurring ad-

vice of the synodical deputies, and in accordance with the synodical reg-

ulations. Although the specific duties may be regulated in cooperation

with the other congregation, the supervision of doctrine and life rests

with the calling church.

—Cf. Supplement, Article 13-c

Proposed changes to Supplement, Articles 12-13

The task force is proposing significant changes (with new text, adaptations,

and reorganization) to the Supplements to Articles 12-13. The following ta-

ble indicates where the various parts of the current Supplements are

142 Council of Delegates Report AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

moved, replaced, or adapted in the proposed Supplements. In the proposed

Supplements below, additions are indicated by underline and deletions are

indicated by strikethrough.

Current Supplement Change Proposed Supplement

Suppl., Art. 12-c, a and a,1) moved to Suppl., Art. 12, C, 1 and 1, a

Suppl., Art. 12-c, a, 2) replaced by Suppl., Art. 12, C, 1, c

Suppl., Art. 12-c, a, 3) moved to Suppl., Art. 12, C, 1, b

Suppl., Art. 12-c, a, 4) moved to Suppl., Art. 12, C, 1, d

Suppl., Art. 12-c, b adapted to Suppl., Art. 12, C, 1, e

Suppl., Art. 12-c, c adapted to Suppl., Art. 12, B, 2

Suppl., Art. 12-c, d moved to Suppl., Art. 13-b, C

Suppl., Art. 13-b, para. 1 moved to Suppl., Art. 13-b, B, 1

Suppl., Art. 13-b, para. 2 replaced by Suppl., Art. 13-b, A

Suppl., Art. 13-b, para. 3 adapted to Suppl., Art. 12, G

Suppl., Art. 13-c, para. 1 adapted to Suppl., Art. 12, C, 2, para. 1

Suppl., Art. 13-c, a-b adapted to Suppl., Art. 12, C, 2, a

Suppl., Art. 13-c, c adapted to Suppl., Art. 13-b, D

Suppl., Art. 13-c, d adapted to Suppl., Art. 12, E

Suppl., Art. 13-c, e moved to Suppl., Art. 12, C, 2, b

Suppl., Art. 13-c, f adapted to Suppl., Art. 13-b, B, 2

Suppl., Art. 13-c, g adapted to Suppl., Art. 12, F

Supplement, Article 12-c

Regulations for the application of Article 12-c of the Church Order to specific tasks

and situations:

A. To be “called in the regular manner” means that a minister of the Word,

whether called to serve a congregation or to serve in a noncongregational

ministry, requires the following (see Church Order Articles 4, 9-10) in addi-

tion to the fulfillment of any other synodical regulations or classical approv-

als:

1. Nomination by the council and election by the congregation

2. An extension of a call by the council

3. Approval of the counselor who acts on behalf of classis

4. Ordination or installation in a public worship service

The requirement for a separate installation service during a CRC wor-

ship service is optional in the case of a minister serving on loan to a

congregation in another denomination.

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Council of Delegates Report 143

Noncongregational positions “consistent with the calling of a minister of

the Word” are those in which a minister serves beyond a local CRC congre-

gation to proclaim, explain, and apply Holy Scripture under the authority

of and as a public representative of the church, in a way that the members

of the church may be gathered in and built up in Christ.

B. Positions that do not require concurrence of the synodical deputies

1. Types of ministry positions

a. Positions regulated by Articles 9-10 of the Church Order. This in-

cludes congregational positions, whether solo-pastor positions or

additional staff ministry positions; or also those of pastors serving

multiple CRC congregations or in multiple vocational settings.

b. Positions regulated by Article 12-b of the Church Order. These in-

clude positions that have the endorsement of a synodically author-

ized body, such as those of chaplains, missionaries, and specialized

transition ministers endorsed or accredited by the CRC denomina-

tion; or positions whose appointees are approved by or ratified by

synod itself (such as professors of theology or other CRC executive

staff positions requiring ratification by synod). Classis minutes

should note that the position is deemed consistent with the minis-

try of the Word.

c. Calls regulated by Article 8-b of the Church Order and its supple-

mental rules. These include ministers who participate in the Or-

derly Exchange of Ordained Ministers between the CRC and the

Reformed Church in America. Classis minutes should indicate the

concurrence of the sending body (cf. Supplement, Art. 8, D, 7).

2. Prior to calling a minister of the Word to any noncongregational posi-

tion chaplaincy ministry, the calling church is required to ensure that

the minister has secured any necessary endorsements from accredit-

ing institutions within or outside the Christian Reformed Church, and

that all synodical regulations have been followed. A Covenant of Joint

Supervision shall be mutually agreed to and signed by the minister,

the calling church, and the appointing organization (cf. Supplement,

Art. 8, Section D; Supplement, Art. 13-b).obtain the endorsement of

the Office of Chaplaincy Ministries of the Christian Reformed Church

(Acts of Synod 1973, p. 56; amended Acts of Synod 1998, p. 391).

C. Positions that require specific approval of the classis and concurrence of

synodical deputies

1. In all other cases of noncongregational positions, tThe calling church

shall secure the prior approval of classis, with the concurring advice

of the synodical deputies, for each new ministerial position, by

providing classis with the following information:

144 Council of Delegates Report AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

a. The description of the official position (purposes, duties, qualifica-

tions, etc.) as determined by the calling church in consultation with

cooperating agencies as applicable.

b. The demonstration that the position will be consistent with the call-

ing of a minister of the Word.

c. A Covenant of Joint Supervision that shall be mutually agreed to

and signed by the minister, the calling church, and the appointing

organization (cf. Supplement, Art. 13-b).The evidence that the min-

ister will be directly accountable to the calling church, including an

outline of requirements for reporting to the calling church, and su-

pervision by the calling church, in consultation with cooperating

agencies as applicable.

d. When any position having been declared by a classis to be “spir-

itual in character and directly related to the ministerial calling” . . .

becomes vacant, this position shall be reviewed by the classis and

synodical deputies in light of Articles 11-14 of the Church Order

before another call is issued.

e. When a new ministry opportunity can be met only by immediate

action, the calling church (and the appropriate denominational

agency) may obtain provisional approval from the classical interim

committee, subject to subsequent approval by classis with the con-

curring advice of the synodical deputies. The letter of call must in-

dicate the provisional nature of this call if such approval has not yet

been granted. In the event that the provisional approval is not sus-

tained and the minister desires to continue in the position, the min-

ister may be honorably released from office and may be readmitted

according to the regulations of the Church Order. (Cf. Article 14-e.)

2. Ministers A minister whose service is requested by a congregation

outside the Christian Reformed Church may be loaned temporarily to

serve such a church while still retaining ministerial status in the Chris-

tian Reformed Church in keeping with the following regulations:

a. The congregation seeking the services of the Christian Reformed

minister recognizes the value of a Reformed witness and allows the

minister to serve in a way consistent with the faith and practice of

the Christian Reformed Church, ordinarily articulated through

statements of faith in harmony with those of the Christian Re-

formed denomination. is desirous of the Reformed faith and seri-

ously contemplates affiliation with the Christian Reformed Church

or some other Reformed denomination, or is already in a Reformed

denomination and seeks to be strengthened in the Reformed faith.

b. The minister contemplating service in a nondenominational church

acknowledges this as an opportunity to encourage such a church to

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Council of Delegates Report 145

affiliate with either the Christian Reformed Church or a Reformed

denomination similar to the Christian Reformed Church.

b. The loaning of such ministerial services may be for a period of time

not to exceed two years. Extension of not more than two years each

may be granted if circumstances warrant, with the approval of clas-

sis and the synodical deputies.

c. These regulations also apply when pastors whose credentials are

held in the CRC receive a request to serve simultaneously in an ad-

ditional congregation outside the CRC.

d. If the requested service is in the Reformed Church in America, calls

shall be processed in keeping with the regulations for the Orderly

Exchange of Ministers (cf. Supplement, Art. 8, D).

D. In all cases, the minister shall be called in the regular manner, and the

council and the counselor shall render to classis an account of all matters

processed. Classis minutes should reflect the work of the counselor in ac-

cordance with Church Order Article 42-c.

E. Where it is possible and feasible, ministers of the Word should ordinarily

be called by a local church in close geographic proximity to the congrega-

tion, institution, or agency being served, and the pastor’s membership

should normally reside with the calling church. If the ministry position con-

gregation to be served is in close proximity to a Christian Reformed congre-

gation of another is located in a classis other than that of the calling church,

the approval of that classis shall be required, in addition to the approval of

the classis of the minister’s calling church, and the synodical deputies.

F. Continuation under the Christian Reformed Church Pension Plan shall

require that the minister, or the congregation, institution, or agency non-

Christian Reformed church which is being served, shall contribute to the

ministers’ pension fund the amount which is determined annually by the

Ministers’ Pension Funds committees for ministers serving in noncongrega-

tional extraordinary positions outside of our denomination.

G. Supervision of a minister in noncongregational specialized ministry may

be transferred, at the request of the minister or of the calling church, to an-

other church. Such a tTransfer of ministerial credentials requires the regular

calling process of the local church and must be approved by both councils

and classes.

H. If a noncongregational ministry position is eliminated, the minister

should be formally released according to the regulations of the Church Or-

der appropriate to the situation.

Supplement, Article 13-b

A. Provisions for cooperative supervision of ministers of the Word working

for agencies and institutions not directly under the authority of the synod of

146 Council of Delegates Report AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

the CRCNA are to be formulated and processed according to the regula-

tions contained in Church Order Supplement, Article 12-c and the provi-

sions regarding chaplains adopted by Synod 1998 (see Acts of Synod 1998,

pp. 391-92, 457-60). When the position of a minister of the Word is with

other than the calling church, the position shall be regulated by a Covenant

of Joint Supervision as approved by the minister, the calling church, and the

appointing organization, with concurrence of the classis. Any changes to

the status of the Covenant of Joint Supervision, as soon as they are known,

shall be submitted to all parties for review and concurrence.

B. Situations requiring a change in status of a CRC minister in a noncongre-

gational setting

1. If any council, agency, or institution of the CRC involved in the coop-

erative supervision of a minister of the Word learns about significant

deviation in doctrine, life, or duties, it shall officially inform in writing

its partner(s) in that supervision about such deviation before any ac-

tion is taken that affects that minister’s status and future. A similar

communication officially informing its partner(s) in supervision is ex-

pected from an agency or institution when a minister’s status is al-

tered at a time of downsizing or position elimination.

2. Should a the minister serving a non-CRC congregation or noncongre-

gational ministry become subject to discipline, the supervising institu-

tion non-Christian Reformed congregation which is being served shall

have the right to suspend the minister from serviceserving that

church, but suspension from office and deposition may be applied

only by the calling church council that is part of the Christian Re-

formed Church. A similar communication is requested when a minis-

ter’s status is altered, whether due to a change in the job description or

at a time of downsizing or position elimination.

3. In all cases of discipline or other changes in status regarding a minis-

try position, the minister should be formally released from the call or

issued a new call according to the appropriate provisions of the

Church Order.

C. The church visitors of classis shall inquire annually into the supervision

of the calling church toward said minister(s) as well as the reporting of said

minister(s) to the calling church. The church visitors shall inform classis of

departure from the approved provisions for supervision and reporting.

Note: The change at the end of the following subsection D has already been

proposed to Synod 2024 (Acts of Synod 2023, pp. 993).

D. All pastors serving in noncongregational positions remain bound to the

faith and practice of the Christian Reformed Church as required by one’s

signature to the Covenant for Officebearers and as articulated in the Code

of Conduct.

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Council of Delegates Report 147

ADDENDUM B

Updates to Church Order Articles 8, 14-17, and 42 and Their

Supplements

Note: In the following Church Order materials, proposed additions are indi-

cated by underline and deletions are indicated by strikethrough.

Proposed Article 14

a. A minister of the Word shall not leave the call the congregation with

which the minister is connected for another position church without

the consent of the council which issued the call.

b. [unchanged]

c. A minister of the Word, once lawfully called, may not forsake the of-

fice. A minister may, however, be released from office to enter upon a

non-ministerial vocation for such valid weighty reasons as shall re-

ceive the approval of the classis with the concurring advice of the syn-

odical deputies.

—Cf. Supplement, Article 14-c

Note: The change in Article 14-d has already been proposed to Synod 2024

(Acts of Synod 2023, pp. 962-63).

d. A minister of the Word who has entered upon a vocation which clas-

sis judges to be non-ministerial and forsakes the calling of a minister

of the Word shall be released from office within one year of that judg-

ment. The concurring advice of the synodical deputies shall be ob-

tained at the time of the judgment.

e. A former minister of the Word who was released from office may be

declared eligible for call upon approval of the classis by which such

action was taken, with the concurring advice of the synodical depu-

ties. The classis, in the presence of the deputies, shall conduct an inter-

view that examines the circumstances surrounding the release and the

renewed desire to serve in ministry, and shall ensure that all synodical

regulations have been met. Upon acceptance of a call, the person shall

be reordained.

—Cf. Supplement, Article 14-e

Proposed Article 16

A minister who for valid reasons desires a temporary leave of absence from

service to the congregation must have the approval of the council, which

shall continue to have supervision over the minister. A council may also, in

consultation with the minister, initiate the process of granting a temporary

leave of absence when it believes that the situation warrants such an ar-

rangement. In all cases of a temporary leave of absence the intention shall

be that the minister shall return to service in that congregation.

—Cf. Supplement, Article 16

148 Council of Delegates Report AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

Proposed Article 17

a. Ministers who are neither eligible for retirement nor worthy of disci-

pline may for valid weighty reasons be released from active ministe-

rial service in a position to which they have been called by a congrega-

tion, through action initiated by themselves, by a council, or jointly.

Such release shall be given only with the approval of classis, with the

concurring advice of the synodical deputies, and in accordance with

synodical regulations.

—Cf. Supplement, Article 17-a

b. [unchanged]

c. A minister of the Word who has been released from active ministerial

service in a congregation shall be eligible for call for a period of two

years, after which time the classis, with the concurring advice of the

synodical deputies, shall declare the minister to be released from the

ministerial office. For valid weighty reasons the classis, with the con-

curring advice of the synodical deputies, may extend the eligibility for

call on a yearly basis.

d. [unchanged]

Proposed Article 42-b

b. The church visitors shall consist of one or more teams of officebearers

chosen for their experience and counsel. Team composition shall in-

clude a minister of the Word and at least one other officebearer. Their

task shall be to ascertain whether the officebearers of the church faith-

fully perform their duties, adhere to sound doctrine, observe the pro-

visions of the Church Order, and promote the building up of the body

of Christ and the extension of God’s kingdom. Churches are free to

call on the church visitors whenever serious challenges arise that

would benefit from their advice. The church visitors shall provide

classis a written report of their work.

—Cf. Supplement, Article 42-b

Proposed Supplement, Article 8, D, 7

7. Approval for extended service must be done in consultation with and

with the concurrence of the sending body. (In the CRC, the sending

body is the calling church council; in the RCA, it is the classis hold-

ing the pastor’s membership.) The minister remains accountable to

the sending body for continuation of ministerial status. In the event

of termination of a call, the polity of the calling church shall be fol-

lowed, in consultation with the sending church and in accordance

with synodically established procedures.

(Acts of Synod 2014, pp. 564-65)

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Council of Delegates Report 149

Proposed Supplement, Article 14-b, a-b

Changes are proposed to sections a and b; sections c and d of Supplement,

Article 14-b would remain unchanged.

a. Synod directed the churches and classes dealing with ministers who

depart from the Christian Reformed Church in North America

(CRCNA) in order to seek ordination in the ministry of the Word in

another church to take note of the statement made by Synod 1978 that

“Synod has instructed “all our churches and classes that in all cases of

resignation a proper resolution of dismissal must be adopted with the

concurring advice of synodical deputies.” and to realize that this This

resolution statement allows for a broad degree of flexibility in re-

sponding to such situations (cf. Acts of Synod 1978, p. 73).

b. In making such a resolution, Synod directed the churches and classes

should to take into account the manner and spirit in which a minister

has acted during the time leading up to and including departure from

office when determining what action to take. (Some situations may re-

quire a deposition; others may require only a simple release from of-

fice.)

Proposed Supplement, Article 14-e

Process for reentry into CRC ministry after a release from office via Article

14 or 17:

1. A former minister who was released through the provisions of Article

14-b, 14-c, or 14-d or Article 17-c or 17-d and desires readmission to

CRCNA ministry should be interviewed by the classis in which the

original action was taken. The interview should examine the follow-

ing:

a. the circumstances surrounding the release

b. the applicant’s theological and ministerial journey since the release

c. the sense of call and renewed commitment to service in the CRC

The classis, with the concurrence of the synodical deputies, shall then

make a decision regarding whether to endorse the request to begin the

process for readmission.

2. If approval is given to proceed, the classis shall notify the Candidacy

Committee to guide the applicant through the completion of any re-

quirements for ministry imposed by synod subsequent to the original

ordination. If the applicant has served in ministry outside the CRC,

the Candidacy Committee should also receive and review recommen-

dations from the church and regional body last served by the minister.

3. The Candidacy Committee shall notify the releasing classis once all re-

quirements are complete and favorable recommendations have been

received.

150 Council of Delegates Report AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

4. Upon completion of all requirements, the releasing classis shall de-

clare the former minister eligible for call. A former minister shall not

be nominated for a call until the releasing classis and the Candidacy

Committee have approved the applicant’s eligibility for call. Eligibility

for call shall be for a period of two years. An individual who has not

received and accepted a call within that time and who desires to con-

tinue eligibility for call, must request an extension through the classis

that approved the request for eligibility for call.

5. The ordination and installation of a former minister who has been de-

clared eligible for call shall require the approval of the calling church’s

classis counselor or the calling church’s classis interim committee,

which shall see that all synodical requirements have been met.

6. The provisions of Supplement, Article 84 related to reinstatement of

ministers who have been deposed also apply to ministers who resign

under discipline or to avoid discipline and later seek reordination by

way of Article 14-e.

(Acts of Synod 2016, p. 866)

Proposed Supplement, Article 16

A council may initiate the process of granting a leave of absence only after

seeking the advice of the church visitors, who should inform the classis of

the situation when a written report is provided to the assembly (Church Or-

der Art. 42-b). An initial leave of absence should be granted for no more

than six weeks, with any extension of this time requiring additional advice

of the church visitors. In no case may a leave of absence initiated by the

council extend for a period of longer than twelve weeks.

Proposed Supplement, Article 17-a

A new section a is proposed; the current sections a and b would become

sections b and c, respectively, and their content would remain unchanged,

except as where indicated in subsection c, 2. The current Note at the end of

Supplement, Article 17-a would be moved to section a, 4, as shown.

Provisions regulating release from ministerial service in a congregation

a. General Provisions

1) All Article 17 separations, even those requested by a pastor or those

jointly initiated by a pastor and council, are formally a request of

the calling council and shall be handled as such by the classis.

2) Pastors, churches, and classes are encouraged to take note of de-

nominational resources available that provide assistance in the pro-

cess of Article 17 separations, and to call upon outside resources or

mediators when necessary (in addition to the involvement of classis

representatives).

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Council of Delegates Report 151

3) In all situations, councils and pastors shall utilize a formal separa-

tion agreement that identifies the publicly stated reason(s) for the

separation, the effective date of the separation, the financial ar-

rangements agreed upon by all parties, and other relevant infor-

mation. This document shall be submitted to classis for its approval

when the council formally requests the Article 17 separation. If the

pastor and council disagree on specific matters, the areas of disa-

greement shall be clearly identified, and classis shall adjudicate

those matters separately.

4) Classis minutes will concisely record the grounds for the separa-

tion—for example, family situation, conflict, continuing education,

church closure, etc. Article 17 separations will be processed accord-

ing to the guidelines set forth by synod and the appropriate de-

nominational agencies. Councils and classes should take note of the

regulations regarding “release from ministerial service” adopted by

Synod 2024 (see Acts of Synod 2024, p.__ ) and Synod 1998 (see Acts

of Synod 1998, pp. 392-96) and as amended by Synod 2010 (see Acts

of Synod 2010, pp. 915-16).

5) Releases from calls issued jointly between a CRC council and a con-

gregation in another denomination should be processed in accord-

ance with the principles established by Synod 2024 (see Acts of

Synod 2024, pp. __).

6) If a separation does occur, it is important to recognize that there are

continuing needs. The members of the congregation require contin-

ued support, opportunity to grieve, and guidance for future plan-

ning. The separated pastor and his/her family should not be forgot-

ten as they leave the congregation and seek another call. The

congregation and classis should covenant to provide continuing

ministry and care for them, assisting in any way possible to encour-

age personal healing and further opportunities for ministry.

ba. [unchanged]

cb. {unchanged] . . .

2) In conjunction with the church council, the committee shall secure

interim pastoral leadership, preferably a specialized interim pastor,

and set goals. (ThrivePastor Church Relations is able to assist with

securing pastoral leadership.)

3) {unchanged] . . .

Note: Councils and classes should take note of the regulations regarding

“release from ministerial service” adopted by Synod 1998 (see Acts of Synod

1998, pp. 392-96) and as amended by Synod 2010 (see Acts of Synod 2010, pp.

915-16).

152 Council of Delegates Report AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

ADDENDUM C

Covenant of Joint Supervision

for Ministers of the Word and Commissioned Pastors

Serving in Noncongregational Ministry Positions

This Covenant of Joint Supervision is a basic resource for churches and pas-

tors to use in the calling and supervision of CRC ministers of the Word

(MW) and commissioned pastors (CP) who serve in ministry positions with

agencies, institutions, or organizations other than their calling church, and

in keeping with CRC Church Order Articles 12, 13, 14, 23, and relevant Sup-

plements. These noncongregational ministry positions include but are not

limited to those of denominational leaders, missionaries, chaplains, campus

pastors, church planters, theological professors, specialized transitional

ministers, Bible teachers, and ministry leaders with Christian nonprofit or-

ganizations. This Covenant of Joint Supervision also applies to pastors serv-

ing on loan with other denominations and could be adapted for use in other

ministry settings as well.

As a template, this document should be tailored to the specific situation in

which the calling church and the MW/CP is involved. In addition, the call-

ing church may consider whether new or expanded provisions should be

included, and it should ensure that federal, state, and provincial laws are

observed.

The expectations and responsibilities listed below are designed to facilitate

effective supervision of noncongregational ministers/ministries, as stipu-

lated in Church Order Article 13-b:

A minister of the Word whose position work is with a congregation, institution, or

agency other than the calling church shall be supervised by the calling church in cooper-

ation with any other congregations, institutions, or agencies involved. The council of the

calling church shall have primary responsibility for supervision of doctrine and life. The

congregations, institutions, or agencies, where applicable, shall have primary responsi-

bility for supervision of duties.

A. Expectations of the Minister of the Word/Commissioned Pastor:

_______________________________

(name)

1. Submit your position description to the council of your calling church,

accompanied by (a) your employing organization’s mission statement,

(b) your letter of appointment, and (c) a summary description for in-

formation to the congregation.

2. Inform your organization of the contact person(s) for your calling

church.

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Council of Delegates Report 153

3. Request that your calling church extend to you a letter of call for the

ministry position. Upon receiving such a letter, submit a letter of ac-

ceptance to your calling church, provisional as applicable upon classis

approval of the position description and, if necessary, upon sustaining

an examination for ordination.

4. Submit an annual report to the council of the calling church, if possi-

ble with input from the employing organization, detailing the work

you are doing as part of the call issued by the church to the noncon-

gregational position (see also section C, 3 below).

5. Meet with the council of the calling church at least once annually, in

the manner stipulated in section B, 4 below to review, discuss, and

pray regarding the following:

a. your personal and spiritual life, including family joys and concerns

b. your professional life, including a summary of your annual work

review as provided by your employing organization

6. Participate in the congregational life and ministry of your calling

church in keeping with gifting and availability, and as mutually

agreed (cf. section B, 5). When the MW/CP and the calling church are

not in geographic proximity to one another, the MW/CP and council

should identify specific steps to allow the congregation to provide ap-

propriate support and care for the MW/CP. This may require a part-

nership with a congregation that is near the MW/CP and is willing to

act on behalf of the calling church. In the case of specialized transi-

tional ministers this may be the contracting church.

7. Inform your calling church, as soon as known, of an impending change

or conclusion to your ministry position or appointment, and/or of

your desire or intention to resign your ministry position for educa-

tional, professional, personal/family, or other reasons.

8. Inform your employing organization in the event of transferring your

church membership and ecclesiastical credentials to a different calling

church.

9. Meet other expectations of your calling church and employing organi-

zation, if any, as stipulated:

__________________________________________________________________

Examples include a code of ethics as required of CRC chaplains, joint supervision

for ordained CRCNA staff (signature required), a code of conduct or other expecta-

tions and concerns as stipulated by the respective organization.

154 Council of Delegates Report AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

B. Responsibilities of the Calling Church: ____________________________

(name)

1. Extend a letter of call to the MW/CP “in the regular manner,” in keep-

ing with synodical regulations (Church Order Art. 12 and Supple-

ment) and, as applicable,

a. recommend the noncongregational ministry position for classis ap-

proval.

b. request that classis examine the MW/CP candidate for ordination.

2. Prior to proceeding with the installation of a previously ordained

MW/CP, have in hand the classis-approved ecclesiastical credentials

or other required approval.

3. Arrange for the formal installation of the MW/CP in the position to

which they have been called, ordinarily in a public worship service

with the use of the prescribed ecclesiastical forms (Church Order

Art. 4-d).

4. Arrange to meet with the MW/CP at least once annually for reporting,

support, and prayer (cf. section A, 5 above) regarding the following:

a. the MW/CP’s personal and spiritual life, including family joys and

concerns.

b. the MW/CP’s professional life, including a brief description of their

annual work as provided by their employing organization

These meetings shall take place with the council or its appointed repre-

sentatives, as stipulated below, in fulfillment of the above purposes.

__________________________________________________________________

5. Invite and encourage the MW/CP to participate in your congrega-

tional life and ministry in keeping with their gifting and availability,

and as mutually agreed (cf. section A, 6).

6. Meet other responsibilities toward the MW/CP or the employing or-

ganization, if any, as stipulated:

___________________________________________________________________

7. If the calling church notes significant concerns regarding the

MW/CP’s doctrine and life, the calling church will summarize those

concerns to the employing organization and may request a joint meet-

ing with the MW/CP to address those concerns.

Note: The calling church should also discuss with the employing organization

on what matters, if any, it would expect to receive communications regarding

any concerns about a MW/CP’s doctrine and life, while noting that an or-

ganization’s ability to communicate any such concerns may be limited by

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Council of Delegates Report 155

applicable employment law and/or internal policies. In the case of a church

council, agency, or institution of the CRCNA, however, such communica-

tions are expected (see Church Order Supplement, Art. 13-b).

8. Inquire directly of the MW/CP and the employing organization re-

garding reasons for significant changes, or for the conclusion of the

ministry position or its termination by the employing organization, or

for the resignation of the MW/CP from the ministry appointment (cf.

section C, 3 below).

9. In the event of the conclusion of the position, or its termination, or of

resignation by the MW/CP, the calling church shall obtain the concur-

rence of the classis prior to declaring the MW/CP eligible for call to a

new ministry position.

C. Responsibilities of the Employing Organization: ___________________

(name)

1. Provide the MW/CP with appropriate compensation and support.

2. Provide the MW/CP with required training, reporting protocol, and

professional support, as stipulated:

___________________________________________________________________

3. Inform the calling church in writing when the position of a MW/CP is

being altered or eliminated (cf. section B, 8 above).

Note: This protocol is not intended to interfere with the employing organiza-

tion’s right (and potential need) to take immediate employment action when

necessary for compliance with applicable laws, protection of other staff, or

other compelling reasons.

4. Meet other responsibilities toward the MW/CP or calling church, if

any, as stipulated:

___________________________________________________________________

D. Responsibilities of the Classis

Through the work of the classis-appointed counselor, ensure that all synod-

ical regulations related to calling procedures have been followed by the

council prior to the installation of a MW/CP in a noncongregational posi-

tion.

Review the description of the position to which the MW/CP has been called

to ensure alignment with regulations of Church Order and to verify that

protocols related to the accountability of the MW/CP to the calling church

are in place (Art. 12-b and 12-c). In situations where the Church Order

156 Council of Delegates Report AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

requires the involvement of synodical deputies, the classis should arrange

for their involvement.

Inquire annually, through the church visitors, into the supervision and re-

porting of noncongregational ministers to the local council, and inform clas-

sis of any departure from synodical regulations (Supplement, Art. 13-b, C).

Required Signatures:

MW/CP ________________________________________ Date ______________

Calling Church __________________________________ Date _____________

Organization ____________________________________Date ______________

This completed Covenant of Joint Supervision has been approved by the

following authorized designee of classis:

___________________________________

(Printed name)

____________________________________

(Signature)

______________________________

(Classis position)

ADDENDUM D

Separation Agreement Template

Note: In the following proposed document, textual additions to the template

adopted by Synod 2022 (Acts of Synod 2022, pp. 757-58, 935) are indicated by

underline.

I. Introduction

This separation agreement template is a basic resource for churches and

pastors and should be tailored to address the specific circumstances of any

particular pastor’s departure. Churches would be wise to engage legal

counsel to address whether new or expanded provisions should be in-

cluded, and to ensure that federal, state, and provincial laws are observed.

This template is grounded in the work of Synod 1998 (see Acts of Synod

1998, pp. 392-94) and in subsequent work to update the specific guidelines

adopted at that time. It should be noted that this agreement could become

void in the event that the pastor, after signing it, were to act in violation of

his/her ordination vows, act in violation of the agreement, renounce the ju-

risdiction of the Christian Reformed Church, or become the subject of crimi-

nal charges.

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Council of Delegates Report 157

From the standpoint of ecclesiastical procedure, this template is a resolution

adopted by the council, asking that its classis take a particular action re-

garding its minister. Though ideally ministers and councils would fully

agree on the terms of a separation, it is possible that both parties may agree

on the need for separation without fully agreeing on details related to the

separation. Where there is disagreement, the council and minister should

clearly indicate, at a point sufficiently ahead of the classis meeting, any dif-

ferences in understanding and expectations concerning the terms of the

separation. At the classis meeting, any differences from the arrangements

proposed by council would be adjudicated by classis (if necessary, through

the appeals processes of Church Order Art. 30, or through similar proce-

dures developed by the classis interim committee). The process for adjudi-

cation should be communicated to all parties prior to the classis meeting at

which any differences of opinion between pastor and council are discussed.

II. Principles regarding the use of this resource

It is hoped that the agreement that arises from this resource provides for a

separation that is characterized by love, respect, and care for one another. It

is also hoped that all communications leading up to and following from this

agreement will be marked by both truth and grace. These hopes can be ex-

pressed as principles:

1. Church has a legitimate interest in

a. minister speaking truthfully and graciously about it.

b. minister avoiding all false statements about the church, its leaders,

and/or the reasons behind the separation.

2. Minister has a legitimate interest in

a. church, through its council, speaking truthfully and graciously

about him/her.

b. church, through its council, avoiding all false statements about the

minister and/or the reasons behind the separation.

3. The Christian Reformed Church in North America and its member

congregations have a legitimate interest in allowing churches and

ministers who separate from one another to provide truthful infor-

mation about one another and the reason(s) for the separation. Con-

gregations shall be expected to do this through their councils and clas-

ses, and synod shall be expected to do this through procedures (either

formally prescribed by Church Order or informally adopted for a par-

ticular situation) that allow all the parties involved to be heard.

4. This template is a resource for discussing matters that must receive

the approval of classis, as required by Church Order. Thus, it is a pro-

posal and does not come into effect until classis grants the approval

required by Article 17, its Supplement, and other relevant synodical or

158 Council of Delegates Report AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

classical regulations. Any changes made by classis or by synod super-

sede the proposals in this document.

Sample Separation Agreement

This Separation Agreement is made as of the date executed below between

_________________________ Christian Reformed Church (“Church”) and

Reverend ________________________ (“Minister”) and will become effec-

tive as of the date of Classis _______________________ approval.

1. Termination: Termination of Minister’s service to Church will become

effective on _________, when he/she will be relieved of all duties and

benefits of the position, except as expressly preserved in this Agreement.

The parties will work together to agree upon an appropriate communica-

tion to the congregation and any identified external parties.

This separation, as printed in the public records of the CRC’s assem-

blies, is taking place for the following reason(s):

(Indicate whether this request originated from the pastor, the council, or both.)

• Educational leave

• Family leave

• Challenges in the relationship between church and pastor

• Theological difference between church and pastor

• Spouse’s work situation requires a change

• Congregational financial difficulties or church closing

• Church disbands or disaffiliates from the CRC

• Other (please specify)

Additional information (included for the synodical deputies or for the

confidential records of councils and classis):

This “additional information” will not become part of the public record

but may be shared with classis personnel (classis delegates, church coun-

selor, regional pastor, etc.). These notes will not be released to individu-

als outside the classis without classis’ authorization. Note that discipli-

nary reasons for separation should be dealt with according to the

procedures of the Church Order Articles 82-84.

2. Date of Last Service: Minister will conduct his/her final act of service to

Church on __________.

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Council of Delegates Report 159

3. Financial Provision: Church will provide Minister with a total of $____,

representing Minister's salary for _____ weeks/months [including/ex-

cluding such things as book allowance, mileage expenses, etc.]. This sev-

erance will be paid in weekly/biweekly installments of $______, less ap-

propriate payroll deductions. For ____ weeks/months, Church will also

continue these benefits for Minister: _______________. Minister may re-

main in the Church parsonage until ________, when it must be vacated.

4. General Release: On behalf of himself/herself and anyone who could

claim through him/her, Minister waives and releases Church, Classis

_____, and the Christian Reformed Church in North America

(“CRCNA”) from all claims and damages. This is intended as a general

release covering all claims whatsoever.

5. Confidentiality: Minister agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the

terms of this agreement and of the nonpublic matters of Church that

came to his/her attention during the course of his/her ministerial service.

Church, through its Council, agrees not to disclose the terms of this

Agreement.

6. Public Communications: Minister agrees not to make, or encourage oth-

ers to make, false statements about Church, Classis _____, or the

CRCNA. Church, through its Council, agrees not to make, or encourage

others to make, false statements about Minister.

7. Non-Recruitment: Minister agrees not to directly or indirectly engage in

any activity designed to cause any Church member to relinquish mem-

bership or cause any person not to become a member of Church.

8. Public Ministry: The council and pastor have currently discussed the

following allowances and/or restrictions on public ministry. It should be

noted that any final decisions about public ministry or any future adjust-

ments to this arrangement are the prerogative of classis itself, or its over-

sight committee, if one is appointed.

98.Dispute and Venue: This Agreement constitutes the entire understand-

ing of the parties. Any dispute regarding this Agreement which cannot

be resolved by the parties will be reconciled by Classis _____________ or,

on appeal, by synod. The decision of synod is final and binding on the

parties.

Date: __________ Signature of Minister ____________________________

Date: __________ On behalf of Church _____________________________

_____ No reservations from council’s proposal

_____ With reservations as noted (see statement 8 above):

160 Council of Delegates Report AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

ADDENDUM E

Guidelines for Pastors and Congregations in Times of Conflict

The following guidelines expand on work done by Synod 1998 (cf. Agenda

for Synod 1998, pp. 152-156; Acts of Synod 1998, pp. 392-96) and Synod 2010

(cf. Acts of Synod 2010, pp. 915-16). Though originally intended to offer

guidance during the process of separations, the counsel given by these syn-

ods is expanded upon here in the hope that God might provide healing in

some situations of conflict and thus prevent separations between pastors

and congregations. To this end, all parties are encouraged to note the fol-

lowing resources and suggestions that aim toward restoration (A, 1-4; B, 1-

4; C, 1-3) rather than assuming that separation is inevitable.

A. Responsibilities of the pastor

1. Promptly inform the regional pastor and church visitors when signs

of conflict arise, and maintain regular communication (see Church Or-

der Art. 42).

2. Conduct oneself so as not to disrupt further the peace and unity of the

congregation, and work with the council to discern the reasons for the

conflict (see B, 3 below).

3. Identify a personal advocate who can assist in the process. This indi-

vidual may or may not be the regional pastor. The personal advocate

may also be a different individual than the liaison designated by clas-

sis to help facilitate communication between all parties (see C, 4, c be-

low).

4. Be amenable to career counseling and/or personal counseling, and to

the guidance of church assemblies and their representatives.

5. Update the Pastoral Profile and contact the Ministerial Information

Service (Thrive) if relocation becomes necessary.

6. Help formulate and sign a separation agreement with the council if

there is a separation (see B, 5 below).

7. Cooperate with any oversight committee that might be established by

the classis (see Church Order Supplement, Art. 17-a).

8. A pastor who moves to another region shall inform the releasing

council and classis, as well as the classis in the new region into which

the pastor has moved. The councils and classes involved shall com-

municate with the pastor to discern whether a transfer of membership

and ministry credentials would be appropriate, depending on

whether the pastor is under oversight by the classis (see Supplement,

Art. 17-a, b, 5-6).

B. Responsibilities of the council

1. Seek assistance from the classical church visitors and regional pastor

when signs of conflict begin (see Church Order Art. 42).

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Council of Delegates Report 161

2. Be willing to work with designated person(s) (e.g., Thrive staff, classi-

cal regional pastor and church visitors, mediation specialists) toward

reconciliation. This includes accepting both the time and cost required

by such intervention.

3. Along with the pastor, determine the reasons for the conflict and/or

separation (see also A, 2).

a. This step requires accountability from both council and pastor.

b. Depending on the causes of the conflict, councils should determine

whether a leave of absence for pastoral purposes (Art. 16) may be

an appropriate response to the problems that have arisen. In situa-

tions of special discipline, the procedures of Articles 82-84 should

be followed rather than those of Article 16 or 17.

c. The council should, in consultation with the church visitors, define

the relationship of the pastor to the church during this process, in-

cluding the extent to which normal ministerial duties would con-

tinue.

4. Inform the congregation of decisions that are being made about the re-

lationship to the pastor. This should be done in a timely manner, in

consultation with the pastor, and members should be apprised of the

process (see Art. 37).

5. If a decision is made to release the pastor from active ministerial ser-

vice in the congregation (Art. 17-a), the council shall prepare a separa-

tion agreement with the pastor, addressing the issues noted in the sep-

aration agreement template adopted by synod (see Separation

Agreement Template).

6. Present to the classis the specific reasons for the separation. This in-

volves the dynamics and behaviors of both the pastor and the coun-

cil/congregation. Since the separation commences with the official de-

cision by classis, this may necessitate a special meeting of classis to

process the separation in a timely manner.

7. Consider engaging the services of a specialized transitional minister

(STM) who has been trained to guide the congregation in processing

the reasons for any conflict, working toward interpersonal healing,

and preparing for a strong relationship with its next minister. In some

cases, classis may direct the church to delay calling another pastor un-

til such transitional work is completed.

8. Provide a compensation package (see Art. 16-b and 17-b) that includes

the following:

a. Cash salary—a minimum of thirteen (13) weeks from the official

decision of classis is ordinarily required, with the specific details

determined in discussion between the parties. Any recommenda-

tion must be approved by the full classis.

162 Council of Delegates Report AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

b. Parsonage occupancy or housing allowance.

c. Provision for continuation of medical- and dental-insurance bene-

fits.

d. Provision for continuation of Ministers' Pension benefits.

e. The church served at the time of separation is responsible for the

severance compensation.

Note: This package may not apply in every circumstance of separation,

such as when a pastor leaves for purely personal reasons (see Acts of

Synod 2010, pp. 915-16). It may at times also be appropriate to use a

date other than the date of the classis meeting in calculating the dura-

tion of a severance payment, particularly if the release is requested af-

ter a lengthy leave of absence. Denominational resources are also

available to assist with determining an appropriate amount of sever-

ance, in accordance with the principles established by Synod (Acts

of Synod ___, pp. ).

C. Responsibilities of classis

1. Church visitors should be available to assist or may take initiative if

necessary when there is an indication of conflict or other relationship

difficulty. They may be involved in reconciliation or mediation, or

they may recommend that there be others who can assist the pastor

and congregation in this process—for example, a committee from the

classis or outside resource persons such as representatives of Thrive or

mediation specialists.

2. Concurrent with the work of the church visitors, the regional pastor

should be called to provide emotional support and guidance for the

pastor. The regional pastor, often one of the first persons aware of ten-

sions, can serve as a gatekeeper and adviser for the pastor in the pro-

cess of mediation.

3. Church visitors should continue to provide support and guidance for

the council and congregation. They may assist the council in commu-

nication with the congregation.

4. If a separation of the pastor from the congregation is recommended,

the classis shall do the following:

a. Assist the council in determining whether a separation is appropri-

ate. If it is appropriate, give guidance as to whether there should be

a release or a suspension (see B, 3, b above).

b. If necessary, call a special meeting of classis to process the separa-

tion in a timely manner.

c. Assign an individual (not the regional pastor) or team to serve as a

liaison between the pastor, the congregation, and the classis in the

process of the separation. Such a liaison should be acceptable to all

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Council of Delegates Report 163

parties involved (see A, 3 above). Because a classis is a gathering of

churches (Church Order Art. 39), it is not necessarily the case that

the pastor should expect to be present for the entire discussion of

the request for release. Just as a classis discusses a pastor’s admis-

sion to ministry without the individual present, so also it may be

inappropriate for the pastor to remain for a discussion in which he

or she is particularly involved (Art. 34).

d. Determine the framework for discussion at the classis meeting. Sen-

sitive matters should be addressed in executive session, and the

classis interim committee should seek to keep all parties informed

about who will be present at various times, and who may be au-

thorized to speak. Such arrangements may be particularly im-

portant in situations where the pastor and council do not agree on

particular terms of the separation agreement. In such cases, the

classis church visitors should work with the council and the pastor

to form an agreement that is agreeable to all. Should no agreement

be realized, then the council may proceed with its proposal, but the

rules for appeal (Art. 30) may be invoked by the pastor after the

classis has rendered its decision on the council’s proposal.

e. Approve a separation agreement between pastor and council, and

record in the records of classis specific reasons for the separation in

keeping with the regulations of Church Order Article 17 and its

Supplement (see B, 5 above). A separation agreement template was

approved by Synod (Acts of Synod ___, pp. ).

Note: Copies of this agreement should be given to the pastor, the

council, the classis, and the Thrive office.

f. Encourage the pastor and/or the congregation to seek continued

help in learning from this situation and facing their responsibilities.

In some cases, this may require appointing an oversight committee

for evaluation and assistance to plan and monitor progress toward

eligibility for call and/or readiness to extend a call. (This will often

require specific recommendations and continued involvement; see

Supplement, Art. 17-a, b-c.)

g. Recommend, when appropriate, specific follow-up for the congre-

gation, such as a specialized transitional minister (STM) to help

with healing and preparing for the future.

D. A pastoral note

It is important that ecclesiastical due process be followed in the separation

procedure. When Synod 1996 asked that the preceding guidelines be pre-

pared, it did so against a background of concern for the possibility of heal-

ing for both pastors and congregations. When signs of conflict or disagree-

ments arise, it is crucial that the pastor, council, and classis take prompt

164 Council of Delegates Report AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

action to deal with these issues. When there is early intervention and open

communication, reconciliation is a greater possibility.

If the pastor and council or congregation are not able to mediate differ-

ences, it may be advisable to bring in outside resource persons. If a separa-

tion does occur, it is important to recognize that there are continuing needs.

The members of the congregation require continued support, opportunity

to grieve, and guidance for future planning. The separated pastor and the

pastor’s family should not be forgotten as they leave the congregation and

seek another call. The congregation and classis should covenant to provide

continuing ministry and care for them, assisting in any way possible to en-

courage personal healing and further opportunities for ministry.

ADDENDUM F

Resources and Forms Related to the Calling, Supervision, and

Release of Ministers

Church Order and polity resources

1. Church Order and synodical resources

Synod Resources, Christian Reformed Church (crcna.org/synod re-

sources), includes Church Order in English, Spanish, Korean, and

Chinese

Guide for Conducting Church Visiting (crcna.org)

Manual for Synodical Deputies (crcna.org)

2. Principles related to calling and release

Definition of “called in the regular manner” (Report, section III, C, 2)

Definition of “consistent with the calling of a minister of the Word”

(Report, section III, C, 1)

Questions for discernment of consistency with ministry of the Word

(Report, section III, C, 1)

Differentiation of Article 12-b and 12-c positions (Report, section III, C, 3)

Observations about joint supervision (Report, section III, C, 7)

Geographic proximity (Report, section III, C, 8)

3. Synodical guidance on calling and release

1998 Synodical Guidelines, Thrive (pastor and church support), Chris-

tian Reformed Church (proposed for updating by this report)

Readmission process for ministers released from CRC (Report, section

IV, C, 7)

Guidelines for pastors loaned to congregations outside the CRC (Report,

section III, C, 4)

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Council of Delegates Report 165

Guidelines for consultation in cases of calls issued jointly (Report, section

IV, B, 1)

Representative list of noncongregational positions (Report, section III,

B, 1)

Guidelines for participation in major assemblies (Report, section III, C, 5)

Resources for calling, support, and accountability in noncongregational settings

1. Letters of call

CRCNA Letter of Call (2021)

Chaplains

Specialized transitional ministers (STMS)

2. Liturgical forms

Synodically approved forms for ordination/installation

Ordination/installation for missionary, church planter, professor of theol-

ogy

Ordination/installation for chaplains

Commissioning, installation, and blessing for specialized transitional

ministers

3. Covenants of Joint Supervision

Chaplains

CRC staff positions

Campus ministry

4. Reporting templates

Chaplains annual report form

5. Suggestions for encouragement in ministry

Thrive

Resources, Chaplain support, Christian Reformed Church (crcna.org)

Church resources (resonateglobalmission.org)

Recommendations in this report (see section III, C, 6)

Observations concerning “proper support” (Report, sections III, A, 2, e;

B, 5)

Resources for addressing situations of conflict and/or release from call

1. Preventative resources

Church visitors, Classis, Christian Reformed Church (crcna.org)

Classis counselors, Classis, Christian Reformed Church (crcna.org)

Regional pastors, Classis, Christian Reformed Church (crcna.org)

166 Council of Delegates Report AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

Thrive's pastor and church support team consultation process overview

(videos)

2. Changes to noncongregational calls

Observations regarding joint supervision (Report, section III, C, 7)

3. Guidelines for separation processes

Article 17 guidance, Thrive (pastor and church support), Christian Re-

formed Church (crcna.org)

An introduction to Article 17, Thrive (pastor and church support), Chris-

tian Reformed Church (crcna.org)

Severance, Thrive (pastor and church support), Christian Reformed

Church (crcna.org) (proposed for updating by this report)

Addendum D—Separation Agreement Template

Purposes of severance (Report, section IV, B, 2)

4. Transition and discernment materials

Oversight committees for churches, Thrive (pastor and church support),

Christian Reformed Church (crcna.org)

Oversight committees for pastors, Thrive (pastor and church support),

Christian Reformed Church (crcna.org)

Pastor Oversight Committee Sample Mandate (crcna.org)

Specialized transitional ministers, Thrive (pastor and church support),

Christian Reformed Church (crcna.org)

Observations concerning reasons for separation (Report, section IV, A, 2)

Restorative Practices in Faith Communities, CRC Network

(network.crcna.org)

5. Liturgical forms

Service of Farewell and Godspeed for Pastor and Congregation,

Reformed Church in America (rca.org)

6. Resources for vocational assessment and discernment (contact Thrive for

additional information)

Peer discussion and discernment, in the form of SPE groups

Vocational ministry assessments such as the Birkman Assessment

Pastors’ Spiritual Vitality Toolkit

Pastor sabbaticals

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Council of Delegates Report 167

APPENDIX C

Report of the Team on Alliance of Reformed Churches Matters

I. Executive summary

Our team has reviewed Church Order, benefits, and pension matters to ad-

dress any challenges to having an orderly exchange of officebearers should

the Alliance of Reformed Churches (or other former Reformed Church in

America congregations or networks of congregations) become a church in

communion with the CRCNA. We looked especially at the situations of

congregations or officebearers with previous CRCNA/RCA dual-affiliation

credentials that have left the RCA for the Alliance but wish to maintain

their affiliation with the CRCNA. In our view no changes are necessary to

Church Order, benefits, or pension matters until the Alliance of Reformed

Churches might become a church in communion with the CRCNA.

II. Background and mandate

Congregations leaving the Reformed Church in America over the past few

years have begun joining together in at least a couple of groups that appear

to be becoming new denominations. The largest of these groups is currently

the Alliance of Reformed Churches and has been in discussion with the

CRCNA through the Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations Committee and in

other ways. There are already a few cases of CRC ministers’ being on loan

to an RCA congregation that has joined the Alliance, and there may be situ-

ations in which congregations that are currently dually affiliated with the

CRC and RCA wish to be dually affiliated with the CRC and the Alliance

instead. In order to give guidance to the practical realities facing current

and future cases, Synod 2023 asked for a team to look into possible chal-

lenges that might occur, considering current rules in the Church Order,

pension documents, and benefits agreements. Synod directed the Office of

General Secretary to do the following:

. . . to appoint a team of staff and subject-matter experts to work with

the Alliance of Reformed Churches to address matters related to church

in communion status, Church Order matters regarding “orderly ex-

change” of officebearers (Church Order Supplement, Art. 8), and other

matters related to benefits of CRC officebearers. In addition, if a former

RCA congregation or network requests it in the next year, this team is

authorized to address the same matters with them.

Grounds:

a. Synod has asked the EIRC to facilitate good ecumenical relations

with bodies of former RCA congregations.

b. This body testifies to being Reformed in persuasion and ministry.

c. This body describes itself as an association and is developing their

vision, values, frameworks, and other documents.

168 Council of Delegates Report AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

d. This satisfies the immediate needs of affiliated officebearers and con-

gregations while providing a space for discernment of future rela-

tionships.

Our team, consisting of people acquainted with the EIRC’s work with the

Alliance, Church Order matters, pension matters, and benefits matters, was

assembled to look into the various details of this request.

III. Discussion

A. Benefits

Even before our team had the opportunity to meet for the first time, the Re-

formed Benefits Association (RBA) board, which includes pastors from the

Alliance of Reformed Churches, made all the necessary arrangements to

provide benefits to pastors from the Alliance. RBA is an independent or-

ganization created to serve as the benefits provider for CRC and RCA pas-

tors and was within its rights to extend this provision to Alliance pastors,

most of whom were already enrolled with RBA before they and their con-

gregations moved to the Alliance.

This move also simplified the question regarding CRC ministers who may

be serving in RCA congregations that leave for the Alliance. Church Order

Supplement, Article 8, D, 11 states that the pension and benefits of the min-

ister remain with the denomination that holds their credentials. Since these

ministers would be considered “on loan” (Church Order Article 13-c) rather

than part of the “orderly exchange” of ministers with the RCA (Church Or-

der, Supplement Article 8, D), their benefits status would no longer be di-

rectly addressed. But since both CRC and Alliance pastors are allowed to

receive benefits through RBA, there is really no question now, or in the

foreseeable future, about a significant change to their benefits status.

B. Pension

CRC ministers are allowed to remain in the CRC Pension Fund regardless

of whether they are “on loan” or in an “orderly exchange.” The only stipu-

lation is that the minister or the church being served contributes the re-

quired amount as “determined annually by the Minsters’ Pension Funds

committees for ministers serving in extraordinary positions outside of our

denomination” (Church Order Supplement, Art. 13-c, g).

Team members checked pension language and details carefully, and it was

confirmed that they do not specify service in a Christian Reformed congre-

gation or ministry.

C. Church Order

Synod 2023 decided, “by way of exception, that while [the Alliance of Re-

formed Churches is] designated as a church in cooperation, congregations or

officebearers with previous CRCNA/RCA dual-affiliation credentials [may]

maintain their affiliation with the CRCNA” (Acts of Synod 2023, p. 990).

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Council of Delegates Report 169

Future synods will likely be asked to determine whether the CRC’s relation-

ship with the Alliance should remain as a church in cooperation or be des-

ignated as a church in communion. At that time it might be wise to consider

whether Church Order Article 8-b and Church Order Supplement, Article 8,

D should be changed to include the Alliance of Reformed Churches. But

until the Alliance might become a church in communion with the CRCNA,

those changes would be premature.

For the time being, the stipulations of Church Order Article 13-c (ministers

“on loan”) are sufficient to cover the needs of any current or future CRC

pastors who find themselves in a congregation moving from the RCA to the

Alliance. This would apply similarly to any CRC ministers whose RCA con-

gregation moved into another group of former RCA congregations, such as

the Kingdom Network, or moved to be independent.

The EIRC will continue to work with the Alliance of Reformed Churches to

see whether church in communion status might be advisable in the future.

The EIRC will also work with other groups of former RCA congregations,

by request, to determine and recommend the appropriate status of the rela-

tionship between those groups and the CRCNA.

D. Canada

Our team also considered how the pension and benefits rules might be af-

fected in Canadian churches of the CRCNA and the RCA. Our team con-

tacted an Alliance representative, who determined there are currently no

CRC ministers serving churches in Canada that have moved to the Alliance

from the RCA. The Canadian government is the primary health benefit pro-

vider, so health benefits would remain unaffected. In addition, it does not

appear that other benefits or pension matters would be affected in the fu-

ture if a CRC minister might be serving in a Canadian RCA that moves to

the Alliance of Reformed Churches.

IV. Recommendations

A. That the COD communicate to synod that no changes are currently nec-

essary to Church Order, benefits, or pension matters in order to allow full

participation of congregations or officebearers with previous CRCNA/RCA

dual-affiliation credentials who wish to maintain their affiliation with the

CRCNA.

B. That the COD accept this report as fulfilling the mandate of the Team on

Alliance of Reformed Churches Matters and dismiss the team with whole-

hearted thanks.

Team on Alliance of Reformed Churches Matters

Wendy Batchelder

John Bolt

Shirley De Vries (convener)

Scott DeVries

William Koopmans

170 Council of Delegates Report AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

APPENDIX D

Draft Synodical Policy

Conflict of Interest and

Disclosure Policy

for Delegates to Synod

Policy No: TBD

Date Approved: February 2024

Revision No:

Number of Pages:

Policy Owner: Synod

Responsible: Director of Synodical Services

Date

Revision No.

Modification

1. Introduction and background information

In the church, there exists a dynamic confluence of interests wherein the in-

terests of the organization and the person are interdependent and insepara-

ble (cf. 1 Cor. 12). The organization was created to meet the spiritual, social,

and physical needs of its members; and the person was created to partici-

pate and contribute in such an organization (e.g., a community led by

Christ). However, in a broken world personal and organizational interests

can easily become out of sync to where the interests of one interfere with

the true needs of the other.

The confluence of interests natural to the church exists not only in an indi-

vidual’s relationship to the organization but also in a very similar way in

the relationship between the narrower assemblies (council and classis) and

the broadest assembly (synod). As a delegate often has naturally closer ties

to the narrower assemblies, it also ought to be recognized that the interests

of the narrower assemblies can sometimes exceed or interfere with the

needs of the broadest assembly, which is to say that the interests of a coun-

cil (local church) or classis in regards to their ecclesiastical relationships and

other responsibilities can sometimes exceed or interfere with the needs of

the corporations, agencies, institutions, and ecclesiastical relationships rep-

resentative of the whole Christian Reformed Church in North America.

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Council of Delegates Report 171

Synod 2022 adopted a motion: “That synod implement a Conflict of Interest

Policy for delegates to synod, adapted from the policy in Appendix E to the

SALT Report, which was adopted by the Council of Delegates (COD Sup-

plement 2021, section I, G and Appendix A)” (Acts of Synod 2022, p. 931).

Recognizing that classes carefully and prayerfully select synodical delegates

and relying upon the trust of nominating assemblies in their integrity, judg-

ment, and courage, synod reasonably expects that no delegate would ever

use his or her position for personal gain or the advancement of personal

opinions. However, to avoid any misunderstanding, this policy statement is

communicated and adopted.

The resulting following policy was adopted by the COD in February 2024.

2. Definitions and terms

a. Synod: Synod is the broadest ecclesiastical assembly of the Christian Re-

formed Church in North America and manages the mandates of the

Christian Reformed Church in North America, its corporations, agen-

cies, institutions, as well as the ecclesiastical relationships of its classes

and churches. These ecclesiastical relationships and mandates, as de-

scribed through the Church Order, the Rules for Synodical Procedure,

and Ecclesiastical Mandate Letters, also give synod responsibilities con-

cerning the appointment, approval, or supervision of certain leadership

positions which are established through the various mandates, organi-

zational bylaws, and/or Church Order.

b. Synodical delegate: A synodical delegate is an officebearer in a Christian

Reformed congregation appointed by their classis to attend synod.

c. Duties of a synodical delegate: Synodical delegates are fiduciaries who

must hold a position of trust and exercise a duty of care, including a

general obligation to avoid conflicts of interest.

1) Synodical delegates have the duty of guiding the agencies’/institu-

tions’ mandates in such a manner as to achieve the mandated objec-

tives of the agency/institution. Synodical delegates have a fiduciary

duty to act honestly, in good faith and in the best interests of the

agency/institution, and to be loyal to the agency/institution.

2) Synodical delegates have the duty of guiding the ecclesiastical rela-

tionships of classes and churches in accordance with biblical and

confessional principles as well as the Church Order. Synodical dele-

gates have a duty to act honestly, in good faith and in the best inter-

ests of the denominational relationship as described in Scripture, the

confessions, and the Church Order; and to be loyal to this denomina-

tional relationship so described.

3) Honesty is the first component of these fiduciary duties. A synodical

delegate must disclose the entire truth and avoid fraudulent transac-

tions or misleading representation.

172 Council of Delegates Report AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

4) Good faith is the second component of these fiduciary duties. Synod-

ical delegates must pursue the best interests of the agencies, institu-

tions, and denominational relationships. This means that a synodical

delegate may not pursue any improper purpose while acting on be-

half of agencies, institutions, synod, classes, or churches.

5) The duty of loyalty and the avoidance of conflicts of interest mean

that a synodical delegate must give loyalty to the agencies, institu-

tions, synod, classes, and churches and must not subordinate the in-

terests of any of these to his or her personal interests.

6) Even when conflicts do not exist, synodical delegates should under-

stand that synodical decisions may affect the business or affairs of a

synodical delegate. The impact could be financial, social, or political

gain; and any of these may violate the fiduciary duty. Synodical del-

egates must avoid direct or indirect benefits to relatives, friends, and

associates.

d. Conflict of interest: Synodical conflicts of interest involve distinguishing

between needs and interests. Needs are defined here as whatever is nec-

essary to the mandated functions of the corporations, agencies, institu-

tions, synod, classes, or churches. Interests include needs, but also

things that may be desirable or helpful, but are not necessary. A conflict

of interest with synodical duties exists when a synodical delegate has a

personal interest of any kind that has the potential to be inconsistent in

any degree with the duties of synod—i.e., the needs of the corporations,

agencies, institutions, synod, classes, or churches. When a synodical del-

egate’s personal interests, whether real or perceived, could supersede or

conflict with his or her dedication to the needs of the corporations, agen-

cies, institutions, synod, classes, or churches that comprise in different

ways the Christian Reformed Church in North America, a conflict of in-

terest arises. The test of a conflict of interest is not just in whether a per-

sonal interest actually influences a synodical delegate but also in

whether circumstances lend themselves to such a possibility.

1) Examples:

a) Conflicting financial interests

b) Use of confidential information for personal gain

c) Unauthorized disclosure of confidential information

2) A conflict of interest with synodical duties also exists when a synodi-

cal delegate represents the interests of his or her council or classis in

any way that supersedes or conflicts with his or her dedication to the

needs of the corporations, agencies, institutions, and ecclesiastical re-

lationships representative of the whole Christian Reformed Church

in North America. Because of the complexity of these relationships,

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Council of Delegates Report 173

the test of this kind of conflict of interest is whether it can be demon-

strated that the delegate was influenced in such a way as to nega-

tively affect the needs of the corporations, agencies, institutions, and

ecclesiastical relationships representative of the whole Christian Re-

formed Church in North America.

3) The appearance of a conflict of interest, even when it may not exist,

can be equally damaging to the corporations, agencies, institutions,

synod, classes, churches, or the relationships between them and is

therefore considered the same as a conflict of interest.

3. Policy

a. A synodical delegate shall not solicit or be a party, directly or indirectly,

to any financial or other opportunity between a corporation, agency, or

institution of the Christian Reformed Church in North America and

1) himself or herself or a family member

2) any firm (meaning copartnership or other unincorporated associa-

tion) of which he or she or any family member is a partner, member,

employee, or agent

3) any not-for-profit organization, of which he or she or member(s) of

his or her immediate family is an officer, director, employee, or

agent, with the exception of a local Christian Reformed Church or

classis.

4) any for-profit corporation in which he or she is an officer, director,

employee, agent, or stockholder owning more than one percent (1%)

or the total outstanding stock of any class, if the stock is not listed on

a stock exchange, or stock with a present total value in excess of

$25,000 if the stock is listed on a stock exchange.

5) any trust of which he or she is a grantor, beneficiary, or trustee

b. A synodical delegate must report to the chair of the advisory committee

or to the officers of synod (in plenary sessions) to recuse him or herself

from any discussions or decisions in which he or she reasonably could

conclude that any kind of obligation might improperly affect his or her

judgment on behalf of the corporations, agencies, institutions, or ecclesi-

astical relationships of the classes and churches of the Christian Re-

formed Church in North America.

Each person must examine his or her own activities and those of his or

her immediate family, congregation, and classis to ensure that no condi-

tion exists which creates a potential conflict of interest or a potentially

embarrassing situation with respect to transactions between the synodi-

cal delegate and corporations, agencies, institutions, classes, and

churches of the Christian Reformed Church in North America.

c. In the event that a conflict of interest (including potential or perceived)

exists

174 Council of Delegates Report AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

1) The affected synodical delegate shall

a) not participate in any way on behalf of the corporation, agency,

or institution of the Christian Reformed Church in North Amer-

ica in the discussion or negotiation of the contract or arrangement

or in the approval of the contract or arrangement

b) promptly disclose in writing any financial, personal, or pecuniary

interest in the contract or arrangement to the advisory committee

chair or officers of synod, whichever has the power to approve

the contract or arrangement

2) The contract or arrangement related to the conflict or potential con-

flict of interest must be approved by a vote of not less than a major-

ity (50% + 1) of the delegates to synod, or of the advisory committee,

without the vote of the affected synodical delegate.

3) A written record of a recusal shall be added by the committee re-

porter to any relevant advisory committee report if in the advisory

committee or by the clerk of synod if during the plenary session.

a) These records of recusal shall be part of the public record in the

Acts of Synod either as a note on an advisory committee report or

as a note following the action taken in plenary proceedings. The

note shall read simply, “The following delegate(s) was recused

from the discussion and decision: [Delegate’s Name (Classis)].”

b) If the recusal relates to a conflict of interest stemming from con-

tracts or arrangements, the record of the recusal shall also in-

clude

i. the name of each party involved in the contract or arrange-

ments

ii. the terms of the contract or arrangements, including duration,

financial consideration between the parties, facilities or ser-

vices of the entity included in the contract, and the nature and

degree of assignment of employees of the corporation,

agency, or institution of the Christian Reformed Church in

North America for fulfillment of the contract

iii. the nature of the synodical delegate’s financial, personal, or

pecuniary interest

d. A synodical delegate shall not engage in a business transaction or ar-

rangement in which the delegate may profit from his or her delegation

to synod or benefit financially from confidential information that the

delegate has obtained or may obtain by reason of such delegation.

e. Synodical delegates shall sign and complete the attached Conflict of In-

terest Statement form before beginning their service on synod.

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Council of Delegates Report 175

4. Policy roles and responsibilities

a. The Office of General Secretary administers a synodically approved

Conflict of Interest Policy for all delegates to synod.

b. The Office of General Secretary is required to implement this require-

ment during the period of delegate registration for an upcoming synod.

c. Officers of synod and the chairs of advisory committees are responsible

for following this policy during the duration of synod.

d. The director of Synodical Services along with the officers and advisory

committee chairs, is responsible for ensuring that the written record is in

place when required by this policy.

5. Procedures

a. The Office of General Secretary is required to implement this require-

ment during the period of delegate registration for an upcoming synod.

b. The Office of General Secretary will retain the Conflict of Interest State-

ments for seven (7) years after signing.

c. Sample Conflict of Interest Statement:

Conflict of Interest Statement

I have read and understand this Conflict of Interest and Disclosure Policy.

There are no present or future potential conflicts of interest other than those

listed below. I have and will continue to observe the Conflict of Interest and

Disclosure Policy carefully and report any conflicts of interest discovered in

the course of my duties as a synodical delegate.

Disclosure(s): Indicate none if applicable; otherwise please give a full ex-

planation of the conflict(s):

___________________________________________________________________

_______________________ _______________________ _____________

Signature Printed name Date

Approved by ____________________________

Approved date _____________

Note: Completed forms will be retained for seven (7) years from date of

signing.

176 Council of Delegates Report AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

APPENDIX E

Council of Delegates Governance Policy

Financial Reserve Policy

Policy No: TBD

Original Date Approved: Feb 1999

Revision No: 1.4 / Approved:

02/16/2024

Number of Pages: 3

Policy Owner: Ministry Boards (defined

below)

COD Committee Responsible: Finance

Committee

This committee is responsible for en-

suring that the ministry boards are ad-

ministering the funds in a consistent

manner.

1. Introduction and background information

In February 1999, the Board of Trustees approved the Financial Reserve Pol-

icy that governs the level of cash and financial investments of CRCNA

agencies. In September 2007, the Board of Trustees amended the policy to

allocate Agency [term used at that time] monies into three funds: Regular,

Special/Long-Term, and Endowment. Each fund is the recipient of specific

types of revenue and is used to finance specific expenditures. The policy is

further revised as of October 12, 2017, by the Council of Delegates [new for-

mulation of the BOT].

Date

Revision No.

Modification

Sept 2007

1.1

Dec 2007

1.2

Amended by BOT Executive Committee

Oct 2017

1.3

Included in the COD Governance Handbook

1/4/2024

1.4

Put into the new policy template and updated

terms and responsibilities to match the new

organizational structure

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Council of Delegates Report 177

2. Definitions and terms

Ministry Board or ministry boards refers to any and all of the following:

--Canada Ministry Board (a Canadian corporation)

--U.S. Ministry Board (a Michigan corporation)

--ReFrame Canada Ministry Board (a Canadian corporation)

--ReFrame U.S. Ministry Board (an Illinois corporation)

3. Policy

The following three funds hold all the cash and financial investments of the

ministry boards.

a. Regular Fund: The Regular Fund is the primary account through which

ministry financial activity flows.

The Regular Fund Revenues come from Ministry Shares, Above Minis-

try Share gifts, estate gifts, sales, tuition, and other general donations as

well as the transfer of assets from the Special/Long-term Fund.

The Regular Fund Expenditures are used to finance ministry programs,

management, general expenses, and fundraising costs not covered by

designated or restricted monies from the Regular Fund.

The balance held by the Regular Fund at the beginning of the fiscal year

is not to exceed 25 percent of the budgeted expenditures for the year.

Designated or restricted funds are not included in this calculation.

If the balance held by the Regular Fund at the beginning of the fiscal

year is projected to be less than 20 percent of the budgeted expenditure

for the year, the ministry may transfer surplus funds from the Spe-

cial/Long-term fund, if available, to bring the Regular Fund balance to

the 25 percent level. Designated or restricted funds are not included in

the calculation.

Allowing the Regular Fund's beginning-of-year balance to remain below

20 percent of unrestricted annual expenditure may put at risk the going

concern status of the organization. If the Regular Fund balance can not

be brought to the 20 percent minimum beginning balance described

above, the ministry board will initiate a plan to generate the cash

needed to meet the 25 percent level. They will apprise the Finance Com-

mittee of COD of their detailed plans for achieving the targeted level.

b. Special/Long-term Fund: The Special/Long-term Fund holds all desig-

nated grants, specifically designated disaster response gifts, gifts desig-

nated by the donor for a specific use, and any surplus from the Regular

Fund.

The Special/Long-term fund provides financing for all one-off program

expenditures, all capital expenditures, and any amounts needed to sat-

isfy non-program contractual obligations such as charitable gift annui-

ties. In addition, the Special/Long-term Fund may be used to finance the

178 Council of Delegates Report AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

cost of new programs during their initial start-up or to increase the be-

ginning-of-year balance in the Regular Fund as noted above.

The level of funds held by the Special/Long-term Fund is not limited.

c. Endowment Fund: Specific program expenditures, with the pre-approval

of the ministry board executive or the ministry board, may be financed

through the Endowment Fund.

The pre-approval authority to establish endowments resides with the

ministry board executive director for any endowment with initial fund-

ing of up to $500,000.

The pre-approval of endowments with funding in excess of $500,000 re-

quires the approval of the relevant ministry board.

d. Naming of the funds: The ministry boards are free to rename the funds

to better aid their advancement efforts and should apprise the COD Fi-

nance Committee of such changes.

4. Policy roles and responsibilities

This policy is implemented by the ministry boards.

Because of its vested interest in the sustainability of the denomination’s

ministry and mission, if any changes are needed in the policy, those

changes are to be brought to the Finance Committee of COD.

The Finance Committee of COD monitors and coordinates this policy to en-

sure that the ministry boards are administering the funds in a consistent

manner.

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Council of Delegates Report 179

APPENDIX F

Council of Delegates Governance Policy

Cash Holding Policy

Policy No: TBD

Date Approved: May 2019

Revision No: 1.2 / Approved:

02/16/2024

Number of Pages: 3

Policy Owner: Ministry Boards (defined

below)

COD Committee Responsible: Finance

Committee This committee is responsi-

ble for ensuring that the ministry

boards are administering the funds in a

consistent manner.

1. Definitions and terms

a. Ministry Board or ministry boards refers to any and all of the following:

i. Canada Ministry Board (a Canadian corporation)

ii. US Ministry Board (a Michigan corporation)

iii. ReFrame Canada Ministry Board (a Canadian corporation)

iv. ReFrame US Ministry Board (an Illinois corporation)

b. Fund Types

Funds received by the institutions and agencies generally fall into two

categories: those that are unconstrained by a donor’s wishes other than

to use them as best supports the ministry; and those that have a designa-

tion by the donor to a specific portion of the ministry program. The defi-

nition of classifications of contributions is below.

i. Unrestricted Gifts: Any donation given without donor restriction is

considered unrestricted when received. This includes ministry

Date

Revision No.

Modification

Oct 2019

1.1

1/4/2024

1.2

Put in the new format updated terms to match

the new organizational structure

180 Council of Delegates Report AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

shares, church offerings and individual gifts. Unrestricted funds re-

ceived as bequests should be managed as listed below.

ii. Donor Restricted Gifts: A gift that is offered to the organization by a

donor to be used for a particular purpose is considered as Donor Re-

stricted.

iii. Board Designated Funds: The governing ministry board may allocate

certain unrestricted funds to a designated purpose. This is often the

case with major capital expenditures such as building renovations,

large equipment purchases, or major program initiatives.

2. Policy

a. Donor Restricted Gifts

i. A gift that is offered to the organization by a donor to be used for a

particular purpose can be accepted if and only if the ministry pur-

pose stated by the donor is in line with the mission and vision of the

organization as approved by the governing board and is consistent

with its strategic or tactical plans.

ii. Acceptance of such a gift must include agreement on the steps to

take if the funds cannot be fully used for the purpose designated.

Options include allowing the surplus funds to be used where

needed most by the organization; and designating them for another

ministry board-approved purpose.

b. Board Designated Funds

When a ministry board designates funds, the designation must include

the expected timing for expenditure as well as any limitations placed on

the expenditure by the board.

c. Endowments

The governing board may elect to establish an endowment for a specific

purpose. An endowment may be either permanent or time-limited. Per-

manent endowments generally fund activities that are a central compo-

nent of a ministry and not subject to significant variation. An example is

funding the director’s position. Permanent endowments are held in a

special account with only the earnings on the corpus being made availa-

ble to fund the intended ministry.

A time-limited endowment is usually for 10 to 15 years and is some-

times established to help fund a program that is multiyear in duration

and does not require a permanent status.

While an endowment is established by a governing ministry board, it is

to be funded by donations received after such action is taken.

If a donor wishes to suggest the creation of an endowment for a specific

program or project, the governing ministry board may approve the

implementation of such an endowment. A written proposal and

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Council of Delegates Report 181

agreement delineating the terms and expectations must be in place before

funding it.

d. Bequests (also known as estate gifts)

The size and timing of bequests are usually not known and may repre-

sent a unique cash management situation for leadership. Since these

gifts are very unpredictable, bequests should not generally be included

as part of the annual budget revenue for the organization. Large unex-

pected gifts that lead to significant spikes in spending not matched by

long-term incremental gift revenue have been found to be detrimental to

the long-term financial health of the organization. Such spikes can intro-

duce increases in programs that are not readily reduced when cash

flows drop.

Large bequests are best managed in a way that provides for a spend-

down of monies received over a relatively long time period which is

more conducive to sustained ministry. Below, in section 4 there is a list

of funds being managed this way.

Bequests can come as donor-restricted or unrestricted. Acceptance of a

donor-restricted bequest is to be processed through an acceptance proto-

col the same as any other restricted gift type.

3. Policy roles and responsibilities

This policy is implemented by the ministry boards.

Because of its vested interest in the sustainability of the denomination’s

ministry and mission, if any changes are needed in the policy, those

changes are to be brought to the Finance Committee of COD.

The Finance Committee of COD monitors and coordinates this policy to en-

sure that the ministry boards are administering the funds in a consistent

manner.

4. Procedures

Bequest/Estate Gift Spending Protocol examples

a. ReFrame Ministries’ Stewardship Fund is funded mainly with estate

gifts above budgeted amounts (beginning with the FY18 excess) and

also contains designated gifts. They draw down 10 percent per year for

ten years. As the fund grows, the yearly draw will reduce budgeted es-

tate giving.

b. Resonate Global Mission has created the Mission Investment Fund. This

will be used to collect the undesignated estate gifts. Estate gifts would

be drawn down over a period of seven years.

c. CRCNA places estate gifts in the Heritage Fund. The percentage of any

estate gift to be drawn down in any year is at the discretion of the execu-

tive director(s) of the ministry boards.

182 Council of Delegates Report AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

d. World Renew uses their Joseph Fund to accept proceeds of estate gifts.

The funds are drawn down by taking 10 percent in the fiscal year re-

ceived, and the balance is drawn down in the next six fiscal years.

APPENDIX G

Council of Delegates Governance Policy

Fundraising Ethical

Guidelines Policy

Policy No: TBD

Original Approval Date: assumed to be

when COD was formed or before, but

there is no specific documentation within

the existing document

Revision No: 1.2 / Approved:

02/16/2024

Number of Pages: 4

Policy Owner: Ministry Boards (defined

below)

COD Committee Finance Committee

This committee is responsible for ensur-

ing that the ministry boards are adminis-

tering the funds in a consistent manner.

1. Introduction and background information

a. Introduction

In gratitude for the remission of sin and the gift of salvation through Je-

sus Christ, the development professionals of the Christian Reformed

Church in North America (CRCNA) seek to build God’s kingdom

through the causes they serve. Through their dedication, they seek to in-

spire others. They are committed to the improvement of their profes-

sional knowledge and skills. They recognize their stewardship responsi-

bility to ensure that needed resources are vigorously and ethically

Date

Revision No.

Modification

1/4/2024

1.2

Put into the new policy template and updated

terms and responsibilities to match the new or-

ganizational structure.

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Council of Delegates Report 183

sought and that the intent of the donor is honestly fulfilled. They prac-

tice their profession with integrity, honesty, truthfulness, and adherence

to the obligation to safeguard the trust that is placed in them.

b. Background

These guidelines, affirmations, and standards are based upon the ethical

principles and standards developed by the Association of Fundraising

Professionals. This organization has offices in Toronto, Ontario, and Ar-

lington, Virginia. They use the Code of Ethical Principles and Standards

of Professional Practice of the National Society of Fund-Raising Execu-

tives.

2. Policy

Staff responsible for generating philanthropic support will show their

agreement to abide by Ethical guidelines for Fundraising in the Christian

Reformed Church by signing the agreement (Appendix A).

3. Definitions and Terms

It should be noted that the terms fundraising, development, and generating

philanthropic support used in this document all refer to the same activity of

raising funds for the mission and ministry of the Christian Reformed

Church.

4. Policy roles and responsibilities

This policy is implemented by the ministry boards through their executive

staff.

Because of its vested interest in the sustainability of the denomination’s

ministry and mission, if any changes are needed in the policy, those

changes are to be brought to the Finance Committee of COD.

The Finance Committee of COD monitors and coordinates this policy to en-

sure that the ministry boards are administering the funds in a consistent

manner.

5. Procedures

Hiring managers are to obtain signatures on the document in Appendix A

from their appropriate staff.

Fundraising professionals are expected to engage in regular professional

development.

FUNDRAISING ETHICAL GUIDELINES POLICY

APPENDIX A

Ethical Guidelines for Fundraising in the Christian Reformed Church

The following guidelines and professional practices are essential to working

with integrity when fundraising for the Christian Reformed Church.

As employees of the CRCNA, fundraising professionals are to:

184 Council of Delegates Report AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

a. Bring credit to their Lord and the causes they serve by their public

demeanor.

b. Affirm through their personal giving a commitment to Christian

stewardship.

c. Manifest support for the work of all the denominational agencies, re-

frain from criticism and pass along helpful information when appro-

priate.

d. Adhere to the spirit as well as the letter of all applicable laws and

regulations.

e. Put the mission of the ministry above any personal gain.

f. Not allow any personal preference they may have amongst the po-

tential ministries being considered by the donor to influence their

recommendations.

g. Recognize their individual boundaries of competence and be forth-

coming about their professional qualifications, credentials, experi-

ence, and expertise. In situations where legal or accounting expertise

is indicated by the nature of the planned gift, encourage the donor to

solicit the advice and opinion of their professional advisors. If the

donor does not have such a relationship, the development profes-

sional may provide contact information for a minimum of two ap-

propriate professionals so that the donor may choose whom they

wish to deal with. A single recommendation should not be made be-

cause of the potential perception of a conflict of interest.

h. Value the privacy, freedom of choice, and interest of all affected by

their actions.

i. Disclose to the employer and to the donor all relationships that do or

might constitute conflicts of interest.

j. Encourage their colleagues in the practice of these ethical principles.

The fundraising professionals of the CRCNA also adhere to the following

standards of professional practice:

a. Act according to the standards and visions of their institution, pro-

fession, and Christian commitment.

b. Avoid even the appearance of criminal offense or professional mis-

conduct.

c. Advocate within their organization adherence to applicable laws

and regulations.

d. Receive compensation in salary only and do not accept any other

form of compensation such as commissions, fees, or bonuses.

e. Neither seek nor accept finder’s fees and discourage their organiza-

tions from paying such fees.

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Council of Delegates Report 185

f. Disclose conflicts of interest.

g. Accurately state their professional experience, qualifications, and ex-

pertise.

h. Adhere to the principle that donor and prospect information created

by, or on behalf of, an organization is the property of that organiza-

tion.

i. Give donors the opportunity to have their names removed from the

organization’s mailing list.

j. Keep confidential the list of donors to their organization (with the

understanding that appropriate public donor recognition may oc-

cur).

k. Will not disclose privileged information to unauthorized parties.

l. Ensure that all solicitation materials are accurate and correctly reflect

the organization’s mission and use of solicited funds.

m. Ensure that contributions are used in accordance with donors’ inten-

tions.

n. Ensure proper stewardship of charitable contributions, including

timely reporting on the use and management of funds and explicit

consent by the donor before altering the conditions of a gift.

o. Ensure that donors receive informed and ethical advice about the

value and tax implications of potential gifts.

p. Not exploit for personal benefit any relationship with a donor, pro-

spect, or volunteer.

q. In stating fundraising results, use accurate and consistent accounting

methods that conform to standard accounting practice in the United

States and Canada.

r. And all of the above notwithstanding, comply with applicable local,

state, provincial, and federal civil and criminal law.

As a person responsible for generating philanthropic support, I pledge to

act in accordance with The Ethical Guidelines for Fundraising in the Chris-

tian Reformed Church.

_________________________________________ Name of hiring organization

______________________________________ Fundraising Staff Name (typed)

_________________________________________________ ________________

Fundraising Staff Name Signature Date

186 Council of Delegates Report AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

APPENDIX H

Council of Delegates Governance Policy

Investment Policy

Policy No: TBD

Date Approved: 1998 (by Synod), last

update 2011 by BOT

Revision No: 1.2 /Approved

02/16/2024

Number of Pages: 7

Policy Owner: Ministry Boards (defined

below)

COD Committee Responsible: Finance

Committee

This committee is responsible for en-

suring that the ministry boards are ad-

ministering the funds in a consistent

manner.

1. Introduction and background information

The members and supporters of the Christian Reformed Church in North

America provide the funds to carry out the mission of the denomination.

Therefore great care and stewardship should be accorded these funds.

2. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to set forth the broad guidelines under which

the funds of the denomination shall be managed. The investment objectives

are as follows:

a. To preserve the principal value of funds.

b. To earn a reasonable return with appropriate levels of portfolio risk.

Date

Revision No.

Modification

2009, Sept

1.1

Revised by BOT (previous name of COD)

2011, Feb

1.2

Revised by BOT (previous name of COD)

1/4/2024

1.3

Put into the new policy template and updated

terms and responsibilities to match the new

organizational structure

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Council of Delegates Report 187

c. To invest the funds in a manner consistent with the values of the minis-

tries of the Christian Reformed Church.

d. Ensure that these funds are managed in a highly professional manner

3. Definitions and terms

a. Ministry Board or ministry boards refers to any and all of the following:

i. Canada Ministry Board (a Canadian corporation)

ii. US Ministry Board (a Michigan corporation)

iii. ReFrame Canada Ministry Board (a Canadian corporation)

iv. ReFrame US Ministry Board (an Illinois corporation)

v. World Renew Canada Board (a Canadian corporation)

vi. World Renew US Board (a Michigan corporation)

vii. Canadian Pension Board of the Christian Reformed Church

viii. US Pension Board of the Christian Reformed Church

b. Institutions of the Christian Reformed Church refer to the following:

i. Calvin University (in Grand Rapids, Michigan)

ii. Calvin Theological Seminary (in Grand Rapids, Michigan)

4. Policy

a. This policy shall apply to all ministry boards and institutions associated

with the ministries that are part of the Christian Reformed Church in

North America (CRCNA).

b. There are good reasons for Calvin University, Calvin Theological Semi-

nary, the two pension boards, and the World Renew boards to conduct

their investment programs separately if they so choose. All other minis-

try boards will have their funds invested under the umbrella vehicles of

the CRCNA (The CRCNA LLC in the U.S. and the CIBC church fund ac-

count in Canada). These investment vehicles will be under the supervi-

sion of the respective ministry office controller and senior executive.

They will use professional financial managers to provide expertise and

to ensure appropriate professionalism, efficiency, and compliance with

the policies of the Christian Reformed Church and compliance with le-

gal requirements in each country. The rationale for this consolidation

and the use of professional financial managers is that we are called to

steward these funds well, however, the work involved on a daily basis

is not of sufficient magnitude to require or develop the core competen-

cies needed to properly diversify and monitor the funds using internal

staff.

c. The overall responsibility of the controllers and senior executives is to

carry out the investment policy for the denomination within the context

of the U.S. and Canadian financial and regulatory environments.

d. If institutions named in 2.b. above, elect to conduct their own invest-

ment programs, such programs shall be subject to this investment pol-

icy. In addition, there shall be at least an annual report to the respective

188 Council of Delegates Report AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

governing boards and to the Council of Delegates of the Christian Re-

formed Church in North America regarding the investments.

e. This investment policy makes no provision for the placement of denom-

inational funds in private investments. When such investments are do-

nated, it shall be the practice to liquidate such gifts as soon as feasible.

The advice of the donor may be sought to determine the appropriate

time for such liquidation.

f. Generally, all funds and investments of the denomination, with the per-

missible exception (as defined in 2.b. above) shall be managed under

this policy. However, each ministry board can give direction for the in-

vestments and management of the fund. The custody and management

of the funds shall be performed under the umbrella vehicles listed in 2.b.

above except as approved in advance by the ministry boards. Any

changes are to be reported to the Finance Committee of the Council of

Delegates.

g. Ministry boards are permitted to have bank accounts to carry on their

mandates, but excess funds are subject to this policy.

h. In accordance with the preceding, the following are expected to be the

principal types of funds managed by the umbrella vehicles listed in 2.b.

Above:

i. Funds or assets not needed for near-term operations by the agencies

or other entities of the CRCNA, including reserves and endowments.

ii. Funds or assets given to the CRCNA as a denomination, rather than

a particular agency, for endowment or other longer-term purposes

by the donor.

iii. Short-term funds are intended to be passed through to agencies or

ministries of the CRCNA by the donor. Such funds would be re-

ceived and passed to the appropriate parties in a timely fashion.

i. Designation of investment pools. Because the funds to be invested have

many different characteristics, there are likely to be a number of invest-

ment pools. These investment pools will likely be accounted for and

managed differently. The initial pools shall be as follows:

i. Short-term cash utilized to operate the CRCNA

ii. Excess seasonal funds, which are expected to be required by minis-

tries within one year

iii. Intermediate-term funds, which may be held for ministry needs

within the next few years

iv. Long-term funds, which may be invested over longer periods of time

(e.g., an endowment)

v. Funds held for specific denominational programs.

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Council of Delegates Report 189

vi. It is possible that different pools will have similar investment objec-

tives for portions of their portfolio, such as ownership of fixed-in-

come securities of intermediate duration. If so, it may be desirable to

place such funds from more than one pool with the same investment

manager for efficiency and ease of management.

vii. Since the members of the CRCNA have given and entrusted these

funds for kingdom work, the safety of the principal shall be given

great consideration, especially in shorter-term investments. The Fi-

nance Committee of COD, with access to outside expertise, will de-

velop and monitor guidelines that list the appropriate investment

vehicles for each of these pools.

j. Asset 6allocation.

i. The funds invested shall employ a balanced and diversified invest-

ment approach. The asset pools are expected to utilize differing in-

vestments and allocations. Funds for various needs and projects

should have an asset allocation in keeping with the time frame the

funds are to be invested. In all cases, the investment allocation

should take into account that these are church-related funds.

ii. The allocation of funds shall be reported to the ministry boards,

COD, and Synod after the end of each calendar year.

k. Investment advisers and performance measurement

i. Since the investment of funds is a specialized field, it is expected that

outside investment advisers and/or funds will be utilized to imple-

ment this policy, especially for the larger amounts and intermediate-

or longer-term funds.

ii. The ministry office controller and senior executive will select advis-

ers to manage funds assigned to them. Such funds will be managed

by them on a fully discretionary basis within the overall parameters

of fiduciary responsibility and the policies set forth in this invest-

ment policy.

iii. The investment results of each manager shall be compared at least

quarterly with appropriate benchmarks for the type of manager and

investments. The benchmarks shall be agreed upon between the

ministry office controller and senior executive and each adviser at

the point of hiring.

1) Performance should be measured over a period of years

2) Any adviser with continual below-benchmark performance will

be considered for replacement.

3) From time to time, each manager may be requested to present

their current portfolio strategy and results to the ministry board

(or to the Finance Committee of COD).

190 Council of Delegates Report AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

l. Approved investments

i. The major portion of the overall portfolio shall be readily marketable

and traded on major security exchanges.

ii. The portfolio investment strategy shall consider appropriate levels of

liquidity and risk.

iii. Funds may be invested in the following financial assets:

1) Short-term investments

a) U.S. Treasury bills and their Canadian counterpart

b) Commercial paper in the highest grade as rated by Standard

& Poors or Moody

c) CDs and other bank or savings-and-loan deposits, provided

they are government-insured institutions. If more than the in-

sured amount is invested with an institution, the institution

should be of high quality.

d) Other approved short-term investments of high quality and

marketability.

2) Publicly traded common stocks, preferred stocks, and convertible

equity securities of companies that have capable and ethical man-

agement and are not subject to undue risk.

3) Publicly traded bonds and notes of investment grade. In most

cases, it is expected that the investments will be at least A-rated

securities.

m. Gifts received directly from donors

i. At times gifts of assets other than cash will be received directly from

donors.

ii. No gifts of real or tangible personal property or non-publicly traded

stocks, bonds, or notes may be accepted until approved by the minis-

try office controller

iii. In the case of such donations, the following guidelines shall govern:

1) In the case of publicly traded securities, they should generally be

transferred to the appropriate investment manager for retention

or sale as the manager deems appropriate.

2) In the case of non-publicly traded securities, the controller may

request the advice of the donor regarding how and when the se-

curities can be converted to usable funds.

3) In the case of a proposed donation of property or physical assets,

it shall not be accepted until approved by legal counsel.

a) The controller shall request, in writing, an opinion as to liens,

litigation, and environmental issues before deciding whether

to accept the proposed donation.

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Council of Delegates Report 191

b) If there is not positive cash flow, a plan for funding the cash

needs of the proposed donation shall be approved prior to ac-

ceptance.

c) In some instances, a donor may wish to contribute real estate

or financial assets with investment specifications (including,

but not limited to, retention of the asset) inconsistent with the

Investment Policy of the CRCNA. Compliance with such do-

nor specifications will require approval of the ministry board

prior to acceptance of the gift. The Finance Committee of the

Council of Delegates can be used as a resource in this deci-

sion-making process.

d) The goal is to convert all such donations to cash at the earliest

practical date to minimize the management and monitoring

responsibilities imposed on the staff.

n. Restrictions on investments

i. Investments shall not be made in companies or institutions that are

not compatible with the values or mission of the CRCNA. Examples

of inappropriate investments would be institutions engaged in or

promoting abortion, gambling, tobacco, or pornography.

ii. Not more than 5 percent of any investment pool may be invested in

a single company or investment, except under the following circum-

stances:

1) No limits shall be placed on investments in U.S. or Canadian

government securities or bonds. This shall include securities

backed by them.

2) Investments in mutual funds or similar approved pools of assets

shall not be considered to be in violation of this standard if said

mutual funds or similar approved pools include a broad base of

assets in the funds.

iii. The fixed-income portfolio shall be invested in securities rated “in-

vestment grade.”

iv. Investments will not be made in warrants, options, or commodity fu-

tures, nor will purchases be made on margin or securities sold short

unless such investments and transactions are made in mutual funds

or similar approved pools of assets.

v. No investments shall be made that could place in jeopardy the tax-ex-

empt/charitable status of the CRCNA, its ministry boards, or affiliates.

vi. No investments shall be made for the purpose of exercising control

over corporate management.

vii. The sale of a security whose quality or rating falls below CRCNA

policy standards shall be completed within 30 days of such change

unless the investment manager receives approval from the controller

192 Council of Delegates Report AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

to delay such sale. In such an event, the controller and ministry office

senior executive along with the investment manager shall be ex-

pected to reevaluate the retention of the security on a regular basis.

5. Policy roles and responsibilities

This policy is implemented by the controller and senior executive of each

ministry office. Each ministry board is responsible for ensuring that it is

implemented.

Because of its vested interest in the sustainability of the denomination’s

ministry and mission, if any changes are needed in the policy, those

changes are to be brought to the Finance Committee of COD.

The Finance Committee of COD monitors and coordinates this policy to en-

sure that the ministry boards are administering the funds in a consistent

manner.

Calvin University, Calvin Theological Seminary, the pension boards, and

the World Renew boards may elect to conduct their own cash management

and investment programs within the broad parameters of this policy.

6. Procedures

The controller [most senior financial staff person] and the senior executive

will maintain cash management and investment programs as necessary to

comply with the regulations and laws.

Ministry departments are permitted to have bank accounts to carry on their

mandates, but excess funds are subject to this policy.

The ministry office controller and senior executive will

• Use outside professional money managers. The selection of manag-

ers and specific mutual funds will be the responsibility of the minis-

try office controller and senior executive.

• Report on investment results and allocation of funds will be pro-

vided to the ministry board and to the Council of Delegates of the

CRCNA at least annually.

The ministry boards and the Finance Committee of the Council of Delegates

will seek guest members as needed to enhance their ability to do this type

of governance. The Christian Reformed Church in North America is fortu-

nate to have a number of members who can provide broad guidance and

oversight as needed.

The ministry office controller and senior executive will work with each

ministry department to determine the appropriate investment pools to use

to best meet the goals of the ministry department. If there is a difference of

opinion, the parties can meet with the Finance Committee of COD for clari-

fication and advice. If there is still no resolution, the decision will be made

by the appropriate ministry board.

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Council of Delegates Report 193

APPENDIX I

Condensed Financial Statements of the Agencies and

Institutions

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AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Agencies, Institutions, and Ministries 221

REPORTS OF AGENCIES,

INSTITUTIONS,

AND MINISTRIES

Introduction

It is the responsibility of the Council of Delegates of the CRCNA to submit

a unified report to synod composed of ministry updates provided by the

agencies, educational institutions, and congregational ministries of the

Christian Reformed Church. The reports of the ministries are organized and

presented in alignment with Our Calling—five ministry priorities endorsed

by synod (Acts of Synod 2013, p. 610; Acts of Synod 2014, p. 563): Faith For-

mation, Servant Leadership, Global Mission, Mercy and Justice, and Gospel

Proclamation and Worship. Supplementary reports will be provided by de-

nominational boards and standing committees of synod, if necessary.

These reports provide helpful information for local churches. Much of the

material also supplies significant background for decisions that synod will

be asked to make. The content also provides the transparency necessary to

enhance our life together as a denomination.

Together these reports present the story of how God is blessing and guiding

our work through the agencies, institutions, and ministries of the Christian

Reformed Church as we covenant together. As you read the material that

follows, I encourage you to respond with gratitude for what God is doing

through the Holy Spirit, transforming lives and communities worldwide,

by means of the Christian Reformed Church in North America.

Zachary J. King

General Secretary of the CRCNA

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Calvin Theological Seminary 223

Calvin Theological Seminary

I. Introduction – Mission statement

The Calvin Theological Seminary Board of Trustees presents this report to

Synod 2024 with gratitude to God for his provision in the past year. The

seminary has experienced God’s faithfulness and looks toward the future

with hope and anticipation.

Calvin Theological Seminary (CTS) has been involved in the training,

teaching, and formation of students for ministry for 148 years since 1876

and was the very first agency or institution developed by the Christian

Reformed Church in North America. As God so leads, we look forward to a

150th-anniversary celebration of God’s faithfulness and for affirming the tie

between church and seminary.

Mission statement: As a learning community in the Reformed Christian tra-

dition that forms church leaders who cultivate communities of disciples of

Jesus Christ, Calvin Theological Seminary exists to serve the Christian Re-

formed Church in North America and wider constituencies by preparing

individuals for biblically faithful and contextually effective ministry of the

Word and by offering Reformed theological scholarship and counsel.

II. Highlights from the past ministry year

We continue to be grateful for our fully remodeled building facility featur-

ing updated technology and collaborative learning spaces that serve resi-

dential students, online students, and students in “flex” learning situations,

where both residential and online students meet in the same classroom.

We are grateful as well for the investment made many years ago in an

online delivery system of education as we mark our 10-year anniversary of

providing “distance” learning. More than ever, a Calvin Theological Semi-

nary education is just a “click” away.

May 20, 2023, marked only the second in-person CTS commencement since

2019 because of the pandemic. We were able to celebrate the completion of

programs of study for 46 graduates attending from twelve different nations:

Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Japan, Kenya,

Mexico, Myanmar, South Korea, and the United States.

Another highlight was the presentation and approval of two faculty candi-

dates at Synod 2023: Dr. Danny Daley, now serving as assistant professor of

New Testament; and Dr. Gabriela Tijerina-Pike, now serving as associate

professor of New Testament and director of Latino Ministries.

The Latino Ministry Program 2.0 is an online Spanish-language certificate

program that can lead to a master of arts in leadership formation program

while embodying values of hospitality, excellence, and accessibility. For

more information on these new faculty members, see the following articles

published in The Banner:

224 Agencies, Institutions, and Ministries AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

• thebanner.org/news/2023/06/daniel-daley-appointed-assistant-profes-

sor-of-new-testament

• thebanner.org/news/2023/06/gabriela-tijerina-pike-joins-calvin-theo-

logical-seminary-as-latino-ministry-director

At the time of this writing, a faculty search in the area of theology is occur-

ring as Dr. Mary VandenBerg has provided notice of her intention to retire

in July 2025. We anticipate an update on this search to be presented by way

of our supplemental report to Synod 2024.

Calvin Theological Seminary’s new master of arts in clinical mental health

counseling (MCMHC) degree launched this past fall (2023). The profes-

sional and theologically grounded degree offers coursework in religious

and theological foundations, clinical counseling, and clinical practice. Grad-

uates of the program could serve as clinical mental health therapists, clini-

cal mental health counselors, addiction counselors, behavior counselors, or

in other mental health roles.

Dr. Danjuma Gibson, who directs this program, said the goal is “to train

students who will be competent and skilled in the ethical integration of

Christian faith, spirituality, and counseling in a way that promotes healing

and shalom in the lives of individuals and communities.” If you would like

to know more about this program, please contact Dr. Gibson at

dgg085@calvinseminary.edu.

The Center for Excellence in Preaching (CEP), directed by Scott Hoezee, re-

ceived an additional grant from Lilly Endowment Inc., bringing nearly

$1.25 million in total grant receipts for the Compelling Preaching Initiative.

The Lilly Endowment grant will provide CEP with resources to explore

how to “tune-up tried and true and to build new skill sets” in preaching

and to develop resources for pastors to help them surmount communica-

tion challenges that have arisen as a result of the pandemic. The additional

grant will also help support our work in Latino/a ministry for resources in

Spanish.

During the fall 2023 semester, CTS launched a competency-based theologi-

cal education (CBTE) program called Empower. This program offers stu-

dents the opportunity to earn a certificate or a master of arts in Christian

leadership degree by demonstrating competence in program outcomes.

This approach is designed to make ministry training more collaborative,

flexible, accessible, and integrated.

During the pilot phase of this program, enrollment is initially limited to stu-

dents participating through contextualized partnerships with Grand Valley

State University Campus Ministry (Grand Rapids, Mich.) and Sunlight

Community Church (Port St. Lucie, Fla.). Students work with a CTS faculty

mentor and two partner mentors to complete learning experiences that de-

velop competence—head, hands, and heart—for ministry. Our partners

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Calvin Theological Seminary 225

provide contextualized learning experiences, localized mentoring, and reg-

ular and substantive student support.

To learn more about CBTE as well as our new Life-Long Learning initiative,

please contact Dr. Aaron Einfeld at [email protected]u.

This past year, the Calvin Seminary Faculty and Board of Trustees decided

to partner with the Missional Training Center (MTC), which provides Re-

formed theological education in Phoenix, Arizona.

The MTC is an outgrowth of the Surge Network (surgenetwork.com), an as-

sociation of more than 100 churches in the greater Phoenix area working to-

gether to train laity to be effective witnesses. Ten years ago the Surge Net-

work started MTC in order to provide more in-depth leadership training

through a master of arts in missional theology program. Dr. Michael

Goheen was the founding professor and serves as MTC’s current director of

theological education. Dr. Goheen previously served on the faculty of Cal-

vin Theological Seminary, as well as on the faculties of Dordt University

and Redeemer University, and he is an ordained pastor in the Christian Re-

formed Church in North America. Sixty-five students are currently enrolled

at MTC. For more information about MTC, see missionaltraining.org.

This partnership strengthens both CTS and MTC. For example, MTC’s mis-

sional curriculum and supporting churches will assist CTS and the CRCNA

in their ongoing efforts to equip pastors and laity for effective witness in the

world. The partnership will also expand the visibility of CTS in new

churches and to potential students who are interested in Reformed educa-

tion. MTC will be an extension site of CTS, and CTS’s accreditation by the

Association of Theological Schools will extend to MTC’s program. The part-

nership is pending final approval by the Association of Theological Schools.

At present, Calvin Theological Seminary is exploring the opportunity to

build new residential housing on property it has owned for nearly twenty

years across Burton Street from the existing campus. A recent sale of hous-

ing apartments off 28th Street has also allowed us to look at providing long-

term housing that meets long-term needs, is safe, convenient, and afforda-

ble to students. We are considering, as well, how to address remodeling

needs at some other housing units (Bavinck, Berkhof, Kuyper, Sigma, and

Omega buildings) that we have available near the edge of campus.

Finally, we want to acknowledge and give thanks for the ongoing, faithful

support we receive from the Christian Reformed Church as a denomination

and from individuals, churches, and classes. We are blessed by this commu-

nity that continues to care for and encourage us—board members, faculty,

staff, and students.

226 Agencies, Institutions, and Ministries AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

III. Response to a Synod 2023 matter deferred to Synod 2024—

Statement of Confessional Commitment

At Synod 2023, Advisory Committee 8 in its majority report presented the

following recommendation: “That synod encourage Calvin Theological

Seminary to clarify its position on synod’s decision regarding the confes-

sional status on same-sex marriage by December 2023” (Acts of Synod 2023,

p. 1037).

While this item was among many others deferred to Synod 2024, the topic

had already been considered by the CTS faculty and the CTS Board of Trus-

tees before being presented at Synod 2023.

At its business meeting on February 3, 2023, the Calvin Theological Semi-

nary faculty had approved the following statement:

A Statement on Our Confessional Commitment by the CTS Faculty

Since 1876, Calvin Theological Seminary has been the seminary of the

Christian Reformed Church in North America. Its teaching faculty

have been interviewed and approved by synod, and its faculty have

served the church in numerous capacities, including service as advi-

sors to synod.

As CTS faculty committed to the Covenant for Officebearers, we pro-

fess the teachings of Scripture summarized by the Reformed confes-

sions as interpreted by the decisions of synod. We commit to teaching,

preaching, counseling, and writing within these covenantal bounds,

whether in the classroom, church, or beyond.

We hold a variety of opinions and ideas on many matters, including

past and possible future decisions of synod, and we are encouraged to

express these views via official channels such as through overtures or

communications from the congregations and classes to which we be-

long, through raising thoughtful questions for the church to ponder in

future deliberations, or through theological conversations as a faculty,

with the understanding that such communications will not under-

mine our good standing with one another as faculty.

CTS Faculty Minute #9354: The faculty reviewed and discussed the

“Statement on Our Confessional Commitments by the CTS Fac-

ulty.” A motion was made and seconded to approve the Statement

and share it with the Board of Trustees for information. Adopted.

At the CTS Board of Trustees meeting on October 27, 2023, the board again

reviewed and approved the above statement. The board then proceeded to

adopt the statement as its own and directed that this statement should be

included in its Calvin Theological Seminary report to Synod 2024.

We believe that these actions and this statement are in keeping with the re-

quest to clarify the ongoing confessional commitment of both the CTS fac-

ulty and the CTS Board of Trustees.

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Calvin Theological Seminary 227

IV. Reflecting on our calling

Over the past number of years, Calvin Theological Seminary faculty, with

input and final approval from the seminary’s Board of Trustees, produced a

“Vision Frame” document that includes our mission statement (What are

we doing?) and continues as follows:

Values—Why are we doing it?

• Reformed theology—All our teaching and formation grow from a

shared understanding of God’s Word as articulated in the Reformed

confessions.

• The church—We are formed by and serve the church, God’s agent of

hope for the world.

• Cultural context—We give our students tools to sow the gospel in a

multicultural world. We challenge one another to have hearts that en-

gage the broader world God so loves.

• The whole person—We cultivate meaningful relationships with our stu-

dents to foster personal and spiritual growth throughout our learning

community.

Strategy—How are we doing it?

Through the power of the Holy Spirit,

• we are known for academic excellence and scholarship.

• we provide innovative learning environments.

• we pursue synergy with our graduates and other ministry leaders.

• we nurture a community of hospitality.

• we enrich the student experience through vital partnership.

Measures—When are we successful?

When graduates of Calvin Theological Seminary

• preach and teach the Bible (message).

• grow in their pastoral identity (person).

• discern and engage ministry contexts (context).

• cultivate and lead communities of disciples (goal).

• equip the church to renew communities for the glory of God (purpose).

A scan of this material shows significant convergence with the ministry pri-

orities of the Christian Reformed Church in North America:

Faith Formation—Calvin Theological Seminary seeks to train disciples

who become the trainers of disciples of Jesus Christ.

Servant Leadership—Calvin Theological Seminary is seeking to identify,

recruit, and train leaders to be servants in the kingdom of God. From res-

ident and online education programs followed by continuing education

programs and resources, Calvin Theological Seminary is training leaders.

Global Mission—The world is at our doorstep. Every year around 25 dif-

ferent nations are represented in the student body of Calvin Theological

228 Agencies, Institutions, and Ministries AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

Seminary. This past year nearly 45 percent of our degree-seeking stu-

dents came from outside the U.S. and Canada. The training for global

mission takes place not just in classrooms but also over lunch in the Stu-

dent Center.

Mercy and Justice—Calvin Theological Seminary trains students through

cross-cultural internships and exposure to environments that help form

the hearts of Christian disciples. For example, experience with prison

ministry through Calvin Theological Seminary has led students to wit-

ness the need for ministry to prisoners and to understand the structures

of society that need to be addressed.

Gospel Proclamation and Worship—Along with the priority of Servant

Leadership this is probably our leading edge within the CRC ministry

priorities. Our core degree is the master of divinity (M.Div.) degree,

which helps to form preachers and teachers of the gospel.

In addition to the foregoing, Calvin Theological Seminary recently retained

the consulting services of Mr. Chris Bosch of Chisel Strategic Planning. Fol-

lowing a process of data review, personal interviews, surveys to stakehold-

ers, and work with a strategic planning team, the goal is to develop a fo-

cused strategic plan as we enter into a key period of celebration and

challenge at CTS.

V. Connecting with churches: Our Journey 2025

Making and maintaining connections with churches is a foundational com-

ponent of education for Calvin Theological Seminary. Whether this in-

volves church-based internships or assignments related to the local church

environment, the local church is the key partner for nurturing, developing,

and training students.

In fall 2017, Calvin Theological Seminary set up a new way for M.A. and

M.Div. students to fulfill a significant part of their contextual learning re-

quirements. From early on in their program, students are placed in a church

or ministry organization where they serve for two years, concurrent with

their course work, through internship hours coordinated with churches

during the ministry year. The office of Vocational Formation—led by direc-

tor Geoff Vandermolen, associate director Samantha DeJong McCarron, ad-

ministrative coordinator Chris Wright, and administrative coordinator Jen-

nifer DeJong—continues to develop partnerships to help bridge the

classroom and the church. The following organizations and churches are

part of this concurrent, contextual learning approach:

Bethel CRC, Brockville, Ontario

Bethel CRC, Grand Rapids, Michigan

Bradenton CRC, Bradenton, Florida

Brookside CRC, Grand Rapids, Michigan

Caledonia CRC, Caledonia, Michigan

Calvin CRC, Grand Rapids, Michigan

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Calvin Theological Seminary 229

Cascade Fellowship, Grand Rapids, Michigan

Christ Community Church, Grand Rapids, Michigan

Church of the Servant, Grand Rapids, Michigan

Creston Church, Grand Rapids, Michigan

Eagle’s Wings Church, Holland, Michigan

Encounter Church, Kentwood, Michigan

Faith on 44th Street, Kentwood, Michigan

Fuller Avenue CRC, Grand Rapids, Michigan

First CRC, Grand Rapids, Michigan

Heritage CRC, Byron Center, Michigan

Korean Faith Community Church, Wyoming, Michigan

Korean Grace CRC, Grand Rapids, Michigan

Lee Street CRC, Wyoming, Michigan

Living Water CRC, Grand Rapids, Michigan

Maranatha CRC, Cambridge, Ontario

MountainView CRC, Grimsby, Ontario

Mouw Institute/ Worship for Workers—Fuller Theological Seminary

Princeton CRC, Kentwood, Michigan

ReFrame Ministries, Grand Rapids, Michigan

River Rock Church, Rockford, Michigan

Seymour CRC, Grand Rapids, Michigan

Shanghai Luke Church, Shanghai, China

Sunlight Ministries, Port St. Lucie, Florida

Sussex CRC, Sussex, New Jersey

Because internship hours may now occur during concurrent internships

throughout the academic year, we have opened a new way of connecting

students to churches for summer service. We appreciate the number of

churches that have served as “additional” places of formation, including

these cross-cultural and international sites:

Albuquerque Chinese Church, Albuquerque, New Mexico

Dominican Center, Marywood, Grand Rapids, Michigan

East African Christian College, Kigali, Rwanda

Grand Rapids Chinese Church, Grand Rapids, Michigan

Hope Pregnancy and Family Support Centre, Brantford, Ontario

Monastery of Christ in the Desert, New Mexico

Ray of Hope, Kitchener, Ontario

Reformed Presbyterian Fellowship, Shanghai, China

Second CRC, Fremont, Michigan

Soroti, Uganda (Resonate Ministries)

Tears of Eden, St. Louis, Missouri

The Way, Saint Paul, Minnesota

The Refuge, Oshawa, Ontario

230 Agencies, Institutions, and Ministries AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

We also continue to welcome the opportunity to connect our students with

churches in need of summer ministry leadership as a result of pastoral va-

cancy, sabbaticals, or new ministry initiatives. Please contact the Vocational

Formation office for more information about this process (vocationalfor-

mation@calvinseminary.edu or calvinseminary.edu/church-resources). Cal-

vin Theological Seminary also offers continuing education opportunities

throughout the year that are open to pastors and lay leaders alike. Many of

these opportunities are presented through the Center for Excellence in

Preaching (CEP) led by director Scott Hoezee. CEP continues to serve as

one of the premier Reformed preaching sites in North America (cepreach-

ing.org). In 2024 CEP will mark the twentieth anniversary of its founding.

Since 2005 the Center for Excellence in Preaching at Calvin Theological

Seminary has provided busy preachers with the resources they need to cre-

ate and deliver fresh, compelling, and vibrant sermons from God’s Word.

CEP strives to spark every pastor’s creativity in engaging God’s Word, in-

spiring them to produce lively sermons of power and beauty. CEP offers

weekly, quarterly, and liturgical season resources, including weekly contri-

butions by a team of writers and translators. Every week new sermon com-

mentaries are made available in English, Spanish, and Korean. The monthly

traffic to the CEP website has risen dramatically in the past two years. In

2023 the website surpassed 1 million visits, and the monthly number of dif-

ferent visitors to the site is consistently upwards of 70,000, with one month

in 2023 setting a record of 81,400 unique visitors. We are grateful for the in-

ternational reputation of CEP.

CEP is also overseeing a grant program from Lilly Endowment Inc. called

“The Compelling Preaching Initiative.” The five-year grant program will in-

clude on-campus colloquia and seminars but has a primary focus of over-

seeing Peer Learning Groups of pastors who gather at least four times per

year to discuss assigned topics that tie in with the challenges and opportu-

nities for preaching in today’s world and culture. In 2023 sixteen groups

were convened involving around 165 pastors from a wide ecumenical ar-

ray. In fall 2023 CEP was granted another $250,000 to begin a Spanish-

speaking component to the program in 2024. This will be done in partner-

ship with Latino Ministries director Gabriela Tijerina-Pike.

In January 2020, Calvin Theological Seminary called Rev. Shawn Brix as its

first Canadian church relations liaison (CCRL), a “pastor-ambassador” who

builds and strengthens bridges between Calvin Theological Seminary and

Canadian churches and ministries. This position is a part of the seminary's

strong commitment to serving churches in Canada, and it reflects our desire

to imagine and build new partnerships and initiatives. This connecting, lis-

tening, and serving role will help Calvin Theological Seminary be more pre-

sent and available to serve leaders and churches in Canada. Rev. Brix has

served congregations in Acton, Burlington, and Peterborough, Ontario.

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Calvin Theological Seminary 231

Rev. Brix has been a key encourager and staff support, coming alongside

donors in the development of a new initiative whereby tuition for Canadian

students will be at par between Canadian and U.S. dollars. We are grateful

for this opportunity to remove one of the key barriers for Canadian stu-

dents in their discernment about attending Calvin Seminary.

VI. Additional program and ministry highlights

Calvin Theological Seminary moved forward into the following new key in-

itiatives:

1. Lilly Endowment Inc. recently opened a grant program called “Path-

ways for Tomorrow Initiative” to aid seminaries as we look toward an

uncertain future. CTS is one of 234 schools to receive a planning grant

and one of 84 schools (out of the 234) to receive a million-dollar grant in

response to our planning request. This affirmation of all we have been

developing at CTS is coupled with our vision and desire to see our edu-

cational programs and ministry formation expand to meet the needs of

the church.

The purpose of the project is to serve adult learners who need innovative

educational support in order to take the next steps in their ministry lead-

ership development. Specifically, the Next Steps Initiative will

• prepare and equip adult learners who might not desire to complete a

full seminary degree, such as commissioned pastors and ministry

leaders seeking continuing education.

• make ministry training more accessible to adult learners with diverse

family situations, schedules, languages, and income levels.

• develop a network of “teaching congregations” with whom we will

collaborate to facilitate innovative and customizable learning opportu-

nities for those congregations’ adult learners and ministry leaders.

Calvin Theological Seminary still trains church pastors, but it is also

providing theological education for the church. Consistent with our Re-

formed heritage, we will be able to do more for the “priesthood of all be-

lievers.” CTS is called to serve the church, and this award helps us take

more and even new steps in that service! A press release listing funded

proposals is available at lillyendowment.org.

We invite you to follow the unfolding implementation of this grant. Dr.

Aaron Enfield (formerly CTS director of admissions) has taken up re-

sponsibilities as director of lifelong learning and partnerships, which in-

cludes his work as project director of the Lilly “Pathways for Tomorrow

– Next Steps” implementation. He holds a Ph.D. in higher, adult, and

lifelong education from Michigan State University, and his doctoral re-

search focused on adult learning and development in online environ-

ments.

232 Agencies, Institutions, and Ministries AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

2. CTS recently completed its master of arts and master of divinity curricu-

lum revision.

The curriculum revision has identified outcomes aligned with the under-

standing that Calvin Seminary seeks to form graduates who will discern,

together with those they serve, answers to the following questions:

• What is our ministry CONTEXT?

• How does the GOSPEL engage our context?

• What is God CALLING us to in this context?

• What is the PERSON and role of a servant leader in this context?

These program goals are intimately and necessarily connected because

every ministry situation occurs in a particular CONTEXT where the

GOSPEL of God’s redemptive activity is communicated, where God is

CALLING people to participate in his mission, and where God is form-

ing the PERSON and role of a servant leader.

3. During the fall 2023 semester, CTS launched a competency-based theo-

logical education (CBTE) program called Empower. This program offers

students the opportunity to earn a certificate or a master of arts in Chris-

tian leadership by demonstrating competence in program outcomes.

This approach is designed to make ministry training more collaborative,

flexible, accessible, and integrated.

As we near the end of a pilot phase, we are seeking additional opportu-

nities and partnerships. Our partners provide contextualized learning ex-

periences, localized mentoring, and regular and substantive student sup-

port.

4. The doctor of ministry program at CTS continues to develop with pro-

gramming, coursework, and student research in service of effective min-

istry praxis across a plurality of contexts. The expectation is that the first

program graduates be granted their degrees in spring 2024 (see calvin-

seminary.edu/academics/doctor-of-ministry).

5. On September 8, 2015, Calvin University and Calvin Theological Semi-

nary were blessed to open prison doors by beginning classes at Handlon

Correctional Facility in Ionia, Michigan, as part of the Calvin Prison Initi-

ative. Twenty new students from within the prison system came together

to begin a five-year bachelor’s degree program accredited through Cal-

vin University. A total of 94 students are now enrolled in the program.

This program began in response to a request from the State of Michigan

and is a coordinated effort of Calvin University and Calvin Theological

Seminary. It is our hope that this “seminary behind bars program” will

be used by God to transform not only the students in the classroom but

also the prison system as these students are deployed within it. In addi-

tion, we testify that professors and students at Calvin University and

Calvin Theological Seminary are changed and affected by their involve-

ment in the lives of students at Handlon. To date, 60 students have

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Calvin Theological Seminary 233

earned bachelor’s degrees, and 87 students have earned associate de-

grees in faith and community leadership. Program graduates serve

prison communities across Michigan from Muskegon to Jackson as peer

mentors, providing leadership to faith communities behind bars, sup-

porting academic programs as tutors and teaching assistants, and lead-

ing life skills and addiction recovery classes for fellow prisoners.

We are grateful for partnerships with congregations and pastors in the

training of our students. Seven of our formation group leaders are pas-

tors, and eight are seminary faculty/administration members. They in-

clude Ruth Boven, Gloria Curry, Cara DeHaan, Samantha DeJong

McCarron, Dorothy Jenkins, Layne Kilbreath, Jessica Maddox, David

Rylaarsdam, Heather Stroobosscher, Albert Strydhorst, and Lisa Taylor.

We appreciate all the support of the church and alumni for their encour-

agement to expand our offerings for academic and ministry leadership

for local churches and the global church.

VII. Administration

The seminary administration includes Rev. Julius Medenblik, president; Dr.

Margaret Mwenda, chief operating officer; Dr. Yudha Thianto, chief aca-

demic officer; Joan Beelen, dean of academic services and registrar; Rev.

Geoff Vandermolen, director of vocational formation; Robert Knoor, direc-

tor of development; Rev. Jeff Sajdak, dean of students; and Sarah Chun,

dean of international students and scholar services.

VIII. Faculty

The seminary faculty continues to serve the church in numerous ways. Alt-

hough preparing students for various forms of ministry continues to be cen-

tral to their work, members of the faculty also provide education and coun-

sel to many local congregations and broader assemblies, preach regularly,

publish scholarly books and articles, participate in significant conferences,

and in various ways seek to stay attuned to developments in ministries in

the Christian Reformed Church and the church of Christ worldwide.

IX. Board of trustees

The board met in plenary session online in October 2023 and via conference

call in February 2024. It plans to hold an in-person/flex plenary session in

May 2024.

The board officers are Dave Morren, chair; Scott Greenway, vice-chair; and

Susan Keesen, secretary.

Trustee Julius Umawing (Region 6) is completing his first term on the board

and is eligible for reappointment to a second three-year term. The board

recommends that synod reappoint him to an additional three-year term.

234 Agencies, Institutions, and Ministries AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

Trustee Arthur J. Van Wolde (Region 10) is completing his first term on the

board and is eligible for reappointment for a second three-year term. The

board recommends that synod reappoint him for an additional term.

Regional at-large trustee Brian Verheul (Region 4) is completing his first

term on the board and is eligible for reappointment for a second three-year

term. The board recommends that synod reappoint him for an additional

term.

Completing a second term on the board are Theresa Rottschafer (Region 7),

Robert Drenten (Region 8), Charles Veenstra (Region 8 at-large), Paul

Boersma (Region 9) and David Morren (Region 11 at-large). We are grateful

for their service and wise counsel to the seminary and to the church.

The following dual nominees have been submitted to the classes in various

regions for a vote. The results of the election will be presented to Synod

2024 for ratification.

Region 7 – clergy

Rev. Daniel Bud is the senior pastor of Cragmor CRC in Colorado Springs,

Colorado, and has served there since 2021. From 2009 to 2021, he served

as a pastor at Hillside Community CRC in Cutlerville, Michigan. Rev.

Bud graduated with a M.Div. degree from Calvin Seminary in 2009. As

someone who was born and raised in Romania, he notes with under-

standing the challenges of being an international student at Calvin Theo-

logical Seminary. Besides church and classis responsibilities, Rev. Bud

has been active in Alpha ministry and was a member of the regional Al-

pha Board in West Michigan. He also served as cochair of the counseling

committee for CityFest West Michigan in 2018 for an event with the Luis

Palau Association.

Rev. Joel Schreurs has served as the senior pastor of First Christian Re-

formed Church in Denver, Colorado, since 2006. He took up that charge

following his graduation with an M.Div. degree from Calvin Seminary in

2006. Rev. Schreurs served as chair of the Classis Rocky Mountain in-

terim committee (2007-2013) and currently serves as chair of the Classis

Rocky Mountain ministerial leadership team (2016-present). In 2023,

Rev. Schreurs completed a D.Min. degree from Fuller Theological Semi-

nary.

Region 8 - clergy

Rev. John Lee has served as the senior pastor of Bethel Christian Reformed

Church in Sioux Center, Iowa, since 2009. Between college and seminary,

he served with Resonate/World Renew in Nicaragua (2001-2004) at the

Nehemiah Center, including work with the Nicaraguan CRC to develop

a theological education program for pastors. Rev. Lee has served on the

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Calvin Theological Seminary 235

Dordt University Board of Trustees (2010-2020), the Classis Iakota in-

terim committee (2017-2023), the Classis Iakota ministerial leadership

team (2009-2016), and the CRCNA Council of Delegates (2018-2024).

Rev. Brian Ochsner has served as the lead pastor of Faith Christian Re-

formed Church in Pella, Iowa, since 2021. Previously he served as a pas-

tor at Brookside CRC in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and in Sully, Iowa, fol-

lowing his graduation from Calvin Theological Seminary in 2006. Rev.

Ochsner has served in various capacities, including the CRCNA Council

of Delegates (5 years), the COD Congregational Ministries Subcommittee

(chair—3 years), the classical interim committee (chair—6 years), and the

classical finance team (chair—6 years). He currently serves as a regional

pastor for Classis Central Plains.

Region 9 – clergy

Rev. Derek Buikema has served as the lead pastor of Orland Park (Ill.)

Christian Reformed Church since his ordination in 2013. He served as

vice-president of Synod 2022 and as a synodical delegate in 2016. He is

currently chair of the Classis Chicago South ministerial leadership team

and is a member of the Classis Chicago South interim committee.

Rev. Joshua Christoffels has served as the senior pastor of Hammond (Ind.)

CRC since 2021. Previously he served the Chandler (Minn.) CRC from

the time of his ordination in 2015. Rev. Christoffels has served as a Home

Missions committee member, classical church visitor, outreach commit-

tee member, and worship committee chair. He was also a teacher and

earned a master’s degree in education from the University of Sioux Falls

in 2008. He served as a university English teacher in partnership with

Resonate Global Mission in China from 2002-2004 and again from 2009-

2010 before studying for his master of divinity degree.

Regions 8, 10, and 11 – at-large

Regional at-large nominees are presented by the CTS Board of Trustees to

synod for appointment.

Synod has approved that Calvin Theological Seminary is permitted to pre-

sent a single nomination where a region has multiple trustee positions. The

CTS Board of Trustees hopes to present such at-large nominees for regions

8, 10 and 11 for approval by synod by way of the supplemental report to

Synod 2024.

X. Students 2023-2024

The composition of the seminary’s student body indicates a growing na-

tional and ethnic diversity. The following statistics from fall 2023 indicate

the impact the seminary is having beyond the Christian Reformed Church:

A. Denominational affiliation

Christian Reformed: 137 (45%)

236 Agencies, Institutions, and Ministries AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

Presbyterian: 72

RCA: 7

Other Reformed: 13

Pentecostal: 9

Other/None listed: 50

(23+ total denominations)

B. Geographical information

U.S. students: 154 (50%)

Canadian students: 28 (9%)

Korean: 48 (16%)

Chile: 15 (5%)

Mexico: 14 (4.5%)

Nigeria: 7 (2.3%)

Chinese: 7 (2.3%)

Other: 32 (10.5%)

Total countries represented: 28—Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile,

China, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Ethiopia,

Ghana, Guatemala, Indonesia, India, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, Nicaragua, Ni-

geria, Peru, South Korea, Spain, Taiwan, Uganda, Ukraine, United States,

Venezuela

C. Student body

Male students: 215 (70%)

Female students: 90 (30%)

D. Programs and students enrolled

M.Div.: 80

Ecclesiastical Program for Ministerial Candidacy: 20

M.A. (English): 22

M.A. (Spanish): 40

M.T.S.: 16

Th.M.: 26

Ph.D.: 37

D.Min.: 22

Hybrid/Distance learning: 60 (this number does not reflect residential

students who also take a hybrid/distance class)

English Certificate: 3

CBTE Certificate: 15

Non-degree seeking: 9

E. Prison initiative

In addition, we have 94 students who are part of the joint Calvin University

and Calvin Theological Seminary program known as the Calvin Prison Ini-

tiative.

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Calvin Theological Seminary 237

X. Recommendations

A. That synod grant the privilege of the floor to Dave Morren, chair, and

Julius Medenblik, president, when seminary matters are presented.

B. That synod, by way of the ballot, ratify the election and reappointment of

trustees from the slates of nominees presented.

Note: Recommendations on financial matters are included in the report of

the denominational Council of Delegates and will be presented to synod by

way of the Finance Advisory Committee.

Calvin Theological Seminary Board of Trustees

Susan Keesen, secretary

238 Agencies, Institutions, and Ministries AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

Calvin University

I. A message from the president

Thank you for your denominational support for the work of Calvin Univer-

sity. It makes a difference for our remarkable students, who are being nur-

tured as Christ’s agents of renewal in the world.

We are eager to share these updates with you, our denominational partners.

Being an institution of the Christian Reformed Church in North America

(CRCNA) is deeply meaningful to us. It is the foundation of our ambitious

mission to renew every square inch for Christ, a mission lived out daily on

campus and by our alumni, who are serving and leading in every sector

and space around the world.

By God’s grace across our Grand Rapids campus, Handlon campus (home

of the Calvin Prison Initiative), and global campus, we have carried for-

ward our mission this past year from a position of growth, strength, and

momentum. We intend to carry this momentum forward into the coming

years. Our success in an increasingly difficult period for American higher

education in general, and Christian higher education in particular, will re-

quire focused support from the denomination and increased collaboration

with our CRCNA partners. We look to our church for increased prayer and

financial support, as well as encouragement to high-school-age CRCNA

members to recognize Calvin as their school. We welcome other forms of

partnership to ensure we thrive in the midst of significant headwinds.

I am convinced that by working together and building each other up, we

can collectively rise and increase the impact and influence of the ministry

not only of the university but also of the entire denomination. And we do

this work remembering the words of the psalmist: “Not to us, LORD, not to

us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness”

(Psalm 115:1).

As we do this work, we recognize that any and all of these efforts are estab-

lished and held together by Christ Jesus: “He is before all things, and in him

all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is

the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything

he might have the supremacy” (Col. 1:17-18). In Christ, therefore, we offer

our hearts and minds promptly and sincerely, trusting that he will establish

our steps. Thank you for using your gifts to strengthen Calvin University,

the denomination, and the global church.

II. Executive summary

For nearly 150 years Calvin University has been committed to equipping

students to think deeply, act justly, and live wholeheartedly as Christ’s

agents of renewal. As we look to the future, Calvin is uniquely positioned

to raise up Christian leaders through educational training grounded in bib-

lical wisdom and Reformed theology, and to prepare them for participation

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Calvin University 239

in Christ’s work of redemption and reconciliation within every corner of so-

ciety.

Since the time of our last synod report, we at Calvin University have lived

out our calling through general university strengthening and a specific fo-

cus on the student experience. Therefore, this report will present general

updates about the ongoing momentum at Calvin University as well as stu-

dent experience highlights. The report will conclude with updates from the

Calvin University Board of Trustees.

At Calvin University we have experienced an exciting year of growth and

connection on campus, in our local community, and around the globe. We

also have needed to show perseverance, most notably in the face of the

challenge of an abrupt presidential transition. Through this trial we have

seen our Calvin community show incredible resilience. We also have seen

the broader Calvin community and the denomination offer excellent sup-

port. For this, we are thankful.

We are grateful to be the university of the denomination and the finest Re-

formed university in the world. The growth in the number of non-CRCNA

students at Calvin is witness to the university's compelling value proposi-

tion—one that centers Reformed theology, integration of faith and learning,

and mission.

We had a record-breaking year of growth for the 2023 incoming class—over

15 percent year-on-year growth for incoming students, the largest single-

year growth in decades. In addition, we had an overall enrollment growth

of 5 percent. Growth segments included CRCNA students, Michigan resi-

dents, athletes, and first-generation college students, among other key

groups. This incoming class was also our most international and diverse.

Further, we had great growth in our faculty—with 122 new employees, in-

cluding 25 new faculty coming on board. This marks the largest new influx

of faculty since 2008—and the most diverse and international incoming fac-

ulty group ever.

In terms of enrollment for 2024, the admissions team has been on the road

traveling and has enjoyed strong responses both near and far. The number

of applications and admissions for fall 2024 is already well ahead of last

year’s record-setting season and ahead of our goals. Our financial aid team

has also been working on FAFSA simplification for a better user experience

for applicants.

Admissions success is coupled with Calvin’s outstanding retention rate of

88.5 percent, which is well above the national average of 76 percent. Eighty-

five percent of our students graduate having had at least one internship,

and this number is far higher than the average for schools in the Council of

Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU). In addition, employers seek

240 Agencies, Institutions, and Ministries AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

out Calvin students, as evidenced by the fact that 99.3 percent of our gradu-

ates report being employed or in graduate school within nine months of

graduation.

Our growth has also continued through capital projects. Our Grand Rapids,

Michigan, campus is currently implementing Phase 1 of the Commons Un-

ion project (library renovation) and designing Phase 2 (new construction in-

cluding a dining hall with public access, campus store, and meeting spaces).

In October 2022 the Calvin University Board of Trustees approved the uni-

versity’s athletics strategic plan, which added women’s acrobatics and tum-

bling, men’s volleyball, and men’s football to its portfolio of NCAA Divi-

sion III athletic offerings, and included major upgrades to the university’s

outdoor athletic facilities, featuring a new turf soccer field, football build-

ing, soccer stadium, and track.

Calvin also committed to geothermal heating for new athletics buildings on

the north side of campus. This installation will be our first building-scale

implementation of this important technology for sustainable heating and

cooling. If successful, this system will provide a prototype for future geo-

thermal systems on campus. Real-time updates on these capital projects can

be found at calvin.edu/construction.

III. State of the university

A. Enrollment growth

Calvin welcomed more than 1,100 new students for the 2023-2024 academic

year, setting university records in the diversity of learners. Our 2023-2024

first-year class represented an increase of more than 15 percent in the num-

ber of incoming first-year students year-on-year. The new class also demon-

strated university growth in first-generation students, BIPOC (Black, Indig-

enous, and People of Color) students, international students, student-

athletes, students from the CRCNA, and students from the state of Michi-

gan.

Calvin received applications for fall 2023 from students in more than 90

countries—an institutional record. Students who entered Calvin this aca-

demic year hail from 36 countries and 39 U.S. states. In total, the current

student body at Calvin represents 55 countries and 48 U.S. states.

B. Local and global engagement

Each year Calvin reaches out to pursue deeper engagement with local and

global neighbors for mutual flourishing. Our vision explicitly states that we

want to come alongside groups of all Christian traditions from across the

world and to ask how we can best partner with them to promote flourish-

ing. Therefore we are strengthening Calvin’s connections in Kent County,

Michigan, in greater Michigan, and around the globe.

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Calvin University 241

1. Kent County (Calvin University’s county)

The Service-Learning Center continues to provide Calvin students with op-

portunities to engage with local nonprofits through the annual StreetFest, a

program that’s part of new-student orientation, and through year-round

service-learning opportunities.

This year a cross-divisional group of faculty, staff, and campus administra-

tion launched the 49507 Initiative, an introductory recommitment from Cal-

vin to seek the welfare of the city through increasing higher educational ac-

cessibility in the neighboring ZIP code with the lowest educational

attainment in Kent County. The first step of the initiative involved collect-

ing data from adult residents located in and around 49507 regarding their

desires for educational opportunities and the barriers they face to achieving

their goals. Nearly 100 residents participated in eight listening sessions or

completed an online survey giving their perspectives to shape Calvin's

reentry in the city. A class of junior and senior sociology and social work

students analyzed the data for themes and compiled an analysis for the re-

search team. Based on the community's identified barriers, Calvin will pilot

the Wayfinder program at the Women's Resource Center in 49507 in July

2024. Wayfinder offers eight free college credits in the humanities as an en-

try point into higher education for income-eligible adult learners. The pro-

gram eliminates many barriers by including childcare, transportation,

books, technology, and dinner during class.

Calvin also launched a new President’s Community Advisory Council, de-

signed to engage key community members and BIPOC leaders in a two-

way dialogue on how Calvin University can be a trusted partner.

In September 2023 the nursing department finished a three-year grant

through which twelve women from our neighborhood partnerships were

trained as lay mental-health ambassadors. This resulted in more than 2,800

connections in the community regarding depression and anxiety. The nurs-

ing department is currently working with the Kent County Health Depart-

ment to integrate a resident-driven, evidence-based support group for de-

pression and anxiety called Women Supporting Women into the Maternal

Infant Health Program.

2. Ionia County (neighboring county)

Last year students in the Calvin Prison Initiative in Ionia County earned 15

bachelor’s degrees, 12 associate degrees, and 28 certificates in faith and

community leadership. In fall 2023 the Calvin Prison Initiative expanded its

curriculum to add a second major, human services, to its bachelor’s degree

in faith and community leadership. As graduates receive a degree with

both majors, they will be well equipped to serve their peers in the prison

context, accomplishing one of the program’s goals: to transform the prison’s

internal culture.

242 Agencies, Institutions, and Ministries AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

In May 2023 the Calvin Prison Initiative hosted a Conference on Higher Ed-

ucation in Prison, with 150 guests attending from Michigan schools, CCCU

schools, and the Michigan Department of Corrections. The Calvin Prison In-

itiative shared best practices for offering high quality, transformative edu-

cation to incarcerated students.

3. Globally

This year Calvin signed agreements with Christian universities in Indone-

sia, Honduras, Hungary, Kenya, Nigeria, and South Korea as a step toward

deepened global relationships and enhanced opportunities for educational

exchange. In the process of engaging with these globally respected institu-

tions, several of them much older and/or much larger than Calvin, it be-

came clear how revered Calvin University is among peer institutions

around the world. We truly are the pinnacle of Reformed higher education.

In the 2023 calendar year alumni around the world gathered through nearly

50 events in 34 different cities and nine countries on four continents. The

immense impact our alumni are having in every corner of Canada, the

United States, and around the world is matched by the diversity of sectors

in which they are leaders making a difference.

C. Finances

Calvin University is committed to excellent stewardship of resources, in-

cluding finances. Calvin remains grateful to the denomination, donors, and

grant institutions that continue to support our mission in remarkable ways.

Here are some financial highlights from the 2022–2023 fiscal year:

• In total, $49.8 million was received in grants and donations, $25.1 mil-

lion of which represents new grants to the Calvin Institute of Chris-

tian Worship from Lilly Foundation Inc.

• This includes just under $1 million in ministry shares from the de-

nomination.

• $17.8 million in total institutional aid was awarded to CRCNA stu-

dents.

Of the $25.1 million from Lilly Foundation Inc., $18.6 million was awarded

for the Shalom Worship Initiative and $6.5 million for the Compelling

Preaching Initiative. The purpose of these grants is to stimulate thoughtful,

creative work in strengthening Christian worship practices and preaching.

In December, Calvin’s Plaster Creek Stewards—in conjunction with biology

and engineering faculty—also received a $674,817 grant from the National

Fish and Wildlife Foundation and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for

green projects connecting urban and upstream communities.

In 2024 we will be launching a new multiyear comprehensive campaign:

Going Beyond. This campaign will strengthen academics, deliver new out-

door athletic facilities and student community spaces, provide holistic stu-

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Calvin University 243

dent support, nurture an engaged community, and steward our critical re-

sources and infrastructure. We look forward to support for this campaign

from across the denomination.

IV. Student experience

A. Faith, worship, and church partnerships

Calvin University is animated by a Reformed Christian faith that seeks un-

derstanding and promotes the welfare of the city and the healing of the

world. In doing so, our educational community reflects the CRCNA’s min-

istry priorities: faith formation, servant leadership, global mission, mercy

and justice, and gospel proclamation and worship.

The mission of the Calvin community intersects with local churches

throughout the year via student and faculty scholarship; centers and insti-

tutes; service partnerships; and personal church attendance and engage-

ment by students, faculty, and staff.

We continually seek to connect with other CRCNA ministries and churches,

including through our popular student Church Fair, our recently updated

church directory, and our partnership with local churches that sponsor

communion for our LOFT services. In addition to our full-time Campus

Ministries staff, which includes two ordained ministers of the Word in the

CRCNA and a Calvin Theological Seminary M.Div. student, Calvin has

three pastoral partners, two of whom are CRCNA pastors. This team over-

sees worship, Bible studies, pastoral care to students, and more. Faith for-

mation is provided by all faculty, staff, and administrators in all that they

do in their interactions with students.

Our commitment to the historic Reformed faith and active faith formation is

lived out through campus living and learning. Campus Ministries program-

ming like LOFT, chapel, and dorm worship services bring us together and

point us to God in meaningful ways. Student Worship Apprentices and

other students on our chapel teams plan 75 worship services a semester for

their peers and for faculty and staff. This year also featured two campus-

wide prayer events and a silent prayer retreat.

Student Barnabas leaders in the residence halls continue to disciple other

students in their faith every year, led by a group of Discipleship Assistants

(upperclass students). Our campus-wide Bible study on the Psalms has seen

increased engagement, reaching more than double the number of partici-

pants from last year.

As interim president, I continue to represent Calvin University at the

monthly denominational Ministries Leadership Council meetings. Along

with my leadership team, I am also actively engaging with other denomina-

tional ministries to find opportunities for increased collaboration. We are

also visiting CRCNA churches around North America.

244 Agencies, Institutions, and Ministries AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

B. Student engagement

At Calvin we gather student experience data from the National Survey on

Student Engagement, which allows us to compare ourselves to three

groups: a national sample, the Carnegie classification, and fellow CCCU in-

stitutions. The results provide data points about student engagement, aca-

demic challenge, high-impact learning practices, learning with peers, expe-

riences with faculty, and campus environment. Our data showed this year

that 95 percent of Calvin seniors have reported engaging in two or more

high-impact activities, compared with 68 percent of students at other CCCU

institutions.

In response to survey data and as a result of our desire for constant innova-

tion, the Student Life division recently launched a job-shadowing program

matching students with alumni and community employers. Calvin hosted

three career fairs and increased the Career Scholars Program capacity. Stu-

dent Life also launched a slate of weekly “drop-in” floor events, floor din-

ners, and other community-focused gatherings in the residence halls.

Globally our off-campus programs continue to be a highlight of students’

faith-infused learning, engagement, and immersion through semester pro-

grams both domestic (e.g., Washington, D.C.) and international (e.g., Peru,

UK, Spain, France, Hungary) and through short-term programs in either

January or May (e.g., Hollywood, Mexico, Germany, Nepal, Kenya). Our

students also participate in off-campus programs through various partner-

ships with other schools and programs.

C. Scholarship

Calvin has long been a leader in scholarship among Christian institutions.

By all measures our faculty continue to excel in this area. Between April

and December 2023 at least 68 Calvin faculty completed scholarly work in

the form of presentations, productions, and publications. These have in-

cluded artistic productions and creative writing, invited lectures, book

chapters, peer-reviewed articles, and books with Yale University Press,

Cambridge University Press, Baker Academic, and InterVarsity Press.

This scholarship is supported by internal resources and external grants and

fellowships. Alongside support for research materials and travel, as well as

grants for Christian scholarship, this year we awarded a record allocation of

Calvin Research Fellowships, which allow faculty to devote additional time

to scholarship and sabbaticals.

We have also secured a substantial number of external grants to support

faculty research, curricular projects, and programmatic initiatives. The fol-

lowing table provides an overview of activity between July 1, 2023, and Jan-

uary 10, 2024.

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Calvin University 245

External Grants

Unique Investigators (#)

Value

Faculty

Students

Active Awards

$52,641,492

Proposals submitted

$9,045,978

New Awards

$6,718,177

Grant funding can strengthen scholarship, improve facilities, bolster com-

munity outreach and partnerships, and increase opportunities for under-

graduate students. Examples of faculty supported by new awards include

the following:

• Ken Arnold (Computer Science): Interactive Natural Language Tech-

nology for Supporting Writers in Structuring and Revising Docu-

ments; $175,000 from National Science Foundation

• Kevin den Dulk (Calvin Global Campus) and Jason VanHorn (Geol-

ogy, Geography, and Environment): Mapping Applications for Of-

fenders; $155,000 from Michigan Department of Corrections

• Stacy De Ruiter (Mathematics and Statistics): Marine Mammal Moni-

toring on Navy Ranges; $15,450 from Foundation for Marine Ecol-

ogy with funds from Office of Naval Research

• Tyler Greenway (Psychology): Planning Grant: Cultivating Grati-

tude, Generosity, and Spirituality in Digital Spaces: Charting a

Course for Translational Research to Promote Human Flourishing;

$44,463 from Baylor University with funds from Templeton World

Charity Foundation

• Jonathan Hill (Sociology): Applied Research on Intellectual Humil-

ity; $57,986 from Georgia State University with funds from Temple-

ton Religion Trust

• Gail Zandee (Nursing) and Mary Molewyk Doornbos (Nursing):

Women Supporting Women in the Maternal Infant Health Program;

$199,999 from Michigan Health Endowment Fund

At Calvin, scholarship reflects our commitments to engage with God’s crea-

tion with wonder, in awe of what he is already doing in the world. We are

grateful for the opportunity to serve as Christ’s agents of renewal through

the impact of our research.

The impact of the scholarship produced by Calvin’s faculty is far-reaching.

While it is often difficult to assess this impact, as the results of our faculty

efforts are dispersed among myriad outlets and academic journals, Hekman

Library’s new Calvin Digital Commons gives us one way to measure our

reach.

Data from Calvin’s institutional repository gives us a sense of the global

reach of this impact. In 2023, faculty publications housed in Calvin’s Digital

Commons have been downloaded 9,640 times by users in 132 countries (see

the diagram below for a rough geography of downloads). Seventy percent

246 Agencies, Institutions, and Ministries AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

of those downloads have been from outside North America. This scholar-

ship covers a wide range of the disciplines studied and taught at Calvin,

with some of the most downloaded articles covering education, rhetoric,

political science, history, psychology, geology, and chemistry.

Through the Digital Commons, we can measure ourselves against Calvin’s

Vision 2030, which establishes our aim: “Calvin will become a Christian lib-

eral arts university with an expanded global influence” and promote “the

welfare of the city and the healing of the world.”

As we continue to grow into this vision, our most important work is in the

integration of faith and learning. In both teaching and scholarship, our fac-

ulty faithfully seek to express their commitments to Scripture, the ecumeni-

cal creeds, and the Reformed confessions, which are not only boundaries

for our work but also centers of our work. Calvin is blessed with a number

of resources to support this effort, including the Calvin Center for Christian

Scholarship, the Kuiper Seminar, and The de Vries Institute for Global Fac-

ulty Development. While the Center for Christian Scholarship supports ex-

plicitly Christian, and often collaborative, research projects of Calvin fac-

ulty, the Kuiper and de Vries offerings develop faculty capacities for

integration of faith and learning in a multiyear trajectory that prepares

them for rigorous assessment as part of our tenure and promotion process.

Moreover, the de Vries Institute extends much of this work beyond the Cal-

vin community, putting a faith and learning imprint on Christian higher

education around the world. This year institute activities included the fol-

lowing:

• providing the Faith and Learning Fellowship, our required faith and

learning faculty development program, to six newer faculty and pre-

paring to offer this program to 20 new faculty in the next academic

year and up to 30 in the following year

• concluding the experience of the inaugural cohort of the de Vries

Postdoctoral Teaching Fellows program and launching searches for a

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Calvin University 247

second cohort (we received 78 applications for the six spots available

in the 2024-2026 cohort)

• instituting a new series of faith and learning opportunities for Calvin

adjunct faculty (in partnership with the provost’s office)

• launching a Faith and Learning Collaboration Grants program for

faculty at Calvin University and Calvin Theological Seminary to en-

courage enriched conversation about Christian faith in relation to the

various forms of work that faculty groups do together

• teaching more than 200 participants in courses on the institute’s

online platform, Reflecting Faith

• launching a certificate in Faith and Higher Education (in partnership

with the Calvin Global Campus)

• cosponsoring an online workshop on Christian faith and pedagogy

in STEM disciplines (in partnership with INCHE and the Kuyers In-

stitute), which had 87 registrants hailing from 13 countries

Few other institutions can match the resources Calvin has devoted to these

essential efforts, and it is our aim to steward them well for the kingdom.

D. Arts

As part of our commitment to the liberal arts and the humanities, the arts

are growing at Calvin University. We host more than 100 visual, musical,

and theatrical performances throughout the year; offer over 20 arts organi-

zations and campus groups; and have 38 uniquely designed spaces for stu-

dents to practice, create, exhibit, and perform. In the past year we have

hosted a variety of exhibitions in our Center Art Gallery, such as The Archi-

tecture of Prayer curated by Amanda Iglesias and Botanica by our own pro-

fessor Jennifer Steensma Hoag.

Calvin offers 10 ensembles in vocal and instrumental music for students.

Our community ensembles and events include Community Symphony,

Alumni Choir, High School Honors Band, and Knollcrest Music Camps. In

spring 2024 the Gospel Choir will tour southern California and perform for

CRCNA churches and communities. In summer 2023 the Capella choir

toured Italy, and their trip included performing a stand-alone concert to a

full house at Santa Maria Maggiore, one of the oldest churches in Florence.

Then, as part of a choral festival for which Dr. Pearl Shangkuan served as

co-artistic director, the combined festival chorus performed a gala concert

with an orchestra to a standing-room-only crowd at the cathedral of St.

Francis in Assisi (where the friar is buried). The festival chorus also sang at

St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican.

We have also hired new arts staff in the past 12 months to bring support to

community music, arts studios, music events, the Arts Collective, and the

Calvin Theatre Company. The arts remain a hallmark of the Calvin experi-

ence.

248 Agencies, Institutions, and Ministries AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

E. Athletics

Calvin athletics enrich the experiences of student athletes and our entire

community through a commitment to wellness and excellence. Calvin is a

top-ranked school in the NCAA Division III, a highly competitive division

with over 400 member universities, which allows students to be true stu-

dent athletes.

Calvin is blessed to recruit and retain excellent coaches and athletes and to

invest in them athletically, academically, and spiritually. Calvin student

athletes continue athletic traditions of Bible study, mentorship, and team

and leadership retreats year after year.

This September the first-ever Calvin University football scrimmage was

held, with more than 3,500 people in attendance. We are busy preparing for

the first-ever football season while continuing to support our women’s and

men’s teams across the board.

We had numerous MIAA Championship teams in the 2023 calendar year,

including men’s and women’s soccer, and men’s and women’s cross coun-

try. These four teams, along with the women’s volleyball team, competed at

the NCAA tournament level.

V. Board matters

A. Board officers

Board officers for the 2023–2024 year are Bruce Los, chair; Mary Tuuk Ku-

ras, vice-chair; Gene Miyamoto, secretary; and Dirk Pruis, treasurer (Cal-

vin’s vice president for finance and chief financial officer).

B. Board membership

The following nominations for a new delegate from the region are pre-

sented to the Calvin University Board of Trustees.

1. Region 4

Andrea Karsten will be completing her term. The board presents the follow-

ing nominees to the classes in Region 4 to be voted on at their spring classis

meetings:

Ronald Baylor is a 1977 graduate of Calvin University. He attended Wayne

State University Law School and graduated with a juris doctorate degree in

1980. He works at Miller Canfield Paddock and Stone and is semiretired.

He has an extensive record of previous board or committee service at Third

Christian Reformed Church, Kalamazoo Christian Schools Association,

Pine Rest Christian Counseling Center, Kalamazoo County Bar Association,

Friends of the Kal Haven Trail, and Junior Achievement of Southwest

Michigan. He has served on the Alumni Association Board and the Board of

Trustees for Calvin University. He attends Third Christian Reformed

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Calvin University 249

Church in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and is completing a term as a shepherd-

ing elder. He and his wife, Mary Jane, were first-generation college students

and are grateful for how Calvin has shaped their lives and home.

Rev. Timothy Blackmon earned a master of divinity degree from Calvin Theo-

logical Seminary in 1995. He is the senior pastor at Second Christian Re-

formed Church in Grand Haven, Michigan. He served on Advisory Com-

mittee 8 at Synod 2023. He married into a family of four generations of

Calvin alumni and currently has a son attending Calvin. His prior experi-

ence was at Wheaton College, where he served as chaplain. He has signifi-

cant senior-level experience with the challenges and opportunities of Chris-

tian institutions of higher learning.

Rev. Tyler Wagenmaker earned his bachelor’s degree at Calvin University in

1996. He attended Calvin Theological Seminary, where he earned a master

of divinity degree. He is the pastor at Beaverdam Christian Reformed

Church in Hudsonville, Michigan. He served on the Grand Valley State

University Campus Ministry oversight team and as Battalion Chaplain in

the U.S. Army during the Iraq conflict. He is currently serving on the Coun-

cil of Delegates, on the oversight team of Iglesia Todas Las Naciones, on the

classical interim committee of Classis Zeeland, and as an advisory board

member for the Grand Rapids area Campus Ministry.

2. Additional updates

Additional board membership updates will be included in the Calvin Uni-

versity supplemental report to synod.

3. New members

At the October 2023 board meeting we welcomed five new trustees after

their confirmation by Synod 2023:

Jack Beeksma of Prince George, British Columbia, is a retired elementary ed-

ucation teacher who taught for 37 years in three schools in British Columbia

and Nigeria.

Tony Brookhouse of Whitinsville, Massachusetts, is co-owner and COO of the

multistore Koopman Lumber, Inc., based in Whitinsville, where he oversees

sales and general management.

Rev. Dr. Moses Chung of Cypress, California, is director of program and

strategy for Resonate Global Mission and an ordained minister in the

CRCNA. He has served as a pastor in various cultural contexts, including a

traditional CRCNA congregation, immigrant ethnic congregations, a multi-

ethnic church plant, and a megachurch in both North American and inter-

national settings.

Adam Ramirez of Pipestone, Minnesota, is a church consultant for regional

development of cross-cultural rural ministry with Classis Minnkota and in

collaboration with Classis Iakota, Resonate Global Mission, and the

250 Agencies, Institutions, and Ministries AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

CRCNA’s Consejo Latino. As a Mexican of Lebanese descent, Ramirez is

the first-ever Calvin board member with roots in the Middle East.

Jim Valk of Paw Paw, Michigan, is managing director with UHY Advisors,

Inc., a national CPA firm. Valk started his career in public accounting with

Ernst & Young and opened his own firm in 1994 with two partners. After

growing the firm to the largest local firm in Kalamazoo, he merged the

practice into UHY.

VI. Recommendation

That synod, by way of the ballot, elect new members, reappoint members

for subsequent terms, and ratify the results of the classis elections for mem-

bership on the Calvin University Board of Trustees.

Calvin University

Greg Elzinga, interim president

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Committee for Contact with the Government 251

Committee for Contact with the Government/

Centre for Public Dialogue

I. Introduction

The Committee for Contact with the Government (CCG), operating as the

Christian Reformed Centre for Public Dialogue, is a justice and reconcilia-

tion ministry of the Christian Reformed churches in Canada. The Centre for

Public Dialogue works to encourage active Christian citizenship, studies

critical issues facing Canadian society from a Reformed perspective, and in-

teracts with policy makers and shapers in a constructive manner. Our focus

issues are currently refugee rights and resettlement, Indigenous justice and

reconciliation, and climate justice. We also strive to be nimble and respon-

sive on critical issues that come up in collaboration with the Committee for

Contact with Government.

This year the Centre for Public Dialogue experienced a major transition

with the departure of its longtime director, Mike Hogeterp. The committee

is grateful for Mike’s 21 years of service.

II. Reflecting on Our Calling

A. Faith formation

We seek to work with local churches in an effort to live into the call to seek

God’s justice and peace in every area of life. We do this in the following

ways:

1. Providing liturgical and devotional resources connected to Indigenous

justice, refugee rights, and climate care via our website and social media.

2. Gathering local church members to tell stories and think together about

Christ’s call to justice through the Do Justice blog (dojustice.crcna.org).

Through our Do Justice columnists initiative, writers from across North

America regularly share the ways in which they are wrestling with the

call to do justice in their own local contexts. Our seventeen regular col-

umnists (including eight people of colour) focus on specific issues from

poverty to climate change to Reformed theological reflections to refugee

sponsorship. Do Justice also initiates these conversations through a pod-

cast format. This year we focused on the long journey of justice work and

stories of reconciliation.

3. Working closely with the Canadian Ministries justice mobilizer to de-

velop and animate learning opportunities on justice and reconciliation.

We continue to respond to church requests for virtual, in-person, and

recorded materials. We are also engaged in longer-term projects with

groups like the Act Five Christian gap-year program and with the com-

munity of practice cohorts.

B. Loving mercy; doing justice

We assist local churches in loving mercy and doing justice as follows:

252 Agencies, Institutions, and Ministries AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

1. Communicating with government officials through direct interaction

with policy makers and shapers from our office in Ottawa, and in mobi-

lizing Christian citizens to interact with their elected representatives. We

continue to work closely with partners to help local churches respond to

urgent issues of justice and reconciliation. These partnerships include

World Renew, Mennonite Central Committee Canada, the Canadian

Council of Churches, the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada, KAIROS,

and Citizens for Public Justice. We continue to raise the issue of equity in

Indigenous education, including through the sending of Education To-

gether campaign postcards to representatives.

2. Responding to requests for information from churches and members on

current issues of concern. This has included requests for information on

medical assistance in dying.

3. Working with CRCNA partners to bring justice-themed learning experi-

ences to churches. We continue to offer Faith in Action: Practicing Biblical

Advocacy through the Thinkific learning platform, which allows churches

to advocate on issues they care about. The Hearts Exchanged program

continues to be an important pillar of work in collaboration with Indige-

nous Ministries. In collaboration with Diaconal Ministries Canada we

have developed Justice: An Everyday Spiritual Journey. This latest work-

shop provides a foundation to explore how the Bible talks about peace,

justice, and faithful action.

4. This past year the Centre for Public Dialogue supported the Canadian

National Gathering focused on reconciliation and belonging.

III. Connecting with churches: Our Journey 2025 (Ministry Plan)

A. Cultivating practices of prayer and spiritual discipline

This year the Centre created space for imaginative worship at the Canadian

National Gathering. We offer worship materials for Special Sunday obser-

vances. We also create space for prayer on the issues of the day through Do

Justice weekly prayers.

B. Listening to the voices of every generation

We continue to seek ways to connect with young people through the Do

Justice blog, the Do Justice podcast, and an active social media presence. Jus-

tice and reconciliation mobilizer Cindy Stover regularly connects with cam-

pus groups and hosts workshops in churches.

C. Growing in diversity and unity

We regularly connect with churches across the country to help them seek

justice through workshops, responses to inquiries, and learning opportuni-

ties. The Committee for Contact with the Government is committed to di-

versity and unity in the composition of its members. Justice and reconcilia-

tion mobilizer Cindy Stover also serves as one of the coaches of a

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Committee for Contact with the Government 253

Multicultural Churches Cohort focused on helping congregations to in-

crease intercultural connections and belonging.

D. Sharing the gospel

Doing justice and reconciliation is gospel proclamation—we know and cele-

brate that Christ is renewing all things and that he calls us to be colaborers

in this task. When the church does justice, our witness is stronger and has

more integrity. As such, the work and partnerships mentioned above are an

element of gospel proclamation and are motivated by a conviction that jus-

tice and worship are integrated.

Committee for Contact with the Government/

Centre for Public Dialogue

254 Agencies, Institutions, and Ministries AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

Christian Reformed Church Loan Fund, Inc., U.S.

I. Introduction

The CRC Loan Fund was established by Synod 1983 with a directive to as-

sist organized member churches in the financing of capital improvements.

The Loan Fund operates exclusively in the United States. The board of di-

rectors of the Loan Fund oversees the loan approval process, the determina-

tion of loan interest rates, and the setting of Loan Fund policies. The board

also establishes interest rates for Investment Certificates sold—primarily to

members, churches, classes, and agencies of the CRCNA in the United

States.

II. Board of Directors

Loan Fund board members are eligible to serve for two three-year terms.

Current members of the board of directors are Jeffrey Feikens (2025/2), Carl

Kromminga (2025/1), Layla Kuhl (2024/1), Howard Van Den Heuvel

(2024/2), Dale Burghraef (2026/1), and Wayne Postma (2026/1).

Howard Van Den Heuvel is concluding his second term on the board and is

not eligible for reappointment.

The board requests that synod appoint one board member from a slate of

four nominees to serve a term of three years with eligibility for reappoint-

ment to a second term.

Andrew Storteboom is a member of Immanuel CRC in Fort Collins, Colorado,

where he has served as an elder and as a deacon. He has served as part of

the Family Selection Committee for Habitat for Humanity for the past 17

years, and he also served on the local Neighbor to Neighbor organization.

Andrew earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and political

science from Calvin University and is employed at Fairway Independent

Mortgage as senior vice president area manager.

Jeffrey DeYoung is a member of Bethel CRC in Lansing, Illinois, where he has

served as an elder and as a deacon. He also served as a Sunday school

teacher for seventh graders for 15 years, and he has served as a Cadet coun-

selor for the past 18 years. Jeffrey has served his community as a board

member for Illiana Christian Schools, the PASS Pregnancy Centers, and the

Illiana Christian School Foundation. He earned a bachelor of science degree

from Indiana University in business administration and a graduate certifi-

cate from the University of Wisconsin Graduate School of Banking. He is

employed at Grand Ridge National Bank as chief operations officer.

Sharon Visbeen is a member of Rockpoint Community CRC in North

Haledon, New Jersey, where she has served as church treasurer, as head of

the finance team, as head of discipleship, as Sunday school superintendent,

and as a catechism teacher. Sharon has also served her community as the

assistant teaching director of Community Bible School, as a core group

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 CRC Loan Fund 255

leader in Community Bible Study, and as the PTO president for Eastern

Christian Schools. She is a graduate of Calvin University and works as a

controller for KV Builders.

Michael Westra is a member of Restore Church in Midland Park, New Jersey,

where he has served as an elder, a deacon, and a part of the praise team. He

has also served on the Eastern Home Mission Board as part of Classis Hack-

ensack, and on the boards of Holland Christian Homes and New City Kids.

In addition, Michael has served the greater community on the boards of the

Atlantic Stewardship Bank and the Columbia Bank Foundation. He gradu-

ated from Calvin University and is employed as president of Wayne Tile

Company.

III. Financial operations

The Loan Fund is eligible to sell Investment Certificates to investors in

twenty-three states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois,

Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota,

Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, South

Dakota, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin. Additional states could be

added as needed to benefit the fund.

At the close of the 2023 fiscal year (June 30, 2023) a total of $11,499,071 in in-

terest-bearing Investment Certificates and accrued interest held by inves-

tors was outstanding. Interest rates vary from 3.00 percent to 4.00 percent.

The variances in interest rates reflect the terms of the certificates and market

conditions at the times the certificates were issued.

Since its inception in 1983, the Loan Fund has originated more than two

hundred loans totaling nearly $77 million to churches across the United

States. As of June 30, 2023, the Loan Fund had $9,931,041 in gross loans and

accrued interest outstanding. Loan delinquencies do occur from time to

time, but they are closely monitored and are very low. The Loan Fund

maintains a loan loss reserve to help cover potential losses. The fund is

blessed to have experienced only minimal loan losses throughout its his-

tory.

Financial operations are also reflected in the following data:

2023 2022 2021

Cash and equivalents $7,481,890 $9,263,219 $5,199,045

Net loans and interest receivable 10,013,377 10,806,504 16,140,937

Other assets 0 0 1,659

Total assets $17,495,267 $20,069,723 $21,341,641

Certificates and interest payable $11,544,800 $14,391,628 $15,653,694

Net assets 5,950,467 5,678,095 5,687,947

Total liabilities and net assets $17,495,267 $20,069,723 $21,341,641

A summary of the audited financial report as of June 30, 2023, is available at

crcna.org/welcome/governance/financial-statements.

256 Agencies, Institutions, and Ministries AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

IV. Sources of funding

Funds for the Loan Fund’s operations are derived from the following

sources:

• the sale of Investment Certificates in those states where legal ap-

proval to offer them has been obtained

• gifts and bequests made to the Loan Fund

• Investment of net assets

V. Staff

The Loan Fund is staffed by Alice M. Damsteegt, program coordinator, and

Brian Van Doeselaar, interim director.

VI. Recommendation

A. That synod grant the privilege of the floor to the Loan Fund’s director or

any members of the board of directors of the CRC Loan Fund when matters

pertaining to the fund are discussed.

B. That synod appoint one board member from the slate of four nominees

to a first term of three years, effective July 1, 2024.

Christian Reformed Church Loan Fund, Inc., U.S.

Brian Van Doeselaar, interim director

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Indigenous Ministry (Canada) 257

Indigenous Ministry (Canada)

I. Introduction

The Indigenous Ministry is made up of a national committee (Canadian In-

digenous Ministry Committee), three Urban Indigenous Ministries, and a

senior leader for Indigenous justice and reconciliation, each using their

strengths to support healing and reconciliation between Indigenous peoples

and non-Indigenous people in Canada.

A major event this year was the Canadian National Gathering. This gather-

ing was focused on helping Canadian churches consider the opportunities

to create communities of belonging within their unique local contexts using

Hearts Exchanged as a springboard for thinking on these themes. A variety

of Indigenous speakers and artists contributed to creating a fulsome event.

II. Reflecting on Our Calling

A. Faith Formation

1. Hearts Exchanged is a learning and action journey designed to equip Re-

formed Christians to engage with Indigenous people as neighbours and

fellow imagebearers. This colearning setting models the sacred journey

of reconciliation, preparing us as Christians to build relationships with

Indigenous communities that are marked by mutual respect and reci-

procity. Participants are transformed in their minds and hearts as they

are invited into honest dialogue about the harms of colonialism and as

they encounter “hearts broken” stories and experiences. A seasonal cycle

of cohorts has continued this year with fourteen groups meeting across

the country.

2. The Urban Indigenous Ministries continue to support growth in their lo-

cal communities. For example, the Indigenous Family Centre engaged

families in Circle of Security parenting training.

B. Loving Mercy; Doing Justice

1. Resources, studies, and other tools are available as reconciliation be-

comes a stronger theme in CRC churches—not just reconciliation with

God through Christ but also with people in Canada. Given the history of

the church in Canada, the process of reconciliation with our Indigenous

peoples is an important part of the way the Canadian CRC has made real

the work toward shalom. This year we featured several Indigenous

voices regularly on the Do Justice blog and podcast to equip congrega-

tions for further justice conversations. We continue to hear appreciation

for the way we share information and equip the church to move for-

ward, such as this feedback from a church member:

The history you recounted was new to me when I participated

in Hearts Exchanged last year, and I was glad to hear you ex-

plain the story and its implications in such a hopeful way.

258 Agencies, Institutions, and Ministries AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

May Settler and Indigenous sisters and brothers in the CRC

hear and respond to the Good Shepherd speaking through

you, and may those who have suffered, who are discouraged

and grieving, be heartened as you join and support their la-

bours.

2. Together with the Centre for Public Dialogue and KAIROS, the KAIROS

Blanket Exercise is a workshop we continue to share throughout Canada.

It has provided many people with an opportunity to understand the in-

justices faced by First Nations people in the history of Canada, especially

with regard to land claims.

3. Advocacy for Indigenous rights is another important component of In-

digenous ministry in Canada. The work on Indigenous education reform

carried out by the Committee for Contact with the Government/Centre

for Public Dialogue (crcna.org/publicdialogue) involves working with a

broad coalition of churches and Indigenous organizations to encourage

public awareness and action in Indigenous education.

4. Creative and winsome programs continue at each of the Urban Indige-

nous Ministries. The Indigenous Christian Fellowship and Edmonton

Native Healing Centre served meals in the thousands and offered other

opportunities such as beading circles and exercise classes.

C. Gospel Proclamation and Worship

1. Resources were created for Indigenous Ministry Sunday. The bulletin in-

sert this year featured information about Hearts Exchanged.

2. The Urban Indigenous Ministry Centres in Winnipeg, Regina, and Ed-

monton help to meet the spiritual and social needs of Indigenous Cana-

dians. These ministries are highly regarded by the communities they

serve. Ministry participants value the dignity and respect they experi-

ence as they attend and participate in the programs and community ac-

tivities.

III. Connecting with churches: Our Journey 2025 (Ministry Plan)

A. Cultivating practices of prayer and spiritual discipline

Indigenous ministry regularly offers prayers and devotions for churches.

These are available in print form and on our growing YouTube channel.

Our third annual audio reflection for National Truth and Reconciliation

Day was widely used. Each of the urban ministries regularly hosts cultur-

ally appropriate prayer opportunities.

B. Listening to the voices of every generation

The Canadian Indigenous Ministry Committee currently includes members

from a mix of ages and backgrounds, including two members under age 30.

Resources are shared to engage kids in Indigenous justice, and the urban

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Indigenous Ministry (Canada) 259

ministries offer programming for kids such as music classes and bike ex-

changes.

C. Growing in diversity and unity

The senior leader for Indigenous justice and reconciliation regularly re-

sponds to community requests asking for regional support for reconcilia-

tion. This includes sermons, speaking engagements, and workshops.

D. Sharing the gospel

We echo the words of our justice and reconciliation partners at the Centre

for Public Dialogue: “Doing justice and reconciliation is gospel proclama-

tion—we know and celebrate that Christ is renewing all things and that he

calls us to be colaborers in this task. When the church does justice, our wit-

ness is stronger and has more integrity. As such, the work mentioned above

is an element of gospel proclamation and is motivated by a conviction that

justice and worship are integrated.”

Indigenous Ministry (Canada)

Adrian Jacobs, senior leader for Indigenous justice and reconciliation

260 Agencies, Institutions, and Ministries AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

Pensions and Insurance

I. Introduction

The Christian Reformed Church in North America maintains employee

benefit programs that provide retirement, health, life, and disability benefits

for employees of the denomination in its ministries, agencies, local

churches, and other CRC organizations.

II. Board matters

The ministers’ pension plans, special-assistance funds, and employees’ re-

tirement plans are governed by the U.S. Pension Trustees and the Canadian

Pension Trustees. These boards meet several times per year, usually in joint

session. Separate meetings of the boards are held as needed.

Darrel Raih is completing his second term on the U.S. Pension Trustees

board in 2024 and is eligible and recommended for a third three-year term.

Hessel Kielstra and Jack Vanden Pol are completing their first terms on the

Canadian Pension Trustees board in 2024 and are eligible and recom-

mended for second three-year terms.

III. Benefit-program activities

A. Ministers’ pension plans

The ministers’ pension plans are defined-benefit plans. Benefits paid by the

plans are defined by formula, and the required funding of the plans is de-

termined by actuarial calculations. The primary purpose of the plans is to

provide retirement benefits to plan participants. The plans also provide

benefits to the surviving spouses of participants as well as to any depend-

ent children who are orphaned. In addition, long-term disability benefits

are provided through an insurance product to all full-time, active partici-

pants in the plans who have furnished the information concerning compen-

sation and housing as required by the insurance carrier.

The following is a summary of participant counts as of December 31, 2023,

for each plan and in total. Participants having an interest in both plans (gen-

erally the result of having served churches in both the United States and

Canada) appear in the column where they have residence.

United States Canada Total

Active ministers 623 261 884

Ministers receiving benefit payments 641 165 806

Spouses and dependents 190 52 242

Withdrawn participants with vested benefits 94 27 121

Total 1,548 505 2,053

Independent actuarial firms are employed to prepare valuations of the

plans. These actuarial valuations furnish the information needed to deter-

mine church and participant assessment amounts. Both plans are required

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Pensions and Insurance 261

to have a valuation every three years. Information regarding church and

participant assessment amounts will be presented later in this report.

1. Portfolio balances and performance

Plan assets are invested in diversified portfolios under the management of

professional investment-management firms. These firms are required to ad-

here to the denomination’s investment guidelines, and their performance is

measured against established benchmarks and regularly reviewed by the

trustees.

The plans’ actuaries have informed us that as of the date of the plans’ last

valuation, on a going concern basis, the actuarial liability totaled approxi-

mately $139.1 million for the U.S. plan (as of Dec. 31, 2022) and approxi-

mately $53.8 million for the Canadian plan (as of Dec. 31, 2022). These

amounts reflect the present value of the plans’ future obligations to all par-

ticipants including active, disabled, and retired pastors, widows, and de-

pendents.

Market value of the portfolios is summarized as follows:

December 31, 2023 December 31, 2022

United States (U.S. $) $125,333,000 $117,364,000

Canada (Can. $) 82,183,000 74,548,000

Dividends, interest, and appreciation in the value of the plans’ holdings

along with contributions to the plans provide a significant portion of the re-

sources needed to meet the plans’ obligations to the active participants and

to fund payments to retirees and beneficiaries.

2. Plan review

The pension plan has undergone several changes since separate plans for

the United States and Canada were established in 1983. While the basic de-

fined benefit form of the plan was not altered, changes were made to bene-

fits provided by the plan, to clarify how the plan is administered, and to im-

prove the protocols used to obtain funds needed to pay costs.

3. Funding

All organized churches are plan sponsors and thus are expected to pay

church assessments determined by an amount per active professing mem-

ber age 18 and older or, if greater, the direct costs of their first or only pas-

tor’s participation in the plan. The amount of the assessment for 2024 (in lo-

cal currency) is $37.20 per member in both Canada and the United States,

and direct costs have been set at $7,704 for both countries as well. These

amounts are collected by means of monthly billings to each organized

church, based on reported membership statistics.

All emerging churches and other denominational ministries that employ a

minister as a missionary, professor, teacher, or in any other capacity, in-

cluding organizations that employ endorsed chaplains (with the exception

262 Agencies, Institutions, and Ministries AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

of chaplains serving in the military who are not yet entitled to receive any

military pension benefits) are required to pay the annual cost of participa-

tion in the plan. All pension assessments, however determined, are billed

monthly, and the grant of credited service for pastors is contingent on

timely payment of amounts billed.

B. Employees’ retirement plans

The employees’ retirement plans are defined-contribution plans covering

most employees of participating denominational agencies and ministries

who are not ordained as ministers of the Word. In the United States, contri-

butions are paid into the two available defined-contribution plans by partic-

ipating denominational agencies and ministries in an amount up to 6 per-

cent of compensation. An additional employer contribution of up to

4 percent of compensation is made to match employee contributions of a

similar amount. U.S. churches with staff participating in the 403(b)(9) plan

set the contribution rates independently. In Canada, contributions of up to

9 percent are paid to the plan by participating employers. In Canada, there

are no contributions made to the plan relative to matching employee contri-

butions. In these defined-contribution plans, participants may make addi-

tional contributions up to the limits determined by federal or provincial

regulation. Participants receive periodic statements indicating the dollar

amount credited to their accounts, the value of their accounts, and the

vested percentage.

Individual participants direct the investment of their account balances

among several investment alternatives, including fixed-income and equity

funds. The investment alternatives are currently managed for U.S. partici-

pants by Empower Retirement and Envoy Financial, while Great-West

Trust serves as custodian of the plan’s assets. For Canadian participants,

Sun Life Financial Group manages and serves as custodian of the plan’s as-

sets.

As of December 31, 2023, the balances in these plans totaled approximately

$42,585,000 in the United States and $5,915,000 in Canada. As of that date,

there were 351 participants in the U.S. plan and 103 in the Canadian plan,

categorized as follows:

United States Canada

Active 206 87

Inactive 145 16

C. Nonretirement employee benefit programs

Oversight of the denomination’s nonretirement employee benefit programs

is provided by the Council of Delegates.

Consolidated Group Insurance is a denominational plan that offers health,

dental, and life coverage in Canada to ministers and employees of local con-

gregations and denominational agencies and ministries. Currently there are

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Pensions and Insurance 263

321 participants in the program. The most significant categories of partici-

pants include 227 pastors and employees of local churches, 94 employees of

denominational ministries and agencies, and no retirees. The plan in Can-

ada is a fully insured plan with coverage purchased through a major

health-insurance provider and is supplemental to health benefits available

through government health programs.

In the United States, the denomination offers health, dental, and life cover-

age to ministers and employees of local congregations and denominational

agencies and ministries. Currently there are 329 participants in the pro-

gram. The most significant categories of participants include 123 pastors

and employees of local churches, 109 employees of denominational minis-

tries and agencies, and 97 retirees. The plans are provided by the Reformed

Benefits Association (RBA) through a trust established to fund benefits and

expenses of the plan. RBA was established in July 2013 by the Board of

Trustees of the CRCNA and the Board of Benefit Services of the Reformed

Church in America to provide nonretirement benefit programs for both de-

nominations.

Premiums charged by the plan in Canada are set by the insurance carrier.

The premiums for the U.S. plan are set by RBA based on overall expecta-

tions of claims and administrative expenses for the coming year.

D. Financial disclosures

Audited or reviewed financial statements of the retirement plans and of all

of the agencies and institutions are made available each year to the treas-

urer of each classis with the request that they be made available to any in-

terested party. In addition, summary financial statements are included in

the Acts of Synod. Individualized statements are furnished to active mem-

bers of the ministers’ pension plans and the employees’ retirement plans.

IV. Recommendations

A. That synod grant the privilege of the floor to members of the Canadian

Pension Trustees and the U.S. Pension Trustees when insurance matters

and matters pertaining to insurance and retirement plans for ministers and

employees are discussed.

B. That synod, by consenting to this report, will have designated up to 100

percent of a minister’s early or normal retirement pension or disability pen-

sion for 2024 as housing allowance for United States income-tax purposes

(IRS Ruling 1.107-1), but only to the extent that the pension is used to rent

or provide a home.

C. That synod, by consenting to this report, will have designated up to 100

percent of an ordained pastor’s distributions from their CRC 403(b)(9) Re-

tirement Income Plan in 2024 as housing allowance for United States in-

come-tax purposes (IRS Ruling 1.107-1), but only to the extent that those

funds are used to rent or provide a home.

264 Agencies, Institutions, and Ministries AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

D. That synod, by way of the ballot, reappoint Darrel Raih to a third three-

year term on the U.S. Pension Trustees and reappoint Hessel Kielstra and

Jack Vanden Pol to a second three-year term on the Canadian Pension Trus-

tees beginning July 1, 2024.

Pensions and Insurance

Shirley DeVries, chief administrative officer

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 ReFrame Ministries 265

ReFrame Ministries

I. Introduction—mission and mandate

ReFrame Ministries serves as the worldwide media ministry of the Chris-

tian Reformed Church in North America. ReFrame looks much different

than when it launched as a single English radio program, The Back to God

Hour, in 1939. Today our vision is that the lives and worldviews of all peo-

ple around the globe will be transformed by God's gospel message.

Relying on the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we create contextual media re-

sources in ten major languages that proclaim the gospel, disciple believers,

and strengthen the church throughout the world. This work takes place

through four core strategies:

• Church rooted: We believe the Holy Spirit works through the

church, so we partner with churches to build and strengthen the

body of Christ.

• Major languages: We strive to reach the widest possible audience, so

we create content in the world's most-spoken languages.

• Context driven: We work with local partners who faithfully contex-

tualize the gospel message and use the most effective media for con-

necting with diverse audiences.

• Relationship focused: Following the example of Christ, we seek to

build long-term, discipling relationships with individual members of

our mass audiences.

II. Reflecting on our calling

The focus of ReFrame Ministries is primarily global mission. All of our

work is guided by the Great Commission found in Matthew 28. Much of

our work also naturally aligns with other parts of the CRCNA’s fivefold

calling as we seek to work alongside churches and ministries worldwide.

A. Global Mission

ReFrame carries out ministry in ten major world languages: Arabic, Chi-

nese, English, French, Hindi, Indonesian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian,

and Spanish. We also have a few special translation projects in Korean and

Urdu.

ReFrame leverages popular forms of communication to share the gospel

globally, reaching countries where traditional Christian missions often face

restrictions. Through radio, TV, the internet, mobile apps, and social media

we bring the message of Jesus to people without access to a faith commu-

nity. As people worldwide share their experiences of encountering Jesus for

the first time through ReFrame's media resources, it’s clear that God is at

work through the CRC and ReFrame’s partners.

1. ReFrame works with about 170 indigenous staff members and more than

300 volunteers around the world. Through its partnerships, ReFrame has

266 Agencies, Institutions, and Ministries AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

a ministry presence in 55 countries through production and discipleship

centers, broadcast locations, and resource distribution. ReFrame and its

partners reach people in nearly every country through the internet and

mobile application resources.

2. ReFrame’s international partnership ministry teams have developed 28

ministry websites in 10 languages supported by 69 social media pages.

ReFrame produces 49 audio programs, about half of which are aired on

the radio, and 45 TV/video programs.

3. Together with our partners, ReFrame distributes nearly 2 million printed

devotional booklets each year in six languages. In general, the number of

printed daily devotions has decreased as we are able to reach more peo-

ple in more places digitally through email, Facebook, and smartphone

apps. We send more than 600,000 devotional emails daily.

B. Faith formation on the global mission field

ReFrame provides faith formation resources in the English language, pri-

marily for North American audiences. To learn more about these resources,

see section III of this report or visit ReFrameMinistries.org/English.

Culturally relevant discipleship resources are also available in the other

nine major languages in which ReFrame works with media ministry part-

ners. Produced and distributed in print, online, on social media channels,

and through smartphone apps, devotions and faith formation resources are

bringing God’s Word to people around the world.

1. Audio programs apply God’s Word directly to people’s lives through

Bible-teaching programs, offering Reformed and biblical perspectives on

current cultural issues within the context of the nations where we do

ministry.

Since the war in Ukraine began, ReFrame’s Russian-language ministry

partners have been producing and broadcasting special pastoral and

evangelistic programming for Ukrainian refugees. This year we are ex-

panding our programming to also reach internally displaced women in

Ukraine. The new radio program (featuring 50 hour-long programs and

50 five-minute programs) will be produced and distributed with the par-

ticipation of a Kyiv-based producer.

2. ReFrame and its partners offer print resources including devotional

guides in nearly every language ministry. In total, ReFrame and its

partners mail or hand out about 2.1 million devotional guides and other

gospel-centered material every year. Much of this content is also avail-

able online. In all ten language ministries, we regularly hear from people

who are grateful to have a meaningful daily reflection on God’s Word.

For example, Charlene, a reader of our Today devotions, recently shared

how the daily readings encouraged her in her faith. “I want to tell you

how much I have enjoyed your devotions this month,” Charleen wrote.

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 ReFrame Ministries 267

“I truly receive joy, encouragement, peace, and more than words can say

from the Today devotions. God bless you.”

3. As video-based programs become increasingly popular and accessible,

ReFrame and its partners now have 45 different video programs around

the world. These programs range from daily, two-minute devotional re-

flections to hour-long church services for people who need to tune in re-

motely. No matter the length, each video program offers the hope of

God’s truth in an easily accessible format. Most of the programs are

available on social media sites such as Facebook, WhatsApp, and

YouTube.

In 2024, ReFrame's English ministry team is enhancing accessibility to

devotional videos and other resources by launching a new app through

Kids Corner. This app will assist parents, including Danielle, in discover-

ing devotions, activities, and various other resources for their families.

“Kids Corner brings the Bible to life for kids,” Danielle wrote. “The epi-

sodes are accurately based on Bible stories, and the kids are pointed to

Scripture at the end of each episode to learn more. I also appreciate that

they cover not just your typical kids' Bible stories . . . but dive deeper into

the Bible and ultimately point listeners to Jesus."

C. Servant leadership on the global mission field

ReFrame Ministries is blessed to work with indigenous leaders gifted in

both ministry and media. These leaders and their teams provide culturally

relevant outreach in each of the ten language ministries in which ReFrame

works.

1. International ministry leaders include Rev. Youssef Adel Hanna (Ara-

bic); Pastor Jerry An (Chinese); Robin Basselin and Justin Sterenberg

(English codirectors); Rev. Marc Nabie (French); Rev. Arliyanus Larosa

(Indonesian); Rev. Masao Yamashita (Japanese); Rev. Hernandes Dias

Lopes (Portuguese); Rev. Sergei Sosedkin (Russian); Rev. Huascar de la

Cruz (Spanish); and a Hindi ministry leader whose name is withheld for

security reasons.

We praise God for these leaders and for the partnerships that these lead-

ers represent—partnerships with on-the-ground media ministry work-

ers, denominations, and organizations.

2. The goal of all ReFrame-related training events is to equip leaders for

sharing the gospel in the context to which God has called them.

a. French ministry leader Rev. Marc Nabie hosted Timothy Leadership

Training Institute events in several West African nations.

b. In India and Egypt, ReFrame’s Hindi and Arabic ministry partners

provided training and curriculum for vacation Bible school and Sun-

day school teachers.

268 Agencies, Institutions, and Ministries AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

c. ReFrame’s Russian ministry team provided leadership seminars for

Russian-speaking students and for future church leaders who are at-

tending universities in Russia and Ukraine.

d. Rev. Hernandes Dias Lopes leads online courses for church leaders

and pastors in Brazil and other Portuguese-speaking countries.

e. Pastor Jerry An facilitates and leads events for church leaders in both

Asia and North America to promote the use of media for gospel out-

reach. In 2023 he cohosted an event to offer a Christian response to

mental health issues that many Chinese-Americans face.

D. Loving mercy; doing justice on the global mission field

While the mission of ReFrame is primarily global media missions, ministry

teams and partners have opportunities to provide comfort and assistance to

people who are oppressed, brokenhearted, and disadvantaged. Many pro-

grams ReFrame and its partners produce are messages of hope for people

living in incredibly difficult circumstances—questioning their beliefs in

places where it could be dangerous to do so, living in physical poverty, or

suffering from sickness. We also address issues of social justice through our

various programs in several languages.

1. Our ministry partners in India practice a holistic approach, providing for

physical as well as spiritual needs. The team makes a special effort to dis-

tribute food and sanitary equipment because many of their listeners are

in the lowest castes of India’s society.

2. Our English ministry’s Family Fire staff has been producing materials for

people experiencing pain and brokenness in marriage or in other family

relationships.

3. With the goal of teaching and encouraging Christ-followers to live out

their faith, ReFrame also produces the Think Christian online blog and the

Groundwork audio program, which regularly offer discussions on issues

related to biblical justice.

For example, in August 2023, Think Christian’s blog drew parallels from

the popular Final Fantasy video-game series to a central divide in Ameri-

can Christianity during the Civil War. “I learned it wasn’t a good death

we should be fighting for, but a better life,” a character says in the game

— as pointed out in the Think Christian article — “It’s all very well a man

reclaiming his fate.”

E. Gospel proclamation and worship

The core mission of ReFrame and its partners is gospel proclamation

through a variety of media, sharing the gospel with people wherever they

are in the world. ReFrame continually seeks out culturally relevant and ef-

fective ways to proclaim the gospel and call people into a relationship with

God.

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 ReFrame Ministries 269

1. We have increasingly moved to a model of partnership with local de-

nominations and organizations in our international ministries. This pro-

vides greater opportunity for local ownership and sustainability. In Bra-

zil, for example, we partner closely with congregations in the

Presbyterian Church of Brazil to distribute biblical content for church

members and the communities where they serve in missions, including

communities as far away as Angola, in southern Africa.

2. As our world moves to a more paperless society, ReFrame expands the

CRC’s use of digital outreach for sharing the gospel: developing new

apps, growing email and social media audiences, and sharing almost all

content online, even if it's also available offline.

III. Connecting with churches: Our Journey 2025

ReFrame offers a variety of programs and resources to help congregations

and individuals work toward the milestones named in our denominational

ministry plan, Our Journey 2025.

A. Cultivating practices of prayer and spiritual discipline

1. Our English ministry team has grown a network of more than 8,500

prayer partners in North America and throughout the world who pray

for people who respond to our media outreach programs. This number

has been growing exponentially over the past few years; the number of

prayer requests coming in to the ministry has also increased.

2. Our Today devotions, produced since 1950, are available in print, at To-

dayDevotional.com, by email subscription, on podcast websites, and

through mobile applications. We print and distribute about 210,000 To-

day booklets six times each year, and more than 350,000 people receive

the Today emails. In addition, about 75,000 people use the Today devo-

tional app on their mobile devices.

3. Groundwork is a 30-minute audio program and podcast that builds bibli-

cal foundations for life. Groundwork guides listeners in casual but

thoughtful conversations about practical applications of God’s Word in

today’s world. You can listen at GroundworkOnline.com.

4. Think Christian is a collaborative online magazine that invites readers to

practice seeing God in all things—particularly popular music, movies,

television, and other forms of pop culture. Rooted in the Reformed tradi-

tion, Think Christian recognizes that all of culture falls within God's sov-

ereignty and that by his common grace believers and unbelievers alike

are capable of creating beautiful things.

5. Family Fire is an online community (through Facebook and the website

FamilyFire.com) that provides resources to strengthen families spiritu-

ally through articles, devotions, email and social media interaction, and

live retreat events.

270 Agencies, Institutions, and Ministries AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

B. Listening to the voices of every generation

1. Kids Corner is a children's program directed toward children ages 6-12.

This program has transitioned from a single audio program to a growing

collection of online resources for children’s spiritual growth across North

America. Kids Corner will launch a new app in 2024, making all of these

features, as well as an accompanying parent blog, more readily available

and accessible.

2. People of all ages respond to our Today devotional readings. A class of

high school students responds to a new set of devotions each year by

taking photos and writing reflections that relate to the topic presented

that month. Students read the devotions, look for daily reminders of the

content, snap photos, and write notes about what they have learned.

C. Growing in diversity and unity as we build relationships

1. ReFrame’s global outreach is strengthened through crucial networks of

North American and international partners. Strong collaborations create

effective partnerships for mission and allow resources to be invested

wisely. In addition to our sister ministries within the CRCNA, ReFrame

works cooperatively with the following Reformed denominations world-

wide: the Reformed Church in America, the Reformed Church in Japan,

the Presbyterian Church of Brazil, the National Presbyterian Church in

Mexico, the Indonesian Christian Church, and the Evangelical Presbyter-

ian Church of Egypt, Synod of the Nile. In addition, we partner with

evangelical congregations in Eastern Europe, in Africa, in India and sur-

rounding countries, and with house churches and Christian ministries in

China.

2. ReFrame Ministries has partnered with the CRC’s Korean Council since

2008 to publish a bilingual Korean-English version of the Today devo-

tions.

3. ReFrame Ministries continues to broaden the reach of Faith Alive’s Seek-

ing God’s Face devotional book. After launching an English-language

website with the devotional content in 2021, ReFrame’s Chinese, Arabic,

and—in 2023—French ministry partners have also translated the content

for their audiences.

D. Sharing the gospel, living it missionally, and planting new churches as we con-

nect with our local and global ministry contexts

1. Church Juice helps churches to be intentional about using the wide vari-

ety of media tools available to them in order to effectively communicate

with their congregations and communities. Church Juice offers virtual

and in-person opportunities for church communicators to come together

(both online and through occasional in-person events), learn, and en-

courage one another. If you have questions about how your church can

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 ReFrame Ministries 271

improve its communications, start a conversation with Church Juice pro-

ducer, Bryan Haley. Email him anytime at bryan@churchjuice.com.

2. ReFrame’s English-language ministry produces ebooks as downloadable

pdfs. Several are also available in print for group discussion or personal

growth. Topics from the newest resources include The Lord of the Rings

(Think Christian), A Handbook of Biblical Parenting (Family Fire), Waiting in

Expectation (Today), and an updated version of How Do I Pray? (Re-

Frame’s prayer ministry).

3. ReFrame’s Japanese ministry partners offer videos to churches that are

part of the Reformed Church in Japan. These videos help introduce the

church to prospective visitors and seekers in the area and offer a glimpse

of what a Sunday is like in a typical church. In this way ReFrame helps to

grow the global church in Japan using media resources.

4. ReFrame’s Hindi ministry team supports the work of church planters in

northern India. The team hosts radio-program listener gatherings and of-

fers resources to communities of believers. These gatherings often take

place at house churches that are growing into church plants.

IV. Recommendation

That synod grant the director of ReFrame Ministries, Kurt Selles, and the di-

rector of administration for ReFrame Ministries, Louise Wing, the privilege

of the floor when matters pertaining to ReFrame Ministries are addressed.

Note: Recommendations on financial matters are included in the report of

the Council of Delegates and will be presented to synod by way of the Fi-

nance Advisory Committee.

ReFrame Ministries,

Kurt Selles, director

272 Agencies, Institutions, and Ministries AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

Resonate Global Mission

I. Introduction

Synod has given Resonate the mandate to give leadership to the denomina-

tion to release our faith communities for holistic mission.

What does it mean to give leadership during this moment in the Christian

Reformed Church in North America? At Resonate we see this mandate as

an influencing role, to inspire, invite, innovate, and hold up a holy idealism

so that we as a church can embrace the future God has planned for us.

That’s why we declare in faith that the future is bright—not because we

have everything in the CRC sorted out, or that our cultural context is not in-

creasingly difficult, or that Resonate is perfect. The future is bright because

Jesus Christ, who came into this world, who died, was buried and was

raised to life, is coming again. And in the light of that hope we serve a mis-

sional God who invites every person in the CRCNA to discover their call to

be his witness in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria —and to the ends of the earth

(see Acts 1:8).

In our changed and changing world, we are sharpening our focus on the

role of our Reformed faith in mission work. As your mission agency, we fo-

cus on the whole of life. We live out our faith in our homes, workplaces,

communities, and everywhere. This approach to mission work is like wa-

ter on dry ground wherever your ministry leaders are at work.

We also report that the future is bright because, as an organization, Reso-

nate is in a strong position to serve our churches in the years to come. How-

ever, that is not without wrestling through ever-increasing financial chal-

lenges. Resonate is actively making the transition from dependence on

ministry shares to a network of support from mission-minded congrega-

tions and individuals. But we also believe that our congregations and lead-

ers want mission support to be a critical element of ministry share alloca-

tions. We encourage our churches to contribute to CRCNA ministry shares

as a key strategy for supporting God’s mission in North America and

throughout the world. We are grateful for the generosity and care of this

denomination through congregational and individual support as well as

through ministry shares!

Thank you for all that you do—in your own neighborhood and around the

world. Resonate partners with you, your church, and Christians in more

than 40 countries who minister to people who have different faiths and cul-

tures. And thank you for your prayers and gifts that make this ministry

possible! Thanks to your support, the good news of Jesus is going out like

an expanding, amplifying sound around the world!

II. Reflecting on our calling

When people learn for the first time that their work is a calling from God,

that God wants to use them to bless their communities, and that God

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Resonate Global Mission 273

watches over them in such a way that not a hair can fall from their head

without his will—that changes lives forever.

Preaching this powerful gospel is not just the work of a few; it’s a calling for

each one of us. That’s what makes your Christian Reformed mission agency

unique: through Resonate you are fulfilling God’s Great Commission to

make disciples and to teach them to follow all of Christ’s teachings.

We partner with churches in three key ways that we refer to as our core ini-

tiatives: mobilizing congregations, sending missionaries, and planting

churches. These broad categories help us continue more than a century of

passion for God’s mission around the globe—leading the CRCNA in myr-

iad ways to join in. In addition to these core initiatives we are also investing

in programming and curriculum development, and our consolidation with

Raise Up Global Ministries this year brings significant growth in this area.

A. Mobilizing congregations

We serve Christian Reformed churches by helping them respond to God's

call to live and share the gospel in their own neighborhoods. We provide

coaching, discernment, and partnership so that everyone may join God at

work in their own community. Mission work using this strategy includes

the following:

• Leadership development and coaching: We are all missionaries, and

our mission field is all around us! Resonate is investing in identify-

ing and equipping individual leaders and teachers in our own con-

gregations and worldwide.

• Regional engagement teams: Our team of missional experts lives and

works across North America. Each staff member walks alongside

congregations to encourage and equip them in fulfilling God’s mis-

sion. Through these teams, Resonate is investing in walking along-

side mission committees, forging partnerships, and working with

young adults whom God is calling to mission work.

• Campus ministry: Resonate connects churches with universities and

colleges in ministry on more than 40 campuses across North Amer-

ica. Resonate is investing in training and supporting campus minis-

ters to be a faithful presence on campuses and to help students dis-

cover God’s will for their lives.

Example and story: Classis Huron Celebrates 50 Years of Campus Ministry

(read more at resonateglobalmission.org/50years).

B. Sending missionaries

We help to send missionaries in North America and around the world to

share the gospel with people from other cultures. We inspire, inform, equip,

and support them to witness for Christ—and we are convicted that the gos-

pel is at work not only for others but also for ourselves. The relationships

274 Agencies, Institutions, and Ministries AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

and imagination brought by engaging cross-culturally helps our denomina-

tion to continue to grow spiritually. Mission work using this strategy in-

cludes the following:

• identifying, preparing, and sending mission workers on long-term

career mission assignments and short-term volunteer opportunities

• establishing and coordinating ministry partnerships with congrega-

tions that guide missionary ministry and provide financial support

• offering a full suite of support for missionaries and volunteers, in-

cluding training, visas, travel, housing, spiritual care, fundraising,

and more so that they not only survive but also thrive on the field

Example and story: Planting Gospel Seeds (read more at resonateglobalmis-

sion.org/gospelseeds).

C. Planting churches

We partner with local congregations, classes, and leaders to establish new

churches. Our goal is to cultivate a healthy church planting ecosystem that

allows us to partner with Christian Reformed congregations with the re-

sources and tools they need to form and lead new church plants. Mission

work using this strategy includes the following:

• Parent churches: We partner with established churches to identify

church planting opportunities and the operational systems necessary

to establish and sustain their ministry.

• Partner church plants: We come alongside church planters with net-

working, coaching, continuing education, and funding.

• New expressions of church: Church plants are one of the most effec-

tive ways we have to reach new groups of people, so we are devel-

oping new methods like micro-church plants, church planter train-

ing hubs, and multisite church plants.

Example and story: It Started on a Street Corner (read more at resonateglob-

almission.org/streetcorner).

D. Learning programs

Resonate develops and deploys many different methods to support its three

core initiatives. Program and curriculum development are key ways in

which we help Christian Reformed churches engage in mission from a truly

Reformed perspective, and our staff and partners in this area help us apply

lessons and wisdom from across all our churches. Mission work in this area

includes the following:

• developing ministry curriculum such as Timothy Leadership Train-

ing, Educational Care, and Global Coffee Break to be used by minis-

try staff across Resonate

• providing processes and tools that support and evaluate mission

work in the CRCNA

• continuing innovation, education, and training

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Resonate Global Mission 275

In 2023 the CRCNA chose to consolidate the programming of Raise Up

Global Ministries with Resonate due to Raise Up’s close connection and

value to Resonate staff worldwide. The programs of Raise Up equip global

church leaders by (1) developing biblically based interactive materials and

(2) training leaders to facilitate learning and to support change in their lives

and communities.

Example and story: Nasdya Wants to Study Genesis—Will You Help? (read

more at resonateglobalmission.org/prague).

III. Connecting with churches: Our Journey 2025

Resonate exists to serve CRC congregations as they share the gospel, live it

missionally, and plant churches—a key goal of Our Journey 2025—but our

work flows through all four aspects of this plan. Our Christian Reformed

congregations are our most important ministry partners, and one of the

most significant ways in which Resonate can help CRCNA congregations in

mission is by equipping young people, supporting diaspora ministry, and

engaging in ministry with ethnic minorities.

Our churches and society are struggling now with critical issues of diversity

and justice. However, CRCNA churches have opportunities to share the

life-giving gospel of Christ with people in their communities who may

come from other nations and cultures. Together with you, we work toward

God's vision for his church as a unified body of people "from every nation,

tribe, people and language" (Rev. 7:9).

A. Cultivating practices of prayer and spiritual discipline

This is an area of ministry into which Resonate has invested significantly

over the past few years, especially in consolidating Raise Up Global Minis-

tries as a part of Resonate Global Mission.

Programs including Timothy Leadership Training, Educational Care,

Global Coffee Break, Go Local, the Witness Curriculum, and others are val-

uable resources that Christian Reformed congregations and missionaries

use around the world to help people grow in faith.

Example and story: Discovering God at Work (read more at resonateglob-

almission.org/discovering).

B. Listening to the voices of every generation

We open space for diverse groups of young adults and lay leaders, equip-

ping, mentoring and discipling them so that together we may share the

good news and live out the gospel in all areas of life. Resonate provides op-

portunities and encouragement to young Christians in a variety of areas, in-

cluding campus ministry, cohort ministry, leadership development, and

more. The future leaders of the Christian Reformed Church of ten, twenty,

even fifty years from now are already in our churches, and together we can

equip them to live out their faith and lead others.

276 Agencies, Institutions, and Ministries AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

Example and story: “God Remains the Same” (read more at resonateglob-

almission.org/godremains).

C. Growing in diversity and unity

Resonate ministers with diaspora and ethnic communities. Working in part-

nership with our regional teams and established churches, we mobilize be-

lievers inside and outside communities of immigrants, migrants, refugees,

and international students in a way that welcomes and embraces people,

communicates God’s love, and calls them to faith in Christ.

One of the biggest opportunities for the CRCNA is to help churches work

cross-culturally. Resonate has a variety of programs that specifically re-

source churches as they build relationships with their communities.

Example and story: Finding Jesus at Dinner Church (read more at reso-

nateglobalmission.org/dinner.

D. Sharing the gospel, living it missionally, and planting new churches

Resonate Global Mission is your Christian Reformed mission agency, and

we walk with your congregation on mission together, wherever God has

called you.

Resonate can help deepen your passion for mission, strengthen your capac-

ity to follow God on mission, and amplify the impact you and your church

have in your neighborhood and around the world. We can do more to-

gether than we can on our own!

Example and story: Transforming a Neighborhood Inch by Square Inch

(read more at resonateglobalmission.org/moises).

IV. Recommendations

A. That synod grant the chair of the Council of Delegates Global Missions

Ministries Committee, Jill Feikema, and the director of Resonate Global

Mission, Kevin DeRaaf, the privilege of the floor when matters pertaining

to Resonate Global Mission are addressed.

B. That synod, along with the Council of Delegates, encourage all Christian

Reformed congregations to recognize the following Sundays as significant

opportunities to pray for and to receive an offering for Resonate Global

Mission: Easter, Pentecost, the second Sunday in September, and the fourth

Sunday in November.

Note: Recommendations on financial matters are included in the report of

the Council of Delegates and will be presented to synod by way of the Fi-

nance Advisory Committee.

Resonate Global Mission

Kevin DeRaaf, director

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Thrive 277

Thrive

I. Introduction—Mandate and mission

Led by Dr. Chris Schoon (U.S. codirector) and Rev. Lesli van Milligen (Can-

ada codirector), Thrive seeks “to engage and accompany Christian Re-

formed congregations as they seek to faithfully and holistically embody the

gospel in their respective contexts” (Acts of Synod 2023, p. 956). Approving

the proposed mandate for this agency, Synod 2023 entrusted Thrive with

the responsibility to provide expertise, wisdom, and compassionate support

to congregations while remaining attentive to a wide range of opportunities

and challenges facing the church today. More specifically, Thrive encour-

ages and equips Christian Reformed congregations to do the following:

• practice lifelong faith formation and missional discipleship from a

Reformed perspective, across all ages and stages of life, with particu-

lar attention to children, youth, and emerging adults

• practice worship that is inspired by the Spirit, directed toward God,

biblically based, theologically Reformed, and contextually relevant

• identify and engage seasons of congregational renewal, growth,

transition, or challenge

• cultivate communities of increased inclusivity where everybody be-

longs and everybody serves, across abilities, ethnicities, languages,

ages, and genders

• engage in the work of dismantling the multitude of damaging causes

and effects encountered within a disordered creation, such as racism,

sexism, ableism, and ageism, particularly within the body of believ-

ers

• implement and integrate safe church practices that include abuse

prevention, awareness, and response

• support and care for ministry leaders, whether they serve congrega-

tions in ordained or nonordained capacities, or in specialized minis-

try roles such as chaplaincy

• respond to God’s call to justice by advocating alongside and in sup-

port of people who are marginalized, vulnerable, and oppressed

While Thrive’s primary focus is on local Christian Reformed congregations,

Thrive’s capacity to encourage and equip congregations will be enriched

and strengthened by engagement with external associations and partner-

ships, particularly those that focus on specialized aspects of Thrive’s re-

sponsibilities. (See Agenda for Synod 2023, p. 78; Acts of Synod 2023, pp. 956-

57.)

As can be seen from this mandate, synod charged Thrive to be attentive to a

broad spectrum of congregational leadership roles and a wide array of con-

gregational opportunities and needs. The underlying goal or mission that

motivates Thrive’s efforts is to equip and encourage congregations in ways

that help them thrive in their respective contexts.

278 Agencies, Institutions, and Ministries AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

In carrying out this mission, with a deliberate regional presence, Thrive en-

gages Christian Reformed congregations through six primary activities:

consultations and workshops for churches and classes; coaching and net-

work facilitation for ministry leaders; and resource curation and creation

for a wider range of audiences. During its first six months as a CRC minis-

try agency, Thrive has directly served more than 550 ministry leaders, pro-

vided consultation support related to safer church and other intervention

and crisis response requests from 61 congregations, guided 39 churches

through the PastorSearch process, and interacted with more than half of the

Christian Reformed classes throughout Canada and the United States.

II. Reflecting on Our Calling

By joining nine previously separate ministries into one ministry agency (see

crcna.org/Thrive), Thrive is better able to holistically engage with and en-

courage congregations in the CRCNA’s five ministry callings (Our Calling):

faith formation, servant leadership, global mission, mercy and justice, and

gospel proclamation and worship. Over the past year we have laid the

foundation for a wraparound case-management approach to serving con-

gregations that enables Thrive to be responsive in a timely manner to the

various ministry needs and resources of Christian Reformed congregations.

Whether through facilitated listening sessions, deeper consultation, or regu-

lar contact from our regional staff, Thrive is focused on equipping and en-

couraging congregations and their ministry leaders.

An example of this approach is our engagement with Barrhaven Fellowship

CRC near Ottawa, Ontario. Leadership from Barrhaven Fellowship initially

contacted Thrive for resources that would help them prepare for a time of

transition with the anticipated retirement of their pastor of 10 years. This in-

itial consultation allowed them to spend time in discernment focusing on

possible ministry gaps they would want to address during their vacancy. In

this process they identified a need for new leadership to share the load with

the present council. Thrive staff called in new team members tasked with

leading a group of 30 older and potential leaders in the Thriving Essentials

course before the pastor retired. The result was not only an increase in the

number of ministry leaders but also a stronger understanding of their

shared mission as Barrhaven Fellowship entered this time of transition. This

renewed energy eventually led the congregation to invite a specialized tran-

sitional minister to help them keep the momentum going. All of these vari-

ous stages of resourcing occurred rather seamlessly and supported the con-

gregation as it leaned into the CRCNA’s five ministry callings with little to

no anxiety.

Here are a few additional examples of how Thrive has lived into these min-

istry callings.

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Thrive 279

Thrive supported the faith formation efforts of our congregations in the fol-

lowing ways:

• Hosting parent listening groups to learn how Thrive can better sup-

port faith formation in the home with two congregations serving as

pilot groups and setting the foundation for six more listening oppor-

tunities during 2024. These listening groups are a part of a broader

initiative to help congregations better understand the faith formation

needs of families and children.

• Supporting Sunday school efforts through the Dwell curriculum (for

kindergarten – grade 5), which currently has nearly 500 subscribing

churches, 60 percent of which are Christian Reformed congregations.

• Refreshing the Dwell Dive curriculum (for grades 6-8) is under way.

The bulk of our work in 2023 focused on creating the scope and se-

quence for Dive, Year 3. The first two years of Dive materials intro-

duce teaching from our ecumenical creeds and Reformed confes-

sions. The third year will focus on faith practices by leading young

teens through the twelve practices identified in the Faith Practices

Project (see crcna.org/FaithPracticesProject).

• Exploring Worship and Wonder, a newer curriculum for introducing

children to the gospel through worship.

Thrive supported servant leadership and church renewal efforts in our

congregations as follows:

• Facilitating Thriving Essentials workshops. From July 1 through De-

cember 31, 2023, Thrive facilitated Thriving Essentials with 145 partic-

ipants from 25 congregations (11 Canada; 14 U.S.) and piloted Dea-

con Essentials with leaders from 16 churches (10 Canada; 6 U.S.). By

the end of January 2024 nearly 1,000 individuals participated in this

renewal program. For example, Classis Rocky Mountain went

through Thriving Essentials at a classis meeting with 60 people repre-

senting 20 congregations. We are excited to see and hear the re-

sponses to this resource, and we hope congregational engagement

with Thriving Essentials will grow in the coming years. The develop-

ment of individual leaders in a church will result in more members

available to serve on councils, greater ownership of and collabora-

tion in ministry, and increased capacity for spiritual discernment.

• Hosting a Pastors’ Conference for ministers of the Word, commis-

sioned pastors, regional pastors, and chaplains, in which over 100

participants explored attending to healthy spiritual practices and

daily rhythms to support their overall well-being in ministry, espe-

cially in today’s environment of accelerated change and challenge.

• Supporting congregations and classis church visitors with next-step

conversations and resources in response to the implementation of

synod’s decisions regarding human sexuality.

280 Agencies, Institutions, and Ministries AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

In the area of gospel proclamation and worship Thrive supported congre-

gations in the following ways:

• Gathering worship leaders in twelve classes for resource sharing and

mutual encouragement.

• Contributing to the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship’s efforts

through having multiple Thrive staff present at the annual Sympo-

sium on Worship.

Thrive supported congregations in the area of mercy and justice as follows:

• Translating Power and Privilege materials into Spanish.

• Facilitating disability and accessibility training to congregations

across North America in an online format.

• Facilitating a peer-learning cohort of seven congregations who are

exploring themes of disability and accessibility through a Thriving

Congregations grant supported by Lilly Endowment Inc.

Thrive supported congregations in the area of global mission as well. Rec-

ognizing that global mission is at our doorstep, Thrive meets regularly with

Resonate Global Mission staff in order to ensure that our efforts are aligned

with each other and that Thrive is aware of resources and support that are

necessary for congregations growing with newcomers to North America.

III. Connecting with churches

The Council of Delegates, with the endorsement of Synod 2023, tasked

Thrive with leading the CRC in a robust effort to support and encourage

church renewal that touches on the four milestones of the CRCNA Ministry

Plan: Our Journey 2025. Renewal will come through deeper engagement

with prayer and practices of discernment and through strengthening adult

formation, which can in turn embolden witness and engagement with each

congregation’s mission in their context. Thrive also continues to find a vari-

ety of ways to listen both to emerging young adult leaders and to leaders

from diverse backgrounds to help us understand the particular resources

and postures necessary to grow healthy intergenerational and multicultural

churches.

Leaning into Thrive’s core posture of curious listening, Regional and Affin-

ity Group Connectors in collaboration with Resonate engaged in a pastors’

calling project by reaching out to approximately half of the CRCNA’s pas-

tors, including Korean, Latino, and Southeast Asian pastors. Of those con-

tacted, 52 percent responded with stories of both post-COVID resilience

and challenges, helping Thrive to be more responsive in discerning effective

ways to accompany congregations during a season of accelerated change.

Thrive specifically supported cultivating practices of prayer and spiritual

discipline by means of the free, website-based Faith Practices Project

(crcna.org/FaithPracticesProject). Launched in January 2021, this website

has had over 70,000 pageviews and has been utilized by several Christian

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Thrive 281

Reformed congregations as the basis for sermon series and small-group dis-

cussion materials on spiritual disciplines. The accompanying Faith Practices

book has sold over 2,100 copies in less than two years.

Thrive continues to listen to the voices of every generation:

• Generation Spark graduated four congregations from its first cohort

and is currently supporting thirteen congregations in their intergen-

erational ministry goals.

• Thrive staff support a team of ten emerging adults (6, U.S.; 4, Cana-

dian) for leadership formation and encouragement. This team also

informs our work with Generation Spark and how best to engage in

intergenerational ministry with younger people today.

Thrive promoted growth in diversity, reconciliation, and welcome in the

following ways:

• In collaboration with Resonate, facilitating a peer-learning group

made up of thirteen congregations and three microchurches begin-

ning a ten-month journey of exploring together how to become

healthy expressions of the Revelation 7 church of all nations.

• Initiating conversations with leaders from Spanish-speaking congre-

gations so that four of our Ten Ways tools will be translated into

Spanish.

Thrive supports sharing the gospel by supporting the work of Resonate,

ReFrame, and World Renew. We are particularly attentive to and excited by

the opportunities for collaboration in church renewal and in accompanying

congregations as they discern how to integrate discipleship and mission

within their respective contexts. While our primary focus is not on equip-

ping and mobilizing congregations for mission, we operate with a missional

understanding of Thrive’s work with churches and ministry leaders.

Other significant activities

During the past year Thrive was awarded two grants from Lilly Endow-

ment Inc. These grants support ministry initiatives that Thrive is committed

to in relationship to faith formation and pastoral well-being. Thriving To-

gether in Ministry (for pastoral well-being) is a sustaining grant to continue

and expand our support of ordained leaders who are in seasons of discern-

ment and transition related to their call. The Christian Parenting and Care-

giver Initiative is for supporting home-based faith formation, with a partic-

ular emphasis on equipping church leaders to listen well to parents and

caregivers.

Thrive is now stewarding four grant-supported initiatives that seek to bet-

ter serve the congregations, ministry leaders, and families in the CRCNA

and is participating in a fifth initiative (Generation Spark) in partnership

with the Reformed Church in America.

282 Agencies, Institutions, and Ministries AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

IV. Recommendations

A. That synod grant Chris Schoon and Lesli van Milligen, codirectors of

Thrive, the privilege of the floor when matters pertaining to Thrive are ad-

dressed.

B. That synod, along with the Council of Delegates, remind all Christian Re-

formed congregations that Thrive exists “to provide expertise, wisdom, and

compassionate support to congregations while remaining attentive to a

wide range of opportunities and challenges facing the church today”; and

that synod encourage ministry leaders and CRC members to reach out to

Thrive for support.

Note: Recommendations on financial matters are included in the report of

the Council of Delegates and will be presented to synod by way of the Fi-

nance Advisory Committee.

Chris Schoon, U.S. codirector

Lesli van Milligen, Canada codirector

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 World Renew 283

World Renew

I. Introduction

A. Mandate

In 1962, twelve years after the synod of the Christian Reformed Church in

North America (CRCNA) was formally asked to “consider the advisability

of appointing a Synodical Diaconal Committee” (Acts of Synod 1950, p. 63),

synod approved the formation of the denomination’s diaconal agency. Its

mandate was “to minister in the name of our Lord to those distressed by

reason of the violence of nature, the carnage of war, or other calamities of

life, and to relieve the suffering of the needy in the world” (see Acts of Synod

1962, p. 333).

World Renew has fulfilled this mandate faithfully for more than 60 years,

reaching out in Christ’s name to support vulnerable people around the

world. In its essence and existence, World Renew works to respond to

God’s call to live justly, love mercy, and serve Christ as the global commu-

nity faces the challenges of injustice, hunger, displacement, and disaster.

Because we serve a God whose heart is most concerned with people who

are oppressed, we seek to help renew hope where there is despair, contrib-

uting to a world where every one of God’s people can flourish.

B. Mission and ministry

Three factors have led to a regression of sustainable development efforts in

recent years: continuing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, conflict in re-

gions across the globe, and climate change. All of these factors contribute to

a “perfect storm” that causes many people worldwide to struggle to feed

their families.

With your prayers, involvement, and support in 2023, World Renew was

able to partner globally with 66 Christian churches and outreach partners,

helping 478,504 participants change their stories of fear, despair, and

trauma to stories of newfound strength and hope. Walking alongside par-

ticipants as they begin to flourish as God intended is an honor for our team.

World Renew strives to be an instrument of peace for God’s glory as we

work to shift power to local partners and communities in the 29 countries

where we have programs. Through the church worldwide and the servants

called to ministry, lives are transformed, and all glory goes to God.

Aiming to fulfill our mandate, we believe that working with communities

in the areas of food, economic opportunity, and health by means of commu-

nity development, disaster response, and peace and justice is the key to

opening doors for the Spirit to change lives in amazing ways.

Through community development programs in 1,200 communities, 221,652

participants in 19 countries received support in food security, economic op-

portunity, community health, and peace and justice. Additionally, 256,852

284 Agencies, Institutions, and Ministries AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

people who experienced war, drought, famine, hurricanes, earthquakes, or

tornadoes in 21 countries were assisted with emergency supplies. These in-

cluded emergency food, water, shelter, sanitation, economic assistance, and

livelihood rehabilitation.

World Renew has never participated in the CRC ministry shares program.

Instead, it depends primarily on the generous donations and offerings of

God’s people to support its work in communities of poverty. In 2023, in the

face of remarkable economic uncertainty, World Renew was entrusted with

millions of dollars in gifts from individuals and churches who understand

that loving our neighbors includes helping people on the other side of the

world. Our work was supported by 1,200 volunteers who donated their

time and gifts to situations of need worldwide, totaling 93,390 hours or the

equivalent of 39 full-time employees. Thirteen international relief managers

volunteered their time to serve through volunteer training, remote project

consulting, and travel to disaster sites to distribute emergency aid.

For a more detailed account of our work over the past year, please refer to

the World Renew 2023 Ministry Report, at worldrenew.net (U.S.) and

worldrenew.ca (Canada).

Compelled by God’s deep passion for justice and mercy, World Renew

works alongside partners and communities, building programs that en-

courage participants to tap into God-given resources and talents to find re-

newed hope for the future. Because of its integrated nature in addressing

the whole person, World Renew’s work not only touches all five of the

CRC’s ministry callings but also makes a focused contribution to the

church’s mercy and justice ministry and servant leadership development.

World Renew’s work is not only integrated; it is a fully fledged collabora-

tion by the church of Jesus Christ with Christian partners who aim to help

the most vulnerable people, advocate for justice, train local leaders, and de-

velop biblically based community values to strengthen the impact of the lo-

cal church around the world.

In 2023, World Renew continued to fulfill its mission to “engage God’s peo-

ple in redeeming resources and developing gifts in collaborative activities

of love, mercy, justice, and compassion.” But the true mission leaders in our

work are the project participants who decide that in faith, they will reimag-

ine what’s possible and live into the purposes for which God created them.

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and the one who is wise saves lives.

—Proverbs 11:30

II. Reflecting on Our Calling

A. Faith formation

At World Renew, faith formation serves as a foundation for keeping our

motivation for justice and mercy front and center. Our staff participate in

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 World Renew 285

prayer times, devotions, small groups, book studies, and educational expe-

riences that develop their faith. There are ongoing conversations around

how we can ensure that our faith in God guides every step.

In North America, World Renew’s faith formation resources include devo-

tions, videos, webinars, in-person educational conversations, and curricu-

lum for churches. Our Justice Team (U.S.) and our Church and Community

Engagement Team (Canada) focus on how churches and Christian leaders

can align their work with God’s heart for people on the margins of society.

In the United States, the Church with Community program held two co-

horts with a total of 14 congregations to practice asset-based community de-

velopment, mobilized 10 congregations to equip faith communities to work

with their neighbors, and taught about advocacy and food insecurity. The

Climate Witness Project (CWP) supported the Hunting Park Public Story-

telling Project, including the release of a film series in early 2023 to share

these stories of environmental justice. A six-week Bible study series accom-

panied the films, and the CWP organized regional film discussions and

group studies.

In Canada, congregations are mobilized through the work of the Canadian

justice mobilizer (a position held jointly between the CRCNA and World

Renew) and the staff of World Renew’s Church and Community Engage-

ment team. These staff hosted 21 justice learning events last year with 261

participants, representing 30 Canadian churches and organizations. Our

team offers instruction and interaction at schools and universities, including

through the newly launched Equipped to Educate curriculum for K-12 that

aligns biblical teachings on food security, water, and refugee resettlement

with Canadian educational requirements.

Meanwhile, around the world, our World Renew ministry teams and part-

ners offer a biblical basis for conservation agriculture, healthy families,

good stewardship, and more so that community leaders can be inspired

and led by the Holy Spirit to participate in activities that support the physi-

cal, emotional, mental, and spiritual health of their neighbors. Across all of

our ministry teams, our annual event 16 Days of Activism against Gender-

Based Violence has encouraged thought about how our faith should inform

healthy, God-honoring relationships, particularly through the use of a de-

votional guide throughout the campaign. The Do Justice podcast, hosted by

World Renew, Thrive, and the Centre for Public Dialogue, is a conversation

starter for people wishing to pursue justice in and through the Christian

church, find new ideas and perspectives, share better ways to engage in jus-

tice work, and grow in faith. This past season’s panelists included World

Renew staff Harouna Issaka and Andrew Reinstra as well as George de

Vuyst of Resonate, Shannon Perez of Winnipeg’s Indigenous Family Cen-

tre, and others.

286 Agencies, Institutions, and Ministries AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

At Jehová Shalom Church’s elementary school where Joel Fanor Urtecho

Garcia is a principal, there is a no-tolerance policy on fighting. As a

member of the Jehová Shalom Church, Joel was able to participate in

trainings on restorative practices, through World Renew’s partner the

Nehemiah Center. Joel shared that there was a fight at the school where

one boy hit another boy so hard that he left him unconscious. The

school’s policy on such behavior is immediate expulsion. However, Joel

said, “[Because] we were being trained in restorative practices . . . we

were able to organize ourselves better to resolve the conflict.”

The school analyzed the situation and figured out what had caused the

fight. Administrators invited the parents of both children into a facili-

tated conversation to discuss the roots of the issue. They found it was

easier to solve the conflict between the boys after the aggressor apolo-

gized; however, it took more discussion before the father of the battered

boy accepted the outcome.

Joel said, “We learned to develop and facilitate restorative processes and

use that language with others." A few months later, Joel reported that the

two families have a good friendship.

It gave me great joy when some believers came and testified about your faith-

fulness to the truth, telling how you continue to walk in it. —3 John 3

B. Servant leadership

Recruiting and training servant leaders is one of the great joys of the World

Renew team. Across the world, building leadership capacity is a fundamen-

tal part of our calling. This can mean training birth attendants to help serve

women in labor, hiring interns to contribute to and learn from our teams, or

supporting program participants as they pursue new skills to build income

for their families.

Another significant way that World Renew nurtures servant leadership is

through our volunteer programs. For instance, participants in our Global

Volunteers Program take time and resources to come and learn from God’s

people in different contexts. World Renew’s amazing international relief

managers put their expertise to work for no personal gain except the experi-

ence of living and working with people in the most challenging of circum-

stances. And our Refugee Sponsorship and Resettlement Program is run al-

most entirely by volunteers who raise support for newcomers to Canada,

except for a small team to make World Renew’s tremendous responsibilities

as a Sponsorship Agreement Holder happen.

The majority of those who have volunteered with World Renew, though,

are our “Green Shirts”—Disaster Response Services volunteers. These dedi-

cated and hard-working individuals make our efforts to assist with long-

term recovery after a disaster in North America possible.

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 World Renew 287

The North Florida Inland Long-Term Recovery Group (LTRG) formed

after Hurricane Michael struck the Florida Panhandle in 2018 as a cate-

gory 5 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 161 mph. This or-

ganization needed outside resources to restore the nearly 75 percent of

structures in Calhoun and Jackson counties that received significant to

catastrophic damage from the storm. Because DRS seeks to strengthen

the capacity of LTRGs after disasters, we provided a $50,000 grant to

help facilitate recovery projects, provide case management, and provide

recovery assistance. One of these projects was the construction of a new

house for Damarco, a single father of two young boys, which DRS volun-

teers built from the ground up over a six-week period.

“Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant. . . .”

—Matthew 20:26

C. Global mission

At World Renew we believe that our call to be witnesses of Christ’s king-

dom to the ends of the earth starts and ends with local churches and de-

nominations. Whether in the Global North or the Global South, we work in

partnership with churches, denominations, and networks to discern how

biblical wisdom can inform our pursuit of living out the gospel. Our exper-

tise is in building strong partnerships between churches from Grand Rapids

to Guatemala, from Bangladesh to Burlington, and so many in between.

Our church partnerships are something we view as a long-term relation-

ship, not a short-term visit. We plan and dream together, taking our lead

from a community and then building a bridge with another party whose

passions align with theirs. Some might call this fundraising, but at World

Renew this part of our work often feels more like matchmaking as we seek

to align kingdom purposes across the world. Some of these partnerships

have been continuing for years, with congregations in Alberta or California

connecting regularly with their counterparts in Uganda or Honduras.

World Renew both depends on and supports the church worldwide in

times of crisis. When disasters occur, whether because of climate or conflict,

we look for local denominations, congregations, and other organizations

who are already responding, and we ask what they require to be able to do

their God-honoring work of compassion more effectively.

When the Maranatha Christian Reformed Church community in Leth-

bridge, Alberta, was presented with the opportunity to sponsor the Ma-

biors, a young South Sudanese family of seven residing in a refugee

camp in Kenya, one member of the refugee sponsorship committee said,

“We needed to make only a few phone calls. . . . We believed that God

was calling us to welcome this family to our community.”

288 Agencies, Institutions, and Ministries AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

Relying on the expertise and encouragement provided by World Re-

new’s Refugee Sponsorship and Resettlement Program team, the com-

mittee began fundraising. “People gave generously!” a committee mem-

ber recounted. “Nevertheless, we faced plenty of challenges together:

communicating with the family over differing time zones and with

spotty cell phone coverage, overcoming language barriers, accessing

photos, struggling with COVID restrictions, and learning about a new

culture. Yet every time we hit a brick wall, God provided an answer to

our problem through a church member or a community connection. We

discovered that although God was using our individual gifts, he was also

continually gifting us in surprising ways.

“When the Mabiors arrived in Canada, the work multiplied along with

the joy. Our newcomers, though overwhelmed and tired after days of

travel, immediately embraced our welcoming group at the airport as

their friends. Even though it was summer, each member of the family re-

members that first month as being ‘so cold.’ Besides adjusting to the cool

weather here, the Mabior family says their biggest challenge is to learn

English. At the same time, they agree that going to school is the best

thing about their new life.

“We have discovered many cultural similarities between the Mabiors

and ourselves and realize that differences enrich us. We have learned

about the giving spirit in our church community. We have been inspired

in our faith by working together. And we have new friends and family to

love.”

I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth de-

rives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you

with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in

your hearts through faith. . . . —Ephesians 3:14-17

D. Mercy and justice

The CRCNA formally acknowledges mercy and justice as integral to its

mission, vision, and calling. In World Renew’s global ministry of commu-

nity development and disaster response, mercy and justice are inseparable

in experiencing the wholeness that God intends for all people, particularly

for those who face extreme poverty, hunger, and the effects of disaster.

As an agency that firmly believes we are all imagebearers of God (Gen.

1:26), we emphasize gender justice through our programs. In 2023 we con-

tinued to implement our global gender strategy in all our programs by en-

couraging staff and partners to see gender justice connecting with the exclu-

sion of other marginalized groups such as young people, seniors, and

disabled persons.

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 World Renew 289

The Refugee Sponsorship and Resettlement Program in Canada embodies

our justice work as it equips churches in and beyond the Christian Re-

formed Church to welcome newcomers who have fled their countries of

origin in fear of their safety. Across North America the Climate Witness

Program directs church communities wishing to steward the earth in

thoughtful and creative ways. Our Community and Justice Team colleagues

inform and inspire advocacy.

Prayer too is an essential part of the work of mercy and justice, so we offer

devotional and prayer resources alongside our annual campaigns and des-

ignated Sunday offerings. When we bring the world’s overwhelming issues

of injustice before the Lord, our work can be blessed in incredible ways.

In many communities where World Renew works, girls and women are

especially vulnerable to staying trapped in poverty—simply because tra-

ditional practices prevent them from flourishing. They are denied basic

human rights, including the right to an education, to work, to live free

from abuse, and to marry whom and when they choose.

The Very Young Adolescent (VYA) project is a Save the Children pro-

gram designed to help adolescents ages 10 to 14 and their families recog-

nize unhealthy gender norms. World Renew received a grant to learn

and use the VYA approach through USAID-funded MOMENTUM

County and Global Leadership. Joseph Stewards’ gifts help us to imple-

ment programs like this around the world. In addition, Choices, Voices,

Promises (CVP) is a new approach for World Renew Bangladesh, giving

a new dimension to its VYA programming.

Shyamoli, 13, comes from a poor family. Her father is a rickshaw driver,

and her mother catches river crabs to support their family. The family

also struggles with discrimination. They are Mundas, and in their Hindu

community they are considered lower caste.

Through CVP sessions, Shyamoli said, she and other adolescents have

learned that “no one should be discriminated against.” She continued, “I

am glad to learn that boys and girls are equal and should be treated

equally and have equal opportunities. We need to work for unity to have

a happy and better life.”

Peter [said] . . . “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favorit-

ism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is

right.” —Acts 10:34-35

E. Gospel proclamation and worship

We proclaim the saving message of Jesus Christ and seek to worship him in

all we do. Since our life in Christ is for now and eternity, our worship offer-

ing is to contribute to the flourishing and fullness of life on earth, waiting

for the day when Christ will return and complete the story of salvation.

290 Agencies, Institutions, and Ministries AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

When our neighbors around the world experience barriers to their well-be-

ing, how can they believe that God loves them and wants them to thrive?

Our work consists of many conversations, webinars, collaboration with

deacons and Diaconal Ministries Canada, and events to explore together

what God’s great plan of justice involves—and then going out and doing it.

This includes DRS working with local organizations to build the capacity of

recovery groups, churches, and other groups as we step alongside them

with resources, industry experience, and volunteer time and labor. This also

includes staff and partners sitting down together to create strategies that

will fortify churches in the Global South with minimal resources so that

they grow creatively and so that they can serve the most vulnerable mem-

bers of their congregations and communities. This justice work is a procla-

mation of Christ’s unimaginable love for his people. And when justice is re-

alized, the body of Christ praises God.

Deysi lives in Honduras with her husband, Nelson, and their two chil-

dren, Anderson and Modesto. The family participates in the Strong

Communities Program facilitated by World Renew’s local partner, Aso-

ciacion Para una Sociedad mas Justa (ASJ).

After noticing a lump on one of her breasts, Deysi decided it would go

away in time. Then she attended a Strong Communities meeting where

medical students discussed the early detection of breast cancer and what

to do if one had a suspicious lump. Deysi decided she would no longer

ignore the lump in her breast and visited the nearby Community Health

Center. She was immediately referred to the San Felipe Hospital for a

consultation and was scheduled for a biopsy.

The financial costs of going to the health center and the consultation

were extremely worrying for Deysi. Her family struggled to meet their

basic needs, and she felt hopeless to cover the cost of the biopsy. She

shared her worries with the Strong Communities Program staff and was

grateful when they worked to help cover the cost of the surgery. She felt

even more blessed when the results came back negative—she did not

have breast cancer. "God is my rock, my strength, and my Savior. We

must always trust that he is working on our behalf, even though we are

in times of tribulation,” Deysi shared.

“If I had not entered the Strong Communities program, I would not have

received that information and would not have been supported finan-

cially and psychologically to have the biopsy. Many times I doubted. But

we believe that all God does is with a purpose, and my family has faith

that he will continue to bless us,” she said with a smile.

“I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” —John 10:10

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 World Renew 291

III. Connecting with churches: Our Journey 2025 (Ministry Plan)

A. Cultivating practices of spiritual discipline

World Renew provides resources to churches such as devotions, prayer

guides, and worship materials in connection with our designated Sundays

and special offering resources. Throughout the world we integrate prayer

and spiritual development into our work in communities. And we model

prayer through resources and reminders to our supporters so that they can

lift up the prayers and praises of our ministry teams.

B. Listening to the voices of every generation

Through visits, videos, podcasts, and webinars, World Renew offers peer-

to-peer learning opportunities. We collaborate with ministries such as Diac-

onal Ministries Canada, Thrive, and the Centre for Public Dialogue to con-

tribute to meaningful dialogue around living out our faith. Our volunteer

opportunities have the exciting characteristic of often consisting of intergen-

erational groups who can come together to learn, experience, and reflect. In

many of our communities elders are highly esteemed, but youth are often

overlooked. Our youth engagement programming helps to motivate young

people to pursue education, make healthy choices about sex and sub-

stances, and overcome trauma.

C. Growing in diversity and unity

World Renew is deeply committed to diversity, mandating that staff pursue

gender and antiracism training each year. In our programs, peacebuilding

and trauma healing allow participants to overcome differences and become

unified in their visions for their communities. Through our communica-

tions, every effort is made to represent diversity and dignity and to high-

light participants’ experiences in their own voices whenever possible. We

look for opportunities to support those who are most vulnerable so that

each person, regardless of ability, ethnicity, gender, or age, can be wel-

comed by the body of Christ.

D. Sharing the gospel and living missionally

Contributing to the flourishing of all people as imagebearers of God is cen-

tral to the good news that Christ came to bring us life in all its fullness, both

in this world and the next. World Renew’s global partnerships with

churches give room for missional living in a remarkable way as communi-

ties across the world share with each other, pray for each other, and build

each other up.

IV. Board matters

The World Renew Board of Delegates is a key support of our ministry. The

board’s primary function is to set the vision and mission of World Renew

and to encourage and track the accomplishment of that vision.

292 Agencies, Institutions, and Ministries AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

World Renew’s governance structure is made up of delegates from each

CRC classis, in addition to as many as thirteen members-at-large, who to-

gether constitute the Board of Delegates of World Renew.

The delegates are a vital communication link with CRC classes and

churches. They select member national governing boards, with seven to

nine members on the U.S. board and up to ten members on the Canadian

board. The two boards together form the Joint Ministry Council (JMC),

which provides governance for World Renew as a whole.

Board of Directors of World Renew-Canada

Andrew Geisterfer, president; Edmonton, Alberta

Darryl Beck, treasurer; Grimsby, Ontario

Margaret Van Oord, secretary; Jewetts Mills, New Brunswick

Echo MacLeod, board director; Ottawa, Ontario

Jeffrey Adams, board director; Calgary, Alberta

Harry Bergshoeff, board director; Burlington, Ontario

Board of Directors of World Renew-U.S.

Thomas Christian, president; Grandville, Michigan

Shanti Jost, vice president; North Haledon, New Jersey

Jeff Banaszak, treasurer; Holland, Michigan

Rudy Gonzalez, secretary; Moreno Valley, California

Bonny Mulder-Behnia, pastoral advisor; Bellflower, California

Ken Macbain, board director; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Charles Ude, member at large; Kentwood, Michigan

Charles Adams, board member emeritus; Sheboygan, Wisconsin

In January 2023 the World Renew-Canada Board of Directors approved

Jamie McIntosh to the office of director of World Renew-Canada. He was

introduced to the Council of Delegates in May and was ratified by synod.

A. Board nominations, reappointments, and term completions

1. Canada board delegate nomination

Cari Fydirchuk is nominated to be the pastoral advisor to the board.

2. Reappointment of Canada members

The following Canadian delegates are completing their first term on the

board and are recommended for reappointment to a second three-year

term: Darryl Beck, treasurer (member at large); Echo MacLeod (Classis East-

ern Canada).

3. Canada members completing terms

World Renew would like to recognize and thank the following board mem-

bers on completing their second term of service: Margaret van Oord, secre-

tary (member at large); Andrew Geisterfer, president (member at large);

Ray Anema (Classis Hamilton).

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 World Renew 293

4. U.S. delegate appointments

The Nomination Committee is in the process of actively recruiting for cur-

rent and upcoming vacancies.

5. U.S. member opening

The following U.S. delegate is completing a first term on the board and has

asked not to be recommended for a second three-year term: Glen Talsma

(Classis Minnkota).

6. U.S. member completing term

World Renew would like to recognize and thank the following board mem-

ber on completing a second term of service: Carol Van Klompenburg (Clas-

sis Central Plains).

B. Financial matters

Salary disclosure

In accord with synod’s mandate to report executive salary levels, World Re-

new reports the following:

Job level Number of positions Number below target Number at target

E2 2 0 2

E3 2 0 2

H 7 6 1

C. Human Resources management

World Renew continually evaluates the excellence of its programs and re-

lies on its human resource (HR) systems to provide support to its teams.

World Renew’s diverse, professional, skilled staff is expected to meet goals

set around its vision and mission.

World Renew has a rigorous recruiting process and successfully hired six-

teen highly skilled staff last year. We continually expand our recruitment

activities to ensure that we meet our diversity and professional learning

goals. To that end, we promote professional development and learning and

continue to develop competencies across the organization.

Annual performance reviews are routine for all World Renew staff. This

practice gives staff an opportunity to celebrate their accomplishments and

critically review their growth areas. World Renew is thankful for all of its

human resources, who are essential to providing program excellence in

communities in need around the globe.

D. Resource development report

The work of World Renew begins with hope. While the number of people

living in hunger and poverty because of a changing climate and violent un-

rest increased dramatically last year, we keep hold of faith in Jesus Christ,

who is the hope in every story. The stories of hope shared in this report

294 Agencies, Institutions, and Ministries AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

were made possible by your involvement, prayers, and gifts for the work of

World Renew in communities of struggle worldwide.

World Renew is grateful and humbled to have received $44 million (USD)

from all sources in 2023, including individual gifts, church offerings, grants,

and estates. This income was leveraged into even more ministry funding

through our networks and collaborations, resulting in greater capacity

among our on-field partners in disaster response, community development,

and justice education.

World Renew’s expenses last year totaled more than $43 million (USD).

Twenty-nine percent of ministry dollars were directed to international de-

velopment programs, 47 percent went to responding to international and

North American disasters, 17 percent was spent on fundraising and man-

agement, and the remaining 7 percent was used in education and other cat-

egories.

World Renew connected to international organizations such as Canadian

Foodgrains Bank, ACT and Integral alliances, and Growing Hope Globally,

providing technical and financial resources that expanded our reach to

more people and communities. In 2023, as a member of Canadian Food-

grains Bank, World Renew committed $14.1 million (CAD) in resources to

food-related programming in 17 countries, while Growing Hope Globally

supported World Renew with $600,000 (USD) for food security programs in

nine countries and regions.

In 2023, World Renew received accolades from nonprofit monitoring organ-

izations for its financial and management practices. Charity Intelligence

awarded World Renew five stars, their highest rating, in international aid.

Charity Intelligence looks at how each charity spends the money they re-

ceive and rates their transparency in providing this information to their au-

diences.

In the U.S., World Renew achieved platinum transparency status with Can-

did (formerly GuideStar) and is an accredited charity with give.org. We also

continue to maintain our excellent standing with Christian monitoring or-

ganizations—the Canadian Centre for Christian Charities and the Evangeli-

cal Council for Financial Accountability in the U.S.

World Renew is committed to its mission and to carefully stewarding with

absolute integrity the financial gifts we receive. We thank God for these

recognitions of our values: faith, people flourishing, effectiveness, and stew-

ardship.

V. Recommendations

A. That synod grant the privilege of the floor to Thomas Christian, presi-

dent of World Renew-U.S.; Andrew Geisterfer, president of World Renew-

Canada; Carol Bremer-Bennett, director of World Renew-U.S.; and Jamie

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 World Renew 295

McIntosh, director of World Renew-Canada, when World Renew matters

are discussed and need to be addressed.

B. That synod commend the work of mercy carried on by World Renew

and urge the churches to take at least four offerings per year in lieu of min-

istry-share support.

C. That synod, by way of the ballot, appoint and reappoint members to the

World Renew Board of Delegates.

Note: Recommendations on financial matters are included in the report of

the denominational Council of Delegates and will be presented to synod

by way of the Finance Advisory Committee.

Carol Bremer-Bennett, director, World Renew-U.S.

Jamie McIntosh, director, World Renew-Canada

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Standing Committees 297

STANDING COMMITTEES

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Candidacy Committee 299

Candidacy Committee

I. Introduction

Synod 2004 established the concept of the Synodical Ministerial Candidacy

Committee, which is now known as the Candidacy Committee. The com-

mittee began meeting in late 2004 and was provided with a full-time staff

person in late 2007. The committee mandate is available in a document ti-

tled Journey toward Ordination, accessible on the Candidacy Committee

website (crcna.org/candidacy).

II. Committee membership

The members of the committee meet three times per year. As with other

synodical standing committees, Candidacy Committee members serve a

potential of two three-year terms.

The following people currently serve on the Candidacy Committee: Rev.

Henry Kranenburg (2025/1), Rev. Andy Sytsma (2025/1), Rev. Andrew

Beunk (2024/1), Pastor Caleb Dickson (2024/1), Pastor Debra Chee (2024/1),

Judy Cook (2025/2), Rev. Felix Fernandez (2025/2), Rev. Moon Kim (2026/2),

Rev. Lora Copley (2026/1), Rev. Susan LaClear (staff), Rev. Jul Medenblik

(ex officio, as the Calvin Theological Seminary representative), and Rev.

Zachary King (ex officio, as general secretary).

III. Report on the Leadership Landscape of the CRCNA survey

A. Survey – background

In fall 2023 the Candidacy Committee set out to gain a clearer perspective

on the current Leadership Landscape of the CRCNA by surveying a broad

representation of classis leaders to learn about their experience with pasto-

ral vacancies, leadership development, and facilitation of the candidacy

pathways. Since leadership development is an integral factor in sustaining

membership growth, we believe that an effort to understand the current

trends and issues and to develop strategies for improvement will support

Synod 2023’s directives to CRCNA agencies to work toward the develop-

ment of “a comprehensive unified strategy and plan to arrest and reverse

the trend of decline and bring about a positive trend of membership growth

to our denomination” (Acts of Synod 2023, p. 976). We hope that the data

compiled through this survey can fuel conversations and inform strategies

to move the denomination toward the desired positive growth trend. The

Candidacy Committee has begun processing the insights gleaned through

the survey in conversation with our partner in leadership development,

Calvin Theological Seminary. We also intend to continue discussing, evalu-

ating, and strategizing topics of the survey with Classis Ministerial Leader-

ship Team (CMLT) leaders.

The survey went to all CMLT members, stated clerks, synodical deputies

(and alternates), regional pastors, classis counselors, and church visitors; 82

leaders responded, representing 39 of the 49 classes. The following leaders

300 Standing Committees AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

responded: 27 CMLT members, 15 stated clerks, 15 church counselors, 22

regional pastors, 10 synodical deputies, 9 synodical deputy alternates, and

18 other leaders within classes.

Questions on the following topics were included in the survey:

• Number of vacancies and reasons behind them

• Leadership development efforts of classes

• Classes’ experience with leadership pathways (Art. 6, 23/24/8)

B. Vacancies

Many have inquired about the current ratio of vacant churches to ministers

eligible for call, and there is a growing sense that the CRCNA has a “pastor

shortage.” We discovered that our Candidacy database could not provide

sufficient or accurate data to determine that ratio, since information about

vacancies is gleaned through classis minutes and minister/church profiles,

and not all vacancies are reported through those means. So in order to ar-

rive at a more accurate figure, the survey asked respondents to report how

many vacancies they were aware of in their classis. A vacant church was

defined as a church with no ordained pastor (neither minister of the Word

nor commissioned pastor) serving in a solo or senior role. The 38 classes

represented in the survey reported 94-120 vacant churches (the variance in

the reported numbers is due to a variance in the numbers reported by mul-

tiple respondents from the same classes). In addition, there are 34 vacancies

currently listed in the database for the classes that didn’t respond to the sur-

vey. Based on these figures, we have determined that approximately 128-

154 CRC churches were vacant at the time of this report.

The number of ministers available for call at the time of the survey was 86.

This includes 10 new candidates, 12 extended candidates, and 64 ministers

who are currently between calls. These figures support the observation that

the CRCNA has a shortage of pastors. A significant number (12-15%) of

CRCNA churches are vacant, and it is likely that at least one-third of these

vacant churches will have difficulty filling those positions with eligible min-

isters. Further, survey respondents reported that about 40 percent of the

churches currently searching for a pastor have been searching for more

than two years. The reasons for these vacancies, as perceived by the re-

spondents, included the following: 19 reported small size of church or lim-

ited resources as a contributing factor; 23 reported challenges due to the lo-

cation of the church—either a rural context or an area where the cost of

living was high; 9 reported a lack of quality, quantity, or willingness of can-

didates to serve; 5 reported challenging dynamics within the congregation;

3 reported difficulty in finding “a good fit”; and 2 mentioned a need for a

bivocational pastor to serve.

Thrive consultant Sean Baker has also offered insights regarding the rea-

sons for vacancies, as observed from his vantage point as a consultant for a

broad range of churches:

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Candidacy Committee 301

• Boomer retirement—Many pastors (especially first-generation ethnic

minority pastors) have been putting off retirement as long as possi-

ble, hoping to find a replacement. But those replacements are not

forthcoming, and delaying further is proving impossible.

• Pastors are less likely to leave their church—Pastors today are much

more likely than in generations past to own their own homes and to

have a spouse who is working. Pastors are also much more likely to

prioritize the needs of their families (both aging parents and chil-

dren) than in generations past. All of these factors (which I think

we'd mostly say are good developments) are sand in the gears of our

pastor circulatory system. A pastor from Iowa is less willing to move

to Alberta than they would have been 30 years ago. They want to

stay in Iowa (just as the pastor from Alberta wants to stay in Al-

berta). That's a problem for any region of the U.S./Canada not pro-

ducing a steady stream of homegrown leaders.

• High concern about “fit”—Pastors are much more particular about

finding a perfect fit for their gifts, and churches are much more par-

ticular about finding just the right pastor. We have spent the past 30

years emphasizing the uniqueness of each pastor and each context.

This means pastors and churches are not the fungible commodities

we treated them as 30 years ago.

• Pastoring is less attractive as a profession—Post-COVID divi-

sions/stresses have made ministry more difficult and less appealing

to prospective candidates.

• Specialized roles—Interest in specialized roles and chaplaincy seems

to be stronger in comparison to a weakening interest in congrega-

tional ministry.

• Human Sexuality Report stress and uncertainty—These stressors in

the system continue to play a role in discouraging leaders from en-

tering ministry.

An additional factor to consider is the prevalence of churches with multiple

pastors on staff. This model requires more pastors overall, and it is not un-

common for some churches within a classis to have multiple pastoral staff

while others have no ordained pastor.

The Candidacy director has also noted anxiety among prospective women

candidates over the potential strains of ministering in a denomination that

holds in tension two opposing positions on women in office. Some have

voiced concerns about the security of their place in the CRCNA or have

wondered if women ministers in the CRCNA receive adequate support to

sustain them in ministry.

It is also important to consider all of these CRC-specific observations within

the broader context of the trends within North America. According to a re-

cent article (ats.edu/files/galleries/bright-spots-emerge-in-fall-2023-ats-en-

rollment-update.pdf) by Chris Meinzer, senior director and chief operating

302 Standing Committees AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

officer of the Association of Theological Schools in Pittsburgh, Pennsylva-

nia,

The number of students enrolled in an MDiv program continues to

decline across ATS, with a projected decline of 5.0% this year. If the

projection of 26,266 MDiv students holds, it will be the lowest num-

ber of MDiv students reported since 1992, when ATS schools num-

bered 217 (versus nearly 280 schools today). . . . Enrollment in ATS

schools is down overall. . . . Evangelical schools are down by 0.9%,

mainline schools are down by 3.6%.

We must consider all of these statistics and observations as we seek to un-

derstand the challenges and opportunities before us in the area of leader-

ship development.

C. Leadership development in classes

The Candidacy Committee recognizes that much of the formation of church

leaders happens long before these individuals reach the seminary or candi-

dacy track. Normally someone’s gifts and call to ministry are first recog-

nized by a pastor, teacher, or family member. As the individual’s gifts be-

come evident to a church staff or council, he or she is given opportunities to

take on ministry roles, and their pastoral identity begins to take shape.

Eventually, the person’s passion for ministry may become so evident that

they begin connecting with the CMLT of their classis to inquire about sup-

port for seminary training. In other cases, the church may create a commis-

sioned pastor job description for the individual and then work with their

CMLT to create an individualized learning plan that will train them for or-

dination into this role. Alternatively, in cases where the person seems gifted

in preaching and teaching, the classis may arrange for an examination for

licensure to exhort. This whole process of preseminary training is the foun-

dation for leadership development in the denomination.

In the survey, classis leaders were asked about the level of their classis’ en-

gagement with the work of leadership development. Out of the 39 classes

answering the survey, 31 (79%) reported that their classis regularly identi-

fies and supports leaders, and only 8 (21%) reported that their classis rarely

identifies or supports leaders. Only 4 (1%) of our classes surveyed reported

a sense of discouragement in their efforts to raise up leaders. We are en-

couraged that such a high percentage of classes is active in supporting po-

tential candidates for ministry through their candidacy journey. Financial

support and encouragement from CMLTs has remained very strong. And

the diversity and quantity of candidates reported through this survey con-

firm the data currently in our Candidacy database. Thanks be to God for

the faithful work of CMLTs who serve in this way!

However, since the survey also sought more specific information about

whether these classes had an “established program, method, or plan for

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Candidacy Committee 303

raising up leaders,” it is interesting that only 22 percent of respondents re-

ported that their classis had such a method or plan in place. This likely indi-

cates that much of the classis engagement cited in the preceding paragraph

consists of (1) financial support and encouragement for those in seminary

and (2) development of individual learning plans for commissioned pastors

as the need arises. There may be no clear, consistent, accessible pathway in

most of our classes for individuals who sense a call to ministry but are not

yet ready to commit to seminary training, or who do not yet have a call to a

specific commissioned-pastor job description.

Some of our classes (22%) indicated that they have developed their own con-

textual programs and/or connected with outside resources to create a clear

pathway for preseminary leadership training. We wish to celebrate these in-

itiatives! They include the following:

• a “Wednesday Breakfast” for potential pastors and church planters

to come and be discipled, bringing their own learning objectives and

questions to the table for discussion with an experienced pastor. This

classis has also initiated a program to fund church interns for two

years at $25,000 per year.

• collaboration with Calvin Theological Seminary’s Empower Pro-

gram

• the Luke 10 training program for development of Spanish-speaking

leaders

• classis Leadership Development Networks to contextually train li-

censed preachers and commissioned pastors

• use of the Coram Deo leadership training program

• group mentorship meetings led by a classis leader

• CMLT initiatives to actively support and encourage potential leaders

• classis grants to help potential leaders “dip their toes” into voca-

tional ministry to discern their calling

It is not surprising that the classes reporting intentional engagement with

preseminary-level leadership development are also the classes experiencing

higher numbers of candidates for ministry of the Word. Clear, consistent,

accessible preseminary pathways enable those sensing a call to ministry to

move forward with confidence, taking incremental steps in that direction.

The finding that 78 percent of responding classes do not have an estab-

lished system for developing leaders at a preseminary level (apart from the

excellent encouragement and financial assistance they provide for those at-

tending seminary) may be a significant factor to consider as our denomina-

tion works to address our leadership shortage. It stands to reason that if

more classes were to create preseminary training and support pathways,

our denomination could move from having a pastor shortage toward ample

supply, and eventually toward a trajectory of abundant growth.

304 Standing Committees AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

With this vision in mind, the Candidacy Committee encourages classes to hold

conversations about how to create clear, consistent, accessible pathways for contex-

tual, preseminary leadership development.

The Candidacy Committee will be actively seeking ways to come alongside

any classis desiring to strengthen their programs for leadership develop-

ment, connecting them with resources and programs that can support and

supplement their contextual leadership training efforts. We recognize that

the work of leadership development within a classis normally falls on those

who already serve as full-time pastors in local churches and have very lim-

ited time and energy for the enormous task of developing and supporting

leaders outside their own churches. The work of mentoring, gathering re-

sources, and supervising learning plans is substantial and can be overly

burdensome for pastors in full-time ministry. We hope to explore ways to

lessen the burden on classis pastors while still maintaining the value of hav-

ing contextually rooted training pathways.

One such resource that we have been made aware of is Calvin Theological

Seminary’s Empower Program. Empower offers students at all educational

levels the opportunity to earn a master's level certificate or M.A. in Chris-

tian leadership using a competency-based approach. The Empower format

is designed to support a student in learning and proficiency within the stu-

dent’s ministry context. This means that students remain in their ministry

while working with a three-person mentor team to develop competencies

for ministry. The mentor team consists of a CTS faculty mentor and two

mentors from the student's context. The team coaches the student through

learning experiences that help the student develop competencies for minis-

try. Though all students are working toward the same competency, the

learning path can vary, considering the student’s prior experience, individ-

ual strengths and growth areas, ministry context, vocational goals, and

more. Though a student is supported by the mentor team, successful stu-

dents in the Empower program are self-motivated. More information and

an application are available at calvinseminary.edu/empower.

D. Seminary-training pathway (Article 6)

Through the survey, the Candidacy Committee sought feedback regarding

classes’ experience with candidates who have completed seminary training

(Art. 6), which includes either obtaining an M.Div. at Calvin Theological

Seminary or obtaining an M.Div. at another seminary as well as completing

the Ecclesiastical Program for Ministerial Candidacy (EPMC). This is the

pathway our classes are most familiar with and experienced in navigating

(76% of classes reported a high level of experience and confidence in navi-

gating this pathway).

The survey also asked respondents if their classis had supported more stu-

dents through Calvin Seminary or the EPMC in the past five years. Results

showed that 40.5 percent of responding classes supported more candidates

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Candidacy Committee 305

through Calvin Seminary, while 26.6 percent supported more candidates

through the EPMC. In addition, 32.9 percent supported students through

both programs somewhat equally.

The Candidacy Committee is invested in encouraging potential candidates

to complete their seminary training at Calvin Theological Seminary if possi-

ble. It is our conviction that our denominational seminary is best poised to

train students in the CRC’s particular “accent” of Reformed theology. How-

ever, we have seen that the EPMC program is necessary for those who, for

some legitimate reason, have not had the opportunity to study at Calvin

Seminary. The EPMC program was designed to provide at least a minimum

level of training and connection to Calvin Seminary for those who attended

other seminaries—so that they have opportunity for the ongoing support

and resources that CTS provides CRC ministers.

Our survey responses indicated that 51 percent of the EPMC participants

sponsored by classes had chosen that route because they had already com-

pleted an M.Div. from another seminary before deciding to pursue ordina-

tion in the CRC. Many of these had never heard of the CRC until well into

their seminary training, or after completion. If not for the EPMC program,

these leaders would very likely not have entered ministry in the CRCNA,

so we are thankful for the Lord’s provision of this program for situations

such as these.

Our survey showed, further, that 49 percent of EPMC participants spon-

sored by classes had chosen seminaries local to them because they wanted

to attend seminary in-person without having to relocate. There are ad-

vantages to in-residence learning that undoubtedly fuel that rationale, and

yet Calvin Seminary’s hybrid M.Div. option has been widely received and

very successful in training students while they remain in their context. In

addition, we find it noteworthy that 8 percent of survey respondents indi-

cated they did not know Calvin Seminary provided a distance-learning op-

tion for acquiring an M.Div. degree.

Our survey found as well that a smaller percentage (27%) of those who had

chosen seminaries other than Calvin Seminary did so intentionally for rea-

sons of personal misalignment with what they perceived Calvin Seminary’s

theology or formation to include. The misalignments of these reported 27%

had to do with the perception that CTS is leaning away from Reformed the-

ology (36%) or becoming too theologically “liberal” (21%). These percep-

tions have been communicated to Calvin Theological Seminary.

The Candidacy Committee does not encourage the use of the EPMC pro-

gram as a way for students with theological misalignment to intentionally

bypass Calvin Seminary. When it is apparent that such concerns underlie a

student's desire to attend a different seminary, the committee would en-

courage CMLTs to facilitate conversations between that student and Calvin

306 Standing Committees AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

Seminary so that further clarity and understanding of the theological for-

mation of our denomination's seminary can be reached.

The Candidacy Committee also sought to understand the effectiveness of

the Article 6 pathway in helping students achieve key areas of ministerial

readiness. The aspects of ministerial readiness that were most evident were

as follows:

• 77 percent reported that “a sense of call and commitment to the

CRC” was evident.

• 63 percent reported that “a confessionally Reformed biblical herme-

neutic” was evident.

• 56 percent reported that “spiritual and emotional readiness for min-

istry” was evident.

• 55 percent reported that “knowledge of and connection to the CRC

and its ministries” was evident.

• 50 percent reported that “competency in a range of areas of pastoral

ministry” was evident.

E. Commissioned pastor pathway (Article 23/24)

Of key interest to the Candidacy Committee was classes’ experience with

the Article 23/24 pathway to ordain commissioned pastors. This pathway

has been used increasingly over the past few decades, and 95 percent of

classes reported that they are either “very” or “somewhat” familiar and

confident in navigating this pathway.

However, the committee took note of the statistic that only 43 percent of re-

sponding classes reported having a consistent approach to the learning

plans for all commissioned pastors, and 38 percent expressed a desire for

more support in the training of commissioned pastors. We also noted that

only 34 percent stated that the CMLT of their classis was instrumental and

active in the development of commissioned pastor learning plans and the

facilitation of the process toward ordaining commissioned pastors.

The Candidacy Committee has been very intentional about respecting the

autonomy of the classes as they discern their own contextual methods to

train commissioned pastors. The scope of our involvement has been to pro-

vide consultations and materials containing synodical guidelines and best

practices, as well as a template for the learning plans of commissioned pas-

tors. However, we recognize that it takes a substantial amount of time and

effort to create and sustain a consistent training pathway for commissioned

pastors. We also again recognize that the capacity of full-time ministers

serving as CMLTs and in other classis positions is often limited. The Candi-

dacy Committee is willing to come alongside any CMLT who desires addi-

tional support, resourcing, and connections to training programs that

would help them meet their objectives for commissioned pastor training.

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Candidacy Committee 307

The survey asked respondents which ministerial competencies were most

evident in the commissioned pastors in their classis. Their responses were

as follows:

• 78 percent reported evidence of a pastoral heart and spiritual/emo-

tional readiness for ministry

• 73 percent reported evidence of a Reformed perspective that shapes

their life and ministry

• 66 percent reported evidence of pastoral skills

• 52 percent reported evidence of knowledge of Reformed creeds and

confessions

• 42 percent reported evidence of a Reformed hermeneutic that shapes

teaching/preaching

• 41 percent reported evidence of a knowledge of and connection to

CRC ministries

• 21 percent reported evidence of knowledge of CRC polity

• 11 percent reported evidence of knowledge of CRC history

We note with joy the evidence that a pastoral heart, spiritual/emotional

readiness, and a Reformed perspective are so evident in these individuals

whom God has called to ministry in our classes. The deeply formational re-

lationships that these individuals have developed with church members,

pastors, and classis leaders have surely been a key factor in the develop-

ment of these attributes. We have heard stories of deep investment from

classis pastors. These have been instrumental in identifying and mentoring

multiple commissioned pastors—sometimes spanning several genera-

tions—for ministry within the churches.

We note that the attributes least evident are those that come through

study—for example, Reformed hermeneutics, CRC history, and CRC pol-

ity—and that Calvin Theological Seminary can provide helpful resources

for these particular subjects. Besides actual courses, CTS has developed

some video modules on these subjects, and these are included in the re-

sources listed on the commissioned-pastor learning plan template. We hope

that will be a useful resource in the individualized learning plans of com-

missioned pastors.

Some might argue that knowing CRC history and polity and Reformed her-

meneutics is not as necessary for commissioned pastors because most serve

in positions of pastoral support, not as lead or solo pastors. However, the

committee has observed that knowledge of CRC polity and history are inte-

gral in equipping pastors to understand their ministry context and to func-

tion with more ease within our system of governance, empowering them to

have a “seat at the table.” Even if the commissioned pastor’s job description

does not include preaching, an understanding of Reformed hermeneutics

informs other key tasks such as planning lessons, leading Bible studies, and

providing pastoral counseling.

308 Standing Committees AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

We wish to note as well that with the current pastoral shortage, the use of

commissioned pastors to serve in solo/lead roles has been increasing.

F. Commissioned pastors serving as solo/lead in established congregations

At the time of this report, the denominational database showed there were

90 commissioned pastors serving in a solo or lead role in a church—46

serve emerging churches, and 44 serve established churches. Until 2018 the

Church Order allowed commissioned pastors to serve in a solo/lead role in

an organized church in only three scenarios:

• A church planter could continue serving as lead pastor for a reasona-

ble period of time after the church organized.

• A commissioned pastor who served alongside a minister of the

Word could assume the role in exceptional circumstances if the min-

ister of the Word left.

• A commissioned pastor could serve in a solo/lead role in unique

ministry contexts presenting barriers to theological education.

In 2019, synod approved a fourth scenario as it adopted changes to Church

Order Articles 23-24. A commissioned pastor may now also serve in a

solo/lead role by way of a term call that includes an agreement to make ac-

countable progress toward completing “the requirements for ordination as

a minister of the Word” (Art. 24-b). This scenario has sometimes been de-

scribed as a “bridge ordination.”

Survey respondents were asked which of the scenarios were present in the

ordaining of commissioned pastors to serve in a solo/lead role in an orga-

nized church in their classis. The most common scenario reported (45%)

was the Article 24-b “bridge ordination” involving agreed-upon further

training toward ordination as a minister of the Word. This statistic is en-

couraging because it means that a large percentage of commissioned pas-

tors serving in solo/lead roles are continuing their education toward ordina-

tion as ministers of the Word, and in this way our denominational value of

having theologically educated ministers has been upheld. The criteria of

“unique ministry contexts” was represented in 38 percent of responses. In

these situations there is usually a language or cultural barrier for leaders to

receive theological training in our denomination’s seminary. In 27 percent

of responses a commissioned pastor who was serving alongside a minister

of the Word assumed the lead role after that person left the role. And in 21

percent of cases reported, a church planter continued to serve for a reasona-

ble period of time after the church plant had become established.

Since the “bridge ordination” (Art. 24-b) is becoming more prominent on

the denominational leadership landscape, the survey sought more feedback

on how this scenario is working out in the classes. The following benefits

have been noted:

• ease of transition for the church

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Candidacy Committee 309

• opportunity for the candidate to gain experience with the church

while working toward ordination as minister of the Word

• benefits to ministry and education being done simultaneously

• allows for someone to seek ordination when life circumstances

would keep them from the normal path, still ensuring that they are

being prepared for the ministry of the Word

• provides a pathway in churches struggling with vacancy to call a

pastor who is willing to work toward denominational ordination

• allows young leaders to gain experience and begin serving out their

calling while completing the requirements for ordination

• establishes accountability

• allows those who can minister to unique cultural contexts a pathway

to serve in the CRC

Some negative aspects have also been noted:

• The "term call" can put pressure on the new pastor during the first

year or two of ministry, especially if this person is not motivated to

pursue further education.

• In some cases, distance can make the accountability piece difficult.

• The classis can feel undue pressure to approve the person after more

than two years of service to a church while in process.

• Churches have pastors who are not fully qualified or knowledgeable

about the CRC and its theology for period of time.

• Some churches hire a commissioned pastor for the purpose of pay-

ing them a lower salary.

• This is not required of our ethnic minority churches—perhaps it

should be.

• Some ministers of the Word feel negatively about someone being or-

dained as a commissioned pastor to serve in the same sort of role

they are serving before completing the training/candidacy.

• In one case, a commissioned pastor was called who did not have

strong ties with the CRC, balked at the requirements, and led the

congregation to disaffiliate with the CRC.

The Candidacy Committee provides this information to synod for reflection

and ongoing discernment.

G. Pathway for ministers to enter from other denominations (Article 8)

This pathway to ministry is the least common in the CRC. Only 25 percent

of the survey respondents reported that their classis had navigated this

pathway recently, and most classes reported that “0-2” pastors had entered

via this pathway in recent years. The process for Article 8 entry into minis-

try was the least familiar to the classes surveyed. But respondents who had

some experience with the recently developed “Article 8 process guide” said

they found it clear, thorough, and helpful to follow for keeping parties on

track with the necessary submissions and requirements.

310 Standing Committees AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

An Article 8 entry requires that “need” be established in order for a church

to call a minister from another denomination. The most common need re-

ported (32%) was the need for Indigenous leadership in a multicultural or

ethnic-minority context, and the second most common (22%) was the ur-

gent need for congregational leadership after a sustained search. Alterna-

tively, 16 percent reported “extraordinary qualifications of the minister” as

the criteria for calling a minister from another denomination, and 12 per-

cent reported church planting as the criteria. Other circumstances involved

RCA pastors who had been serving according to the Orderly Exchange of

Ordained Ministers (Church Order Supplement, Art. 8, D) deciding to affili-

ate with the CRC.

Competencies that were reported as especially evident in ministers entering

through Article 8 were spiritual/emotional readiness (78%), knowledge of

Reformed creeds and confessions (76%), and a confessionally Reformed bib-

lical hermeneutic that shapes preaching/teaching (75%).

Competencies most noticeably lacking were knowledge/proficiency in CRC

polity (63%), familiarity with CRC ministries (52%), and knowledge of CRC

history (44%).

The Korean Institute in Ministry (KIM) program for Korean-speakers has

been an excellent resource for many Korean pastors entering CRCNA min-

istry through Article 8 (it can also be used as the learning plan for Korean-

speakers seeking ordination as commissioned pastors). This program, ad-

ministered by Korean Ministries director Rev. Chris Choe, involves diligent

study through online modules taught by Calvin Theological Seminary pro-

fessors and an excellent seven-day in-person connection experience in

which these pastors spend time with denominational staff and Calvin Semi-

nary professors and engage in a “history tour” of the CRC.

Comments we have received from participants in the KIM program have

been very positive. They seem to come away from their in-person connec-

tion experience feeling inspired, informed, and much more deeply con-

nected with the CRCNA and its seminary.

Speakers of English and other languages who become ministers of the

Word through Article 8 do not normally have organized connection experi-

ences such as this, and for that reason they tend to feel less informed and

connected to the wider denomination than is desirable. Last fall, a Classis

Pacific Northwest pastor working toward Article 8 ordination joined one of

the organized “EPMC Connection Trips” and found it very helpful. These

trips are offered four times per year, led and organized by the Candidacy

Office. The Candidacy Committee encourages classes that are working with

a pastor toward Article 8 affiliation to include participation in one of these

connection trips in the person’s individualized learning plan. In addition,

the use of the Modified Ecclesiastical Program for Ministerial Candidacy

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Candidacy Committee 311

(MEPMC—involving coursework at Calvin Theological Seminary) has been

very helpful and connective in Article 8 ordination preparation.

H. Additional feedback

Through the survey, respondents were invited to communicate feedback re-

garding any other issues pertaining to leadership development. This addi-

tional feedback helped us see that although there remains a narrative

within some classes that the candidacy process is about “jumping through

hoops” or “penance,” such impressions have begun to shift toward appreci-

ation for clear pathways, hospitable connections, and meaningful learning

experiences for candidates.

The following concerns were also expressed:

• that churches are not proactive enough in identifying and encourag-

ing young leaders (high school and university students)

• that classes have become somewhat passive about their role in vet-

ting candidates, letting “everyone pass exams”

• that candidates seem underprepared in some cases

• that a lack of theological unity has made it difficult for leaders to

trust the systems of leadership development that are in place

• that classes have had to increasingly focus on their context, making

the broader denomination a lesser priority

Some ideas were offered through the comments as well:

• to consider whether some current elders or deacons might be called

toward pastoral leadership

• to begin using Church Order Article 7 more frequently

• to note that a classis renewal process resulted in a CMLT taking on a

broader role in leadership development (elder/deacon training, ex-

ams, workshops, LDN, student fund, license to exhort, etc.)

The Candidacy Committee will continue to process all of this input, as well

as additional input that may arise from synod or classis discussions on this

topic. We seek to partner with the churches to support their initiatives and

to facilitate connections to resources and partners in this work.

IV. EPMC Facilitation Team

The EPMC Facilitation Team, a subcommittee of the Candidacy Committee,

is tasked with walking alongside participants in the program to advise, re-

source, and support them. They also serve to oversee and implement the

strategies of the program. The Candidacy Committee is deeply grateful for

the work and devotion of this team, which includes the following members:

Rev. Al Gelder, general member, Classis Grand Rapids East

Rev. Shawn Brix, staff adviser, Calvin Theological Seminary and Cana-

dian church relations liaison for the seminary

Rev. Jose Rayas, general member, Classis Arizona

Rev. Daniel Mouw, general member, Classis Grandville

312 Standing Committees AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

Rev. Maria Bowater, general member, Classis Kalamazoo

Rev. Marg Rekman, general member, Classis Lake Superior

Rev. Charles Dillender, general member, Classis Central California

Rev. Jack Van de Hoef, general member, Classis Eastern Canada

Rev. Timothy Kooiman, general member, Classis Wisconsin

Rev. Kelsi Jones, general member, Classis Chicago South

Rev. Michael Koot, general member, Classis B.C. Southeast

Rev. Timothy Joo, general member, Classis Hackensack

Rev. Benjamin Oliveira, general member, Classis Muskegon

Victor Chen, general member, Classis B.C. Northwest

Rev. Susan LaClear, director of Candidacy

Joan Beelen, staff adviser, Calvin Theological Seminary

Rev. Geoff Vandermolen, staff advisor, Calvin Theological Seminary

We are also deeply appreciative of the valuable contributions of the follow-

ing members who completed their terms on the EPMC Facilitation Team in

February 2024: Rev. Ernesto Hernandez, Rev. Debra Chee, Rev. Steven

Hull, and Rev. Anthony VanderSchaaf.

V. Recommendation to revise Church Order Article 24

The office of commissioned pastor has become more widely used in recent

years, and as the Candidacy Committee walks alongside classes to help

them navigate guidelines and best practices for this office, we occasionally

encounter situations that are not currently addressed in the Church Order

or the Commissioned Pastor Handbook.

One such situation is the process of reentry for commissioned pastors who

have been released from a call without a new call in place. Unlike the ordi-

nation of a minister of the Word, a commissioned pastor’s ordination is tied

to a specific role, and they are examined in relation to the qualifications for

that role. So when they are released from their particular call, they are no

longer ordained. If they are called to a new position, the new church and

classis may determine whether the commissioned pastor is qualified to

serve in this new role through reexamination, or in some cases, through re-

ceiving adequate recommendations from the former church and classis. The

Commissioned Pastor Handbook gives guidance for these situations in

which a new call is imminent.

However, in some cases, a commissioned pastor is released without inten-

tion to secure a new call. They may decide to enter a nonministerial vocation

or serve in a ministry outside the denomination, or for various reasons they

may need to take a substantial amount of time away from ordained minis-

try. There may also be cases in which a commissioned pastor is released by

their council for disciplinary reasons, or for reasons of misalignment or

strained relationship with their council or classis. If, in any of those circum-

stances, the individual should decide at some point to reenter ministry in a

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Candidacy Committee 313

new commissioned pastor role, it would be important for the reasons and

motivations for release to be addressed before reexamination occurs.

When a minister of the Word who was released from office decides to

reenter ministry, a helpful process is available for this to occur (Church Or-

der Article 14-e):

A former minister of the Word who was released from office may be

declared eligible for call upon approval of the classis by which such

action was taken, with the concurring advice of the synodical depu-

ties. The classis, in the presence of the deputies, shall conduct an in-

terview that examines the circumstances surrounding the release and

the renewed desire to serve in ministry. Upon acceptance of a call, the

person shall be reordained.

The Candidacy Committee would like to propose a similar process for com-

missioned pastors to reenter ministry after having been released. We pro-

pose adding the following as a new point e to Article 24 and renaming the

current Article 24-e to Article 24-f.

Proposed Article 24-e

A former commissioned pastor who was released from office must

receive approval of the classis by which such action was taken in or-

der to be reexamined for commissioned-pastor ordination by the clas-

sis of the calling church. In the following cases, the former classis

shall also conduct an interview that examines the circumstances sur-

rounding the release and the renewed desire to serve in ministry:

• if the commissioned pastor was released to enter a nonministerial

vocation or to serve in ministry outside the denomination

• if a substantial amount of time has passed since the individual

served as a commissioned pastor

• if the former classis deems further conversation with the individ-

ual helpful or necessary to their discernment regarding approval

• in other cases in which there are reasons for release other than the

pursuit of another call

Upon approval of the former classis, followed by approval of the po-

sition with synodical deputy concurrence, the individual shall com-

plete any additional candidacy requirements not in place when last

ordained; then, after a successful examination in the classis of the call-

ing church, the individual may be reordained.

[Note: Synodical deputy approval is not stipulated in the proposed

reentry process for commissioned pastors because the synodical

deputies are tasked only to weigh in on the appropriateness of the job

description for a commissioned pastor, not to assess the individual’s

qualifications for ministry, which are evaluated at a classis level

only.]

314 Standing Committees AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

Grounds:

1. The Church Order and the Commissioned Pastor Handbook cur-

rently present no clear pathway for the reordination of a commis-

sioned pastor who was released from office (for reasons other than

to accept another call).

2. As in the case of reentry for ministers of the Word (Art. 14-e), it is

crucial for the former classis of the former commissioned pastor to

have an opportunity to examine the circumstances of release and the

individual’s renewed desire to serve in ordained ministry by reenter-

ing for one of the reasons listed above.

3. The option to waive the examination of a commissioned pastor (de-

scribed in the Commissioned Pastor Handbook) is only applicable in

cases in which the person is released for the purpose of pursuing a

new call. In all other cases, when a commissioned pastor who was

released accepts a call, the calling classis must have the opportunity

to examine (or reexamine, if the former classis and calling classis are

the same) the person’s current qualifications for ministry.

VI. Document updates

The Journey toward Ordination document was reviewed for any necessary

updates, and only minor grammatical or compositional edits were deemed

necessary. The new version will be added to the Candidacy forms and re-

sources website.

To simplify and clarify the process for preparing and ordaining a commis-

sioned pastor, the Candidacy Office has created a new document called Ar-

ticle 23/24 Process Guide and Checklist. This document combines the con-

tent of several other documents that were formerly used to guide this

process, outlining the responsibilities of classis, church, candidate, and

mentor, and providing links to all necessary resources. The Candidacy

Committee hopes this will facilitate a more seamless experience for the clas-

ses and for commissioned-pastor candidates as they navigate this pathway

together.

The committee also wishes to draw the attention of classes to the CMLT

Process Guide document, which can be used for the training and ongoing

administration of classis ministerial leadership teams.

VII. Recommendations

A. That synod grant the privilege of the floor to Rev. Susan LaClear, direc-

tor of Candidacy, and to an additional member of the Candidacy Commit-

tee, if one is present, when the Candidacy Committee report is discussed.

B. That synod adopt the proposed Article 24-e to the Church Order (renam-

ing the current Article 24-e to Article 24-f) so that a process for commis-

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Candidacy Committee 315

sioned pastors to reenter ministry after release from office can be clearly de-

fined, similar to the Article 14-e process for ministers of the Word who wish

to reenter ministry after release from office (see section V of this report).

C. That synod recognize that leadership development is an integral factor in

sustaining membership growth. Further, that strategic conversations about

leadership development are a necessary component of Synod 2023’s direc-

tives to work toward the development of “a comprehensive unified strat-

egy and plan to arrest and reverse the trend of decline and bring about a

positive trend of membership growth to our denomination” (Acts of Synod

2023, p. 976).

D. That synod encourage CMLTs of all classes to review the Leadership

Landscape of the CRCNA survey results in section III of this report and to

discuss how to develop or strengthen the current pathways for contextual

preseminary leadership development within their classes.

E. That synod encourage CRCNA councils to be intentional about recogniz-

ing potential leaders and connecting them to pathways of further training

and formation, in consultation with the CMLTs of their classis and/or the

Candidacy Committee.

Candidacy Committee

Susan LaClear, director

316 Standing Committees AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations Committee

I. Introduction

There are two distinct and important aspects to our work: ecumenical rela-

tionships with other Christian denominations and organizations and inter-

faith interactions between the CRC and non-Christian faith traditions. Ac-

cording to our Ecumenical Charter, “the CRC recognizes its ecumenical

responsibility to cooperate and seek unity with all churches of Christ in

obedience to the gospel.”

To guide the work of the EIRC relative to the ecumenical directive in bilat-

eral (denomination-to-denomination) relationships, we have continued to

use synodically approved categories. First is the category of churches in com-

munion—those with whom the CRC has a particular affinity or history.

Churches that are so designated may be engaged in joint ventures with the

CRC and/or its agencies, exchange delegates at synod, welcome each

other’s members at the Lord’s Supper and each other’s pastors into the pul-

pit, and generally encourage each other in ministry and faithfulness. Second

is the category of churches in cooperation—a classification that recognizes all

the other varied bilateral relationships the CRC has with Christian

churches. Some of these relationships have originated through correspond-

ence around mutual interests, others from historic ties, and still others

through mutual ministry, whether by way of ecclesiastical connection, the

work of CRC agencies, or a specific memorandum of understanding. In ad-

dition to bilateral relationships, we pursue our ecumenical work with or-

ganizations that allow for numbers of denominations to come together in

unity (sometimes known as multilateral relationships).

Interfaith efforts between the CRC and non-Christian faith traditions are led

by a subcommittee of the EIRC. As a result of decisions by the Reformed

Church in America’s General Synod 2019 and the CRCNA’s Synod 2019,

we have continued to work together to spur on this work, particularly as it

relates locally between and among Reformed congregations and those

whose house of worship may be a synagogue, mosque, or temple.

II. Membership and meetings

The members of the EIRC for the current year ending June 30, 2024, are Jake

Bentum (2025/1); Lyle Bierma (2025/2); Joy Engelsman (2024/1); Ruth Hof-

man (2024/1); James Joosse (2024/2); William Koopmans, chair (2024/2); Wil-

liam Krahnke (2026/1); John Lee (2026/1); Shirley Roels (2025/1); and

Yvonne Schenk (2026/2). The general secretary (Zachary King) and the exec-

utive director-Canada (Al Postma) serve as ex officio members of the EIRC.

The EIRC met in person in October 2023 and virtually in February 2024. An-

other virtual meeting is scheduled to be held in April 2024.

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations Committee 317

III. Nominations for membership/protocols

William Koopmans and Jim Joosse are concluding two terms of service on

the EIRC. The EIRC recommends that synod express its gratitude to them

for their faithful service.

Joy Engelsman is completing her first term on the EIRC, and, given her con-

tributions and willingness to continue, the EIRC recommends that synod

reappoint her to a second three-year term.

Ruth Hofman is completing her first term on the EIRC and has elected not

to serve a second term.

In keeping with the synodical guidelines and requirements for diversity in

terms of gender, ethnicity, geographical location, and ordination among the

membership of the committee, the EIRC will present a slate of three nomi-

nees for the Canada East (2) and Canada West (1) positions in its supple-

mentary report to Synod 2024.

IV. Bilateral relationships

The CRC maintains a relationship of churches in communion with 24 denomi-

nations and of churches in cooperation with 19 denominations/partners. Of

these categories combined, we have 22 partners on the African continent;

five partners in Central and South America (including the Caribbean); two

partners in Europe; seven partners in Asia and the Pacific Rim; and seven

partners in North America. A complete list is available on the “Relation-

ships” page of the EIRC website (crcna.org/EIRC).

A. Activities with bilateral partners

Interchanges with three bilateral partners call for specific mention. In addi-

tion, CRCNA representatives had communications with several other part-

ner churches.

1. Reformed Church in America

The CRCNA’s closest ecumenical relationship continues to be with the

Reformed Church in America (RCA). While we have 23 other churches in

communion relationships, no other Reformed denomination is men-

tioned in the Church Order (Art. 8-b). Synod 2014 and the RCA General

Synod 2014 declared that “the principle that guides us, and the intention

that motivates us, is to ‘act together in all matters except those in which

deep differences of conviction compel [us] to act separately’” (Acts of

Synod 2014, p. 504).

Both the RCA and the CRCNA are experiencing a significant time of up-

heaval. The RCA is in the midst of significant restructuring (rca.org/cat-

egory/news/general-synod/restructuring-team/), and a proposal will

come to its General Synod 2024. The CRCNA ecumenical delegate to the

RCA General Synod 2023, Tom Wolthuis, shared both the hopes and the

anxieties present in the RCA in his report. Similarly, CRCNA ministries

have gone through significant restructuring in the past several years as

318 Standing Committees AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

well. Unfortunately, all of the internal focus of our two denominations

has resulted in decreased collaboration despite strong relationships be-

tween the leaders of these two denominations.

Ongoing collaborations include shared projects between Resonate

Global Mission (CRCNA) and RCA Global Mission. Members of the

CRCNA have benefited greatly in learning from the RCA’s experience

in engaging with member churches outside North America. The

CRCNA and RCA continue to collaborate on ecumenical efforts, espe-

cially in the “interfaith” area (i.e., conversations between Christians and

believers of other world religions such as Islam). CRCNA and RCA sen-

ior leaders met twice during the year to learn together about critical

ministry challenges and opportunities facing our two denominations.

Finally, it should be noted that CRCNA leaders have been in ongoing

discussions with RCA leadership about their efforts to engage the Alli-

ance of Reformed Churches (the majority of which are former RCA con-

gregations) in an ecumenical relationship in response to directives from

Synod 2022 and 2023. CRCNA leaders have appreciated the gracious

approach of RCA leadership, which characterized the RCA General

Synod’s own decisions with regard to congregations who desired to de-

part the denomination. We pray that God will use this tumultuous pe-

riod in the life of our two denominations to strengthen them for future

ministry and opportunities to aid each other.

2. During the 2023-2024 ministry year, the EIRC had a conversation with

the Christian Reformed Church of the Dominican Republic about re-

newing its memorandum of understanding as a church in cooperation.

The EIRC is thankful for the many years of collaboration achieved

through the strong relationship between that denomination and Reso-

nate Global Mission.

3. During the 2023-2024 ministry year, the EIRC noted with lament its con-

fusion about a conflict within the Christian Reformed Church of East Af-

rica. At this point, the EIRC is waiting to discern how it might connect

with this denomination in the future.

B. Formal exchanges

1. Thomas Wolthuis was able to attend the general synod of the Reformed

Church in America in June 2023.

2. In January 2024, EIRC chair William Koopmans participated in the

synod of the Reformed Churches in the Netherlands (Nederlandse Ger-

eformeerde Kerken), a new denomination that formed in spring 2023

from the merger of the Reformed Churches, liberated (GKv) and Dutch

Reformed Churches (NGK). The CRCNA had an existing church in com-

munion relationship with the Dutch Reformed Churches (NGK). The

EIRC will continue to maintain contact with representatives of the

newly merged denomination and provide updates to synod.

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations Committee 319

V. Multilateral relationships—ecumenical organizations and dialogues

We belong to a number of ecumenical organizations, including the Cana-

dian Council of Churches, Christian Churches Together in the U.S.A., the

Evangelical Fellowship of Canada, the Global Christian Forum, the Na-

tional Association of Evangelicals, the World Communion of Reformed

Churches, and the World Reformed Fellowship. We also participate in im-

portant dialogues among those of various Christian traditions. The organi-

zations and dialogues with which we have made specific connection this

past year are highlighted as follows:

A. World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC)

The WCRC is divided into nine regions, six of which are represented by re-

gional councils. One such group is the Caribbean and North American Area

Council (CANAAC). As executive director emeritus of the CRCNA, Colin

P. Watson, Sr., continues to serve on the steering committee of CANAAC.

In addition to attending a meeting of the WCRC Executive Committee held

at Calvin University in May 2024, Zachary King will attend a meeting of

CANAAC in October 2024. The WCRC is preparing to hold its 27th General

Council in October 2025 on the theme “Persevere Your Witness”

(wcrc.ch/gc2025). In 2025 the WCRC will also be celebrating the 150th anni-

versary of its long history since its first parent organization, the Alliance of

the Reformed Churches throughout the World Holding the Presbyterian

System, began, and the CRCNA has made extra efforts to provide financial

support for the October 2025 gathering.

B. Canadian Council of Churches

Executive director-Canada Al Postma and other EIRC members (see section

V, D) routinely participate in gatherings and initiatives of the Canadian

Council of Churches (CCC) and represent the CRCNA on the council’s gov-

erning board.

C. Other multilateral organizations and dialogue

We benefit from partnership with the National Association of Evangelicals

and the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada, and we participate in the U.S.

Roman Catholic-Reformed Dialogue. Al Postma attended a denominational

leaders meeting of the EFC.

D. Appointed representatives and observers

The EIRC appoints representatives and observers to many of the aforemen-

tioned multilateral ecumenical organizations and to other ecumenical ef-

forts; often Christian Reformed Church members are asked by these organi-

zations to serve as well.

1. Colin P. Watson, Sr., serves as the CRCNA’s representative on the board

of directors of the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE) and on

the steering committee for the WCRC’s Caribbean and North American

320 Standing Committees AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

Area Council. He has indicated that he would like to conclude his term

on the NAE at the end of 2024.

2. Al Postma and Ruth Hofman serve on the governing board of the Cana-

dian Council of Churches (CCC). The Christian Reformed Church also

has a number of representatives who serve on various standing commit-

tees, reference groups, and commissions of the CCC.

3. Al Postma represents the CRCNA to the Evangelical Fellowship of Can-

ada (EFC).

4. The CRCNA does not have a representative currently serving on the

World Reformed Fellowship board. The EIRC is working to identify a

representative.

5. Ronald Feenstra is the ecumenical staff officer representative of the

CRCNA to the United States Roman Catholic-Reformed Dialogue. Two

additional representatives include Matthew Lundberg and Clair Mesick.

6. Anthony Elenbaas is our CRCNA representative who engages in learn-

ing projects with Christian Churches Together in the U.S.A. Thomas

Wolthuis attended the Christian Churches Together Forum in October

2023.

7. It was decided that the EIRC will not actively seek a replacement for the

Faith and Order group. This will be revisited in one year.

VI. Interfaith activities

The Interfaith subcommittee of the EIRC continues its work. Membership

includes Zachary DeBruyne, Michael Kooy, Frans van Liere, Tim Reitkerk,

Naji Umran, Cory Willson, and Zachary King, general secretary. The sub-

committee met in May, August, and November of 2023. Another meeting is

scheduled for April 2024. After many years of service, members Bernard

Ayoola and Greg Sinclair concluded their terms at the end of 2023.

The Ecumenical Charter that guides the EIRC states that our “responsibility

is expressed locally (between and among neighboring congregations), re-

gionally (among churches in a given geographical area), and denomination-

ally (among churches nationally and internationally).” For interfaith efforts,

the EIRC and its Interfaith subcommittee emphasize regional and local en-

gagement. To that end, they seek to highlight regional groups that are open

to CRC members and to publicize local efforts.

The RCA Interreligious group and the CRC’s Interfaith subcommittee met

in November 2023. Another meeting is scheduled for March 2024. Members

of the RCA Interreligious group are drawn from many different ministries

and regions of their denomination. Collaboration between CRC and RCA

leaders continues with Peer to Peer Interfaith Network and Journeys into

Friendship. Possible new joint activities continue to be discussed.

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations Committee 321

VII. Synodical assignments

A. Alliance of Reformed Churches

Synod 2023 recognized “the Alliance of Reformed Churches as a church in

cooperation for the purpose of continued pursuit toward designation as a

church in communion” (Acts of Synod 2023, p. 990). As part of its work in

the 2023-2024 ministry year, the EIRC as a committee and several of its

members had significant conversations with the leadership of the Alliance

of Reformed Churches. Some leadership turnover at the Alliance delayed

these conversations in the fall and summer of 2023. However, Alliance lead-

ers provided further information and explanation of the structure of the

communion.

Synod 2023 also appointed a task force “to work with the Alliance of Re-

formed Churches to address matters related to church in communion status,

Church Order matters regarding ‘orderly exchange’ of officebearers

(Church Order Supplement, Art. 8), and other matters related to benefits of

CRC officebearers” (Acts of Synod 2023, p. 990). Based on this instruction,

the task force, which included William Koopmans (chair of the EIRC) along

with several staff and lay leaders, developed a report and recommenda-

tions about the status of CRCNA pastors serving in Alliance churches un-

der the Church Order provisions for orderly exchange of ministers with the

RCA. Recommendations from this work were processed by the Council of

Delegates and will be part of its report to Synod 2024. However, the initial

piece of this instruction, “to address matters related to church in communion

status,” is assigned to the EIRC for further reflection and discussion.

After ongoing conversations and deliberation by the EIRC, the committee

determined that as the Alliance of Reformed Churches is currently in a pe-

riod of significant change, which includes adding new member congrega-

tions, developing their structural guidelines, and formalizing the proce-

dures for their ordination process, the status of church in cooperation should

be maintained with a view toward transitioning to that of church in commun-

ion in the future.

VIII. Additional updates

A. Membership to the World Council of Churches

Following the visit of William Koopmans to the World Council of Churches

gathering in Germany in fall 2022, the EIRC reflected on its possible future

engagement with the WCC. After significant conversation, the EIRC deter-

mined that it is not in the best interest of the CRCNA to join the WCC at

this time, for the following reasons: (1) the cost and human resources ex-

ceed the benefits; (2) the CRCNA is already involved with many multilat-

eral relationships that put us in contact with some of the same people; and

(3) the CRCNA can still send an observer if desired.

322 Standing Committees AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

B. Christian Reformed Church in Liberia

Requests have been received from within the denomination to explore for-

mal relations with the Christian Reformed Church in Liberia. Over the past

year, meetings were held to draft a memorandum of understanding. The

EIRC recommends that synod approve the Christian Reformed Church in

Liberia as a church in cooperation.

IX. Recommendations

A. That synod grant the privilege of the floor to William T. Koopmans,

chair, and Zachary J. King (ex officio), when matters relating to the Ecu-

menical and Interfaith Relations Committee are discussed.

B. That synod express its gratitude to William T. Koopmans, James Joosse,

and Ruth Hofman for serving the cause of ecumenicity for the CRC.

C. That synod reappoint Joy Engelsman to a second three-year term.

D. That synod approve the Christian Reformed Church in Liberia as a

church in cooperation.

E. That synod take note of the EIRC’s progress report regarding the rela-

tionship with the Alliance of Reformed Churches as a church in cooperation,

with a view toward its transitioning to the status of church in communion in

the future.

Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations Committee

William T. Koopmans, chair

Zachary King, general secretary (ex officio)

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Historical Committee 323

Historical Committee

I. Introduction

The Historical Committee is the standing committee of the Christian Re-

formed Church established by Synod 1934. Its revised mandate, as ap-

proved by Synod 2022, states the following:

The Historical Committee and the [general secretary] of the CRCNA

are responsible for the official Archives of the Christian Reformed

Church and its agencies, while administrative oversight is provided

by the Hekman Library of Calvin University and Calvin Theological

Seminary. The Historical Committee ordinarily communicates with

the Hekman Library through the Hekman Library Archives Advisory

Council. The Historical Committee also cultivates within the Chris-

tian Reformed Church, the wider church, and academic world,

knowledge of and appreciation for the CRCNA’s history, heritage,

and legacy by, among other things, identifying and assisting in accu-

mulation of resources.

Current synodically elected members of the committee, according to the

concluding year and present term of their service, are James A. De Jong,

secretary (2024/2); Herman De Vries (2025/2); Stanley Jim (2026/1); Tony

Maan (2025/2); Christian Oh (2026/1); and Janet Sheeres, chair (2026/1).

Current administrative committee members are Greg Elzinga (ex officio, as

interim president of Calvin University), William Katerberg (ex officio, with-

out vote, as curator of Heritage Hall), Zachary King (ex officio, without

vote, as general secretary of the CRCNA), and Jul Medenblik (ex officio, as

president of Calvin Theological Seminary).

Since its 2023 report to synod, the committee met in person and via Zoom

on September 13, 2023; November 28, 2023; and January 9, 2024.

II. Committee activities

A. Multiethnic initiatives

Both of last year’s appointees have added ethnic expertise to the committee.

They have been in conversation with the full committee and with Heritage

Hall’s curator, William Katerberg, concerning materials to assemble, ar-

chive, and share regarding their representative groups’ participation in and

contributions to our denomination.

Rev. Stanley Jim is identifying and gathering information related to our In-

digenous American churches in Classis Red Mesa. He noted in his report to

the committee the particular challenges he faces in this regard. The Indige-

nous American cultures have been predominantly oral in nature, while

most of the archival records and published histories of missions among

Navajo and Zuni peoples are written from the perspective of missionaries

and church officials, especially material produced prior to the formation of

Classis Red Mesa in 1982. Part of the challenge in gathering important oral

324 Standing Committees AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

records is that we are losing elderly Indigenous members and leaders in

these churches. Some of the important stories, teachings, and values can be

preserved through interviewing present-day members of congregations in

Classis Red Mesa to whom they have been passed along.

The committee hopes to support gathering this oral history with appropri-

ate software, hardware, and technical expertise. The material would be ar-

chived in audio and transcript form. This will be an ongoing effort in col-

laboration with Heritage Hall staff. Several churches have been identified

for commencing this work, and the plan now is to move forward with visit-

ing a couple of churches each month in order to capture narratives of how

God has blessed them and of the challenges and blessings they have experi-

enced since 1957, the denomination’s centennial anniversary.

Rev. Christian Oh is working on information about Korean ethnic congre-

gations in the denomination and relations between the CRCNA and de-

nominations in Korea. A direct Korean connection with the CRCNA dates

from the 1930s through students studying at Calvin Theological Seminary.

They typically were ordained and had divinity degrees from Korean semi-

naries and came to Calvin for further graduate work. These connections

and a surge of immigration from Asia were significant catalysts for Korean

involvement with the CRC in the decades after World War II.

Rev. Oh has begun by summarizing the early history of Reformed Christi-

anity in Korea. He notes that this is essential for understanding the doctrine

and piety shaping Korean immigrants and their children who are now a

part of the denomination. Korean Protestant church history revolves

around the work of Presbyterian missionaries in the 1880s, notably Horace

Grant Underwood, a graduate of the Dutch Reformed Theological Semi-

nary in New Brunswick, New Jersey. In the early 1900s Samuel Moffat, an-

other missionary, helped found Pyongyang Presbyterian Theological Semi-

nary. In 1907 it graduated its first cohort of Korean clergy. Its legacy lives

on today in a variety of seminaries and universities in Korea. Rev. Oh will

continue his work on this history, building on the background noted here.

The Historical Committee has not yet decided how to make available the

materials that Rev. Jim and Rev. Oh are gathering. It could be made availa-

ble on the Heritage Hall website. Some of it might be published directly by

the CRCNA, whether online or in print in some form. The committee ex-

pects that in the future it will pursue similar projects with other groups

with the purpose of sharing the histories of the ethnically and racially di-

verse groups comprising the CRCNA today.

The committee also hopes to gather material related to Christian Reformed

denominations globally, where CRCNA-sponsored missions played a sig-

nificant role in those denominations’ history. Examples include the Chris-

tian Reformed Church of Nigeria, the Christian Reformed Church in the

Philippines, and the Christian Reformed Church in Cuba.

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Historical Committee 325

B. D.Min. degrees—identification and archiving

In addressing its mandate, the committee last year decided to attempt to

identify CRCNA ministers who have received a D.Min. degree, their thesis

topics, and the dates and schools from which their degrees were obtained.

The committee considers these theses worth obtaining and archiving either

in print or digitally, since collectively they are a repository of ministerial re-

search and reflection on ministry during an era of significant change and

adjustment in the ministerial vocation.

The D.Min. degree was developed in North American theological education

in the 1970s to encourage serious academic reflection on the actual practice

of ministry. Such reflection parallels some of the master’s level work done

at Calvin Theological Seminary, of which we possess records and copies.

The committee believes that that body of material would be enhanced by

the D.Min.-level work done at other seminaries by our pastors. With the

help of Hekman Library staff, known recipients, our classical representa-

tives, and our own research, we have so far been able to identify more than

four dozen CRCNA pastors who have acquired a D.Min. degree from other

schools. We will try to obtain copies of the theses of the remaining 50 per-

cent of these identified people whose work is not already in our holdings.

C. Other advanced degrees awarded to our ministers

As a by-product of the foregoing project, we have begun compiling a list of

former and current CRC ministers who have received advanced degrees

and have written dissertations at universities and at theological schools

other than Calvin Theological Seminary (CTS). We do have accessible rec-

ords of such degrees (M.A., M.T.S., Th.M., Ph.D.) granted by CTS. Infor-

mation on CTS Ph.D. degrees, titles, dates, and recipients is accessible

online at digitalcommons.calvin.edu/cts_dissertations/, which also provides

a brief summary and a PDF link for each dissertation. An identically struc-

tured site for CTS Th.M. theses is digitalcommons.calvin.edu/cts_theses/.

On both sites the thesis dates begin at 1993, when the first CTS Ph.D. de-

grees were awarded.

In its January meeting this year, the committee decided that creating a simi-

lar record for advanced degree work beyond Calvin Seminary by CRCNA

ministers would be another worthwhile endeavor. Like the advanced study

of ministerial practice (D.Min.), other levels and angles of advanced theo-

logical and ecclesiastical reflection contribute to understanding and sharing

our legacy, as the committee’s mandate requires.

Both the D.Min. list and the list of other advanced degrees from other semi-

naries are ongoing projects, and we are considering how best to make the

results more widely accessible.

326 Standing Committees AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

III. Report of the curator, William Katerberg

A. Archives staff

The archives enjoyed staff continuity in 2023, with William Katerberg as cu-

rator and editor of Origins, the magazine Heritage Hall produces; Jen Vos as

assistant archivist and digitization specialist; and Laurie Haan as an ar-

chival assistant who focuses on audio collections and the university collec-

tion. Late in the year, Alyssa Johansen joined the staff as an archival assis-

tant; she also works for the Kent District Library system.

Volunteers and student workers continue to play important roles in Herit-

age Hall. Heritage Hall had two volunteers in 2023. Phil Erffmeyer collects

and processes minutes from congregations and classes. He also processed

new material related to the denomination and manuscript collections.

Clarice Newhof works on cataloging our extensive photo collection. She fin-

ished the “People” collection and the “Seminary” collection and is now

working on the “College” collection. Student employees worked on our

online collections index (archives.calvin.edu/), organizing oversized photos,

and digitization projects.

Churches can contact archives staff and Phil Erffmeyer through our general

email address (crcarchi[email protected]du) or individually

(library.calvin.edu/hh/archives-staff).

B. Archival activity during 2023

1. Library renovations and the archives

The 100-300 levels of the Hekman Library are undergoing renovations dur-

ing the 2023-2024 academic year, and all three are closed to patrons. The ex-

ception is Heritage Hall. The archives remain open for business. We have

been harder to find, as the entrances to the library that most people are fa-

miliar with are closed. And construction noise has been occasionally incon-

venient. The biggest impact has been that we have temporarily lost some

secondary storage space. For this reason we have discouraged accessions of

large collections of material for the year. We expect to be back to normal by

fall 2024 when construction is completed.

2. Collections

We have had the usual variety of small accessions of manuscript material,

genealogical and family history material, rare books, photographs, and so

on—as well as repository material from the university, seminary, and de-

nomination. Notable accessions in the first half of 2023 included material re-

lated to Christian Reformed missions, ethnic ministries, and home missions.

The CRCNA’s decision to sell the denominational building and property at

28th Street and Kalamazoo and the move to a smaller space will coincide

with some significant accessions of material to Heritage Hall, notably the

back catalog of Faith Alive/CRC Publications.

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Historical Committee 327

3. Research

In the past half-year researchers have been using the archives’ collections

related to Geerhardus Vos, Peter De Vries, H. Evan Runner, CRCNA mis-

sions in Japan, Dutch immigration to North America, and Christian Re-

formed church architecture as well as CRCNA- or Calvin university- and

seminary-related periodicals. As usual, we have also had a couple dozen

patrons working on genealogies and family histories, the history of their

congregation, or something related to their student years at Calvin.

Heritage Hall is participating in plans for the 150th anniversary of Calvin

University and Calvin Theological Seminary in 2026. This will include digit-

ization projects and a historical volume (which likely will include an associ-

ated website). Student staff will help in the digitization work.

In addition to editing Origins, the curator, William Katerberg, posted on Or-

igins Online some history related to the CRCNA, the seminary, the univer-

sity, and Dutch North American immigration and enclaves (origins.cal-

vin.edu/). The spring 2024 issue of Origins magazine features Paul Jones,

who was Calvin University’s first Navajo student (1916-1918) when it was a

junior college and preparatory academy. He became connected to the Chris-

tian Reformed Church through his relationship with Rev. Lee Huizenga,

M.D., a medical missionary in Tohatchi, New Mexico, in the 1910s. Jones

went on to become chair of the Navajo Tribal Council in the late 1950s and

early 1960s. The curator also published a series of articles in The Banner on

the history of belonging and identity in the CRCNA. His current research

projects include relations between CRCNA missionaries and Navajo people

and a history of Calvin University (with Karin Maag of the Meeter Center

and Ron Feenstra of the seminary).

4. Digitization and indexing

Digitization continued in a variety of areas: building a database of Heritage

Hall’s photograph collections; finishing the compilation of an online catalog

of our collections; and focusing on Calvin University records, the largest of

the archive’s collections (archives.calvin.edu/). There is a growing volume

of material from the archives on the Digital Commons site of the Hekman

Library (digitalcommons.calvin.edu/), along with other material from the

CRCNA and from university and seminary departments, programs, and

centers and institutes, such as the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship.

The work of indexing The Banner and various other magazines related to

Reformed Christianity continues, with Hekman Library student staff doing

the work. We hope to digitize The Banner in the next few years and have

had discussions with staff at The Banner about this idea. The project will de-

pend on finding funding. (Digitization is expensive.) We also hope to digit-

ize several publications related to the university and seminary, such as

Chimes, the student newspaper. Heritage Hall expects to pursue a variety of

digitization projects in the next few years related to the 150th anniversary of

328 Standing Committees AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

the seminary and university in 2026. This year we will begin with digitizing

Prism, the annual yearbook of the college/university from 1920 to 2010. (It

included seminary material until 1973.)

5. Promotion and Outreach

Staff worked with a variety of Calvin University faculty and their classes,

doing presentations about archives and research in them, giving them tours

of the collections and rare books areas, and providing them with material

from collections.

Origins: Historical Magazine of the Archives and Origins Online (origins.cal-

vin.edu) continue to be vibrant forms of outreach to a variety of audiences.

The spring 2023 issue of the print magazine focused on A. C. Van Raalte,

leader of the immigrant colony that founded the city of Holland and nearby

towns. The fall 2023 issue has essays on a variety of topics, as will the

spring 2024 issue. There also is a Heritage Hall Facebook page, which ena-

bles the blog to reach out to local audiences for some stories. Heritage Hall

will continue to assess its social media presence and find ways to connect

with denominational-, university-, and seminary-related audiences and

people interested in the history of Dutch North Americans.

IV. Regional classical representatives and significant anniversaries

The Historical Committee continues to depend on classical representatives,

most of whom are the classical stated clerks, to remind churches to submit

minutes and records to Heritage Hall on a timely basis. We are grateful for

their role in keeping our archives up to date and for encouraging compli-

ance in this regard for churches’ own backup protection as well as for the

completeness of denominational records. On two occasions this past year

the committee also requested the help of classical representatives in gather-

ing information about ministers holding a D.Min. degree.

Once again the committee is grateful to Heritage Hall staff for providing the

following information on forthcoming ordination and congregational anni-

versaries. We congratulate ministers and churches on reaching these mile-

stones.

A. Ordained ministers—anniversaries of service

Names are listed according to years of ordained service in the CRCNA,

with dates of prior ordination in another denomination indicated in paren-

theses.

50 years (1975-2025)

Blauw, Richard J.

Bratt, Karl H.

De Moor, Robert

Holleman, Jerry A.

Hommes, Edward R.

Howerzyl, Lawrence John

(inactive retired)

Meyer, Peter

Schram, Terry L.

Sieplinga, David J.

Troast, Leonard P.

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Historical Committee 329

Vander Schaaf, James

Van Niejenhuis, Herman

Vink, George G.

Weidenaar, Harry J

Willoughby, Karl K.

55 years (1970-2025)

Afman, Carl J.

Berends, John J.

Boertje, Robert

Chen, Jason Y.

Christoffels, LeRoy G.

De Jong, Bert

De Jong, James A.

Greidanus, Sidney

Heyboer, Gerry G.

Hutt, John C.

Kaastra, Thomas G.

Klompien, Carl J.

Koole, John

Lammers, Ronald J.

Likkel, Allen E.

Pols, Gordon

Petroelje, Allen

Post, Henry R.

Praamsma, Herman

Roelofs, Curtis G.

Schutt, Herman J.

Schweitzer, Anthony

Vander Zee, Leonard J.

Vriend, Harry

Walter, Robert, Sr.

60 years (1965-2025)

De Jong, Harold T.

Kiekover, Harvey

Vander Pol, Mike

Van Drunen, Peter

Van Zanten, Anthony

Wildeboer, Henry

65 years (1960-2025)

Entingh, Henry G.

Mulder, Alfred

Nederhood, Joel

Swierenga, Raymond

70 years (1955–2025)

Bylsma, John

Matheis, Jack J.

Stob, William K.

Van Dyk, Wilbert M.

75 years (1950–2025)

Bazuin, Lugene

B. Church anniversaries—at 25-year intervals

25th anniversary (2000-2025)

Rocky Mountain House, Alberta – Covenant

Burbank, California – Bethany

Holland, Michigan – Lao

Franklin, Massachusetts – New England Chapel

Ajax, Ontario – Crossroads Community

Grand Junction, Colorado – New Life

Kamloops, British Columbia – Sahali Fellowship

50th anniversary (1975-2025)

Flagstaff, Arizona – Hope Community

Hudsonville, Michigan – Georgetown

Norfolk, Virginia – Ocean View

Miami, Florida – Iglesia Cristiana Piedras Vivas

Lethbridge, Alberta – Maranatha

330 Standing Committees AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

Grandville, Michigan – Fellowship

Burke, Virginia – Grace

Chatham, ON – Calvary

75th anniversary (1950-2025)

Barrhead, Alberta – Barrhead

Rocky Mountain House, Alberta – First

Abbotsford, British Columbia – Gateway Community

Delta, British Columbia - Ladner

Hamilton, Michigan - Hamilton

Langley, British Columbia – Willoughby

Oskaloosa, Iowa – Bethel

Orangeville, Ontario – Orangeville

West Des Moines, Iowa – Crossroads Fellowship

Brockville, Ontario – Bethel

Cornwall, Ontario – Immanuel

Bellflower, California – Rosewood

Oakville, Ontario – Clearview

Sussex, New Jersey – Sussex

Willmar, Minnesota – Rock of Life

Wheaton, Illinois – Wheaton

London, Ontario – Talbot Street

Kingston, Ontario – First

Zeeland, Michigan – Bethel

Barrie, Ontario – First

Toronto, Ontario – First

Bowmanville, Ontario – Rehoboth

V. Nomination

James A. De Jong is retiring after completing his second term on the com-

mittee this year. The committee presents the following slate of nominees for

appointment to the Historical Committee for a first term of three years.

Wendy Veenstra Blankespoor was born in the Netherlands and immigrated

with her family to Alberta at age three. She attended Dordt College and, af-

ter graduating, married and taught school in State Center, Iowa. She subse-

quently earned a master’s degree in library science from the University of

Wisconsin. When her husband was appointed to teach chemistry at Calvin

University, the couple moved to Grand Rapids and joined Woodlawn CRC,

where she served on committees and on council as a deacon and elder’s as-

sistant, led a women’s Bible study, and wrote family histories for a church

newsletter. In 1988 she began working at the Hekman Library reference

desk, then in government documents, and for almost twenty-five years as a

cataloging archivist at Heritage Hall. She has served as book review editor

for The Banner and as a reference resource for Christian Home and School

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Historical Committee 331

magazine. She and her husband worked for World Renew in needs assess-

ment for five years. Her interests include gardening, genealogy, family his-

tory, and reading.

Donald Sinnema is a professor of theology emeritus at Trinity Christian Col-

lege and now lives in Holland, Michigan. His scholarship has focused on

Post-Reformation studies and on Dutch-Canadian and Dutch-American

studies. He has been active in the Association for the Advancement of

Dutch American Studies. He has written a number of articles in this field

and has translated/edited The First Dutch Settlement in Alberta: Letters from

the Pioneer Years 1903-1914 (University of Calgary Press, 2005). He has writ-

ten Pioneer Church Life: The Beginnings of the First Christian Reformed Church

in Canada 1903-1911 (2005) as well as church histories of the Granum (Alta.)

CRC and the Parklane CRC of Portland, Oregon. He is also a general editor

of the ten-volume series Acta et Documenta Synodi Nationalis Dordrechtanae

1618-1619 (2015-), which will include all the documents of the Synod of

Dordrecht.

VI. Recommendations

A. That synod grant the privilege of the floor to Janet Sheeres, chair, and to

James A. De Jong, secretary, when matters pertaining to the mandate and

work of the Historical Committee come before synod.

B. That synod by way of the ballot appoint new members to the Historical

Committee from the slate of nominees presented to a first term of three

years.

C. That synod take note of the activities on which the committee has em-

barked and encourage leaders and churches to offer the committee sugges-

tions and information related to them.

D. That synod recognize with appreciation the service of retiring member

James A. De Jong, who has served as secretary for his two terms on the

committee, and of curator William Katerberg and the Heritage Hall staff

and volunteers.

Historical Committee

Janet Sheeres, chair

James A. De Jong, secretary

Greg Elzinga

Herman De Vries

Stanley Jim

William Katerberg

Zachary J. King

Tony Maan

Jul Medenblik

Christian Oh

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Denominationally Related Educational Institutions 333

DENOMINATIONALLY

RELATED EDUCATIONAL

INSTITUTIONS

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Dordt University 335

Dordt University

Greetings to the synod of the Christian Reformed Church! At Dordt Univer-

sity we are grateful for our continued connection to and close relationship

with the CRCNA. We may not be the denomination’s official institution of

higher education, but we are deeply indebted to the CRC for our heritage.

The CRC helped shape our founders’ vision for education—“in the larger

and deeper sense that all the class work, that all of the students’ intellectual,

emotional, and imaginative activities shall be permeated with the spirit and

teaching of Christianity.”

We are thankful for the many ways God has blessed Dordt University dur-

ing the 2023-24 academic year. Once again Dordt experienced record enroll-

ment: more than 1,900 students overall enrolled for the fall 2023 semester,

exceeding the fall 2022 record of 1,858 students. To have Dordt’s under-

graduate enrollment grow by more than 15 percent over the past decade

while higher education overall contracted by nearly 15 percent is an encour-

agement and is a tribute to God’s faithfulness to Dordt through our faculty,

staff, and supporting constituency who share in this vision of Christ-cen-

tered higher education.

We also concluded our “Planting for the Future” capital campaign in Janu-

ary. Raising more than $103 million, the total significantly exceeded our

fundraising goal of $90 million (dordt.edu/news/dordt-university-sur-

passes-103-million-with-planting-for-the-future-capital-campaign), making

our capital campaign the most successful campaign in Dordt’s 68-year his-

tory. Contrary to national trends where the percentage of alumni making a

financial gift of any size to their alma mater has dropped to 5.6 percent,

Dordt University alumni give back at a rate of over three times the national

average—18.89 percent (dordt.edu/news/dordt-university-alumni-give-

back-at-an-astounding-rate).

With growth comes a need to expand. We have extended our residential fa-

cilities to include the “Every Square Inch Apartments” (known on campus

as “the Squares”), four new buildings that house a total of 96 upperclass-

men. This past fall Dordt officials broke ground on the new dining com-

mons and B.J. Haan Auditorium expansion, and these are slated to be com-

pleted in 2025. We are also expanding our program offerings by adding a

two-year agriculture service technology program (dordt.edu/academ-

ics/programs/agriculture-ba/agriculture-service-technology-as) as well as a

graduate-level master of business administration (MBA) program

(dordt.edu/news/dordt-university-launches-mba-program-with-a-ribbon-

cutting-ceremony). Both are, like many programs at Dordt, practical and

help prepare students to find employment after graduation. It was also an-

nounced that Dordt will add a swimming program (dordt.edu/news/dordt-

university-to-add-womens-and-mens-swimming-to-varsity-athletics) in fall

2024; in fact, we just hired our first swim coach (dordt.edu/news/dordt-uni-

versity-hires-its-first-ever-head-swim-coach). The Gaming Guild continues

336 Denominationally Related Educational Institutions AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

to gain popularity on campus. This guild, which provides a community for

gamers who are committed followers of Jesus, encourages students to think

more broadly about their calling as gamers and to develop their own gam-

ing-related gifts to serve God’s kingdom.

Dordt maintains historic biblical and confessional values on cultural issues

and champions scriptural and missional fidelity. We believe so strongly in

the Reformed Christian perspective that we require our faculty and staff to

belong to confessionally Reformed churches and to enroll their children in a

Christian day school or homeschool setting. The Center for the Advance-

ment of Christian Education (CACE) has sought to live out Article 71 of the

CRC’s Church Order, which says, “The council shall diligently encourage

the members of the congregation to establish and maintain good Christian

schools in which the biblical, Reformed vision of Christ’s lordship over all

creation is clearly taught.” CACE directors walk alongside Christian

schools committed to teaching from a biblical perspective, aiding in the sus-

tainability, improvement, innovation, advocacy, and promotion of Chris-

tian education at all levels of learning.

Please feel free to reach out to Reverend Todd Zuidema, director of church

relations, whose goal is to strengthen relationships with supporting

churches in the CRCNA. At Dordt we are grateful for the continued sup-

port of the CRC in our shared work of “expressing the good news of God’s

kingdom that transforms lives and communities worldwide.” We are eager

to maintain this shared vision into the future, as Dordt faculty and staff

seek to fulfill our institutional mission “to work effectively toward Christ-

centered renewal in all aspects of life.”

Soli Deo Gloria!

Dordt University

Erik Hoekstra, president

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Institute for Christian Studies 337

Institute for Christian Studies

I. Overview

As a graduate school that shapes future intellectual leaders in the tradition

of reformational thought, ICS is blessed to pursue a special mission in

Christian higher education. With a charter from the Government of Ontario

to grant M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in philosophy, ICS provides a rare space

for graduate students to actively integrate their faith and learning. Beyond

serving these students, ICS also strives to create opportunities for people

from all walks of life to share and discuss the joys and challenges they face

on their communal journeys of faith.

At the time of writing this report (Feb. 2024), we have recorded 91 course

enrollments for the 2023-24 academic year. When we combine this figure

with the number of full-time students in the post-coursework stage of their

programs, our full-time-equivalency (FTE) student enrollment is roughly 21

students (an increase of two from the same time last year). The final FTE

number for 2023-24 will be higher than this, because we do not yet have en-

rollment figures for courses we offer in April through June 2024. The final

FTE figure for 2022-23 was 25 students, and we are on track to meet if not

exceed that number this year.

Nineteen students are currently registered in our M.A. (Philosophy)

(icscanada.edu/academics/master-of-arts-in-philosophy) program (13 of

whom are enrolled in the “Educational Leadership” stream, or M.A.-E.L.

[icscanada.edu/academics/educational-leadership], a professional develop-

ment program for Christian K-12 schoolteachers and administrators); seven

students are registered in our Ph.D. program (icscanada.edu/academ-

ics/phd-program); and three are registered in our Master of Worldview

Studies program (icscanada.edu/academics/master-of-worldview-studies).

In total, 58 students have taken at least one course at ICS so far this year.

At ICS our small size allows us to foster an intimate and nurturing aca-

demic community, including one-to-one graduate student mentoring that is

essential for cultivating the next generation of academic leaders in the refor-

mational thought tradition at the heart of ICS.

II. Welcoming new faculty

Following the retirement of Prof. Robert Sweetman, Prof. Neal DeRoo

(icscanada.edu/neal-deroo) began his tenure as professor of philosophy on

July 1, 2023. Prof. DeRoo completed his B.A. at Calvin University, his M.A.

at ICS, and his Ph.D. at Boston College. He has previously served as a phi-

losophy professor at Dordt University and at The King’s University. At

Dordt he also served as director of the Andreas Center for Reformed Schol-

arship and Service, and at King’s he served as the Canada Research Chair in

Phenomenology and the Philosophy of Religion. ICS is currently adminis-

tering the Insight Grant Prof. DeRoo received from the Social Sciences and

338 Denominationally Related Educational Institutions AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

Humanities Research Council of Canada, titled “Material Spirituality: A

Phenomenology of Religion.” This year Prof. DeRoo also published two co-

edited volumes of essays in the philosophy of religion.

III. Some highlights

ICS registered its first Calvin University student in one of its M.A.-E.L.

courses as a result of its collaborative partnership with Calvin University’s

Master of Education program, which allows M.Ed. students at Calvin to

take ICS M.A.-E.L. courses for credit in their program while giving ICS stu-

dents the opportunity to take Calvin’s M.Ed. courses for credit in their M.A.

(Philosophy) in educational leadership program at ICS.

This year ICS also offered the experiential “Art in Orvieto” study abroad

lifelong learning program, which took place in Orvieto, Italy, July 9-29. Led

by Dr. Rebekah Smick, ICS associate professor of arts and culture, Art in

Orvieto provided practicing artists and those otherwise interested in the

arts an opportunity to explore the intersection of art, religion, and theology,

an experience that included several excursions to view the rich history of

religious art in Orvieto and surrounding regions.

IV. Outreach of the Centre for Philosophy, Religion, and Social Ethics

The ICS Centre for Philosophy, Religion, and Social Ethics (CPRSE) contin-

ues to produce, support, and promote Christian scholarship through its

publications, events, and institutional collaborations. During the 2023-24 ac-

ademic year, the CPRSE presented five public outreach events, added a col-

lection of essays to its book series, and increased ICS’s impact through new

and ongoing collaborations with like-minded institutions. Key institutional

partners for this year included Martin Luther University College, the Soci-

ety for Ricoeur Studies, Vision Ministries Canada, Citizens for Public Jus-

tice, and Shalem Mental Health Network.

The following is a summary of the CPRSE’s 2023-24 activities:

• In May 2023 the CPRSE presented a series of events on the occasion of

the retirement of ICS senior member Robert Sweetman. This celebration

of Prof. Sweetman’s scholarship and sterling career included a seminar

on the gesture of Christian scholarship; a panel discussion on the legacy

of his scholarly output with Dr. Nicholas Terpstra (University of To-

ronto), Dr. Jennifer Constantine-Jackson (Villanova University), and Dr.

Eric Mabry (St. Mary’s Seminary and University); and a presentation of

the festschrift Gestures of Grace: Essays in Honour of Robert Sweetman

(Wipf & Stock, 2023), which is the latest addition to the CPRSE’s Cur-

rents in Reformational Thought book series.

• On October 12-14, the CPRSE hosted the 17th Annual Conference of the

Society for Ricoeur Studies, “Ricoeur in Practice.” The event featured

keynote speakers Dr. Stephanie Arel (Fordham University) and Dr. Scott

Davidson (West Virginia University). As ICS President, I opened the

conference and moderated a session; CPRSE associate director Héctor

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Institute for Christian Studies 339

Acero Ferrer moderated one of the panels and presented a paper titled

“‘Our-self as Another?’ Understanding the Development of Narrative

Identity in Ecclesial Base Communities through the Lens of Paul Ric-

oeur”; and ICS alumnus Andrew Tebbutt presented a paper titled “Who

Is the Subject of Recognition? Ricoeur’s Institutional Hermeneutics.”

• On October 16, CPRSE welcomed new senior member Neal DeRoo to

lead our Fall 2023 Scripture, Faith, and Scholarship Symposium. In his

presentation “The Heart of Philosophy/Philosophy of the Heart,” DeRoo

reflected on the question “How can the biblical notion of the heart in-

form our understanding of philosophy, and how can philosophy help

us think through all the implications of the biblical notion of the heart?”

• On February 26, 2024, the CPRSE will welcome biblical scholar, activist,

and farmer Dr. Sylvia Keesmaat to lead our Winter 2024 Scripture, Faith,

and Scholarship Symposium. Dr. Keesmaat’s presentation, titled “Seeds

of Resistance and Healing: Grounding the Bible,” explores key links be-

tween sacred Scripture and creation, considering questions such

as “How does the desire of the Creator to inhabit and rejoice in the won-

drous and diverse creation shape our response to the crisis of our age?

And how does creation help us to understand the story of the Creator?”

• On April 18-20, 2024, the CPRSE joins Martin Luther University College

and Vision Ministries Canada in presenting the conference “Beyond

Culture Wars: Fostering Solidarity in an Age of Polarization.” This event

at the campus of Martin Luther University College (Wilfrid Laurier Uni-

versity) will provide an education and discussion forum for faith com-

munities and the larger public to consider alternatives to the “culture

war” mentality that contributes to social polarization, and to explore to-

gether more positive and mutually beneficial ways of relating religion to

the broader society. The conference features keynote presentations by

Dr. James K.A. Smith (Calvin University) and Dr. Kristin Kobes Du Mez

(Calvin University) as well as workshops led by partner organizations

Shalem Mental Health Network and Citizens for Public Justice.

V. Conclusion

On behalf of all who participate in and benefit from the academic ministry

of ICS, I wish to thank the CRCNA for supporting ICS’s efforts to be an aca-

demic witness to the story of hope and renewal that our Maker and Re-

deemer calls us to embody. This support enables ICS to offer distinctively

Christian educational programs to M.A. and Ph.D. graduate students, K-12

teachers and principals desiring meaningful professional development, and

spiritually seeking lifelong learners. We thank God for his blessings in 2023-

24 and pray that God grant synod wisdom in its deliberations this year.

Institute for Christian Studies

Ronald A. Kuipers, president

340 Denominationally Related Educational Institutions AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

The King’s University

Greetings from The King’s University!

We are incredibly thankful for the growth in our incoming enrollment this

past fall. We received an 11.5 percent increase in the number of new stu-

dents this year compared to last year. This growth helped us to recover

from some of our enrollment decline in the latter stages of the pandemic,

and we are grateful for the 820 students who studied at King’s this fall. We

are hopeful for continued growth in our student enrollment next fall as we

are experiencing a significant year-over-year increase in applications for

next year.

Research continues to be a hallmark of The King’s University, and it creates

valuable and unique opportunities for our students. Dr. Cassidy Vander-

Schee, assistant professor of chemistry, was awarded research grants from

the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC)

and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) for two

separate projects. The $152,500 NSERC grant was awarded for Vander-

Schee’s research into metals present in the Athabasca oilsands. Athabasca is

a major site for mining and oil extraction activity, and during the extraction

process, toxic substances are stored in tailings ponds until they can be re-

mediated. The most common contaminants are naphthenic acids and met-

als such as vanadium. The research project seeks to understand how these

substances interact and affect toxicity.

VanderSchee is also a coapplicant on a larger interdisciplinary research

team that received a $376,000 SSHRC grant. The team is identifying social

determinants of lead poisoning in historical British colonial populations in

the Caribbean. By studying both modern and historical populations, includ-

ing British royal navy gravesites, they hope to determine whether there are

correlations between lead-exposure levels and social determinants such as

age, sex, and ancestry. VanderSchee’s own role on the project is to deter-

mine the concentration of lead deposits in the human bone. The data will be

measured at the University of Alberta and then processed at King’s cam-

pus. King’s students are key to VanderSchee’s research, and seven students

have already spent time in the lab creating samples, analyzing them using

spectroscopic techniques, and processing the data. King’s students Erin

Pederson (4th-year chemistry) and Rio Bouwers (5th-year chemistry) had

the opportunity to present their research at the 2023 Canadian Chemistry

Conference and Exhibition in Vancouver this past June. “I couldn’t do this

by myself,” says VanderSchee. “Research is done in teams. For students, it’s

a great chance to experience the research process. As a past King’s student

myself, doing research was what helped me decide my career path. I am ex-

cited to complete the circle and provide students with the same research

opportunities I had access to.”

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 The King’s University 341

King’s offered another slate of public lectures hosted on campus over this

past academic year. Quandaries, as the series is titled, explores some of the

most important questions of our time and the myriad ways in which God is

bringing renewal to our world. During this year’s theme of “Collective

Moral Conversations,” our speakers discussed how our collective goods re-

late to personal interests and how we navigate multiple, and at times com-

peting, moral priorities. The lectures take seriously the idea that there are

moral conversations and tough dialogues that need to be engaged with,

and these events offer guidelines for how to have these conversations well.

The lectures take place at King’s every month and are also available on Ap-

ple Podcasts and Spotify. More information is available at kingsu.ca/quan-

daries.

We are deeply grateful for the Christian Reformed churches in western

Canada who have continued to demonstrate the value they put into Chris-

tian higher education through maintaining their support of King’s. Their fi-

nancial investment is critically important in our efforts to keep a King’s ed-

ucation an affordable option for anyone seeking a university degree

grounded in the Christian faith. Thank you for your continued partnership.

The King’s University

Melanie Humphreys, president

342 Denominationally Related Educational Institutions AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

Kuyper College

With gratitude to God, the Kuyper College community is celebrating 85

years of preparing women and men for purposeful lives of learning, work,

and service within every square inch of Christ’s church and his world.

That’s something to celebrate!

In the 1930s, grassroots groups within the CRCNA appealed to synod to ex-

plore the possibility of a “complete program and budget for a real Mission-

ary Training and Bible School.” While synod did not support this initiative,

leaders within the CRCNA, such as, Rev. H.J. Kuiper, Mark Fakkema, Dr.

John DeKorne, Johanna Timmer, and leaders of the Chicago Helping Hand

Mission passionately set out to establish the Reformed Bible Institute (RBI)

in 1939.

The July/August 1939 issue of the Young Calvinist included this description

of the purpose of RBI: “to provide such systematic Christian training as is

not provided elsewhere in our Reformed circles.” While much has changed

over the past 85 years—our name, our location, our programs, and our stu-

dents—we continue to foster and celebrate our niche as a Bible college

within the Reformed tradition, providing all students with a deep biblical

and theological foundation integrated with praxis-based service and minis-

try academic programs.

Now celebrating our 85th year, it is fitting for us to set the theme “A Life of

Service.” This theme honors our 4,500+ alumni and former faculty, staff,

and board members who exemplified lives of service to God and neighbor,

and it encourages us to follow Paul’s advice in Romans 12:11—“Never be

lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord”—as we

continue our mission.

As we have completed another year of service at Kuyper College, I am

pleased to report the following updates:

I. A refreshed mission statement

In June 2023 the Kuyper College Board of Trustees approved the following

refreshed mission statement:

As a community of biblical higher education, Kuyper College forms

lifelong learners for purposeful lives of work and service to God and

neighbor.

These 23 words express up front that “community” is a vital and valued

part of Kuyper’s cultural “DNA.” This mission statement also affirms our

deep and integrated Bible and theology foundation, a hallmark of Kuyper

College, which designates us a college of biblical higher education. And, no

matter our role as students, staff, or faculty, we are learners who are being

formed more and more into the likeness of Jesus Christ. Finally, in all that

we do, we are living out God’s call to intentional and meaningful work and

service directed to God and our neighbor.

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Kuyper College 343

II. Purposeful learning

Significant enrollment growth

This fall we welcomed the largest class of first-year students since 2015.

These students represent five countries and seven U.S. states.

New minors

This academic year we began offering three new minors—Christian com-

munity development, criminal justice, and sports management—that pro-

vide focused areas of study and augment our academic programs for stu-

dents pursuing vocations in ministry, social work, and business leadership.

Partnerships for microcredentials

We are forging a partnership with a Christian organization of scholars and

practitioners to offer an array of accredited microcredentials to students

and other adult learners, particularly in the areas of service and ministry.

Launch of our athletics program

The Kuyper Cougars are back! As part of the NCCAA, we are celebrating

the relaunch of athletics and the opportunity to deepen our engagement as

a college community as we celebrate God’s gifts of play and sport.

III. Purposeful work

New faculty and staff

We are pleased to welcome Dr. Anthony Bradley as research professor for

interdisciplinary and theological studies. Dr. Bradley is an author, lecturer,

and distinguished research fellow at the Acton Institute. In addition, Emily

Perton is the new director of student success, having formerly served as ex-

ecutive director of Ready for Life, and Jim Steenbergen is the new chief ad-

vancement officer, bringing twenty years of experience in fund develop-

ment with Christian organizations.

Theology of Work grant

A campus-wide project called “Faith, Work, and Learning: Kuyper College

Faculty Collaborative Inquiry” is supported by a grant from the Work Col-

leges Consortium. Faculty participants have selected research topics related

to the theology of work and how it applies to the vocational context of their

teaching disciplines.

KuyperWorks promotion celebration

Recognizing the achievements of our student staff through their work-

based learning is an important part of our KuyperWorks program. In De-

cember we celebrated students who were promoted to new levels of re-

sponsibility within their KuyperWorks positions.

344 Denominationally Related Educational Institutions AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

The Van Halsema Legacy Society

We are pleased to announce our new legacy society, named in honor of Dr.

Dick and Mrs. Thea Van Halsema, both of whom positively influenced

many students and the broader Kuyper College community.

IV. Purposeful service

Student success and mental-health services

Data in a recent research study by the Kaiser Family Foundation states that

50 percent of young adults ages 18-24 reported anxiety and depression

symptoms in 2023. And the 2023 Trends Report by the Higher Learning

Commission, our regional accreditor, lists the top trend as student mental

health. This is an important assessment of the reality of many college-age

students and the demands on the faculty and staff who serve them. At

Kuyper, we are earnestly putting into practice more tangible ways to help

our students, staff, and faculty experience well-being through partnership

with our counseling provider, redesigning our faith formation and service

opportunities, holding a faculty retreat focused on self-care for educators,

and hiring a director of student success.

New board members

This past year four highly qualified individuals joined our board of trus-

tees. Their professional experience, skills, and unique backgrounds provide

Kuyper College with a variety of perspectives as we seek to fulfill our mis-

sion. As well, our board is participating in the Association of Biblical

Higher Education Board Governance Training Program.

V. Conclusion

Let me close with this brief story: in early January, I asked Corey, one of our

first-year students, what he did over Christmas break. His face lit up as he

told me that he and his younger brother were baptized on Christmas Eve at

his home church. And, he added, with tears in his eyes, “I set three goals for

myself this year: to go to a college like Kuyper, to play basketball, and to get

baptized. God is so good!” Corey is on his way to fulfilling our end goal of

education at Kuyper College—“to live faithfully for Jesus Christ in God’s

good world.” Thanks be to God.

We are thankful for our continued partnership with the CRCNA and its

churches, pastors, and members, and we look forward to more tangible

ways to serve Christ’s church and his world together as we share the good

news of Jesus Christ.

Kuyper College

Patricia R. Harris, president

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Redeemer University 345

Redeemer University

Over the past year Redeemer University has experienced God’s blessings

through strong enrollment, bustling campus activity, new strategic initia-

tives, and more. Thank you for this opportunity to share how the Lord’s

provision, power, and faithfulness have been shaping Redeemer’s journey.

I. Affordable tuition and a full residence

For the 2023-2024 academic year, Redeemer achieved a student enrollment

of 1,052, made possible through continued tuition affordability efforts. Tui-

tion has remained under $10,000 (CAD), ensuring that a Christian univer-

sity education remains accessible. A total of 553 students are calling campus

home through Redeemer’s residence program in the 2023-2024 academic

year—a 10 percent increase from last year! More students have been able to

experience the transformative impact of living in Christian community.

The university’s bachelor of education (B.Ed.) program continues to receive

a high volume of applications, resulting in consistent at-capacity cohorts. It

has been exciting to see that applications from the west and east coasts have

been growing, signifying Redeemer’s expanding presence and reputation

across the country, especially in the education field.

II. Innovation Centre grand opening

In October 2023, Redeemer celebrated the grand opening of its Innovation

Centre. The Innovation Centre is located in the Charis Live and Learn Cen-

tre and is the campus hub for applied creativity and entrepreneurship. The

centre hosts events, offers industry mentorship, and manages an interactive

Makerspace. At the Makerspace students can learn about and use creative

technologies, such as 3D printers, editing software, and a recording studio.

Additionally, the Innovation Centre is now working to launch a for-profit,

student-run digital storytelling venture.

III. New bachelor’s degree program

In 2023 Redeemer introduced a new bachelor of communications and me-

dia studies (B.CoMS.) degree, expanding on the bachelor of arts major in

this discipline. Redeemer is the only Christian university in Canada to offer

this degree, further distinguishing itself as focusing on creative production.

IV. Supporting student mental health

Investment in mental-health supports and initiatives has continued to be a

priority at Redeemer. Student mental-health services will see a significant

expansion this year with the addition of a mental-health case manager who

strategically cares for and assists students, helping to connect them with

various mental-health supports and resources. By August 2024, Redeemer

also plans to have upgraded and expanded the student health clinic to in-

clude space for mental-health services. These initiatives make up a signifi-

cant portion of the $1-million investment in mental-health supports an-

nounced by Redeemer in December 2022.

346 Denominationally Related Educational Institutions AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

V. Relevant scholarship for the glory of Christ

Efforts in Christian research and scholarship have been a highlight this past

year. The Albert M. Wolters Centre for Christian Scholarship awarded the

2023 Emerging Public Intellectual Award to Dr. Fellipe do Vale, who also

gave this year’s annual “The World and Our Calling” lecture. Dr. do Vale is

a Christian scholar from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School who studies

pressing issues of our time through the lens of love, as understood through

the teaching of St. Augustine. Through multiple speaking engagements on

January 24, 2024, Dr. do Vale helped the Redeemer community understand

cultural issues in light of the drama of Scripture. In addition, Redeemer

welcomed Dr. Jordan Ballor in fall 2023 as the speaker for the Wolters Cen-

tre Social Sciences Lecture; he discussed Abraham Kuyper, economics, and

the Heidelberg Catechism. Finally, Redeemer’s own academic contributions

remain strong. For example, eight Redeemer faculty members and alumni

contributed essays and creative works to the newly published collection

Christian Environmentalism and Human Responsibility in the 21st Century:

Questions of Stewardship and Accountability.

VI. Welcoming new Redeemer leadership

We are grateful to God for providing us with talented, committed individu-

als to fill a number of executive leadership positions. In July 2023, Re-

deemer welcomed Dr. Peter Neumann as vice president, academic. He

brings to the role more than fourteen years of experience in academic lead-

ership in Christian higher education and will lead Redeemer’s academic

mission with passion and excellence.

In addition, Redeemer celebrated the addition of Ms. Heidi de Vries as legal

counsel and vice president, strategic initiatives, and Dr. Bill DeJong as fac-

ulty chaplain. Both of these roles, filled by gifted alumni, will further enable

Redeemer to carry out its Reformed Christian mission strategically while

remaining rooted in a spiritual community focused on growing together as

believers.

Your ongoing prayers, support, and generosity are deeply appreciated by

Redeemer University and its students. For the past forty-one years Re-

deemer has been committed to offering a transformative postsecondary ed-

ucation rooted in the Reformed Christian tradition, and this commitment

remains. As has been the case historically, students from CRC churches rep-

resent the largest denominational group at Redeemer University. This

speaks to how incredibly valuable Redeemer’s strong partnership with the

CRCNA continues to be. Thank you for supporting the mission of Re-

deemer where, through the power of Christ, minds are renewed, lives are

transformed, and the world is redeemed.

Redeemer University

David Zietsma, president

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Trinity Christian College 347

Trinity Christian College

Greetings from Trinity Christian College. We are grateful for the oppor-

tunity to provide an update to Synod 2024 and for your continued partner-

ship in equipping, training, and raising up leaders for the church and com-

munity through the ministry of Christian higher education.

Over the past year, Trinity Christian College has taken bold steps to elimi-

nate reliance on student loan debt, to powerfully foreground student well-

being and vocational readiness, and to create innovative partnerships that

drive local business growth and entrepreneurial development for the sake

of our neighborhoods. Three simple but bold structural innovations have

transformed our model for addressing the economics of higher education,

benefiting business development, and powerfully enhancing student well-

being. We call this strategic vision the Transformative Colleges Initiative.

Through the Transformative Colleges Initiative, we lowered our tuition by

40 percent, moving away from the traditional model for pricing and finan-

cial aid that can often prove confusing and can be a particular barrier to

first-generation college students and their families. We are striving to build

a financial-aid practice that is as realistic, accessible, and transparent as pos-

sible. Our hope is that this will open doors even wider to the transforma-

tional good of Christian higher education.

We have also built a wide network of paid experiential education micro-

internships and cooperative internships for our students. These paid

experiential education opportunities powerfully affect both our students

and our neighbors, as our students gain access to vocational formation and

financial well-being while contributing to the development of the greater

Chicago area. Trinity students are accessing these mutually beneficial

internship experiences that (1) provide students with catalytic professional

experience, (2) reduce student reliance on debt, (3) give donor-funded lift to

early-stage entrepreneurs from marginalized neighborhoods, and (4) serve

the hiring needs of partners. We call this initiative “Earn, Network, and

Learn.” Students receive pay for this work, along with incredible hands-on

learning. Entrepreneurs receive important lift for their businesses. Student-

loan debt is reduced. It is such an exciting example of what can happen

when we sync up with our ecosystem in ways that pursue mutual good. In

the past semester alone, more than 130 students registered for micro-

internships, and we have supported almost 60 entrepreneurs from eco-

nomically disinvested neighborhoods.

Through the Transformative Colleges Initiative we also transformed our

weekly schedule, no longer holding class on “Well-being Wednesday.” This

gives students time for financial well-being as they engage with paid intern-

ships across the Chicago area. Well-being Wednesday also supports whole-

person well-being for our students. As a result, we have seen dramatically

reduced usage of our counseling center, dramatically reduced numbers of

348 Denominationally Related Educational Institutions AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

students on academic risk lists, and dramatically decreased student attrition

via dropouts or stop outs. In short, as we have operated with a generous vi-

sion of time, learning and well-being are being enhanced in ways that are

resulting in deeper and broader student flourishing.

For decades, Trinity has welcomed students into a deeply Christian vision

of learning and vocation, approaching every academic discipline and every

profession through the lens of the Christian vision of the world. We see the

Transformative Colleges Initiative as an extension of these Christian com-

mitments, focusing on the ways our institutional structures, economics, and

relationships are equally shaped by that Christian vision—particularly as it

is fed by the abundance, generosity, and mutuality that is at home in God’s

world. We are grateful that these strategies are showing strong results in

student retention and academic and financial well-being as we open the

doors wide to Christian higher education. Together these innovations are

solving the challenge of student well-being and mental health and—thanks

to a mutually beneficial partnership with our business community—elimi-

nating the assumption that debt is the normal way to pay for higher educa-

tion. Our data is showing that our students are more career ready, less ham-

pered by debt that takes an average of 20 years to repay, and more likely to

report their flourishing as whole people.

In support of these transformations and the campus enhancements that will

embody these transformations, Trinity is embarking on its most significant

capital campaign in its history to help establish the college as a leading

voice for change in the challenged financial and student service model that

characterizes large swaths of the higher education sector. Already the col-

lege has received the largest gifts in the history of the institution—a sign of

the resonance this vision has with change-minded constituents. We are so

grateful for this early support as we continue to learn that solving complex,

systemic problems associated with higher education, business develop-

ment, employment, and well-being requires us to consistently work with

our entire ecosystem.

Day by day, God is at work in and through this campus community. We

are grateful for the ways in which organizations such as the CRCNA are

supporting the goal of seeing students thrive and encounter the love of

Christ as they pursue their academic and professional callings. May God

continue to bless all institutions working with a Christian vision for educa-

tion and vocation.

Trinity Christian College

Aaron Kuecker, president

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Overtures (Deferred from 2023) 349

OVERTURES

(DEFERRED

FROM

SYNOD 2023)

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Overtures (Deferred from 2023) 351

OVERTURES (DEFERRED FROM 2023)

Note: The overtures in this section have been deferred to Synod 2024 (Acts of

Synod 2023, p. 1039). Although some of these overtures may include phrases

like “We overture Synod 2023 . . .” their deferral from Synod 2023 places

them duly on the agenda of Synod 2024. (Classis Illiana requested that their

overture here [i.e., Overture 55] be updated to address Synod 2024, and that

change has been made.)

OVERTURE 49 (DEFERRED FROM 2023)

Amend Church Order Supplement, Article 5, B

Classis Grandville overtures synod to adopt the following amendments to

Church Order Supplement, Article 5, B:

I. Background

The Christian Reformed Church has always held its officebearers to a high

theological standard. As a condition for holding office, all CRC officebear-

ers are required to take and abide by the terms of an oath called the Cove-

nant for Officebearers (see Church Order Art. 5). By taking this oath, those

elected to serve as officebearers affirm “without reservation all the doc-

trines contained in the standards of the church as being doctrines that are

taught in the Word of God” (Church Order Supplement, Art. 5, A, 1). And

they promise to “promote and defend [these] doctrines faithfully” (Supple-

ment, Art. 5, Covenant for Officebearers).

The CRC has never allowed an officebearer to take exception to any of the

doctrines contained in our creeds and confessions. Meeting less than four

years after its founding, the CRC’s broadest assembly unanimously

adopted a resolution requiring all officebearers to “unconditionally sign”

the Form of Subscription/Covenant for Officebearers (Assembly Minutes,

April 5, 1861, Art. 13). In adopting this resolution, the CRC was doing noth-

ing more than following in the footsteps of the great Synod of Dort (1618-

19) and of the 1834 Afscheiding (see, Godfrey, W. Robert, “Subscription in

the Dutch Reformed Tradition” in The Practice of Confessional Subscription,

ed. David W. Hall [Powder Springs, Ga.: The Covenant Foundation, 2018],

pp. 93-104).

Unfortunately, following Synod 2022, the denominational offices published

an online document undermining the CRC’s official policy regarding con-

fessional subscription. The document is titled “Frequently Asked Questions

about Synod 2022 and the Human Sexuality Report” (crcna.org/synod/hsr-

faq, accessed Aug. 14, 2022), and it makes two claims that we find deeply

problematic.

352 Overtures (Deferred from 2023) AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

A. Confessional-difficulty gravamina

First, the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document claims that a

council may grant an officebearer an exception to a doctrine contained in

the confessions if that officebearer submits to their council a confessional-

difficulty gravamen. According to the FAQ document, “A confessional-

difficulty gravamen indicates that an officebearer personally has difficulty

with something in the confessions or an interpretation of the confessions

and wishes to go on record with his or her church council in that regard”

(FAQ, Q/A 8). As both the history and text of the Church Order show,

however, this understanding of a confessional-difficulty gravamen is

incorrect.

As an official Church Order category, confessional-difficulty gravamina did

not exist until Synod 1976. Prior to that synod, many churches simply as-

sumed that if an officebearer had some “difficulty” with a confession, the

only way for that officebearer to express that “difficulty” was for them to

submit a gravamen calling for a revision of the confessions. In its report to

Synod 1976, however, the Committee to Study Revision of the Form of Sub-

scription rightly challenged this assumption.

According to the study committee, if an officebearer were to come to a “set-

tled conviction” that some confessional teaching was wrong, then, of course,

that officebearer should submit a gravamen calling for a revision of the con-

fessions (Acts of Synod 1976, p. 572). But suppose, the committee argued, an

officebearer had not come to such a “settled conviction.” Instead, suppose

they had merely developed “serious doubts about a point of doctrine taught

in the confessions” or suppose that they were “unsure as to whether or not

[some personal belief was compatible] with the church’s confessions” (Acts

of Synod 1976, p. 572, emphasis added). In those cases, the committee ar-

gued, what is called for is not a revision of the confessions, but rather for

the officebearer to have “an open and frank” discussion with their council,

“hopefully leading to the removal of [the officebearer’s] doubts” (Acts of

Synod 1976, p. 572).

The 1976 advisory committee tasked with helping synod respond to this

study committee report agreed with the study committee that there was a

significant difference between someone’s having, on the one hand, a “set-

tled conviction” or “objection” to the confessions and, on the other hand,

their merely having “doubt” (Acts of Synod 1976, p. 67). As a result, the ad-

visory committee recommended that Synod 1976 create a new category of

gravamina. In those cases when an officebearer has come to a “settled con-

viction” that the confessions are wrong, the officebearer should submit a

“confessional-revision gravamen.” However, when an officebearer merely

has “doubts” about something in the confessions, the officebearer should

submit a “confessional-difficulty gravamen.” The aim of this new type of

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Overtures (Deferred from 2023) 353

gravamen would be for the church to provide an officebearer with what-

ever “information and/or clarification of the confession” was needed to re-

solve their doubts (Supplement, Art. 5, B, 2).

Not only did Synod 1976 adopt this new distinction between “confessional-

revision gravamina” and “confessional-difficulty gravamina,” they also ap-

plied the new distinction to a concrete case. In 1975, Dr. Harry Boer had

sent a communication to synod asking synod “to inform him what ‘the ex-

press testimony of Scripture’ [was] for [the doctrine of reprobation]” (Acts of

Synod 1975, p. 105). Dr. Boer had gone to his consistory and classis with this

request, but they had denied his request. In keeping with the common as-

sumption of that day, they believed that Dr. Boer should have submitted

his “difficulty” as a request to revise the confession. But this is not what Dr.

Boer thought was needed. In a personal interview with the study commit-

tee tasked with examining his communication, Dr. Boer explained that “it

[was] not his purpose in his letter to deny or object to the doctrine of repro-

bation as taught in the Canons, but to seek only the express testimony of

Scripture which the Canons assert is available” (Acts of Synod 1976, p. 623).

In other words, Dr. Boer was not “objecting” to the doctrine of reprobation

as taught in the Canons; nor did he have a “settled conviction” that the

Canons were wrong. He simply had doubts about a point of doctrine and

wanted the church to help him to resolve them.

Synod 1976 responded to Dr. Boer’s request in two ways. First, they de-

cided to classify Dr. Boer’s communication as a “confessional-difficulty gra-

vamen.” This made Dr. Boer’s communication the first-ever confessional-

difficulty gravamen in CRC history. Second, they established a special com-

mittee to meet with Dr. Boer to help him resolve his doubts. Unfortunately,

before the committee had a chance to meet with him, Dr. Boer had come to

the conclusion that the strength of his views required him to call for a con-

fessional revision.

Synod 1976’s handling of this first-ever confessional-difficulty gravamen

shows that it did not understand the confessional-difficulty gravamen as a

way for someone, like Dr. Boer, to take exception to a doctrine in our con-

fessions. Instead, Synod 1976 understood confessional-difficulty gravamina

as a personal request for help in resolving their doubts. And the way a

council, classis, or synod was to do that was by providing the officebearer

with the “information and/or clarification” of the confessions (Supplement,

Art. 5, B, 2). What Synod 1976 did not say and what no synod has ever said

is that this type of gravamen is a way for someone to take exception to the

church’s creeds and confessions.

Why, then, does the FAQ document claim that a council can grant an excep-

tion to the confessions? We have heard two arguments. The first argument

is that this interpretation merely reflects how some churches have used con-

fessional-difficulty gravamina in the past. Apparently, some officebearers

354 Overtures (Deferred from 2023) AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

have used this type of gravamen in order to avoid having to agree with in-

fant baptism, limited atonement, and the doctrine of reprobation (among

other doctrines). But let us be clear: this is an illegitimate use of the Church

Order. And the fact that some councils have misused the Church Order in

this way is no justification for the denominational offices to hold up that

misuse as something for other councils and classes to copy.

Second, we have heard that this interpretation is implied by Supplement,

Art. 5, B, 1. According to this regulation, when it comes to “the submission

of a confessional-difficulty gravamen: . . . ministers . . . elders, or deacons

shall submit their ‘difficulties’ to their councils for examination and judg-

ment.” According to the denominational offices, the word “judgment” in

this regulation implies that the council must decide whether to “accept” an

officebearer’s difficulty (i.e., grant them an exception) or to place that office-

bearer under discipline.

The primary problem with this argument is that it assumes what needs to

be proven. That is, the only way that the FAQ’s interpretation of the word

“judgment” can mean what they say it means is if we start with the as-

sumption that a confessional-difficulty gravamen is a way for an office-

bearer to take an exception to the confessions. But this assumption is pre-

cisely what the denominational offices need to prove!

Instead, given both the text and history of the Supplement, the word “judg-

ment” in this regulation is best interpreted as merely referring to the fact

that a council must judge how to handle an officebearer’s proposed “diffi-

culty.” Perhaps the council may “judge” that the officebearer has misunder-

stood what subscription requires. Or perhaps the council may judge that

the officebearer’s “difficulty” is actually compatible with the confessions.

Or perhaps the council may judge that there is a conflict between what the

officebearer now thinks and what the confession says. Or perhaps they may

judge that they need to send the gravamen to classis. In short, there are all

kinds of “judgments” that a council might need to make in processing a

confessional-difficulty gravamen.

The second problem with this argument is that it assumes that, short of

granting an exception, the only other course of action a council can take is

to put an officebearer under special discipline. But this is clearly false. As

the Church Order says, “this type of gravamen is a personal request for in-

formation and/or clarification of the confession. Hence this type of grava-

men should be dealt with pastorally and personally by the assembly ad-

dressed” (Supplement, Art. 5, B, 2). In other words, having examined and

judged the nature of the “difficulty” facing the officebearer, the council,

classis, or synod is to deal with the officebearer “pastorally and personally,”

providing them with whatever “information and/or clarification” may be

needed to resolve their doubts or uncertainties (Church Order Art. 5, B, 2;

Acts of Synod 1976, p. 572). And even if the council, classis, or synod cannot

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Overtures (Deferred from 2023) 355

provide what is needed to resolve those doubts, special discipline is still not

the next natural course of action. In that case, the assembly should require

the officebearer to submit a confessional-revision gravamen so that the en-

tire denomination may examine and judge the issue.

In addition to the textual and historical problems facing the FAQ’s interpre-

tation of confessional-difficulty gravamina, we would also point out that

the FAQ’s interpretation would require councils to have authority to amend

the Covenant for Officebearers. The Covenant for Officebearers requires

subscribers to affirm all the doctrines contained in the creeds and confes-

sions as being doctrines that “fully agree with the Word of God.” It also re-

quires officebearers to declare that they “heartily believe” these doctrines

and “will promote and defend [these] doctrines faithfully, conforming

[their] preaching, teaching, writing, serving, and living to them.” Someone

who takes an exception to the confessions cannot make those affirmations.

Accordingly, in order for a council to grant an exception, they would need

to amend the terms of the Covenant for Officebearers. That is, they would

need to revise the covenant so that it read that the officebearer affirmed the

doctrines in the confessions in so far as they agreed with the Word of God.

Otherwise, by signing the Covenant for Officebearers, the officebearer

would be committing perjury. But councils do not have authority to revise

the Covenant for Officebearers. Therefore they do not have authority to

grant exceptions to a doctrine contained in the creeds and confessions.

B. Delegating those with “exceptions” to classis and synod

The second problematic claim that the FAQ document makes is that an

officebearer who objects to a doctrine in the confessions may be delegated

to classis and synod provided that that officebearer’s council has granted

them an exception. According to the FAQ, “Those who have filed grava-

mina which have been accepted by their councils would be considered

officebearers in good standing and therefore eligible to serve as delegates to

the broader assemblies” (FAQ, Q/A 16).

The most pressing problem with this claim is that it encourages officebear-

ers to violate the third and ninth commandments. When a person is dele-

gated to classis or synod, they are required to retake their oath of office. At

classis, this oath is the Covenant for Officebearers; at synod, it is the Public

Declaration of Agreement. In both cases, the oaths require officebearers to

“heartily believe” and affirm all the doctrines contained in the CRC’s creeds

and confessions as being doctrines that “fully agree with the Word of God.”

Obviously, an officebearer who has been granted an “exception” to the

creeds and confessions cannot take those oaths. Accordingly, for a council

or classis to delegate an officebearer to classis or synod whom they know

cannot honestly take these oaths is for that council or classis to encourage

that officebearer to blaspheme God’s name and to commit perjury.

356 Overtures (Deferred from 2023) AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

Furthermore, if allowed to stand, the FAQ’s claim would undermine trust

among CRC officebearers and churches. As a confessional church, the basic

assumption of our assemblies is that “the doctrines contained in the confes-

sions of [our] church fully agree with the Word of God” (Supplement, Art.

5, C, 1) and, therefore, that every delegate "affirms without reservation all

the doctrines contained in the standards of the church as being doctrines

that are taught in the Word of God" (Supplement, Art. 5, A, 1). This is why,

on their classical credentials form, synod requires every council to “testify

that [their] council faithfully adheres to the doctrinal standards of the Chris-

tian Reformed Church . . .” (Supplement, Art. 41; see, Agenda for Synod 2006,

pp. 55-63). And it is also why classes authorize their synodical delegates “to

take part in all deliberations and transactions of synod” in so far as those

transactions are “in agreement with the Word of God according to the con-

ception of it embodied in the doctrinal standards of the Christian Reformed

Church . . .” (Credentials for Synod Form; crcna.org/classis/stated-clerks/re-

sources-stated-clerks/synod-delegates-overtures-communications). The

FAQ’s claim would undermine these basic confessional assumptions. And,

consequently, delegates from one church or classes would now be justified

in wondering whether their fellow delegates agree with them in doctrine

and life.

Finally, if permitted to stand, the FAQ’s claim would undermine the CRC’s

commitment to confessionalism. It would mean that an entire council could

grant itself an exception to some doctrine or confessional interpretation and

the council would never have to inform either its congregation or its classis.

In fact, the Church Order requires that “in all instances of confessional-diffi-

culty gravamina, the matter shall not be open for discussion by the whole

church . . .” (Supplement, Art. 5, B, 2). This means that entire councils and,

possibly, an entire classis, could take exception to infant baptism, limited

atonement, or the doctrine of reprobation, among other doctrines, and

synod would not be permitted to discuss it!

II. Overture

Therefore, Classis Grandville overtures Synod 2023 to do the following:

A. Amend the Church Order Supplement, Article 5, B by adding the fol-

lowing regulations:

3. A confessional-difficulty gravamen is a personal request for help in

resolving a subscriber’s “doubts” about a doctrine contained in the

confessions. It is not a request for an assembly to tolerate a sub-

scriber’s “settled conviction” that a doctrine contained in the confes-

sions is wrong. Therefore, in all instances of confessional-difficulty

gravamina, no assembly may exempt a subscriber from having to af-

firm all of the doctrines contained in the standards of the church.

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Overtures (Deferred from 2023) 357

Grounds:

a. Past synodical decisions, the Church Order, and the Covenant for

Officebearers all assume and require unconditional subscription

to our creeds and confessions (see Supplement, Art. 5, A, 1; C, 1).

b. When it crafted the Supplement to Article 5, Synod 1976 did not

understand confessional-difficulty gravamina as providing a way

for officebearers to take exception to the doctrines contained in

our confessions.

c. To permit a council or classis to grant exceptions to the creeds

and confessions would imply that councils and classes have au-

thority to amend the Covenant for Officebearers. They do not

have this authority.

4. A subscriber who has submitted a confessional-difficulty gravamen

may not be delegated to classis or synod until they can reaffirm

without reservation all the doctrines contained in the standards of

the church as being doctrines that are taught in the Word of God.

This shall be done by requiring the subscriber to re-sign the Cove-

nant for Officebearers.

Grounds:

a. Delegating officebearers to classis and synod who cannot hon-

estly affirm their unreserved agreement with the Covenant for

Officebearers is to encourage them to violate the third and ninth

commandments.

b. Delegating officebearers to classis or synod who cannot honestly

affirm their unreserved agreement with the Covenant for Office-

bearers undermines trust and unity among officebearers,

churches, and classes.

c. Delegating officebearers to classis and synod who cannot hon-

estly affirm their unreserved agreement with the Covenant for

Officebearers undermines the CRC’s confessional integrity.

d. “All officebearers, on occasions stipulated by council, classical,

and synodical regulations, shall signify their agreement with the

doctrine of the church by signing the Covenant for Officebearers”

(Church Order Art. 5).

e. “The person signing the Covenant for Officebearers affirms with-

out reservation all the doctrines contained in the standards of the

church as being doctrines that are taught in the Word of God”

(Church Order Supplement, Art. 5, A, 1).

B. Instruct the general secretary to correct the guidance given on the de-

nominational website regarding confessional-difficulty gravamina so

that it accords with the decisions of Synod 2023.

358 Overtures (Deferred from 2023) AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

Ground: The advice to the churches on the denominational website has

resulted in confusion and errors within councils and classes on matters

that are fundamental to the good order and values of the CRC.

C. Instruct the general secretary to send a letter to every council (a) ex-

plaining that a mistake was made in the original online advice given to

churches and (b) informing them of the decisions of Synod 2023 with re-

gard to confessional-difficulty gravamina.

Grounds:

1. The advice to the churches on the denominational website has re-

sulted in confusion and errors within councils and classes on matters

that are fundamental to the good order and values of the CRC.

2. Sending a letter to every council will better ensure that councils and

classes are aware of Synod 2023’s decisions regarding confessional-

difficulty gravamina.

Classis Grandville

Daniel B. Mouw, stated clerk

OVERTURE 50 (DEFERRED FROM 2023)

Establish a Time of Discipleship for Officebearers with a

Confessional-Difficulty Gravamen

I. Introduction

Classis North Cascades is concerned about the recent usage of the grava-

men process among faculty at Calvin University and among members of

the Council of Delegates. We are concerned that the gravamen process is

being utilized to reject or seek a personal exemption from the declarations

of Synod 2022 regarding human sexuality as taught and understood by the

Reformed churches for five centuries. This is not the intent of the process.

To rightly understand its intended use, some historical background is in or-

der.

II. Background

In 1914 the Church Order clearly declared, “The ministers of the Word of

God and likewise the professors of theology (which also behooves the other

professors and school teachers) shall subscribe to the Three Forms of

Unity—namely, the Belgic Confession of Faith, the Heidelberg Catechism,

and the Canons of Dordrecht, 1618-’19, and the ministers of the Word who

refuse to do so shall de facto be suspended from their office by the Consis-

tory or Classis until they shall have given a full statement, and if they obsti-

nately persist in refusing, they shall be deposed from their office” (Art. 53).

Article 80 then goes on to state that “false doctrine or heresy, public schism

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Overtures (Deferred from 2023) 359

. . . adultery, fornication . . . would be considered worthy of excommunica-

tion.”

Thus the foundation of the gravamen was to give a statement for a

differing view, that if judged inconsistent with the Three Forms would lead

to deposition.

In 1965, the synod adopted a new form of Church Order that is the basis of

the order currently in use. Its version of Article 5 stated, “All office-bearers,

on occasions stipulated by consistorial, classical, and synodical regulations,

shall signify their agreement with the doctrine of the church by signing the

Form of Subscription.”

In adopting the new Church Order and a new

Form of Subscription in 1965, for the first time synod made a way for office-

bearers to reveal

. . . difficulties or different sentiments respecting the aforesaid doc-

trines . . . to the consistory, classis, and synod, that the same may be

there examined, being ready always cheerfully to submit to the judg-

ment of the consistory, classis, and synod, under the penalty in case

of refusal of being by that very fact suspended from our office.

And further, if at any time the consistory, classis, or synod, upon suf-

ficient grounds of suspicion and to preserve the uniformity and pu-

rity of doctrine, may deem it proper to require of us a further expla-

nation of our sentiments respecting any particular article of the

Confession of Faith, the Catechism, or the explanation of the National

Synod, we do hereby promise to be always willing and ready to com-

ply with such requisition . . . and until a decision is made upon such

an appeal, we will acquiesce in the determination and judgment al-

ready passed.”

It is noteworthy that the Church Order of 1965 also recognized that viola-

tions of the Form of Subscription, as well as deviations from sound doc-

trine, were worthy of special discipline (Art. 89).

Synod 1976 was the first synod to adopt the two types of gravamina which

exist in our modern Church Order—the confessional-difficulty and the confes-

sional-revision.

That synod rightly understood that not all “difficulties and

different sentiments” are a call to revise the church’s confessions but that

sometimes these are requests for discipleship and further instruction. But

what must be remembered is that in the case of a confessional-revision gra-

vamen, if a council approves it, then it becomes an overture to the classis,

Schaver, J.L. “Christian Reformed Church Order” in The Polity of the Churches, Vol. 2

(Chicago: Church Polity Press, 1937, 1947 ed.), pp. 50-51, 55-56.

Spaan, H. Christian Reformed Church Government (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Kregel Publica-

tions, 1968), p. 12.

Spaan, pp. 34-35.

Spaan, p. 30.

Acts of Synod 1976, pp. 66-70 (Art. 64).

360 Overtures (Deferred from 2023) AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

and if classis approves the overture, then it automatically becomes an over-

ture to the synod.

Thus the synod clearly sought to ensure that doctrinal

uniformity and consistency were maintained within the denomination,

while also providing a way for continued discipleship of officebearers with

significant questions.

In 1988, however, the synod made a subtle but important change to the

Form of Subscription. Whereas in 1965 the Form called on officebearers to

reveal their difficulties or different sentiments to “the consistory, classis,

and synod,” in 1988, these difficulties or differing views are to be disclosed

“to the council, classis, or synod for examination.” The change from “and

synod” to “or synod” created a situation where gravamen could be adjudi-

cated independently and did not require disclosure to all governing assem-

blies. The purpose of adjudicating gravamen appears to have been twofold.

First, to grant officebearers an ability to seek genuine help in doctrinal un-

derstanding should such struggles arise. And second, to “maintain unity

and purity in doctrine.”

With this subtle change it appears the churches

only envisioned confessional-difficulty gravamina being brought forth and

therefore opened up a loophole in which a confessional-revision gravamen

could be approved at one church assembly without automatically being

presented to the next broader assembly. The synod forgot the wisdom of

Synod 1976’s instruction that if approved, the next broader assembly must

then decide upon it. Thus, the unity and purity of the church’s doctrine

could be challenged locally without a proper check and balance. The seed

of congregationalism and individualism was sown.

When the most recent form of subscription was ratified by Synod 2012,

known as the Covenant for Officebearers, this entire provision was replaced

with “We also promise to present or receive confessional difficulties in a

spirit of love and fellowship with our brothers and sisters as together we

seek a fuller understanding of the gospel. Should we come to believe that a

teaching in the confessional documents is not the teaching of God’s Word,

we will communicate our views to the church, according to the procedures

prescribed by the Church Order and its supplements. . . . Further, we prom-

ise to submit to the church’s judgment and authority.” This wording incor-

porates allusions to both gravamina. The confessional-difficulty gravamen

seems to be addressed in the phraseology about presenting or receiving

confessional difficulties. This is a call for discipleship and growth as iron

sharpens iron. The confessional-revision gravamen appears to be discussed

with reference to the Church Order. But underlying all of it is a call to sub-

mit to the broader body of Christ.

Acts of Synod 1976, p. 69 (Art. 64, C, 3, c, 2-3. This is inferred from the explicit statement

that if “the gravamen is adopted by the consistory and the classis as its own, it becomes an

overture to the broader assemblies. . . .”

Form of Subscription, Acts of Synod 1988, pp. 530-31.

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Overtures (Deferred from 2023) 361

This brings one to the present version of the Church Order (2022). Church

Order Article 5 and its supplements deal with subscription and gravamina.

It is important to remember that “no one is free to decide for oneself or for

the church what is and what is not a doctrine confessed in the standards. In

the event that such a question should arise, the decision of the assemblies of

the church shall be sought and acquiesced in.”

Supplement, Article 5, B, 2

reminds the church that a confessional-difficulty gravamen is for

“information and/or clarification,” not as a way for individuals to take

exception to the confessions or to synod’s pronouncements related to them.

Supplement, Article 5, C, 1 reminds the church that in a confessional-

revision gravamen the “burden of proof . . . rests upon the signatory who

calls upon the church to justify or revise its confessions.” Simply saying “I

disagree with synod’s decision(s)” is not enough. Proof that the affirmation

of the church is wrong and in violation of the Word of God is needed.

However, the supplement to Article 5 reclaimed the wisdom of Synod 1976

by causing the approval of a confessional-revision gravamen by one assem-

bly to become an overture to the next broader assembly (Supplement, Art.

5, C, 3), and such approvals do not become binding until the synod adopts

the gravamen revisions (Supplement, Art. 5, C, 6).

All of this background sets the stage for what follows: Gravamen are not

new. But their usage appears to be on the increase. As Henry DeMoor noted

in the Christian Reformed Church Order Commentary, “In our tradition the

submission of formal gravamina is rare. Aside from Boer’s challenge, the

only other notable statement of difficulty with the creeds was that of Dr.

Dietrich H. Kromminga.”

These occurred in 1976 and 1947, respectively.

However, following Synod 2022, The Banner reported on October 19, 2022,

that eight requests for exception had been sought by members of the Coun-

cil of Delegates.

On November 1, 2022, the Calvin Chimes reported that the Calvin Univer-

sity Board of Trustees “retained all faculty in the ‘pioneer cohort’—a group

of faculty who were the first to file statements of confessional difficulty in

response to decisions made at synod in June.”

And later in the article it is

reported that “about a dozen faculty filed gravamina.” This makes for close

to 20 gravamina in less than a year when the entire history of the denomi-

nation considers this rare and the manuals and commentaries account for

only two instances.

Church Order 2022, Supplement, Article 5, A, 3.

DeMoor, Henry. Christian Reformed Church Order Commentary, 2nd ed. (Grand Rapids,

Mich.: Faith Alive Christian Resources, 2020), p. 48.

thebanner.org/news/2022/10/requesting-an-exception-to-synod-2022s-human-sexuality-

decisions

calvinchimes.org/2022/11/01/board-of-trustees-retains-faculty-who-disagree-with-

crcna-on-lgbtq-relationships/

362 Overtures (Deferred from 2023) AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

In addition, following Synod 2022, the denominational staff published a

listing of “Frequently Asked Questions about Synod 2022 and the Human

Sexuality Report.”

In this resource, gravamen and its plural, gravamina, are

mentioned 63 times discussing the two kinds of gravamina, who has the

right to decide upon them, and numerous other things. It is important to re-

alize that no other resource has been published following other synodical

decisions that inform officebearers on how to get around a synodical deci-

sion. Furthermore, it is important to recognize that the FAQ document ex-

plicitly tells officebearers that if a local congregation accepts their grava-

men, then it need not be disclosed to broader assemblies.

While

technically true for a confessional-difficulty gravamen, this is not true of a con-

fessional-revision gravamen. The FAQ page distorted the Church Order in-

structions.

In summary, confessional-difficulty gravamina were never intended to be

long-standing, perpetual ways for an individual to take exception to a doc-

trine or teaching of the church confessions. These were meant to clear up

confusion and bring clarity to an individual concerning the teaching of the

church. To persist with a confessional-difficulty gravamen is to deny the

corporate nature of one’s faith and to fail to submit to the church or to hide

the real intent of one’s gravamen, which is to seek confessional revision. If it

is the former, then discipline is in order; if it is the latter, then clarity and in-

struction are needed so that the church can properly address the situation.

Therefore, Classis North Cascades submits the following overture.

III. Overture

Classis North Cascades overtures synod to establish a one-year time frame

for discipling officebearers, faculty, and staff members within our churches,

institutions, and agencies who have filed a confessional-difficulty gravamen

related to Synod 2022’s decisions regarding the confessional nature of pro-

nouncements in the Human Sexuality Report.

That this may be implemented in an orderly fashion, the following points

should also be noted:

A. The assembly or board that receives the confessional-difficulty grava-

men will establish proper mentoring and pastoral care for each office-

bearer’s unique situation.

B. The one-year time frame will begin from the date of the gravamen’s fil-

ing or the date of synod’s approval of this overture, whichever is later.

C. If at the end of the one-year discipleship period, any officebearer contin-

ues to express difficulty with synod’s decisions, either (1) the office-

bearer will file a confessional-revision gravamen, which will be heard by

synod, or (2) the service, ministry, or job of said officebearer, faculty, or

crcna.org/synod/hsr-faq

See crcna.org/synod/hsr-faq, Question 16.

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Overtures (Deferred from 2023) 363

staff in the church, seminary, or university will be ended honorably

based on an inability to affirm “without reservation all the doctrines

contained in the standards of the church as being doctrines that are

taught in the Word of God” (Church Order Supplement, Art. 5, A, 1).

Grounds:

1. This is a compassionate way forward; it allows time for prayerful study

and reflection but also places an end to any independent or congrega-

tional spirit that may be lurking in our midst.

2. This upholds the historic and recently reaffirmed understanding of hu-

man sexuality by Synod 2022.

3. This is consistent with what Church Order Article 29 clearly declares:

“The decisions of the assemblies shall be considered settled and binding,

unless it is proved that they conflict with the Word of God or the

Church Order.”

4. This preserves the unity of the church and the church’s doctrine and

protects the church from independentism and congregationalism as Da-

vid Engelhard and Leonard Hofman declared in the 2001 Manual of

Christian Reformed Church Government: “The intent of Article 29 is clearly

to protect the unity of the church and denominational integrity as over

against independentism and congregationalism.”

5. This is a discipleship-based approach.

a. If an officebearer, faculty, or staff member has difficulty with the de-

cision of Synod 2022, then every assembly needs to engage in inten-

tional prayer and discipleship of these officebearers to bring them

back to a faithful and consistent confession.

b. Simply approving a confessional-difficulty gravamen without any

discipleship is a failure of the church to exercise her ministry and

leads to independentism or congregationalism.

6. This reiterates the binding nature of the confessions and the decisions of

synod and will lead officebearers to clarify whether a confessional diffi-

culty exists or if what was truly sought was a confessional revision,

which the entire church must decide upon per the supplement to

Church Order Article 5.

Classis North Cascades

J. Scott Roberts, stated clerk

Engelhard, David H., and Leonard J. Hofman, Manual of Christian Reformed Church Gov-

ernment, 2001 revision (Grand Rapids, Mich.: CRC Publications, 2001), p. 174.

364 Overtures (Deferred from 2023) AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

OVERTURE 51 (DEFERRED FROM 2023)

Hold Officebearers to Biblical and Confessional Standards

I. Preamble

Every day we struggle with the sin in our lives. We also struggle to humbly

uphold the standard to which our King has called us. Our God and King

hates sin, yet he has graciously set us free from a yoke of slavery to sin. “It

is for freedom that Christ has set us free” (Gal. 5:1). As a denomination we

have clearly recognized sin in the various forms that adultery and unchas-

tity take (Acts of Synod 2022, p. 922); yet we have many in our corner of the

church who refuse to recognize this in their life and ministry. There are also

those who seek to publicly teach according to the standard that we as a

body have agreed upon while privately modeling and teaching a different

standard. Just as all of Scripture is singular in its witness for Christ, our

lives should seek to be uniform in proclaiming our fallenness and God’s

gracious work in Jesus Christ and his kingdom as witnessed by all of Scrip-

ture. We lie if we say we can teach one standard in one sphere of life and

another standard in a different sphere of life.

There are many in our denomination and denominational bodies, agencies,

and ministries who are seeking exception from the recognition of sin that

we as a body have agreed upon in the synodical decision of 2022. They seek

this exception by way of a confessional-difficulty gravamen, which is not

designed as a route for exception but as a route for clarifying or being cor-

rected in one’s beliefs in line with Scripture and the church’s confessions.

Brothers and sisters, if we continue to allow this practice, we will surely be-

come a hollow edifice that is the church in name only, as surely as if we

wish one another food and shelter and do not provide it (James 2:14-17). If

we do not call each other to seek after the standard Christ has set for us,

then we have given up the race and have allowed each other to fall into sin

rather than encouraging, refining, and building one another up. If we cease

to fight the good fight, we no longer recognize God’s sanctifying grace over

every sin in our lives. It is a sad sign of the state of the practice of discipline

in our denomination when we allow such clear standards of Scripture to be

easily overlooked for so long, thus fostering great pain in those who need

such large correction. It is better to work the practice of discipline when the

error is small and easily corrected.

Are we so bad at holding each other to the standard of our highest authority,

Scripture, that we fear both giving and receiving discipline—no longer seek-

ing it in our own lives and ministries and in the lives and ministries of others?

II. Background

The work of Synod 2022 maintained a faithful, biblical foundation in recog-

nizing once again several areas of sexual sin that violate the seventh com-

mandment and constitute lust. This work aids us in seeking the model

Christ has set, building one another up in faithful discipleship of our Lord,

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Overtures (Deferred from 2023) 365

and revealing and confronting one another in our sins. However, some in

our denomination have set a stumbling block for many, not in a matter of

Christian liberty but in a matter that clearly violates the Spirit of adoption

that we have in Christ, our co-heir (Rom. 8:12-18).

After the decisions of Synod 2022, the denominational office provided some

FAQ responses that contribute to this stumbling block. Specifically, Ques-

tion 8 of the FAQ document accurately states that according to Church Or-

der (Supplement, Art. 5), a confessional-difficulty gravamen is a “personal

request for information and/or clarification of the confession.’” But the FAQ

carries on, indicating that if a church council is “satisfied that the difficulty

does not exclude the officebearer, then the gravamen would stand.” This is

not faithful to the signing of the Covenant of Officebearers in that it allows

officers to sign the covenant while holding beliefs in direct conflict with

those laid out by our standards. Confessional-difficulty gravamina are not

designed to stand as declarations of exception but are a means by which the

officer can seek personal correction or personal clarification to match Scrip-

ture and our confessions. A gravamen is an action item, not a note to be rec-

ognized or let stand.

This kind of behavior allowed for in Question 8 of the FAQ has already oc-

curred within our body. An online Banner article from October 19, 2022, ex-

plained that the Council of Delegates voted to allow its executive committee

to grant exceptions to the Statement of Agreement. Also, an article from the

Calvin University Chimes from November 1, 2022, explains that the Calvin

University Board of Trustees voted to permit gravamina from faculty to

stand on this matter. This practice violates the signing of the Covenant of

Officebearers, or in the case of university faculty, the similar Covenant of

Faculty, by undermining the commitment to uphold the standards of Scrip-

ture as witnessed to and explained by the confessions.

III. Goal

With this overture it is our goal that the church can maintain a consistent

witness regarding the definition of sin in our lives and with this consistent

standard pursue faithfully the sanctification in the Holy Spirit that God is

so graciously giving us.

IV. Overture

Classis Northcentral Iowa overtures Synod 2023 to take the following ac-

tions:

A. Inform all councils, classes, agencies, ministries, boards, broader assem-

blies, and other entities, that they are not to let stand gravamina from of-

ficebearers that register exceptions to the beliefs of our denomination.

B. Develop a concrete course of action for judging confessional-difficulty

gravamina from officebearers, including a proposed timeline for the

inclusion or rejection of the candidate or appointee into ministry on the

366 Overtures (Deferred from 2023) AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

basis of their conforming to confessional standards such that the issue

addressed in the gravamen is settled.

C. Inform the classes and future synods of the CRCNA that nominees and

appointees to the agencies, ministries, boards, broader assemblies, and

other bodies of the CRCNA must agree in full with the doctrines and be-

liefs of the CRCNA and may not take exception to them and shall not

currently have a confessional-difficulty gravamen under the discern-

ment of their governing council, board, or supervisory body.

Grounds:

1. Members of the church should not use instruments of church polity as a

workaround of the faithfully held beliefs of the church. Confessional-

difficulty gravamina are designed not as a means of exception to doc-

trine but a means of discipleship for officebearers and of maintaining

scripturally founded confessions.

2. Because gravamina are only part of a process, there needs to be a well-

defined follow-up for the filing of a gravamen. At the local council level,

this can be built up as part of the officer candidate training and approval

process with any difficulties addressed before the individual is called

into service. On the classical or synodical level, if the one bringing the

gravamen is already an officebearer, a time limit and definite decision

need to be defined so that the matter can be judged in a timely and con-

cise manner rather than being let to stand indefinitely.

3. Appointing to offices, boards, committees, and councils only those who

are able to agree with our doctrines and beliefs will aid in maintaining a

consistent witness throughout our denomination. The officebearer who

develops a difficulty while in office is wholeheartedly invited to submit

a confessional-difficulty gravamen in order to develop discernment and

judgment on any element of our beliefs which may be unscriptural or

which the officebearer needs aid in understanding or living in submis-

sion to.

V. Conclusion

This difficulty our denomination is currently working through reflects the

work of the prophet Nehemiah. While God used him mightily to contribute

to the revitalization of Jerusalem, the place where God’s name dwells and

his reign is represented, Nehemiah still had to work to reform God’s people

according to Scripture a second time. We as Christians are constantly for-

getting the pleasant lines God has given us to live within and regularly

need to seek correction and formation according to God’s Word. We need

to humbly seek to give and receive this correction throughout all of the life

and body of the church.

Classis Northcentral Iowa

Steven J. Mulder, stated clerk

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Overtures (Deferred from 2023) 367

OVERTURE 53 (DEFERRED FROM 2023)

Require Confessional-Revision Gravamina on the Occasion of

Clear Disagreement with the Confessions

I. Background

Synod 2022 in its adoption of the Human Sexuality Report provided clear

biblical leadership when it comes to matters of sexuality. Synod recognized

as already having confessional status the understanding that answer 108 of

the Heidelberg Catechism in the word “unchastity” condemns adultery,

polyamory, premarital sex, pornography, and homosexual sex, all of which

violate the seventh commandment. There was intense debate and disagree-

ment, however, on the floor of synod regarding homosexual sex, and this

disagreement persists within the CRCNA.

In an effort to bring clarity and peace to the situation, the Office of General

Secretary produced a document titled “Frequently Asked Questions about

Synod 2022 and the Human Sexuality Report.” In this document, a Church

Order device called a gravamen (plural gravamina) is brought forward as a

way for people to serve in good conscience as officebearers in the CRCNA

despite disagreement with a teaching from the confessions. While a confes-

sional-revision gravamen has a public path toward resolution in the Church

Order Supplement to Article 5 (either the denomination agrees with the

gravamen and changes the confession, or it does not), the confessional-diffi-

culty gravamen is harder to figure out. In Supplement, Article 5, the confes-

sional-difficulty gravamen is called “a personal request for information

and/or clarification of the confession,” and thus the matter is kept quiet and

confidential (Supplement, Art. 5, Guidelines and Regulations re Gravamina, B,

2). The general secretary’s document treats the confessional-difficulty gra-

vamen as a way for one to quietly disagree with the confessions on a point

of doctrine indefinitely if one’s council permits. In answer 8, the document

says of the officebearer’s council, “If they are satisfied that the difficulty

does not exclude the officebearer, then the gravamen would stand”

(crcna.org/synod/hsr-faq).

Do gravamina get to “stand” indefinitely? We believe that they do not.

Gravamina are to be judged (likely only to allow for information and/or

clarification), withdrawn, or adopted as an overture on the way to revising

an article in the confessions. The guidelines in Supplement, Article 5

present gravamina as processes that must have resolution. While it is true

that the guidelines do not specify what happens if the officebearer

continues to have difficulty with a doctrine, the guidelines do state that “the

person signing the Covenant for Officebearers affirms without reservation

all the doctrines contained in the standards of the church as being doctrines

that are taught in the Word of God”; and furthermore “no one is free to

decide for oneself or for the church what is and what is not a doctrine

confessed in the standards. In the event that such a question should arise,

368 Overtures (Deferred from 2023) AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

the decision of the assemblies of the church shall be sought and acquiesced

in” (Guidelines, A, 1, 3). The Covenant for Officebearers clearly aims for

unity on the doctrines taught by our creeds and confessions. Gravamina

exist to preserve unity in doctrine. The confessional-difficulty gravamen is

“a personal request for information and/or clarification” to determine

whether or not an officebearer fully understands a point of doctrine or

discerns whether or not his or her own views are compatible with the

church’s teaching on that point. To use the confessional-difficulty gravamen

to hide ongoing and determined disagreement as a quiet local option is

dishonest and constitutes a violation of the Covenant for Officebearers.

II. Overture

Therefore, Classis Georgetown overtures Synod 2023 to direct officebearers

who disagree with answer 108 in the Heidelberg Catechism (or any other

teaching in our creeds and confessions) to employ the confessional-revision

gravamen to seek resolution and not the confessional-difficulty gravamen.

Also, instruct the Office of General Secretary to amend the “Frequently

Asked Questions” document accordingly.

Grounds:

1. We are, and wish to remain, a confessional denomination.

2. The Covenant for Officebearers requires unity in doctrine, and gravam-

ina must be used to achieve that unity, not resist it.

Classis Georgetown

Glenda Tebben, stated clerk

OVERTURE 54 (DEFERRED FROM 2023)

Prohibit Exceptions and Gravamina in All Agencies, Ministries,

Boards, Broader Assemblies, and Other Entities of the CRCNA

I. Background

For many years there have been discussions and disagreements in the

CRCNA over human sexuality, most of which have centered on the issue of

homosexual activity. Nevertheless, the denomination’s official stance on

this issue has remained unchanged since Synod 1973 adopted the position

that homosexual practice “is incompatible with obedience to the will of God

as revealed in Scripture.”

In 2016 the report from the Committee to Provide Pastoral Guidance re

Same-sex Marriage was considered by synod. Synod 2016 received the ma-

jority and minority reports as information but recommended to the

churches “the pastoral guidance of the minority report . . . in conversation

and in keeping with the synodical decisions of 1973, 1999, and 2002” (Acts of

Synod 2016, pp. 917-18).

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Overtures (Deferred from 2023) 369

Additionally, however, Synod 2016 appointed a new study committee to ar-

ticulate a foundation-laying biblical theology of human sexuality (Acts of

Synod 2016, pp. 919-20). This committee’s work, often referred to as the Hu-

man Sexuality Report (HSR), was published in November 2020 and in-

cluded, among many other things, an affirmation of the CRCNA’s long-

held position on the matter of homosexual activity. But because of the can-

cellation of Synod 2021, the report was not addressed officially until Synod

2022.

Synod 2022 took several actions centered on the HSR. These actions in-

cluded recommending the HSR to the churches as providing a useful sum-

mary of biblical teaching regarding human sexuality. In addition, Synod

2022 affirmed that “unchastity” in Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 108 “encom-

passes adultery, premarital sex, extramarital sex, polyamory, pornography,

and homosexual sex, all of which violate the seventh commandment”; in so

doing, synod declared this affirmation “‘an interpretation of [a] confession’

(Acts of Synod 1975, p. 603). Therefore, this interpretation has confessional

status” in the CRCNA (Acts of Synod 2022, pp. 922).

Following this decision of synod, the Office of General Secretary published

an FAQ

document addressing the decisions of Synod 2022 regarding hu-

man sexuality. In this FAQ, questions 6-11 appear to essentially allow for

exceptions to be taken to Synod 2022’s decisions through the process of sub-

mitting confessional-difficulty gravamina. But then question 12 goes on to

say something that appears to contradict this. The FAQ document has re-

sulted in a great deal of confusion, and there remains a lack of clarity in the

denomination concerning Synod 2022’s decisions and their ramifications.

For example, the Council of Delegates (COD), at its October 2022 meeting,

approved a “process for filing an exception to the COD Statement of Agree-

ment with the Beliefs of the CRCNA.”

Similarly, Calvin University’s board

of trustees decided in October 2022 to retain faculty members who filed a

confessional-difficulty gravamen in response to Synod 2022’s decisions con-

cerning human sexuality.

In addition, some councils and classes are con-

sidering confessional-difficulty gravamina as a way to grant exceptions to

officers who do not agree with Synod 2022’s decisions regarding human

sexuality.

crcna.org/synod/hsr-faq

crcna.org/news-and-events/news/council-delegates-meets-

0?fbclid=IwAR1PhkGAYuE1e-QH0KFUUqIWfjAUjBoFpb-

0rfwBIMvP5M3YpHQ3FP4OzoU

calvinchimes.org/2022/11/01/board-of-trustees-retains-faculty-who-disagree-with-crcna-

on-lgbtq-relation-

ships/?fbclid=IwAR0Gfwr5bLlzBLU7jGrvKRb2GY_ez_SIpM2ilON6uhCtECzCuDQ8eC5z

zDM

370 Overtures (Deferred from 2023) AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

II. Overture

Classis Central Plains overtures Synod 2023 to take the following actions:

A. Inform all agencies, ministries, boards, broader assemblies, and other

entities of the CRCNA—including, but not limited to, all classes and fu-

ture synods, the COD, and the boards of trustees, faculties, and staff

members of Calvin University and Calvin Theological Seminary—that

members of these various bodies of the CRCNA may not register excep-

tions to the doctrines and beliefs of the CRCNA but must affirm, with-

out reservation, all the doctrines and beliefs of the CRCNA; nor may

these bodies grant such exceptions to their members.

B. Inform all agencies, ministries, boards, broader assemblies, and other

entities of the CRCNA—including, but not limited to, all classes and fu-

ture synods, the COD, and the boards of trustees, faculties, and staff

members of Calvin University and Calvin Theological Seminary—of the

following:

1. Current members of these various bodies of the CRCNA who have

submitted confessional-difficulty gravamina with their local councils

must resolve the issue with their councils and/or classes by the end

of calendar year 2023 or step down from the denominational body

on which they serve.

2. Future members of these various bodies of the CRCNA who submit

confessional-difficulty gravamina with their local councils while al-

ready serving on one of these denominational bodies must resolve

the issue with their councils and/or classes within six months of fil-

ing a gravamen or step down from the denominational body on

which they serve.

3. In the above two situations resolve means that those who have filed

confessional-difficulty gravamina no longer have the doctrinal diffi-

culty and are able to affirm, without reservation, their full agreement

with the doctrines and beliefs of the CRCNA.

4. No one having an active confessional-difficulty gravamen submitted

to their local councils may be appointed to serve on these various

bodies of the CRCNA.

C. Require all agencies, ministries, boards, broader assemblies, and other

entities of the CRCNA to remove any members of these bodies who can-

not or will not affirm, without reservation, their full agreement with the

doctrines and beliefs of the CRCNA in the time periods specified in B, 1

and B, 2 above, and who will not voluntarily remove themselves from

the denominational bodies they serve.

D. Inform church councils that if an officer of the church has submitted a

confessional-difficulty gravamen to the council and is serving on an

agency, ministry, board, broader assembly, or other entity of the

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Overtures (Deferred from 2023) 371

CRCNA, or is being considered for appointment to such a denomina-

tional body, the council is required to inform that denominational body

of the officer’s gravamen, regardless of where the council and the officer

are in the process laid out in Church Order Supplement, Article 5.

E. Inform the classes and future synods of the CRCNA that nominees and

appointees to all agencies, ministries, boards, broader assemblies, and

other entities of the CRCNA must affirm their full agreement with the

doctrines and beliefs of the CRCNA, may not take any exceptions to

these doctrines and beliefs, and must not have a confessional-difficulty

gravamen submitted to their local council; rather, they must affirm,

without reservation, all the doctrines and beliefs of the CRCNA.

F. Instruct the Office of General Secretary to update the “Frequently Asked

Questions about Synod 2022 and the Human Sexuality Report” to reflect

items A-E above.

Grounds:

1. The tradition and polity of the CRCNA does not allow its officers to take

exceptions to the doctrines and beliefs of the denomination. By exten-

sion, this should not be permitted in any agencies, ministries, boards,

broader assemblies, and other entities of the CRCNA.

2. The opening paragraph of the COD Statement of Agreement with the

Beliefs of the CRCNA reads as follows: “We promise to do this work in

obedience to the revealed will of our Lord Jesus Christ and in full agree-

ment with what the congregations of the Christian Reformed Church in North

America confess.”

3. All officers of the CRCNA sign the Covenant for Officebearers—a cove-

nant in which we affirm “without reservation all the doctrines contained

in the standards of the church as being doctrines that are taught in the

Word of God” (Church Order Supplement, Article 5, A, 1).

4. “The decisions of the assemblies shall be considered settled and binding,

unless it is proved that they conflict with the Word of God or the

Church Order” (Church Order, Art. 29, emphasis added).

5. These actions not only address the response of some in the CRCNA to

Synod 2022’s decisions regarding human sexuality; they also address

the dangerous and harmful precedent that is being set by this response.

Thus, they serve as a safeguard against similar actions being taken in the

future, should there be disagreement with other decisions of the assem-

blies and/or the doctrines of the church.

Classis Central Plains

Jonathan Spronk, stated clerk

crcna.org/sites/default/files/cod_statement_of_agreement_with_beliefs_of_the_crcna_7-

17.pdf (emphasis added)

372 Overtures (Deferred from 2023) AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

OVERTURE 55 (DEFERRED FROM 2023)

Do Not Accept Confessional Difficulties That Would Allow

What the Church Confesses to Be Sin; Officebearers Who

Cannot Agree with Our Beliefs Are to Resign or Be Released

I. Background

Synod 2022 set a faithful, biblical foundation by stating that we uphold the

confessional belief of Christ’s penal substitutionary atonement, and that

several areas of sexual sin violate the seventh commandment as well as our

confessions. This foundation has helped to teach us to walk alongside of

and care for those who struggle with matters of faithful living. The problem

is that our work has been hindered by some in our denomination who have

distracted us from this mission of concern.

The CRC denominational office has posted an FAQ document in the after-

math of synod’s decisions.

Question 8 of the FAQ document states that ac-

cording to Church Order (Supplement, Art. 5), a confessional-difficulty gra-

vamen is a “personal request for information and/or clarification of the

confession.” However, the FAQ goes on to state that if a church council is

“satisfied that the difficulty does not exclude the officebearer, then the gra-

vamen would stand.” This point of view is not stated in our Church Order.

It means that any officebearer can continue to serve in good standing even

though he or she holds personal convictions against what our confessions

teach.

This inconsistency between private and public confessional beliefs has oc-

curred in other areas of the CRC as well. For example, the Council of Dele-

gates has voted to allow the council’s executive committee to grant excep-

tions to the Council of Delegates Statement of Agreement.

And the Calvin

University board has voted to allow gravamina from faculty to stand on

this matter.

The acceptance of gravamina in these areas has effectively undermined the

commitments made by Synod 2022 and by the Covenant for Officebearers.

As a matter of integrity, officebearers make an oath before God and the

church that the confessions “fully agree with the Word of God” and that

“we heartily believe and will promote and defend their doctrines faithfully,

conforming our preaching, teaching, writing, serving, and living to them.”

crcna.org/synod/hsr-faq

thebanner.org/news/2022/10/requesting-an-exception-to-synod-2022s-human-sexuality-

decisions

calvinchimes.org/2022/11/01/board-of-trustees-retains-faculty-who-disagree-with-crcna-

on-lgbtq-relationships/

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Overtures (Deferred from 2023) 373

II. Overture

To help our denomination carry out the critical ministry of bringing the

gospel to those struggling with sin, Classis Illiana overtures Synod 2024 to

do the following:

A. Inform all assemblies (councils, classes, and future synods) that they are

not allowed, under any circumstances, to accept any confessional-diffi-

culty gravamen from officebearers that would allow what the church

clearly knows to be sin, or the promotion of sin. This would include the

list of sins that Synod 2022 recognized as violations of the seventh com-

mandment. We request that synod make the following clarifying

changes to Church Order Supplement, Article 5:

1. Revise point 1 under “A. Guidelines as to the meaning of affirming

the confessions by means of the Covenant for Officebearers” (italics

added):

1. The person signing the Covenant for Officebearers affirms with-

out reservation all the doctrines contained in the standards of the

church as being doctrines that are taught in the Word of God.

“Without reservation” means that the CRC does not allow any excep-

tions to the confessions themselves or to what synod has determined to

have confessional status.

2. Revise point 2 under “B. Regulations concerning the procedure to be

followed in the submission of a confessional difficulty-gravamen”

(italics added):

2. In all instances of confessional-difficulty gravamina, the matter

shall not be open for discussion by the whole church, since this

type of gravamen is a personal request for information and\or

clarification of the confession. A confessional-difficulty gravamen is

not to be used when one has settled convictions or objections to our con-

fessions. Hence this type of gravamen should be dealt with pasto-

rally and personally by the assembly addressed.

Grounds:

a. The CRC has never allowed exceptions to our confessions but af-

firms in the Covenant for Officebearers that all the doctrines con-

fessed fully agree with the Word of God.

b. A gravamen was never meant to allow the acceptance or practice of

beliefs contrary to what the church clearly knows to be sin.

c. A 1976 study committee report that led to these supplemental guide-

lines said that if an officebearer has “settled convictions” about the

confessions, that is a different matter than if one has serious doubts

about a point of doctrine. In that case, it “does not call for a grava-

men; it calls rather for an open and frank disclosure of his difficulties

374 Overtures (Deferred from 2023) AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

by an officebearer to his consistory, hopefully leading to the removal

of his doubts” (Acts of Synod 1976, p. 572).

B. Declare that no confessional difficulties will be accepted in the following

instances where Synod 2022’s confessional decisions on human sexual-

ity and penal substitutionary atonement may be objected to:

• by synod when delegates agree to the Public Declaration of Agree-

ment

• by the Calvin University board of trustees when faculty have confes-

sional difficulties with the Covenant for Faculty Members

• by the Council of Delegates executive committee when COD mem-

bers have confessional difficulties with the Statement of Agreement

• in instances where other iterations of the Covenant for Officebearers

are to be signed and/or agreed to, such as denominational staff and

denominational boards

Ground: The personal beliefs of delegates, COD members, faculty, and

staff should remain consistent with their public declaration and teaching

on these matters.

C. Declare that if those making these agreements (an officebearer, faculty

member, COD member, staff member, or board member) cannot per-

sonally agree with our confessional beliefs, including those of penal sub-

stitutionary atonement and human sexuality, they are to either request a

release from ministry or position from the appropriate body (council,

classis, or supervising body), or they are to be suspended and released

from their office or position by December 31, 2023.

Ground: In the past synod has upheld the authority over councils or clas-

ses with regard to eligibility for office (see Church Order Articles 27-b

and 83, Acts of Synod 1926, pp. 323-24; Acts of Synod 1980, p. 28; Acts of

Synod 1991, p. 771; Acts of Synod 1994, p. 520).

D. Request of classes that all ministers who submit their request for release

from ministry because of confessional difficulties be released under the

status of one honorably released. Synod also encourages churches to fol-

low the guidelines from Pastor-Church Resources for provisions of sev-

erance.

Ground: Ministers requesting release should be recognized as acting

with honor and integrity.

Classis Illiana

Laryn G. Zoerhof, stated clerk

Note: Classis Illiana requested that the phrase “Classis Illiana overtures

Synod 2023” be changed to “Classis Illiana overtures Synod 2024.”

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Overtures (Deferred from 2023) 375

OVERTURE 57 (DEFERRED FROM 2023)

Require Council of Delegates to Reverse the Process of

Members’ Taking Exception to the Statement of Agreement

with the Beliefs of the CRCNA

I. Background

The Council of Delegates (COD) is an ecclesiastical body that provides gov-

ernance in the interim of synod. The membership of the COD includes one

delegate from each of the 49 classes, as well as seven at-large members.

The COD met October 12-14, 2022, and approved a process for delegates to

request an exception to the confessions of the CRCNA.

When a delegate re-

quests an exception, the council’s executive committee will decide whether

to grant it, based on the centrality of the belief for which the exception is

sought and the member’s agreement not to publicly contradict or teach

against the synodical position.

The executive committee’s decision would be final and be documented in

executive session minutes. Public minutes note only the number of excep-

tions requested and how many were granted or denied. Subsequently, the

petitioner would enter their name in the Statement of Agreement signature

book with an asterisk next to their name. The written exception would be

kept in a confidential file until the member concludes service on the Council

of Delegates.

This decision creates a process for exemptions first described in the COD

Governance Handbook in February 2019, where individual members of the

COD are granted “the privilege of indicating any personal exemptions from

specific points contained within the Creeds, Confessions, and Contempo-

rary Testimonies.”

Is the intent of this policy to allow a disunity of belief within the COD? It

would be illogical to create an exception policy, only to then deny the appli-

cants.

II. Overture

Classis Minnkota overtures Synod 2023 to require the Council of Delegates

to immediately reverse the approval of a process for members of the COD

to take exception to the COD Statement of Agreement with the Beliefs of

the CRCNA and call its members to uphold and heartily affirm the

CRCNA’s confessions by amending the COD Governance Handbook,

bringing its exceptions policy into alignment with the CRCNA Church Or-

der, which requires resolution of gravamen issues.

Appendix B: Process for Submitting and Addressing Exceptions to the COD Statement

of Agreement with the Beliefs of the CRCNA; COD Minutes, Oct. 12-14, 2022.

COD Governance Handbook, p. 98.

376 Overtures (Deferred from 2023) AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

Grounds:

1. The COD executive committee is nowhere in our Church Order granted

the authority to allow gravamen or confessional-difficulty exceptions.

That power is granted only to councils, classes, and, ultimately, synod.

2. The exceptions process that was laid out is not at all transparent. Classes

will not even know if the delegate that represents them in the COD has

an exception on file unless the delegate chooses to inform them.

3. This decision is bad for covenantal unity. We are a denomination united

not around ethnicity or politics or culture but around a common set of

beliefs. Now this would allow for a secret list of representative delegates

who do not agree with our common set of beliefs. Of what use then is a

covenant? What will then unite our church, if not our beliefs?

4. Granting exceptions to delegates who disagree with the confessions is

an illegitimate and incorrect use of Church Order when it comes to gra-

vamen. Synod (our broadest assembly) has made a decision that is bind-

ing on all members of the CRCNA. Exceptions (or gravamina) are de-

signed to allow for a process to play out where an individual can

express concern regarding a teaching that the CRC holds. But this pro-

cess must result in one of the following conclusions:

a. Clarification is provided, resolving the difficulty in the heart of the

delegate.

b. The confession is revised.

c. The gravamen is denied.

Notice how in each case there is a resolution to the matter. Our Church

Order does not give the possibility for someone to simply “opt out” of

believing in certain parts of the confessions. Rather, it lays out a process

for handling a difficulty of belief, with a resolution being the result, not

a secret list of people who don’t believe the same thing as everyone else.

This would be completely destructive to covenantal unity, which is a

unity of belief.

5. The COD serves synod by providing “governance by means of the au-

thority delegated to it by synod.”

How can the COD serve synod when

it is granting for its own members immunity to the decisions of synod,

from which it derives its delegated authority?

6. The COD itself has recognized in the past a lack of authority to act of its

own accord. During the COVID-19 pandemic years when synod could

not meet, the COD refused to make decisions regarding confessional

and disciplinary matters, correctly understanding themselves not to

have the proper authority to do so. To quote Paul De Vries, the first

CRCNA Church Order, Art. 5.

crcna.org/welcome/governance/council-delegates

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Overtures (Deferred from 2023) 377

chair of the COD, when he addressed Synod 2018: “We have no author-

ity other than the authority you [synod] give us. . . . The important dis-

tinction is that ultimately the authority resides with you. . . . We follow

your instruction. When we don’t, call us.”

Classis Minnkota

LeRoy G. Christoffels, stated clerk

OVERTURE 58 (DEFERRED FROM 2023)

Clarify the Usage of Confessional-Difficulty Gravamina

Classis Minnkota overtures Synod 2023 to clarify the usage of confessional-

difficulty gravamina by amending the Guidelines and Regulations re Gravam-

ina in Church Order Supplement, Article 5 (as described below), and by de-

claring that these revisions and clarifications also apply to all previously

granted gravamina.

Grounds:

1. In the wake of Synod 2022’s decision regarding Heidelberg Catechism

Q&A 108, many CRCNA officebearers, denominational agency employ-

ees, and Calvin University professors and board members have utilized

the confessional-difficulty gravamen to effectively exempt themselves

from the denomination’s position on the confessional status of human

sexuality.

2. The use of confessional-difficulty gravamina to secretly shield settled

personal convictions that are contrary to our confessions eviscerates the

quia confessional subscription

that previous synods have consistently

affirmed and shatters any sense of unity within our diverse denomina-

tion.

3. Confessional-difficulty gravamina should be a rarely utilized mecha-

nism designed for short-term periods of guided discernment. A confes-

sional-difficulty gravamen should always result in either a resolution of

the difficulty, an upgrade to a confessional-revision gravamen, or the

resignation of the subscriber from ordained office. If confessional-diffi-

culty gravamina are allowed to remain unresolved, the result is three-

fold: First, officebearers are allowed to remain in confusion or error of

belief; Second, the public witness and oath of the officebearer is a false

witness; and Third, the presumed and practiced unity of the church is

“Council of Delegates’ Authority Comes from Synod,” The Banner, June 11, 2018.

A quia confessional subscription is one that stipulates that the doctrines of our confes-

sions fully agree with the Word of God.

378 Overtures (Deferred from 2023) AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

seriously undermined, on this topic and potentially a host of other be-

liefs.

Classis Minnkota specifically overtures Synod 2023 to adopt the following

changes to the Guidelines and Regulations re Gravamina section of the Church

Order supplement (pp. 14-16 of the Church Order and Its Supplements 2022)

and immediately to implement them in the 2023 session.

The proposed additions to the text of the Supplement are indicated by un-

derlining:

Guidelines and Regulations re Gravamina

Synod declares that gravamina fall into at least two basic types:

1. A confessional-difficulty gravamen: a temporary gravamen in which

a subscriber expresses personal difficulty with the confession but

does not yet call for a revision of the confessions, and

2. A confessional-revision gravamen: a gravamen in which a subscriber

makes a specific recommendation for revision of the confessions.

A. Guidelines as to the meaning of affirming the confessions by means

of the Covenant for Officebearers:

1. The person signing the Covenant for Officebearers affirms with-

out reservation all the doctrines contained in the standards of the

church as being doctrines that are taught in the Word of God.

2. The signatory does not by affirming the confessions declare that

these doctrines are all stated in the best possible manner, or that

the standards of our church cover all that the Scriptures teach on

the matters confessed. Nor does the signatory declare that every

teaching of the Scriptures is set forth in our confessions, or that

every heresy is rejected and refuted by them.

3. A signatory is bound only to those doctrines that are confessed,

and is not bound to the references, allusions, and remarks that

are incidental to the formulation of these doctrines, nor to the

theological deductions that some may draw from the doctrines

set forth in the confessions. However, no one is free to decide for

oneself or for the church what is and what is not a doctrine con-

fessed in the standards. In the event that such a question should

arise, the decision of the assemblies of the church shall be sought

and acquiesced in.

B. Regulations concerning the procedure to be followed in the submis-

sion of a confessional-difficulty gravamen:

1. Ministers (whether missionaries, professors, or others not serving

congregations as pastors), elders, or deacons shall submit their

“difficulties” to their councils for examination and judgment. A

confessional-difficulty gravamen may be granted by the council

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Overtures (Deferred from 2023) 379

for up to six months in order to give the subscriber the time and

resources to resolve the difficulty.

a. During this discernment period

1) the matter shall not be open for discussion by the whole

church, since this type of gravamen is a personal request

for information and/or clarification of the confession.

Hence this type of gravamen should be dealt with pasto-

rally and personally by the assembly addressed.

2) both the subscriber and the council have responsibilities:

a) The council shall provide

i. reasonable time and resources for the subscriber to

resolve the difficulty.

ii. pastoral support and care to the subscriber.

b) The subscriber

i. will submit a study plan to the council for resolving

the confessional difficulty.

ii. will diligently seek to resolve the difficulty, obtain-

ing competent biblical-theological counsel if neces-

sary.

iii. will provide regular updates to the granting coun-

cil.

iv. shall not accept any ecclesiastical delegations or ap-

pointments.

v. shall remain under the supervision of the granting

council.

b. If the subscriber resolves the confessional difficulty within the

discernment period and is able to affirm without reservation

all the doctrines contained in the standards of the church as

being doctrines that are taught in the Word of God, the grava-

men will expire.

c. If the subscriber has not resolved the confessional difficulty

within the six-month discernment period, the subscriber may

either

1) file for a confessional-revision gravamen as described in

section C, or

2) submit to church discipline, as described in Articles 78-81,

3) resign from office.

380 Overtures (Deferred from 2023) AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

2. Should a council decide that it is not able to judge the gravamen

submitted to it, it shall submit the matter to classis for examina-

tion and judgment. If the classis, after examination, judges that it

is unable to decide the matter, it may submit it to synod, in ac-

cordance with the principles of Church Order Article 28-b.

C. Regulations concerning the procedure to be followed in the submis-

sion of a confessional-revision gravamen:

1. The basic assumption of the church in requiring affirmation of

the Covenant for Officebearers is that the doctrines contained in

the confessions of the church fully agree with the Word of God.

The burden of proof, therefore, rests upon the signatory who

calls upon the church to justify or revise its confessions.

2. Ministers (including missionaries, professors, or others not serv-

ing congregations as pastors), elders, or deacons shall submit

their gravamina calling for revision of the confessions to their

councils for examination and judgment. Should the council de-

cide that it is not able to judge the gravamen submitted to it, it

shall submit the matter to classis for examination and judgment.

If the classis, after examination, judges that it is unable to decide

the matter, classis may submit it to synod, in accordance with the

principles of Church Order Article 28-b.

3. If the gravamen is adopted by the council and the classis as its

own, it becomes an overture to the broader assemblies, and there-

fore it is open for discussion in the whole church.

4. If the gravamen is rejected by the classis, it may be appealed to

synod; and when the constituted synod declares the matter to be

legally before it for action, all the signers of the Covenant for Of-

ficebearers shall be free to discuss it together with the whole

church until adjudicated by synod.

5. Since the subscriber has the right of appeal from the judgment of

a council to classis and from classis to synod, the mere fact that

the matter is being appealed shall not be a reason for suspending

or otherwise disciplining an officebearer, provided other provi-

sions of the Church Order are observed.

6. A revision of the confessions shall not be adopted by synod until

the whole church membership has had adequate opportunity to

consider it.

Classis Minnkota

LeRoy G. Christoffels, stated clerk

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Overtures (Deferred from 2023) 381

OVERTURE 60 (DEFERRED FROM 2023)

Amend Church Order to Define Gravamina

I. Purpose of overture

The purpose of this overture is to amend the Church Order to define

gravamina so that they may not be misused. This misuse will cause serious

division. A proper definition will provide unity.

II. Background

In the CRC, gravamina were never intended to be used as a means to

disagree with our unified confessional documents. They are merely a

means to call “upon the church to justify or revise its confessions”

(Supplement, Art. 5, C, 1). They are not a means to disagree with the

confessions. This is obvious, since “the person signing the Covenant of

Officebearers affirms without reservation all the doctrines contained in the

standards of the church” (Supplement, Art. 5, A, 1). It is impossible to

affirm our confessions without reservation while disagreeing with them (by

means of a gravamen or otherwise). Affirming without reservation and

disagreeing are contradictory. However, some in the CRCNA are seeking to

use gravamina in a way that would be detrimental to the unity of the

faith—namely, allowing persons of same-sex activity to become members

and officebearers in the CRCNA, though this is not the only way one might

use gravamina to undercut unity.

III. Overture

Classis Greater Los Angeles respectfully overtures Synod 2023 to amend

the Church Order Supplement, Article 5, section B, by adding the following:

3. A confessional-difficulty gravamen (or a confessional-revision grava-

men) does not exempt anyone from affirming all of the doctrines

contained in the confessions without reservation. Rather, it is an ex-

pression to the local governing body of “personal difficulty,” not dis-

agreement. As such, the difficulty should attempt to be resolved. If

the signatory cannot resolve this difficulty and his or her conscience

bars him or her from signing the CRCNA confessional documents

without reservation, he or she may not serve as an officebearer in the

CRCNA.

Grounds:

1. Gravamina were never intended to allow members or officebearers to

disagree with the CRCNA confessional documents.

2. Using gravamina in this way will cause a schism in the CRCNA.

3. Using gravamina in this way will unnecessarily burden the conscience

of CRCNA churches who hold to the traditional view on human sexual-

ity.

382 Overtures (Deferred from 2023) AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

4. Using gravamina in this way will prevent CRCNA churches from reach-

ing those in the community who expect biblical teaching that presents the

traditional view on human sexuality, which was confirmed at Synod 2022.

Classis Greater Los Angeles

Sandi Ornee, stated clerk

OVERTURE 61 (DEFERRED FROM 2023)

Withhold Denominational Funding from Calvin University

until Faculty and Staff Adhere to CRCNA Covenantal

Standards

I. Background

On October 28, 2022, Calvin University’s board of trustees voted to allow

faculty members with confessional difficulties on human sexuality to re-

main in good standing within the institution. The board decision was char-

acterized as “respectful of the university’s covenantal partnership with the

Christian Reformed Church in North America, consistent with confessional

commitment, congruent with existing policies and procedures, supportive

of academic freedom, and reflective of constructive engagement.”

This has allowed faculty who have filed a gravamen the continued ability to

teach, work for, and minister to students, while at the same time allowing

those same faculty to hold positions in opposition to our confessions. Fur-

thermore, the board’s decision is, in fact, contrary to confessional commit-

ment and negates the authority structure set in place for how a gravamen is

to be handled by the institution.

II. Overture

Classis Heartland overtures Synod 2023 to withhold all denominational

funding from Calvin University beginning on September 1, 2024, with the

provision that the university will be funded after this date upon the full ad-

herence, without exception, to our covenantal standards by all faculty and

staff members of Calvin University.

Grounds:

1. Synod 2022 affirmed the Christian Reformed Church’s traditional un-

derstanding of unchastity as found in Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 108,

and this understanding has confessional status.

This decision was made

by the majority of classes at synod, and it is considered “settled and

binding.”

As this is the position of the Christian Reformed Church, the

crcna.org/news-and-events/news/calvin-board-responds-synod-2022

Acts of Synod 2022, p. 922.

Church Order, Article 29.

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Overtures (Deferred from 2023) 383

decision made by Calvin University’s board of trustees, as outlined

above, directly opposes the understanding of the Christian Reformed

Church. Therefore, Calvin University can no longer be funded by the

Christian Reformed Church because the covenantal relationship shared

between the institutions has been severely damaged.

2. The decision by Calvin University’s board of trustees is contrary to the

position taken by 74 percent of the delegates to synod that represented

much of the denomination.

As the action by the board of trustees is in-

compatible with the Christian Reformed Church, Calvin University and

the values and beliefs it holds are no longer representative of the de-

nomination.

3. The Calvin Faculty Handbook states, “Under the authority of Synod, the

Church assigns authority for the life of the University to the Board of

Trustees. The Board of Trustees, in turn, assigns authority within the

University’s governance system, in which decisions about personnel

and confessional interpretation are assigned to the Professional Status

Committee (PSC).”

Thus, authority for the registering of a gravamen

falls ultimately under the authority of synod. As neither synod nor the

Council of Delegates has received or reviewed any gravamen of either

the confessional-difficulty nature or the confessional-revision nature,

Calvin University has not adhered to the necessary policies and proce-

dures, thereby further illustrating Calvin University’s desire to no

longer be overseen by the denomination.

4. A confessional-difficulty gravamen is intended to be “a personal request

for information and/or clarification of the confession.”

In the case of a

confessional-revision gravamen, “the burden of proof, therefore, rests

upon the signatory who calls upon the church to justify or revise its con-

fessions.”

In both cases, gravamina are intended to bring clarity and/or

change our confessions. Calvin University faculty and staff have not

used gravamina in this manner but have utilized them merely as a way

of showing disagreement with the covenantal standards to which they

must subscribe. Calvin University’s board of trustees’ decision to allow

gravamina to be used in this manner further shows Calvin University’s

opposition to adhere to the Christian Reformed Church’s confessional

standards.

Classis Heartland

Phillip T. Westra, stated clerk

thebanner.org/news/2022/06/synod-2022-upholds-traditional-stance-on-same-sex-rela-

tionships

Calvin Faculty Handbook, p. 44, Article 3.5.1.1.

Church Order Supplement, Article 5, B, 2.

Church Order Supplement, Article 5, C, 1.

384 Overtures (Deferred from 2023) AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

OVERTURE 62 (DEFERRED FROM 2023)

Restrict Delegates Who Have Not Signed the Covenant for

Officebearers without Exception or Reservation

Classis Iakota overtures Synod 2023 to restrict any delegate who has not

signed the Covenant for Officebearers without exception or reservation in

their local church or classis from being seated or recognized as a delegate at

synod.

Grounds:

1. It is impossible to do the work of Christ Jesus as officebearers in the

Christian Reformed Church if officebearers are not willing to submit

their life and doctrine to the clear teaching of God’s Word and its sum-

mary in our creeds and confessions as agreed on in covenant with one

another.

2. It is this covenantal foundation that gives us the wisdom and clarity of

the Holy Spirit for any subsequent discussions and decisions made in

and for the faithful unity of the body of the church before the face of

Christ Jesus, our living head and Savior.

3. This is in accordance with a reasonable interpretation of Church Order

Article 5.

Classis Iakota

Bernard Haan, stated clerk

OVERTURE 63 (DEFERRED FROM 2023)

Prohibit Officebearers Who Have Submitted Confessional-

Difficulty Gravamina from Being Delegated to Higher

Governing Bodies

Classis Iakota overtures Synod 2023 to prohibit officebearers who have sub-

mitted confessional-difficulty gravamina to their local councils from being

delegated to higher governing bodies—namely, classis and synod.

Grounds:

1. A gravamen is always a stated question asking for a clarifying response.

A confessional-difficulty gravamen is not a declaration of permitted dis-

sent toward the rest of the local body or the broader classical and de-

nominational bodies.

2. For the sake of the integrity of the covenant between officebearers at the

classical and synodical levels, those seated at those delegations need to

have full assurance that their fellow delegates do not harbor reserva-

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Overtures (Deferred from 2023) 385

tions about the confessions that would threaten their confessional cove-

nant. Likewise, the confessing members of the denomination should

have the assurance that those leading and making decisions on behalf of

synod (in denominational offices) are fully, and without reservation,

committed to the doctrinal standards that form the covenant bond of

unity in the denomination.

3. Without confessional covenantal integrity it is impossible to do the work

of Christ Jesus as officebearers in the Christian Reformed Church.

Classis Iakota

Bernard Haan, stated clerk

OVERTURE 64 (DEFERRED FROM 2023)

Remind and Instruct Churches and Institutions about Rules for

Confessional-Difficulty Gravamen

I. Background

Synod 2022 met, debated, and affirmed most of the recommendations of the

Human Sexuality Report. This report provided clear ethical guidance for

what constitutes holy and healthy Christian sexual expression. It also gave

clear missional guidance and explains how the gospel provides redemptive

affirmation and hope for those questioning their sexuality or living in sin.

Synod 2022 also reaffirmed the 1973 synodical ruling on homosexualism.

Since 1973 the CRC’s position has been that homosexualism (homosexual

sex) is sinful. Synod also added clarity to the definition of “unchastity” in

Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 108, which asks, “What is God’s will for us in

the seventh commandment?” (“You shall not commit adultery”—Ex. 20:14;

Deut. 5:18). The catechism answers the question by saying, in part, “God

condemns all unchastity.” Synod 2022 clarified that “unchastity” has al-

ways included “adultery, premarital sex, extramarital sex, polyamory, por-

nography, and homosexual sex”—and that, therefore, this interpretation

has always had confessional status.

Since this ruling of synod, some pastors, professors, teachers, and office-

bearers have filed a confessional-difficulty gravamen. A confessional-diffi-

culty gravamen is a dissent or a personal disagreement in an area of the

confessions which is submitted to their church’s council, or other governing

authority for teachers and professors. Our church guidelines do not permit

that a council or governing authority simply "accept" these and continue to

allow that person to continue to serve at the local level, even if that person

agrees not to publicly teach or advocate against the confessional position.

Regardless, there is a concern that this may be happening, and, if this is the

case, it is critical to correct this misuse of our guidelines.

386 Overtures (Deferred from 2023) AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

II. Overture

Therefore, Classis Southeast U.S. overtures Synod 2023 to do the following:

A. Remind church councils that the filing and acceptance of a confessional-

difficulty gravamen does not allow a person to teach or advocate against

the confessional position to which they dissent or with which they have

a personal disagreement. Any officebearers who do so should be disci-

plined.

B. Instruct the boards and presidents of both Calvin University and Calvin

Theological Seminary to remove from their position any teacher or pro-

fessor who files a confessional-difficulty gravamen pertaining to the

CRC's position regarding the sin of "unchastity" in Heidelberg Cate-

chism Q&A 108, if such teacher of professor, upon receiving information

and clarification, does not heartily believe, defend, and promote the

CRC's position. Further, any teachers or professors who do not promote

and defend this position in their preaching, teaching, writing, serving,

and living should be removed from their position.

C. Declare that anyone who has filed a confessional-difficulty gravamen

shall not be delegated to a broader assembly, including classis and

synod until such time as they are able to heartily believe, defend, and

promote the CRC's position.

D. Instruct the church councils to remove from their position any minister

of the Word or commissioned pastor (together, "ministers") who files a

confessional-difficulty gravamen pertaining to the CRC's position re-

garding the sin of "unchastity" in Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 108, if

such ministers, upon receiving information and clarification, do not

heartily believe, defend, and promote the CRC's position. Further, any

ministers who do not promote and defend this position in their preach-

ing, teaching, writing, serving, and living should be removed from their

position.

Grounds:

1. There is currently a large potential for the misuse of the confessional-dif-

ficulty gravamen within our denomination. In a January 18, 2023, Banner

article, Kathy Smith indicates that "the process of submitting a confes-

sional-difficulty gravamen does not offer a 'local option' . . . There is an

expectation that the officebearer will continue to uphold the confession

of the church and the interpretations of the confessions." Therefore, the

gravamen is not allowed to be used as a method for continuing in a po-

sition while holding a disagreement with a confession. Rather, as Kathy

Smith goes on to state, "The guidelines say that a confessional-difficulty

gravamen 'is a personal request for information and/or clarification of

the confession.'"

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Overtures (Deferred from 2023) 387

2. The original intention of a gravamen was never meant to be wide-

spread. A July 1, 2022, Banner article stated that a gravamen is "exceed-

ingly rare" and indicated that Henry DeMoor noted that the church is

not set up to handle large numbers of gravamina, going on to state that

it would likely “lead to significant chaos."

3. To not hold our pastors, teachers, and professors firm on our confes-

sional teaching can degrade the upbringing of our covenant children

and harm future generations. Therefore, we cannot allow anyone a pul-

pit or classroom who cannot, in good conscience and in an honest man-

ner, fully defend and promote all of our creeds and confessions. Fur-

thermore, it is not sufficient for any pastor, teacher, or professor to

abstain from teaching on certain topics or sections of our creeds or con-

fessions, since our congregations and students need to be instructed on

all that is necessary for the edification of the body of Christ.

4. Delegates to classis and synod are required to reaffirm their commit-

ment to the confessions of the church. It is disingenuous for them to

publicly affirm their commitments to the confessions at a broader as-

sembly without revealing their reservations. And it is inappropriate that

people who harbor significant confessional reservations be granted the

right to debate and rule on the very matters about which they harbor

reservations, unless they choose to file a confessional-revision gravamen

laying out their reservations and asking that the confessions be changed.

Classis Southeast U.S.

Viviana Cassis, stated clerk

OVERTURE 66 (DEFERRED FROM 2023)

Require All Delegates to Synod 2023 to Sign the Covenant for

Officebearers

Classis Iakota overtures Synod 2023 to require that all officebearers dele-

gated to Synod 2023 sign the Covenant for Officebearers without reserva-

tion with the clear understanding of the decisions of Synod 2022 in view.

Grounds:

1. All leaders of the church sent to synod are required to be of one mind

and heart in faith and covenant revealed in God’s Word, taught by our

Lord Jesus Christ and directed by the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 1:10; 2 Cor.

13:11; Phil. 2:2).

2. Synod 2022 gave clarity to the doctrines of penal substitutionary atone-

ment and human sexuality that should be affirmed by all signers of the

Covenant for Officebearers.

388 Overtures (Deferred from 2023) AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

3. The goal of this re-signing is to highlight the covenant that we make

with one another regarding our unity in fidelity to the full revelation of

God’s Word and our denominational confessions.

Classis Iakota

Bernard Haan, stated clerk

OVERTURE 67 (DEFERRED FROM 2023)

Amend Rules for Synodical Procedure to Suspend Delegates

Whose Classes Have Not Adequately Implemented Discipline

Classis Minnkota overtures Synod 2023 to add and immediately enact a

provision to the Rules for Synodical Procedure stipulating that delegates

from classes that have not adequately implemented discipline ordered by

previous synods be suspended from full delegate privileges, including, but

not limited to, voting, advisory committee assignments, and speaking from

the floor. Overtures from suspended classes shall not be considered. These

restrictions shall also apply to the classis’ delegates to the Council of Dele-

gates and all other denominational standing and study committees until

such time that full privileges are restored to the classis by synod.

Grounds:

1. The synod, and the Council of Delegates that acts on synod’s behalf

when it is not in session, is a deliberative body representing the

churches of all the classes (Church Order, Art. 45).

2. A primary function of the classis is to hold constituent churches ac-

countable to the Word of God as interpreted by the Three Forms of

Unity (Church Order, Art. 39; Belgic Confession, Art. 29).

3. Delegates from classes that have not implemented synodical instruc-

tions to discipline constituent churches have abdicated their responsibil-

ities set forth in the Covenant for Officebearers and the Credentials for

Synod form. When this disregard is not the product of ignorance or

omission, it constitutes insubordination and disintegrates unity and

trust among the classes.

4. Delegates from insubordinate classes should not be given the oppor-

tunity to vote on decisions, policies, or positions that obligate other con-

gregations and classes when they do not submit to synodical decisions,

policies, or positions themselves. These classes are in effect attempting

to “lord it over” other churches and classes by forcing their own will ra-

ther than submitting to deliberated decisions (Church Order, Art. 85).

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Overtures (Deferred from 2023) 389

5. Church Order Article 27-b provides synod the authority to discipline

classes. Suspending the privileges of delegates from an insubordinate

classis is a reasonable act of discipline.

6. According to the Rules for Synodical Procedure, section VIII, N, the

“Rules for Synodical Procedure may be suspended, amended, revised,

or abrogated by a majority vote of synod.” In other words, synod may

amend or change its rules at any time while it is constituted and in any

way the majority sees fit.

7. The apostle Paul does not mince words as to how Christians ought to re-

late to those who refuse to repent from sinful behavior, warning us to

“not be partners with them” (Eph. 5:7).

Classis Minnkota requests the following:

A. That synod add the following paragraph to the duties of the president

pro tem in the Rules for Synodical Procedure (section I, D), immediately

after declaring the synodical assembly to have opened (paragraph 2)

and before synod selects officers (paragraph 3):

The president pro tem shall read discipline instructions given to

particular classes by the previous synod and request that a dele-

gate(s) from these classes present a brief response as to how the

disciplinary instructions have been implemented. As its first order

of business, synod shall vote to determine the adequacy of the

classis’ implementation of disciplinary instructions. Delegates

from classes deemed to have inadequately responded to discipli-

nary instructions shall be suspended from advisory committee

participation, as well as voting and speaking privileges. Such sus-

pension will also carry over to the classis’ delegates to the Council

of Delegates and all standing denominational committees. This

suspension shall remain in effect until such time that synod de-

clares that its disciplinary instructions have been adequately im-

plemented.

B. That synod declare these provisions immediately effective upon synodi-

cal approval and applicable to Synod 2023.

C. Due to the concern that disciplinary instructions given by Synod 2022

have not been adequately implemented, that this overture bypass the

advisory committee process and be considered by the full body as the

first order of business for Synod 2023.

Classis Minnkota

LeRoy G. Christoffels, stated clerk

390 Overtures (Deferred from 2023) AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

OVERTURE 68 (DEFERRED FROM 2023)

Shepherd Congregations into Another Denomination

I. Background

The issue of human sexuality has been a matter of contention throughout

all of human history, and now in our own day it has become very much en-

tangled with national laws, ordinances, and public pronouncements by in-

dividuals of all stripes. Culturally our Western society has seen a dramatic

shift in terms of how it understands how the sexes are to relate, in terms of

intimacy, sexuality, and legality. This broader cultural shift has made in-

roads into the Christian church here in the West, including the CRCNA,

particularly with regard to persons who identify as LGBTQ+. This has cre-

ated increased tensions and divisions that all other well-established denom-

inations have been unable to navigate. We have fundamental disagree-

ments about what is and isn’t sin, about the role of special revelation in

relation to general revelation, and about what God-honoring human sexu-

ality looks like.

Humility teaches us that the CRCNA is not made up of a different sort of

church member but that we as churches here in Canada and the United

States are also affected by this growing rift and division. Our recent synods

and Council of Delegate meetings have been the occasion of these tensions

and divisions, to the point where an individual congregation and classis

have recently been publicly admonished for their position on the issue of

human sexuality. This is not a tension or a division evidenced in only one

small locale of West Michigan; it is in fact evidenced throughout many of

our churches and classes in both nations. And this division is only increas-

ing as churches diverting from the CRC’s confessional position on sexuality

are now making it public that they wish to be identified as “open and af-

firming” congregations.

We truly believe that these congregations have come to these positions after

much discussion and wrestling together regarding the direction they be-

lieve they (in good conscience) must go when it comes to ministering to our

LGBTQ+ neighbors and fellow members. We take them at their word that

they firmly believe they are most honoring God and loving their neighbor

by moving in this new direction. And all attempts by our synod or their

classis to force them to back away from these matters of conscience would

do a disservice to them as congregations at this point.

II. Overture

Therefore, in acknowledging that some Christian Reformed Church office-

bearers, along with a majority of their congregations, are no longer able to

in good conscience subscribe to the Covenant for Officebearers with the

CRC’s confessional position on human sexuality, and not wishing to see ac-

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Overtures (Deferred from 2023) 391

rimonious rancor and God-dishonoring hostilities grow in our beloved de-

nomination and our communities of faith, and not wishing to see a public

fight ensue over church assets, the council of Moline Christian Reformed

Church overtures Synod 2023 to do the following:

A. Create two parallel ad hoc committees (one in Canada and one in the

United States), made up of knowledgeable members of the CRC holding

to diverse viewpoints on human sexuality, to help shepherd into an-

other existing denomination in a grace-filled way those congregations

who can no longer in good conscience remain a part of the CRC because

of matters of human sexuality.

1. These two parallel committees would be knowledgeable of national

church bodies that are available and might be a “good fit” in their

own national contexts.

2. These committees would be knowledgeable about matters of tax

laws and legalities related to Articles of Incorporation and church

separations.

3. These committees are to be created and are to be in place by Septem-

ber 2023, with special offerings requested of the churches of our de-

nomination (above and beyond existing ministry shares) to help fi-

nance the travels and stays of these committee members while they

meet with these churches.

4. These committees would develop a working relationship with the

leadership teams of existing classes in their national contexts, work-

ing with these classes to help them facilitate a “bless and release”

with those congregations in these classes who now need to look for

another denominational home.

B. These ad hoc committees are empowered to engage in conversation

with congregations or classes they are contacted by or officially made

aware of, without prejudice and in good faith, who might benefit from

this counsel and assistance.

C. These ad hoc committees will be in place until a future synod deems

their necessary work having come to a conclusion, at which time they

will be disbanded.

Council of Moline (Mich.) CRC

Bruce Jager, clerk

Note: This overture was submitted to the March 9, 2023, meeting of Classis

Grand Rapids South but was not adopted.

392 Overtures (Deferred from 2023) AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

OVERTURE 69 (DEFERRED FROM 2023)

Enable Listening to Facilitate Discernment

I. Introduction

Synod 2022 knew there was significant opposition to the “confessional sta-

tus” recommendation in the Human Sexuality Report (HSR). Indeed, many

classes, congregations, and members had written overtures asking synod

not to adopt that recommendation.

Yet by a majority vote on June 15, 2022,

Synod 2022 decided to affirm that “unchastity” in Heidelberg Catechism

Q&A 108 encompasses “homosexual sex” and named that interpretation

explicitly as having “confessional status.”

While many congregations are already aligned with this decision, other

communities are experiencing significant impacts.

Churches that have held

space for diverse views on same-sex marriage are feeling frustrated. Office-

bearers who had previously considered themselves fully in agreement with

the confessions are now needing to write gravamina because of this

adopted interpretation. The postures of some churches towards others have

changed, affecting regional communities like classes.

II. Proposed actions for this turbulent time

This is a turbulent time. No matter what decisions Synod 2023 makes, the

CRC is likely to change: churches may seek realignment; some may leave;

membership may be impacted.

In order to navigate this change wisely and reduce the amount of harmful

impacts, we believe it is time to listen. The following actions are intended to

help us listen well.

A. Action 1: Permit those who disagree to articulate their position collaboratively

The gravamen process was intended to equip individual officebearers to

express their confessional difficulties as those difficulties arose. It was not

This overture originated in River Park Church in Calgary, Alberta. River Park Church

was one of those many churches who wrote an overture asking synod not to adopt the

recommendation on “confessional status.” River Park Church has a diversity of views on

human sexuality and has officebearers who have written confessional-difficulty gravam-

ina since the “confessional status” decision of Synod 2022.

In Appendix 1 we have tried to articulate why this decision has been disruptive for

many.

In River Park Church’s own classis, Classis Alberta South/Saskatchewan (ABSS), nu-

merous councils have formally barred ministers within classis from their pulpits and

have ceased supporting shared classical ministry, including ceasing financial support to

the point of explicitly redirecting their classical funds elsewhere. The first meeting of

Classis ABSS after Synod 2022 was so painfully divided that River Park Church sent an

overture asking that Classis ABSS be dissolved so that healthier and fruitful realignments

can be made.

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Overtures (Deferred from 2023) 393

created for a time when potentially hundreds of officebearers

found

themselves with the same confessional difficulty all at the same time. Do we

want all these officebearers to correspond with synod individually?

But officebearers who have submitted confessional-difficulty gravamina do

not know if they can openly discuss their disagreement with one another as

each one considers if they desire to write a confessional-revision gravamen.

This could mean that future synods will need to process individual confes-

sional-revision gravamina from officebearers for years to come. Given this

unusual circumstance that so many officebearers are simultaneously chal-

lenged by the same confessional interpretation, we consider it wise to ex-

plicitly permit them to collaborate if they desire to do so.

B. Action 2: Equip churches to discern their hopes for covenant community

Many churches have been shaped by the assumption that there was “room

for respectful disagreement” around our CRC position on homosexuality,

and they likely desire a covenant community that fits with this orientation.

Other churches desire to be in a covenant community that holds the same

conviction around same-sex marriage. In this turbulent time, it is wise for

synod to invite the churches to discern and articulate their hopes for a cove-

nant community.

We imagine that Pastor Church Resources could create a helpful toolkit to

equip churches and councils to discern these hopes. This toolkit would sup-

port local congregations as they discern how to respond to the survey pro-

posed in Action 3.

C. Action 3: Gather feedback from the churches and share feedback transparently

It will be helpful for the CRCNA to know the hopes of its member

churches. We imagine the Office of General Secretary, in consultation with

Pastor Church Resources, could develop a set of questions that allows local

churches to express what sort of covenant community they desire. The re-

sulting survey data should be transparently shared, and it could serve as

the basis for future overtures, enabling a future synod to consider the most

wise way to navigate our turbulent circumstances.

The Agenda for Synod 2016 details the 2014 survey of 700 ordained ministers in the

CRCNA in which 98 of 700 ministers reported they would be in favor of same-sex mar-

riage in the church. If 15 percent of ministers were okay with same-sex marriage in the

church in 2014, there is the potential that hundreds of officebearers are okay with same-sex

marriage in the church in 2023.

Please see Appendix 1 for further details.

This is similar to what each church of Classis ABSS was asked to do after our challeng-

ing meeting in October 2022.

River Park Church does not know what future suggestion makes the most sense, but al-

ready we have heard multiple ideas: realignments with other denominations (i.e., RCA

and CRC realigning); a “gracious separation” into two or more separate denominations; a

move toward “affinity” classes; or shifting from a denominational model to a looser affil-

iation that some have called a “network” model.

394 Overtures (Deferred from 2023) AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

While there may be many more aspects helpful to know from each church,

River Park Church considers these three things to be of key importance as

we consider covenant realignment.

1. Your church—How would you identify your local church when it

comes to perspectives on human sexuality?

a. When it comes to perspectives on same-sex marriage, is your

church strongly “traditional,” a mix of “traditional” and “affirm-

ing” members, or strongly “affirming”?

b. When it comes to who is allowed on council, does your church

allow only those with a “traditional” perspective, both “tradi-

tional” and “affirming” perspectives, or only an “affirming” per-

spective, and does your church desire to welcome same-sex mar-

ried persons to be on council?

2. Whom to covenant with—Of the various types of churches (mixing

1, a-b above, there are likely at least five reasonable types that should

be named explicitly), which ones are you willing to be in covenant

community with?

3. Larger assemblies—If you choose to be with churches different from

your own, what does “making room for respectful disagreement”

look like when you are together (i.e., who can be delegated to clas-

sis)?

D. Action 4: Invite CRC institutions and ministries to articulate their challenges

and hopes

Undoubtedly, some of our CRC institutions are feeling caught in the middle

of this current turbulence. Calvin Theological Seminary and Calvin Univer-

sity are both in covenant with the CRC and may be experiencing impacts

from Synod 2022.

Our CRC ministries have also recently experienced vari-

ations in support. Synod should invite these (and other) institutions and

ministries to create their own discernment process and, if they desire, com-

municate some of their results with synod.

E. Action 5: Leave discipline local for the present time

While we are naming this as the final action, this action enables some of the

other actions. If synod is going to invite officebearers to collaborate as they

write confessional-revision gravamina (or one gravamen together), those

Both Calvin Theological Seminary (CTS) and Calvin University have boards appointed

by the CRC synod, and both boards have approved policies that leave room for respect-

ful disagreement with perspectives on homosexuality. For instance, in 2021 the CTS

board of trustees affirmed a handful of guidelines as the HSR was being discussed, in-

cluding that “CTS should strive to model a community of people who hold diverging

views and can discuss them honestly and civilly.” And at Calvin University, a policy pa-

per published in 2016 (Confessional Commitment and Academic Freedom: Principles and Prac-

tices at Calvin College) articulates a similar posture.

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Overtures (Deferred from 2023) 395

officebearers need to be able to discern this action with their local council

and trust that speaking openly will not enact synodical-level discipline. If

we are assuming that there will be some covenant realignments (perhaps a

“gracious separation”), local councils will need to be able to have healthy,

open dialogue about their hopes without synod preempting those realign-

ments by way of synodical-level discipline. That does not mean that we

turn our back on Belgic Confession Article 29 and abandon the third mark

of the true church. It does mean that, for the present time, we keep disci-

pline at the level of the local church in matters related to the “confessional

status” decision of Synod 2022.

III. Overture

Therefore, River Park Church overtures Synod to consider the following ac-

tions designed to help us listen well:

A. That synod explicitly permit those who wish to write confessional-revi-

sion gravamina in response to the “confessional status” decision of

Synod 2022 to collaborate.

Grounds:

1. The “confessional status” decision of Synod 2022 potentially put

hundreds of officebearers into a place of disagreement with a confes-

sional interpretation—all at the same time. The gravamen process

was not intended for such high numbers.

2. Permitting collaboration allows those who disagree to articulate

their “best biblical and confessional case” together, rather than using

time and resources to each write their own.

3. Without granting permission to collaborate, future synodical agen-

das may be filled with responding to confessional-revision gravam-

ina from potentially hundreds of individual officebearers.

4. Explicit permission by synod is clarifying at a moment when we are

unfamiliar with what amount of collaboration is allowed and when

there is anxiousness about synod enacting discipline.

B. That synod ask Pastor Church Resources to create a toolkit intended to

equip churches to discern their hopes for covenant community. This

should be done as soon as possible.

Grounds:

1. If the CRCNA is approaching a time of covenant realignment, it is

helpful for each church to discern what they hope for in a covenant

community.

2. While no church would be required to use the toolkit, some churches

may desire a process to help them discern how to respond to the sur-

vey (item C).

396 Overtures (Deferred from 2023) AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

C. That synod ask the Office of General Secretary to create a survey that

will gather feedback from the churches, and then share that feedback

transparently. This should be done as soon as possible, with results

shared transparently by November 1, 2024, allowing overtures respond-

ing to the survey to come to Synod 2025.

Grounds:

1. In order to discern potential covenant realignments, we need to lis-

ten to the local churches.

2. The transparency should be sufficient so that people can identify na-

tional and regional alignments.

3. Sharing the results transparently will allow everyone to see the vari-

ety within the CRCNA and then potentially propose ways forward

in this turbulent time.

D. That synod invite institutions and ministries connected to the CRCNA

to articulate their challenges and hopes in this turbulent time.

Grounds:

1. “Inviting” means that each institution and ministry can discern if

they want to do this, and how to do so fittingly.

2. Listening to our institutions and ministries may help us to discern a

way forward.

E. That synod refrain from enacting any synodical-level discipline if that

discipline pertains to the decision of Synod 2022 regarding “confessional

status.” This should stay in place until covenant realignment is dis-

cerned.

Grounds:

1. Many churches and officebearers have “in good faith” operated un-

der the belief that our CRCNA position on homosexuality did not

have confessional status (see Appendix 1).

2. As the CRCNA discerns covenant realignments, it is better to leave

any discipline to the discernment of the local church.

3. It is better to allow the local church to go through a process of dis-

cernment for realignments rather than synod forcing realignment by

way of synodical-level discipline during this process.

Council of River Park CRC, Calgary, Alberta

Joanne Spronk, clerk

Note: This overture was submitted to the winter meeting of Classis Alberta

South/Saskatchewan but was not adopted.

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Overtures (Deferred from 2023) 397

APPENDIX

I. Two distinct visions of a covenant community

When it comes to perspectives on human sexuality in the CRC, and particu-

larly homosexual sex within a same-sex marriage, we in the CRCNA not

only disagree on the topic but we also disagree on how much that disagree-

ment matters.

We disagree on the topic. This overture will use the words “traditional”

and “affirming” as we talk about two different perspectives with respect to

homosexual sex within a same-sex marriage. For the purposes of this over-

ture, we will define these words in this way:

“traditional”

—a person holding a “traditional” perspective believes

that “faithful sex” which God approves only happens within a covenant

marriage between one man and one woman, only between two persons

of the opposite sex.

“affirming”

—a person holding an “affirming” perspective believes

that “faithful sex” which God approves only happens within a covenant

marriage between any two persons, including between persons of the

same sex.

Thus, these two perspectives disagree on whether God views “homosexual

sex” within a same-sex marriage as a faithful Christian action.

But in the CRCNA we also disagree on how much that disagreement mat-

ters. And this overture focuses more on the conflict arising from that second

disagreement. It is becoming apparent that there are two distinctly different

Visions

of how the covenant community of the CRC should be shaped.

Vision 1—There is room for respectful disagreement on the topic of ho-

mosexual sex. Most of those who desire Vision 1 are deeply distressed

by the “confessional status” decision of Synod 2022 because that deci-

sion removes room for respectful disagreement.

Vision 2—There is no room for any open disagreement on the topic of

homosexual sex. Some of those who desire Vision 2 were openly consid-

ering leaving the CRC if the “confessional status” recommendation to

Synod 2022 were voted down.

A majority of the current conflict in the CRC is not between the “tradi-

tional” and “affirming” persons. Indeed, many churches in the CRC are

currently flourishing and have both “traditional” and “affirming” office-

This overture is aware that not all who identify as “traditional” fit this definition, but

many do.

This overture is aware that not all who identify as “affirming” fit this definition, but

many do.

The word Vision will be capitalized throughout this appendix in order to remind the

reader that we are using this word to identify Vision 1 and Vision 2.

398 Overtures (Deferred from 2023) AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

bearers and members in that same community. The conflict is occurring be-

cause some desire the CRC to be a Vision 1 covenant community and others

desire the CRC to be a Vision 2 covenant community.

The CRC has a long history of saying that our CRC position on homosexuality has

not been confessional

In 2010, Dr. Henry DeMoor’s Christian Reformed Church Order Commentary

was published by the Christian Reformed Church. This commentary has

been a required textbook in all CRC Church Polity classes at Calvin Theo-

logical Seminary (CTS) since its publication.

As Dr. DeMoor discusses the

“settled and binding” nature of synodical decisions (Church Order, Art. 29),

he brings to the discussion the CRC’s position on homosexuality. Here is

what Dr. DeMoor writes:

It is significant, for example, that Synod 1973 twice framed all of its

“statements” on homosexuality, including its “ethical stance,” as

“pastoral advice” (Acts of Synod 1973, p. 51). It intentionally avoided

referring to them as an “interpretation” of the Heidelberg Cate-

chism’s use of the term “unchastity” in Lord’s Day 41. The possibility

that this creed meant to include what the synod referred to as “homo-

sexualism” is not denied. . . . It is just that the assembly chose not to

be that resolute. It merely wanted to establish the “ground rules” for

how all officebearers within the CRCNA ought to approach their pas-

toral responsibilities to those struggling with same-sex orientation. It

expected a “healthy respect” for its decisions, not creedal attachment.

Officebearers would not be subject to dismissal from office based on

unorthodox views, but only on disrespect for what the synod de-

cided.

Dr. DeMoor writes that Synod 1973 “intentionally avoided” giving confes-

sional status to our CRC position on homosexuality. In other words, CTS

has been teaching that Synod 1973 was leaving “room for respectful disa-

greement.”

And this was not just being taught in the Church Polity course at CTS, it

was what CTS told to anyone who asked. If one sent an email to CTS ask-

ing, “How does our CRC position on homosexuality function for officebear-

ers?” CTS would reply that the CRC position is one of pastoral advice and

does not have confessional status.

As per an email exchange with current Church Order professor, Rev. Kathy Smith. In

her reply of September 28, 2022, she writes, “Henry's commentary has been a required

textbook in all CRC Polity courses at CTS since it was published in 2010.”

Henry DeMoor, Christian Reformed Church Order Commentary, 2nd. ed. (CRCNA, 2020),

pp. 168-69.

In September 2018 the original author of this overture was made aware that a pastor in

his classis (ABSS) had decided to perform a same-sex wedding. In preparation for our

upcoming classis meeting in October, he asked faculty of CTS several questions to better

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Overtures (Deferred from 2023) 399

It is hard to know how long this position has been taught. Did Dr. DeMoor

teach his students that the CRC has room for respectful disagreement be-

fore 2010? Probably; we do not imagine he first thought that thought when

he published his commentary. But we know for sure that CTS was teaching

that the CRC’s position on homosexuality did not have confessional status

from 2010 forward.

Thus, for the purposes of this overture, we will simply say what seems

to be a verifiable fact: “For over a decade CTS has taught that the CRC posi-

tion on homosexuality is not confessional both in the classroom and to any-

one who asked.”

Synod 2022 directly contradicts what CTS has been teaching for over a decade

So what happened next? CTS has been openly and widely teaching that the

CRC’s position on “homosexual sex” did not have confessional status. Then

by a majority vote, Synod 2022 decided to affirm that “unchastity” in Hei-

delberg Catechism Q&A 108 encompasses “homosexual sex.” It is now

clear to all in the CRCNA that this interpretation of “unchastity” in Q&A

108 has confessional status in the CRCNA.

In other words, Synod 2022 directly contradicted what CTS has been teach-

ing for over a decade.

Two distinct Visions of what shapes our covenant community

Again, our experience is that the major conflict in the CRC is not around the

different perspectives: “affirming” or “traditional.” The major conflict in the

CRC at present is around Visions of how a covenant community deals with

that difference in perspectives. It may help to see the conflict by drawing

out the opposing implications of these Visions.

II. Opposing implications of Vision 1 and Vision 2

Many of our churches and institutions—even our members and officebear-

ers—have been living with an assumption of how the CRC is shaped, an as-

sumption based on either Vision 1 or Vision 2. As a denominational com-

munity, we have not been openly articulate about which Vision shapes the

CRC until the decision of Synod 2022. For many, living with an assumption

of Vision 2, there was no surprise when the HSR recommended that synod

understand how our CRC positions function, with a focus on our position on homosexu-

ality. The thoughtful and thorough reply he received on September 30, 2018, included at-

tachments to the Acts of Synod 1975, as well as this paragraph: “The matter of homosexu-

ality and same-sex marriage, addressed by Synods 1973, 2002, and 2016, has been

categorized each time by synod as pastoral advice and has never been addressed in rela-

tion to the confessions. The minority report to Synod 2016 was in error when it implied

that people who disagreed with synod's decisions on same-sex marriage may be delin-

quent in doctrine. Synod has never addressed this as a matter of doctrine or an interpre-

tation of the confessions. By Synod 1975's standards, pastoral advice is the last category

of decisions mentioned and likely the least amount of agreement is expected.”

400 Overtures (Deferred from 2023) AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

declare that the church's teaching on homosexual sex “already” has confes-

sional status. For others, this recommendation was not only a surprise; it

was deeply concerning—because adopting that recommendation would

disrupt their Vision 1 community.

Paralleling the following five implications might help us to see the vast dif-

ference between how Vision 1 and Vision 2 play out.

Reasonable implications from believing that the CRC position is not confessional

Let us ask, “What might be some common-sense implications of believing

that the CRC position on homosexuality is not confessional?” Here are five

implications that some have believed are reasonable:

Implication 1—There is room for open, respectful disagreement with the

CRC’s position.

Implication 2—An openly “affirming” officebearer can be fully “confes-

sional.”

Implication 3—An openly “affirming” pastor can accept a call into the

CRC “in good faith.”

Implication 4—An openly “affirming” CRC member could be an office-

bearer “in good standing.”

Implication 5—An “affirming” officebearer would not need to submit a

gravamen.

Reasonable Implications that follow from Synod 2022’s “confessional status” deci-

sion

While Synod 2022 did not provide insight into what consequence would

follow from their “confessional status” decision, certainly some who are

speaking out since Synod 2022 would say the following are reasonable im-

plications of that decision

(the following implications are exactly the same

as the ones listed above except for the changes that we have signified in

bold):

Implication 1—There is not room for open, respectful disagreement

with the CRC’s position.

To be clear, we have not seen or heard that CTS taught these implications directly or

openly. We are simply saying that these implications are reasonable if one honestly believes

that the CRC position on homosexuality is not confessional.

If one believes that same-sex marriage is an acceptable Christian action, then sex within

that same-sex marriage would not be considered “adultery” (sex against your marriage

covenant), and one does not consider “homosexual sex” to be “unchaste.”

For instance, we believe these five implications align with the material published on

the Abide Project website (abideproject.org). These also seem to be assumptions behind

some of the actions (i.e., registered negative votes; attending “in protest”; extended con-

cern listed in credentials) that occurred at the October 28-29, 2022, meeting of Classis

ABSS (see minutes).

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Overtures (Deferred from 2023) 401

Implication 2—An openly “affirming” officebearer can not be fully

“confessional.”

Implication 3—An openly “affirming” pastor can not accept a call into

the CRC “in good faith.”

Implication 4—An openly “affirming” CRC member could not be an of-

ficebearer “in good standing.”

Implication 5—An “affirming” officebearer would not need to submit a

gravamen.

Are we at an impasse?

For those who were living out Vision 1 in their local church community, the

“confessional status” decision of Synod 2022 is a stunning reversal of what

it means to be in the CRC covenant community. The change of implications

is immensely impactful for their local church—and that impact hurts them.

At the same time, it has also become apparent that many in the CRC desire

Vision 2 and strongly affirm the implications listed above. To many, the de-

cision to make this “confessional” is a necessary decision to keep the church

on the right path.

To some, being a Vision 1 community is a central conviction to what it

means to be a faithful church. To others, being a Vision 2 community is just

as central a conviction.

OVERTURE 73 (DEFERRED FROM 2023)

Clarify Distinctions in Synodical Decisions (Deferred from 2021)

I. Background

The November 2020 Banner article titled “Woman in Same-Sex Marriage In-

stalled as Deacon” noted that the council of Neland Avenue CRC in Grand

Rapids, Michigan, does not believe it has “crossed any line of orthodoxy,

only pastoral advice” and “that all synodical reports and decisions related

to homosexuality have been pastoral advice given to the churches.” It is not

clear to us that this distinction is a valid one—and if it is not, the decision of

Neland CRC to break covenant is based on an incorrect understanding of

the nature of synodical reports.

There is some history of a discussion. Synod 1973 appointed a committee

“to study the use and function of synodical pronouncements on doctrinal

and ethical matters, and their relation to the confessions” (Acts of Synod

1975, p. 595). That committee reported to Synod 1975, and its report states,

“Guidelines for study, pastoral advice, and other decisions of this nature al-

low for varying measures of agreement. Officebearers are expected to

‘abide by’ certain specified deliverances of synod as well as to synodical de-

cisions in general” (p. 602). The report seems to suggest that, although we

402 Overtures (Deferred from 2023) AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

may not all agree on the pastoral advice offered in synodical reports, as of-

ficebearers we are expected to abide by them—and so they are binding in

some respect.

Further, the second recommendation of that report states, “Synodical pro-

nouncements on doctrinal and ethical matters are subordinate to the confes-

sions and ‘shall be considered settled and binding, unless it is proved that

they conflict with the Word of God or the Church Order’ (Church Order,

Art. 29). All officebearers and members are expected to abide by these syn-

odical deliverances” (p. 603).

Noting that the report to Synod 1975 still lacked clarity, Synod 1995 ad-

dressed the issue of clarifying what “settled and binding” means. A major-

ity and minority report were presented, but both were defeated.

As a denomination, we are in need of such clarity.

II. Overture

Classis Chatham overtures Synod 2021 to clarify the distinctions in catego-

ries of synodical pronouncements, decisions, reports, positions, and advice

and the extent to which they bind the churches.

Grounds:

1. We are concerned that other churches may also make decisions based

on an incomplete knowledge of which synodical decisions are binding

and which are not.

2. This needs to be addressed separately from reports on the floor of synod

because this is a matter of some urgency as other congregations wrestle

with different issues.

3. As churches have conversations, they need to have strong, biblically

supported guidance from the denomination.

4. Churches need to understand the clear boundaries of our synodical de-

cisions as we move forward in covenant with one another.

5. Synod has not clearly articulated what it means that synodical decisions

are considered settled and binding.

Classis Chatham

Ron Middel, stated clerk

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Overtures (Deferred from 2023) 403

OVERTURE 74 (DEFERRED FROM 2023)

Adopt an Additional Supplement to Church Order

Articles 82-84 (Deferred from 2020)

I. Observations

The Reformed churches in continental Europe determined that mutual sup-

port and accountability were an important part of being Christ’s church, so

in the mid-16th century the idea of church officebearers signing a “Form of

Subscription” began to take root. The Synod of Dordrecht 1574 determined

that its officebearers must “attest” to the Reformed confessions, but it took

the great Synod of Dort of 1618-19 to formally require all officebearers in

the Dutch Reformed Churches to subscribe to a “Form of Subscription.” In

signing this form, officebearers were vowing before God and his people, in

part, to hold one another accountable for their faith and doctrine, both lived

out and taught. The Christian Reformed Church, at its inception as a de-

nomination, also included the requirement that its officebearers sign a Form

of Subscription. We took those promises seriously, including the pledge

that “we are prepared moreover to submit to the judgment of the council,

classis, or synod, realizing that the consequences of refusal to do so is sus-

pension from office.” Synod 2012 adopted an updated Form of Subscrip-

tion, referred to as the Covenant for Officebearers in the Christian Re-

formed Church, by which all officebearers serving the church likewise vow:

“We promise to submit to the church’s judgment and authority. We honor

this covenant for the well-being of the church to the glory of God the Fa-

ther, Son, and Holy Spirit.”

Church Order Article 82 states, “All officebearers, in addition to being sub-

ject to general discipline, are subject to special discipline, which consists of

suspension and deposition from office.” Article 83 states, “Special discipline

shall be applied to officebearers if they violate the Covenant for Officebear-

ers, are guilty of neglect or abuse of office, or in any way seriously deviate

from sound doctrine and godly conduct.” But what does this look like,

when officebearers in one congregation or even in one classis might be lax

in or refuse to hold its officebearers accountable to the confessional deci-

sions of synods? There appears to be sufficient ambiguity in the Church Or-

der to cause a paralysis of action in officebearers being able to hold one an-

other accountable to the vow each made when signing the Covenant for

Officebearers upon their ordination. What role does another council or clas-

sis have in helping to encourage or move forward special discipline when

made aware of a failure in another council or classis to uphold our covenant

together? Greater clarity is necessary.

We do have some guidance from past actions of synods. A brief study of

the history of synodical decisions shows us that classes and synods have in-

tervened in the decisions of local congregations, even when those decisions

did not originate in the council itself. Synods in the past have decided that it

404 Overtures (Deferred from 2023) AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

is permissible for a broader assembly to step in and impose special disci-

pline on a narrower assembly, even if no one in a narrower assembly of the

offending party has requested such intervention. Many of these decisions

were highlighted by the Judicial Code Committee back in 1993, based on an

appeal it received and then passed on to synod, about the ability of other

assemblies to enforce the Form of Subscription’s covenanted responsibilities

(see Acts of Synod 1993, pp. 523ff.).

1. Classis Muskegon deposed the minister and entire consistory of one of

its churches in 1919 (with synod’s later approval of the synodical depu-

ties’ work) when the consistory refused to depose its minister (see Acts

of Synod 1993, p. 526).

2. Synod 1926 upheld Classis Grand Rapids West in its actions deposing a

minister and the majority of his consistory. Synod stated that “Article 36

of the Church Order [currently Article 27-b] gives the classis jurisdiction

over the consistory” (Acts of Synod 1926, p. 142).

3. Synod 1980 considered an appeal from elders of a church in Classis Hu-

ron who had been deposed by the classis. They found that the broader

assembly of the classis was not guilty of abusing their God-given au-

thority over the narrower assembly of the consistory by lording it over

them based on the following grounds:

a. Classis did not exceed its authority when it engaged itself with

the situation at Goderich CRC. Christ gave authority to the

church as a whole and thereby entrusted authority to the occa-

sions of its exercise in classis and synod as gatherings of the

churches to maintain the unity of the congregations in both

doctrine and discipline.

b. The gathering of churches and their representatives in Jerusa-

lem set a pattern of authoritative decisions, which pattern is

followed in principle in the deliberations and decisions of the

major assemblies.

c. To contend that Classis Huron had no proper jurisdiction over

the Goderich Consistory proceeds on a mistaken conception of

the relation of the minor assembly to the major assembly. The

same authority, constituting the same standards and the same

goals, is applied by the several assemblies. Classis Huron ad-

hered to the correct use of the authority delegated to them by

Christ.

d. In the application of Article 17 (re the release of a minister) to

the Goderich situation, it is in order that a classis act when a

consistory fails to do so (Art. 27). Classis Huron’s action was

within the range of the delegated authority.”

(Acts of Synod 1980, pp. 28-30)

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Overtures (Deferred from 2023) 405

4. Synod 1982 concurred with Synod 1980’s ability to have authority over a

consistory (Acts of Synod 1982, pp. 55, 628-629).

5. Synod 1991 upheld the action of Classis Lake Erie in suspending the en-

tire council of a church, and instructed the classis to immediately com-

plete the discipline proceedings and deposition of an elder and a deacon

(Acts of Synod 1991, p. 771).

6. Synod 1993 heard an appeal from a church in Classis Hudson when the

classis suspended and deposed its minister. Synod did not sustain the

appeal. Some of the grounds included the following:

a. The Church Order does not specify that the local council is the

only body that may initiate and impose special discipline.

b. Synodical precedents establish the authority of a classis to sus-

pend and depose a minister without request or appeal from a

member of the council or congregation of the church involved

under circumstances such as those present in this matter.

(Acts of Synod 1993, p. 529)

7. Synod 2004 instructed Classis Toronto to urge one of its churches to act

in accordance with the guidelines of the reports on homosexuality of

1973 and 2002 (Acts of Synod 2004, p. 632). Synod 2005 appointed an in

loco committee, and Classis Toronto passed their recommendation, stat-

ing that the biblical/ethical guidelines of Synod 1973 and Synod 2002 are

considered settled and binding, and that the actions of First CRC of To-

ronto constituted a breaking of the denominational covenant (Agenda for

Synod 2006, p. 459). Synod 2006 approved the work of the In Loco Com-

mittee after the church agreed to conform to the denomination’s posi-

tion (Acts of Synod 2006, p. 653).

More recently, Synod 2019 showed us the need for greater clarity in this

manner, as it was confronted with a situation in which a minister was

teaching Kinism and was not being disciplined for that false teaching by his

council. Such teaching was doing great damage not only to that local con-

gregation but also to our entire denomination. The classis had slowly begun

a process of investigation, after this pastor had been publicly advocating

this position for years, though it was contrary to what he had vowed to up-

hold when he signed the Covenant for Officebearers. But the question was

raised, asking, What if a majority of this classis’ delegates were also sympa-

thetic to Kinism? What options would be available to another classis in the

CRCNA to hold that officebearer accountable to the Covenant for Office-

bearers if his own council and classis refused to do so? This pastor’s teach-

ing was damaging the witness and reputation of our entire denomination.

Synod 2019, beginning to acknowledge that, adopted the following guid-

ance for the churches:

406 Overtures (Deferred from 2023) AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

That synod, given the recent history of Kinist teaching in a particular

church of the CRCNA, admonish councils and classes to promote

confessional fidelity and mutually to pursue special discipline of an office-

bearer [emphasis added] who is found to hold views contrary to our

standard. (Acts of Synod 2019, p. 818)

Synod 2019 was presented with many recommendations for how we as a

denomination might go about protecting our members and churches from

abuse of power. In the process of wrestling with this, we were reminded

how we are stronger together than apart, particularly when dealing with

the matter of abuse. We need mutual accountability, and we need fellow

brothers and sisters in other classes to hold one another accountable to the

vows made in the Covenant for Officebearers when it comes to matters of

abuse.

Synod 2019 saw a greater need, both with Kinism and the abuse of power,

to broaden the contact that we have with one another, both on a congrega-

tional and a classical level. The need is great and pressing in this current

age. We see the importance of clarifying this in our Church Order, detailing

what it means to continue to covenant together as fellow officebearers in

our respective classes when there is a failure to abide by the vows we have

made in signing the Covenant for Officebearers.

There is clear scriptural instruction, Church Order mandate, and historical

precedent that we should hold one another accountable to these mutual

vows to Christ and his church, so that the honor of Jesus would be upheld

and that the witness of his church, as represented in the Christian Reformed

Church, would not be tarnished. The Church Order foundation, in Article 1,

is that we are in “complete subjection to the Word of God.” The Church Or-

der has always been intended as a means to that end and must never be al-

lowed to be used as an excuse for permitting such gross recent affronts as

Kinism or abuse of power to continue on technicalities. Let us hold our-

selves to high standards and ensure that our Church Order not only allows

but also encourages and enables us to live up to our covenant responsibili-

ties.

II. Overture

Therefore, Classis Zeeland overtures Synod 2020 to adopt the following ad-

dition to Church Order Supplement, Articles 82-84:

To carry out our mutual, covenanted responsibility, any narrower assembly

may make a formal appeal to a broader assembly regarding the action or inac-

tion of another assembly when an officebearer is deemed to be in violation of

the Covenant for Officebearers. Such an appeal may proceed only after the per-

ceived violation has been communicated to the council and classis of the office-

bearer. Synod shall be the final body of appeal in all matters.

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Overtures (Deferred from 2023) 407

Grounds:

1. There is consistent historical precedent in the CRCNA for broader as-

semblies to hold narrower assemblies accountable to the Form of Sub-

scription/Covenant for Officebearers as an expression of our vows to

covenant together as a Reformed denomination.

2. There is a pressing need for clarity to define the ability of one classis to

hold another classis accountable to the enforcement of the Covenant for

Officebearers, which all officebearers in all classes have signed, for the

sake of our common witness and testimony in this world.

3. Synod is the final body to appeal to and is the proper avenue to appeal

to, in carrying out our covenanted responsibilities.

4. Synod is the appropriate authoritative body that determines whether it

will instruct a classis to a certain point of action regarding the imposition

of special discipline on an officebearer within that classis, so synod has the

ultimate authority to enforce that (Church Order Art. 27-b).

5. The appointment of synodical deputies (Art. 48) recognizes the vital im-

portance and value of other classes, with synodical approval and au-

thority, to speak into certain decisions of another classis, and has been

deemed by synods past not to be an instance of one body “lording it

over” another body (Acts of Synod 1980, p. 28).

Classis Zeeland

Ronald J. Meyer, stated clerk

OVERTURE 75 (DEFERRED FROM 2023)

Evaluate Polity to Clarify Relationship of Assemblies

Classis Zeeland overtures synod to appoint a study committee to evaluate

our church polity in light of the Scriptures, our theology, and our history,

with the goal of clarifying the relationship between the council, classis, and

synod. This should take particular note of the authority of the church and

its various assemblies in light of the issue of discipline and excommunica-

tion on the local level, and church discipline and disaffiliation at the classi-

cal and synodical levels. The biblical and theological underpinnings should

be analyzed first, turning then to recommendations for a proper polity that

is biblically faithful and historically informed and addresses the issues the

church is facing today. Based upon those conclusions, recommendations for

structural changes should follow, including recommendations for changes

to Church Order that reflect the biblical and theological and polity conclu-

sions.

408 Overtures (Deferred from 2023) AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

Grounds:

1. There is considerable confusion over the nature and authority of church

assemblies today. This is causing chaos in the church and must be ad-

dressed.

2. These difficulties are deep and serious and can only be appropriately

addressed by agreement at the biblical and theological level first, and

then applied to our polity, Church Order, and practice.

3. Local churches and classes lack the time and resources to handle such

an extensive biblical, theological, and historical task. It involves all our

churches, so it must be addressed at the synodical level.

4. The task is significant in both weight, content, and impact, and it re-

quires a full study committee to do it justice.

Classis Zeeland

Ronald J. Meyer, stated clerk

OVERTURE 76 (DEFERRED FROM 2023)

Appoint a Task Force to Develop Church Order Procedures to

Discipline Officebearers, Including Disaffiliation Initiated by a

Major Assembly (Deferred from 2022)

I. Overture

Classis Hackensack overtures Synod 2022 to appoint a task force to develop

Church Order procedures to discipline officebearers, including disaffilia-

tion of a consistory or classis initiated by a major assembly.

Grounds:

1. The church is enjoined with the responsibility to bring those who wan-

der away back to the truth of God (James 5:19-20)—and when gentle ap-

peals are ignored, to exclude them and pray for them (Matt. 18:15-17;

Gal. 6:1-10; 1 Cor. 5:1-13; 1 Tim. 5:19-21).

2. We lack a published mechanism for major assemblies to use in respond-

ing to gross theological error.

3. Past practice and appeals confirm that major assemblies have authority

to depose officebearers in local churches.

4. Clarifying our discipline would bring consistency to our Church Order

in how we discipline erring consistories and classes.

II. Background

Our present Church Order does not accurately reflect the teaching of Holy

Scripture and the Reformed confessions with respect to ecclesiastical disci-

pline. We confess that discipline is one of the marks of the true church (Bel-

gic Confession, Art. 29). Our polity has provisions for accountability at the

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Overtures (Deferred from 2023) 409

congregational level: members are accountable to elders (Church Order Art.

81), officebearers are accountable to one another (Art. 82-84). These are

faithful elaborations of the principles of discipline provided in Matthew 18

and other passages. Principles of good, restrained discipline are spelled out

at the congregational level. Local consistories are able respond to correct

erring members and officebearers. They can call members to repentance

and, as a last resort, exclude them.

However, these principles are opaque for a consistory and classis. Our pol-

ity includes appointment of classis counselors and visitors (Art. 42), and

synod appoints deputies (Art. 48) to maintain sound doctrine. These roles

help our churches abide by good order. Those appointed as counselors, vis-

itors, and deputies have advisory roles to classis or synod. Where a local

consistory can exclude confessing members (Art. 81), comparable provi-

sions are not delineated for classis and synod. The authority of broader as-

semblies is recognized (Art. 27), and the principles of mutual submission

and restraint are also expressed (Art. 85).

Christian Reformed churches agree that ecclesiastical authority is original to

the local church council, and the authority of major assemblies is delegated

(Art. 27). By joining a broader assembly, officebearers of a local church re-

linquish some authority. What appears absent in the delegation of this au-

thority is a clear process for discipline by a major assembly.

Our Church Order provides little guidance of what to do when those who

err ignore admonition and discipline of broader accountability. However,

past classical and synodical actions reveal an established practice:

• In 1924 Classis Grand Rapids West deposed the consistories of First

CRC in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and Hope CRC in Grandville, Michi-

gan; Synod 1926 upheld the decision of classis.

• In 1980 Classis Huron deposed Rev. Wiebo Ludwig and four other

consistory members of Trinity CRC in Goderich, Ontario; Synod

1982 upheld the decision of classis.

• In 1991 Classis Lake Erie deposed officebearers of Washington (Pa.)

CRC; Synod 1991 ruled that classis acted within its authority.

Synods have repeatedly affirmed the principle that a classis has authority to

depose a consistory (additional cases are noted in Henry De Moor’s 1986

Equipping the Saints doctoral dissertation). Although precedents exist, our

Church Order does not regulate the practice.

Further, there is no precedent for the disaffiliation of a classis by synod. The

silence of our Church Order on this important aspect of discipline affects

both local congregations and broader assemblies. Local consistories and of-

ficebearers may be denied due process because no discernible process ex-

ists. Without a uniform standard, broader assemblies are open to charges of

410 Overtures (Deferred from 2023) AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

inconsistency and injustice. Developing a clear standard for the disaffilia-

tion of a consistory or classis initiated by a major assembly would ensure

such separations are handled fairly.

Specifying the disciplinary procedures available to a major assembly would

equip delegates of classes. The most recent synod passed a motion to “ad-

monish councils and classes to promote confessional fidelity and mutually

to pursue special discipline of an officebearer who is found to hold views

contrary to our standard” (Acts of Synod 2019, pp. 818-19). This was synod’s

response to years of heresy being taught in a local church and of the classis

failing to act. Delegated officebearers rely on the Church Order as part of

the discernment process. Our Church Order needs to adequately guide our

officebearers in critical situations of how church discipline functions at the

classis and synodical levels.

Classis Hackensack

Sheila E. Holmes, stated clerk

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Overtures and Communications 411

OVERTURES

AND

COMMUNICATIONS

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Overtures 413

OVERTURES

OVERTURE 1

Amend the Council of Delegates Governance Handbook to

Clarify Their Role in the Nomination Process

I. Introduction

In March of 2023, the interim committee of Classis Quinte submitted the

name of our nomination for the Council of Delegates with the intention of

ratifying that nomination at the next classis meeting. Before classis could

deliberate, a communication was sent from the Council of Delegates indi-

cating that this nomination had been declined.

It is not the intention of this overture to litigate or appeal this decision. Our

purpose is to deal with an underlying governance issue. It is material to

note, however, that at the May meeting of Classis Quinte we heard the

grounds for the denial and the response from the member involved, and we

do not believe that the grounds cited were a barrier to service nor were they

an issue of the member’s life, faith, excellence in ability, or capacity to serve.

It is also important to note that the responses of the Council of Delegates

created an impression that the issue lay with the nominee. It did not, and

instead was caused by the Council of Delegates’ lack of timely response and

involved an interpretation of its handbook contrary to the spirit of our pol-

ity in order to define their grounds as an issue at all.

Classis Quinte responded with a letter to the Council of Delegates on June

28, 2023 (Appendix A) in order to express our disagreement and concerns.

The Council of Delegates, through its executive, responded on June 30, 2023

(Appendix B). At the September meeting of Classis Quinte it was decided

that an overture to synod would be our response to the actions of and justi-

fications provided by the Council of Delegates.

We believe that the Council of Delegates has acted outside of its authority

to deny a classis its right to decide its own representation. Further, the

Council of Delegates did not provide Classis Quinte or the honourable

member due process to speak to the issues at hand, instead acting unilater-

ally and in a way that violates the spirit of Reformed polity and the purpose

of the Council of Delegates.

II. Background

The synod of 2015 acted to replace the CRCNA Board of Trustees structure

with a new Council of Delegates structure. The purpose of this structure

was to act as an interim committee of synod in order to carry out the needs

414 Overtures AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

of the church in much the same way an interim committee of classis acts.

This Council of Delegates operates with a “delegated” authority from

synod that is established in Church Order Article 33-b:

Each classis shall appoint a classical interim committee, and synod

shall appoint the Council of Delegates of the CRCNA, to act for them

in matters which cannot await action by the assemblies themselves.

Such committees shall be given well-defined mandates and shall sub-

mit all their actions to the next meeting of the assembly for approval.

In this structure it is the synod that rightly approves the membership of the

Council of Delegates. What makes this structure different from the Board of

Trustees model that it replaced is that the Council of Delegates was in-

tended to model the representative nature of synod itself, with trustees be-

ing replaced with delegates nominated by each classis. While properly its

authority is derived from synod, its delegation is derived from the classes.

This was a significant principle of moving to this structure: that it become

more directly connected with the classes, both in composition and in ac-

countability, to address the concerns of the churches that had observed a

centralization of the decision-making process under the Board of Trustees

model. This concern was addressed in the rationale in 2015.

One consistent question that we have faced is whether this approach

is “centralization” with the implication that centralization is a danger

to avoid. This proposal eliminates dual authority, which is different

than centralization. If the recommendation of the [Task Force Re-

viewing Structure and Culture] is adopted, the result will be a

broader and more classically based inclusion of those who will have

“delegated” authority of synod.

(Agenda for Synod 2015, p. 361)

The spirit of the Council of Delegates, at its very formation, was to avoid a

self-selecting ecosystem and to ensure that the classes were to be included

in that delegation of authority.

While foundational, the Council of Delegates chose to stray from this prin-

ciple in its interpretation of the COD Governance Handbook in section 2.13.

In the matter of Classis Quinte and our nominee it was decided that “with

the assistance of the COD’s nominating committee” implied the ability to

unilaterally reject a nomination and that the phrase “through the COD to

synod” implied a gatekeeping authority rather than an administrative func-

tion.

In addition to its violation of the spirit of its formation, the interpretation of

the COD in this matter created a nonjudicial process where they acted with-

out oversight or accountability to the detriment of both the member and the

classis. It is right that an appeal of the decision could have been made to

synod, but practically this would leave the classis without representation

for at least a year if another nominee was not found and the member was

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Overtures 415

without the ability to serve for three to six years, though prayerfully and

properly selected by classis for this time.

It is our belief that synod must clarify the letter and the spirit of our polity

in this area to ensure that the Council of Delegates understands the limits to

its authority, that the integrity of our delegated authority is maintained,

and that our confidence in our mutual covenant is restored. It is also our be-

lief that while what has been done cannot be undone, there is damage to the

member and to Classis Quinte through the actions of the Council of Dele-

gates that needs to be addressed.

We, Classis Quinte, overture synod as follows:

A. That synod add the following footnote to the COD Governance Hand-

book section 2.13 concerning the parentheses “(with the assistance of the

COD’s nominating committee)”: “

This assistance shall be interpreted as

administrative and advisory only. It is the domain of the classis to select

its own nominee.

B. That synod add the following footnote to the COD Governance Hand-

book concerning the phrase “provide in a manner selected by the classis

a nominee through the COD to synod”: “

The phrase “through the

COD” shall be interpreted as administrative in function. The role of the

COD and its nominating committee with respect to classical delegates

shall be to receive nominations and forward them to synod.

C. That synod instruct the COD to apologize to Classis Quinte for its inter-

pretation and application of the guidelines in this matter.

D. That synod instruct the COD to apologize to the nominee for its inter-

pretation and application of the guidelines in this matter.

Grounds

a. The spirit of our polity and the formation of the Council of Delegates

is founded on the principle of classical inclusion.

b. While the authority of the Council of Delegates is delegated by the

synod, there are limits to that authority, especially with regard to its

membership.

c. If the interpretation used in this matter is not corrected by synod, it

will create a system in which the Council of Delegates becomes a

self-selecting body rather than a representative body.

d. It may be the case that at times weighty reasons might exist such that

a member ought not serve. Such matters ought properly be brought

before the classis to weigh and synod to adjudicate (if necessary). It

is not in the interest of the churches in either order or appearance for

the Council of Delegates to make such a decision unilaterally.

e. Harm has been done to Classis Quinte in being excluded from the

decision-making process and from not being allowed its own repre-

sentation.

416 Overtures AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

f. Harm has been done to the nominee both in the loss of opportunity

to joyfully serve and, while surely unintentional, in loss to their rep-

utation through the inappropriate denial of their service.

Classis Quinte

Joanne Adema, stated clerk

Amendment to This Overture (submitted by Classis Quinte):

The original overture was written detailing the interaction with the COD

while the previous handbook was utilized in the decision made. The new

COD Handbook (2023) has adopted language that entrenches this misinter-

pretation of our polity as well as the history and purpose of the COD. Our

additional overture to synod is that synod review the language found in

Chapter 1 of the 2023 handbook under “Membership, 1. Classical Mem-

bers” regarding membership, strike the language “approved by the COD,”

and include the footnotes in the original overture regarding the “assistance

of the COD Governance Committee,” thus reminding the COD of their

place within our polity.

APPENDIX A

Classis Quinte Response to the Actions of the Council of Delegates

Classis Interim Committee (CIC)

Classis Quinte

Rev. Ben vanStraten, chair; Jennings Creek Christian Reformed Church

Rev. Rita Klein-Geltink, vice chair; Grace Christian Reformed Church

June 28, 2023

Council of Delegates of the Christian Reformed Church

Andy DeRuyter, chair, and Michael Ten Haken, vice chair

Dear Council of Delegates,

We are writing in response to your letter of May 10, 2023, in which you

communicated your decision to “decline the nomination of <redacted> to

the Council of Delegates.”

Your letter was shared on the floor of the Classis Quinte meeting of May 30,

2023, and serious concerns were raised about the impropriety of your ac-

tion.

First, it is the role of Classis to delegate people to the COD, and that should

be honoured.

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Overtures 417

Secondly, it is not the COD but synod who appoints delegates to the COD.

<The chair of COD’s nominating services committee> email correspondence

of February 13, 2023, with our Stated Clerk <redacted>, indicated that this

was also his understanding.

Thirdly, while we submitted <redacted> name before Classis had approved

<their> nomination, we were not seeking the COD’s approval. Rather, we

submitted the name at the request of <the chair of COD’s nominating ser-

vices committee>. Again, referencing his email to our Stated Clerk where he

wrote, “our preference would be to have the name submitted as soon as

possible so that it can make it into the Agenda for synod – who does the ac-

tual appointing.”

It is our conviction that the COD has procedurally overstepped their au-

thority in declining our proposed nomination. Although <redacted> has in-

formed the CIC that <they have> withdrawn <their> name for our consider-

ation as our COD delegate from Classis Quinte, we protest the COD’s

rejection of our appointee, and believe a response from the COD to Classis

Quinte’s concerns is in order.

On behalf of the Classis Interim Committee, Classis Quinte

Rev. Ben vanStraten, pastorbenvs@gmail.com

Rev. Rita Klein-Geltink, rita.kleingeltink@gmail.com

APPENDIX B

Response from the Council of Delegates to the Letter of June 28, 2023

June 30 2023

Classis Interim Committee (CIC), Classis Quinte

Rev. Ben vanStraten, chair

Rev. Rita Klein-Geltink, vice chair

Dear Classis Representatives,

Thank you for your letter of June 28, 2023. We wish to address your serious

concerns about the propriety of our actions as they relate to Classis Quinte’s

nomination of <redacted> to the Council of Delegates. We will respond to

the various points raised in your letter.

First, the COD Governance Handbook states that each classis of the

CRCNA shall, with the assistance of the COD’s nominating committee, pro-

vide in a manner selected by the classis a nominee through the COD to

418 Overtures AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

synod. The Nominating Committee received your nomination and pre-

sented this nominee to the COD per our guidelines.

Secondly, you are correct that synod officially appoints the members of the

COD, “relying upon the trust of nominating assemblies in their integrity,

judgment, and courage,” as stated in the COD Governance Handbook. It

became clear to the COD during executive session that <an issue arose> and

therefore, by a clear majority vote, <they were> not recommended to synod

as a delegate. In this manner the assemblies offered their integrity, judg-

ment, and courage as required in the handbook.

Thirdly, <redacted, referring to the issue specifically>

As outlined in the grounds presented in our recent letter to Classis Quinte,

<an issue> is present in this situation. For the sake of the well-being of the

COD, the ministry it governs, and to provide time for <the issue to be re-

solved> the classis was asked for another nominee to be presented as soon

as possible so that you are represented at the COD table. It was made clear

in our communication to you that <redacted> would surely be considered

as a COD delegate once the <issue> had been resolved.

As leaders of the COD, we want to do everything possible to make sure that

a delegate from Classis Quinte can participate well.

Together with you in his service and on behalf of the CRCNA Council of

Delegates,

Michael Ten Haken (chair) and Greta Luimes (vice chair)

OVERTURE 2

Grant Permission for Consejo Latino to Report on Its Work

and Share Resources at Synod

I. Background

For many years the CRCNA has been involved with different ethnic minis-

tries across the United States and Canada. And among these ministries are

the Hispanic ministries. In 2012, Hispanic ministers came together to get to

know each other and to look to the future of the CRC’s Hispanic ministries.

At that time a catalyst group had been in the works. This group eventually

became Consejo Latino in 2017. That year, Jose Rayas had shared some

thoughts, including the following:

Another thing I appreciate about the CRC is the vision to be a multi-

ethnic/diverse church. And I think this is where there is a great chal-

lenge, because for the vision to be a part of the DNA of the church,

the CRC will have to discern how the cultural realities of the diverse

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Overtures 419

ethnic groups can build each other up and edify the denomination as

a whole.

Today, this is the reality of Consejo Latino: discerning how the realities of

the diverse ethnic groups can build each other up and edify the denomina-

tion as a whole. Over the past few decades the Hispanic Ministries have

learned much that has ranged from navigating through the denomination

to raising leaders from within. Granted, there is still much to be learned,

and yet Consejo Latino has made great strides and inroads since 2017.

There is more involvement of Hispanic pastors (ordained and commis-

sioned) in denominational matters. The Luke 10 program for the prepara-

tion of leaders has been designed and implemented.

The Council of Delegates is only one step in that direction. Other steps may

include working with existing ethnic regional ministries to build leadership

momentum, rather than trying to provide leadership. The apostle Paul, in a

powerful way, talks about the church as one body. We are all different, and

yet we have the same Maker. We have different cultural traits, and yet we

share one Savior. We minister in different contexts, yet it is one gospel of

salvation that rules our lives.

It has been almost seven years since Consejo Latino was formalized as a

working group within the CRCNA, with its own leadership group. And in

this time Consejo Latino has continued to move forward in fulfilling its vi-

sion of growth for the church. However, there comes a time to recognize

that the learning of Consejo Latino has matured and should be shared with

the larger church for reasons of accountability and feedback. That time is

now. Thus it seems appropriate that Consejo Latino have a place to report

and inform the church leadership of the possibilities and strides made to

strengthen the church.

II. Overture

Classes California South and Arizona overture synod to create room on the

floor of synod for the leaders of Consejo Latino to report on their work and

to share resources with the CRCNA.

Grounds:

1. Evangelism has global and ethnic implications.

2. The experience and knowledge of Consejo Latino can be shared across

the denomination.

3. Consejo Latino was born from the urgency of the call to share the gos-

pel.

4. It is the desire of Consejo Latino to share what it has learned for the

growth and progress of the denomination.

5. Church planting is and has been a priority and one of the major foci of

Consejo Latino and its relationship with Resonate Global Mission.

420 Overtures AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

6. Missional leadership development is an area of growth within the de-

nomination and is a major focus of Consejo Latino.

Classis California South

Mario Perez, stated clerk

Classis Arizona

Andy DeKorte, stated clerk

OVERTURE 3

Recommend that Ministers’ Pension Trustees Increase the

Final Average Salary Calculation to 100 Percent of the

Average Ministers’ Compensation

I. Introduction and background

Classis Niagara submits this overture to recommend that the trustees of the

Ministers’ Pension Plans increase the final average salary calculation from

75 percent to 100 percent of the average ministers’ compensation.

One of the benefits that the CRCNA offers for ordained ministers of the

Word serving in the United States and Canada is a defined-benefit pension.

The Ministers’ Pension Plan (MPP) benefits for participants are calculated

by a formula. The current calculation for each participant is based on the

multiplication of years of service, a factor of 1.3 percent, and what is re-

ported as the “final average salary.”

The “final average salary” (FAS) is country-specific for either Canada or the

United States. To determine the FAS, compensation data is collected from

all minister participants from each country. The compensation data in-

cludes both salary and housing benefit/housing allowance for all active

ministers in the plan. That three-year running average compensation is then

reduced by 25 percent to arrive at the FAS, which is used to determine pen-

sion benefits. (For instance, the FAS effective February 2024 for retiring

ministers is $62,310 for Canada and $57,998 for the U.S. But these are only

75 percent of the actual three-year average compensation of all ministers in

the respective countries.)

In many other defined-pension benefit plans, individual benefits are calcu-

lated based on the individual’s final average salary of the participant’s best

three or five years of service. We note that this could result in an inequity of

benefits for pastors who may have similar years of service but have served

in ministries where compensation may have been vastly different. For that

reason we are supportive of the logic of using an average of all ministers’

compensation.

What we believe needs to change is that the FAS should reflect 100 percent

of ministers’ total compensation. We understand that the original MPP was

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Overtures 421

based on only the salary portion of compensation, exclusive of housing ben-

efit/housing allowance. In both Canada and the United States, clergy may

claim their housing benefit/housing allowance as nontaxable. This benefit

allows churches and ministries to compensate ministers at a reduced level

while the ministers’ actual “take home” pay is more in line with the profes-

sional services they provide. It is our understanding that the 25 percent re-

duction of the actual minister average compensation is intended to be reflec-

tive of the housing benefit/housing allowance so that pension benefits

continue to be calculated on only the salary portion of their compensation.

It is understood that ministers need to plan for retirement based on per-

sonal savings plans through such vehicles as RRSPs or 401(k)s, government

benefits, and the MPP. In planning for that retirement we believe that the

portion of retirement income from the MPP should be calculated based on

100 percent of the three-year average ministers’ compensation.

II. Overture

Classis Niagara overtures Synod 2024 to recommend that the trustees of the

Canadian and United States ministers’ pension plans implement a sustaina-

ble plan to increase the final average salary calculation from 75 percent to

100 percent of the three-year average ministers’ compensation.

Ground:

Using the full 100 percent of average ministers’ compensation in its calcula-

tions honors the full contribution of ministers through their years of service.

Classis Niagara

Wendy de Jong, stated clerk

OVERTURE 4

Close the Pension Fund to New Members and Create a New

Retirement Fund

I. History

Since 1881 the Christian Reformed Church has covenanted with its minis-

ters to provide a pension plan. This plan has been modified and updated in

order to provide secure funding and retirement benefits for pastors:

• In 1883 pensions were funded with two church offerings per year.

• In 1894 funding shifted to the classes through quotas.

• In the 1920s and 1930s expected shortfalls after World War I and the

Great Depression forced additional revisions to the plan. During

those decades, our churches pledged to mutually assist other

churches and classes unable to pay their shares.

422 Overtures AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

• In 1939 the plan changed to provide for spousal and dependent ben-

efits.

• In 1980 synod approved the formation of a Canadian Pension Plan.

• In 2010 synod approved reductions to the pension multiplier and

COLA adjustments to keep the plan solvent. Overall, the pension

system has served us well.

The denomination has had a long history of adjusting and adapting to the

needs of changing circumstances with this plan. We believe that the

CRCNA is now in a time that warrants another change to secure the plan

and funding and retirement benefits for pastors.

II. Present concerns

Currently retirees and survivors outnumber the plan’s contributors. In

2023, 911 active ministers are contributing while 776 ministers and 242 sur-

vivors (1,008 total) are receiving benefits. Also, there are 131 withdrawn

participants with vested benefits.

The annual reporting to synod further underlines concern for the plan’s sol-

vency. Synod 2023 reporting indicated that the 2022 reported market value

of the combined Canadian and U.S. plans ($191,912,000) was able to meet

the 2019 reported actuarial liability obligation ($182,900,000). This three-

year gap is concerning and offers no real assurance the projections end with

solvency.

Additionally, for smaller churches, a fixed-pension commitment that is not

adjustable within a salary package is burdensome when facing either bivo-

cational or other salary packages. At the same time, as with ministry shares,

there are churches not paying their assessments into the pension plan. With

60 percent of the congregations in the CRCNA worshiping at 100 members

or less, these concerns will only continue to expand.

Finally, pension plans are designed to bring assurance to participants that

in their retirement years there will be adequate income along with other in-

vestments and Social Security. Instead of bringing assurance for many pas-

tors, there is growing anxiety about the reduction of benefits that pastors

have seen over the past years. For example, a pastor entering ministry

around 1995 has seen a reduction in projected benefits from the pension

plan of 30-35 percent. This reduction doesn’t bring assurance of longevity of

the pension plan.

III. Future concerns

There are three challenges facing the Ministers’ Pension Plan as it currently

functions.

First, the challenge of keeping the pension solvent will only increase as av-

erage life expectancy increases. Add to that the challenge of congregations

to remain participating (either because of size, closure, or departure from

the CRCNA), and a perfect storm is created.

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Overtures 423

Second, the pension as a defined-benefit plan (DBP) presumes (even re-

quires) that pastors be in full-time ministry for the plan to function. How-

ever, Synod 2023 acknowledged the importance of dual-career (bivoca-

tional) pastors. Synod made appropriate Church Order changes to support

this recognition. However, synod has not yet offered considerations for the

future retirements of dual-career (bivocational) pastors and their participa-

tion in the pension.

Third, the management of the pension is also in future jeopardy or uncer-

tainty. John Bolt has served our denomination well for many years. He is

one of the few people who understand the DBP pensions that the CRC has

for its pastors. His knowledge base is so crucial that he had to return from

retirement part-time to help with pension matters. While John is truly gen-

erous with his time, any person-dependent pension is troublesome.

It should also be noted that participants in the pension also carry the bur-

den that because the CRCNA is an ecclesiastical organization, there is no

coverage under the U.S. Pension Guarantee Benefit Corporation should the

pension fail.

IV. Analysis

Over the past 25 years most denominations have shifted from DBP pen-

sions to individual retirement account plans by utilizing a 403(b)9 em-

ployer-based plan. Rather than a fixed payout calculated according to years

of service and a multiplier creating common but limited payout, a 403(b)9

plan requires a percentage of the pastor’s compensation based on housing

plus salary (usually between 8.5% and 11%) be contributed into a pastor’s

personal 403(b)9 account. This account is held within an employer-spon-

sored plan managed by a selected third-party financial management com-

pany. The denomination provides oversight to the investment portfolio by

creating guidelines for the portfolio manager. The portfolio manager carries

third-party insurance against mismanagement of funds.

This type of plan provides multiple benefits for pastors and congregations.

1. The 8.5-11 percent contribution is based on actual compensation (salary

plus benefits) of a pastor’s earnings regardless of their full-time or part-

time position.

2. The contributions become an actual part of the pastor’s investment port-

folio along with any other retirement investments. As a result, the pas-

tor can plan for his or her retirement based on actual investments rather

than being forced to wait until three to four months before her or his re-

tirement to be given the financial numbers for retirement.

3. The management of the portfolio is under an investment company with

the guidance of a synodically appointed team.

4. If a pastor takes time off for parental leave or other reasons, his or her

contributions continue to gain value within the investment portfolio

424 Overtures AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

rather than losing benefits, as happens with the pension in its current

form.

5. Since these investments belong to the pastor, the pastoral participant

will also be encouraged to add to their account beyond their compensa-

tion contribution.

Moving to individual 403(b)9 accounts within an employer-sponsored port-

folio provides the flexibility necessary for the way pastors are employed;

provides churches with the certainty that they are supporting their pastor’s

long-term financial security; and places management of the plan on solid

footing moving forward.

V. Overture

Classis Muskegon overtures Synod 2024 as follows:

A. That the current CRCNA Ministers’ Pension Plan be closed for all new

participants by the end of 2026.

Grounds:

1. As seen in the numbers presented above, there are real challenges to

the vitality of the current pension plan. Pastors, who are recipients,

and congregations, who support the plan, need to know the health

and future vitality of the current pension plan.

2. Since the CRCNA’s current pension plan is not fully funded, it is

best for the CRCNA to close it, make sure it is fully funded, and

move forward with new methods of providing a pension for all pas-

tors of the CRCNA that will not be built on congregational or pasto-

ral participation.

B. That synod form a team of pension experts and vested-plan members to

investigate the health of the current CRCNA pension plan and propose a

way forward that will provide for its future funding and guard the retire-

ment benefits of those who are enrolled in the plan.

Grounds:

1. The CRCNA Ministers’ Pension Plan (U.S. side) is currently under-

funded, and it’s unclear what it will take to fully fund it.

2. The denomination was in covenant with pastors and congregations

when it received the contributions from churches to provide retire-

ment benefits. In the past 10 years cost-of-living freezes and other re-

alities have reduced the value of that pension significantly for pas-

tors who are retired and for those about to retire.

C. That synod appoint a Retirement Plan Task Force to create a new, more

flexible retirement plan that supports full-time, part-time, bivocational pas-

tors, and pastors who take leave for a time from ministry. That this team es-

tablish a plan that reflects a 403(b)(9) plan as mentioned above and include

the establishment of the recommended percentage for pastoral contribu-

tion. This team will report back to Synod 2025.

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Overtures 425

Grounds:

1. With the changes in investing models, personal investment under-

standing/reporting, and available expertise, pastors, like other indi-

viduals, need to and can plan most appropriately for their retirement

using individual retirement accounts.

2. Currently it is difficult, if not impossible, for bivocational pastors to

participate in the pension plan. With bivocational and part-time pas-

tors’ numbers increasing, it is important that they have a retirement

plan.

3. Churches will be more motivated and more capable of meeting con-

tribution requirements if that contribution is in direct support of the

church’s present pastor and tied directly to the compensation pack-

age, as is the case with other employers.

4. There are several denominations—RCA, Alliance of Reformed

Churches, Evangelical Covenant Church—who already have done

this and who can help to resource this team to build an effective plan

and contribution percentage in an expedient manner.

D. That synod direct the director of ministry operations to work with the

Retirement Plan Task Force to develop a new team to provide oversight of

the new retirement plan. The team will provide ongoing supervision for the

new retirement plan within the CRCNA structure.

E. That current staff of the CRCNA who are involved in the management of

the Ministers’ Pension Plan, who act as advisors to the plan, or who are in

its supervision be limited in participation on either team to advisor status.

Grounds:

1. Many, if not all, who supervise and are advisors for the current pen-

sion plan are not members of the plan and therefore do not have a

vested interest in the current plan.

2. Those whose jobs support the pension plan will already be asked to

provide reports, etc., beyond their usual job duties.

F. That synod direct the Office of Pensions and Insurance to give a more de-

tailed report to the participants in the Ministers’ Pension Plan of the health

and actuarial study of the plan performed by Merrill Lynch/Bank of Amer-

ica, the custodians of the Ministers’ Pension Plan.

Ground:

A more detailed report of the health and future vitality of the Ministers’

Pension Plan will reduce anxiety and help ministers as they prepare for

their retirement.

Classis Muskegon

Rev. Drew Sweetman, stated clerk

426 Overtures AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

OVERTURE 5

Allow Transfer of All Nations Church, Bakersfield, California,

from Classis Ko-Am to Classis Greater Los Angeles

Overture

Classis Ko-Am, in accordance with Church Order Article 39, overtures

synod to permit the transfer of All Nations Church of Bakersfield,

California, from Classis Ko-Am to Classis Greater Los Angeles. The All

Nations Church council originated this request, and it was approved by

both classes.

Grounds:

a. All Nation Church’s new pastor, Rev. Amos Park, has connections in

Classis Greater Los Angeles that will facilitate the training of All Na-

tions Church leaders in the regional life of the church.

b. Pastor Amos Park desires to network with the pastors in Classis Greater

Los Angeles and feels he is able to contribute much in the multiethnic

setting of Classis Greater Los Angeles. The congregation is at a point

where connecting with an English-speaking classis is preferable to con-

necting with a Korean-speaking one.

c. All Nations Church ministry would be more inspired to participate at

the classis level and be more effectively counseled and held accountable

by their colleagues in Classis Greater Los Angeles.

Classis Ko-Am

Edward Yoon, stated clerk

OVERTURE 6

Permit the Transfer of All Nations Church of Bakersfield,

California, from Classis Ko-Am to Classis Greater Los Angeles

Overture

Classis Greater Los Angeles, in accordance with Church Order Article 39,

overtures synod to permit the transfer of All Nations Church of Bakersfield,

California, from Classis Ko-Am to Classis Greater Los Angeles. The request

originated from the All Nations Church council and was approved by both

classes.

Grounds:

a. All Nations Church’s new pastor, Rev. Amos Park, has connections in

Classis Greater Los Angeles that will facilitate the training of All Na-

tions Church leaders in the regional life of the church.

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Overtures 427

b. Pastor Amos Park desires to network with the pastors in Classis Greater

Los Angeles and feels he is able to contribute much in the multiethnic

setting of Classis Greater Los Angeles. The congregation is at a point

where connecting with an English-speaking classis is preferable to con-

necting with a Korean-speaking one.

c. All Nations Church’s ministry would be more inspired to participate at

the classis level and be more effectively counseled and held accountable

by their colleagues in Classis Greater Los Angeles.

Classis Greater Los Angeles

Sandi Ornee, stated clerk

OVERTURE 7

Appoint a Task Force on Multisite Churches

I. Background

In 2022, Classis Chicago South approved an overture wherein Plainfield

Christian Reformed Church came under the authority of Orland Park CRC

as an emerging church. This action was done to facilitate the beginning of a

multisite arrangement between the two churches at the end of a multiyear

process of discernment and understanding to bring about the union both le-

gally and in a manner that fits with CRCNA Church Order.

The reality that Classis Chicago South observed is that while multisite con-

gregations are increasingly on the rise within the North American Christian

scene, the CRC Church Order doesn’t specifically envision a multisite con-

gregation, and at present there are only two multisite congregations within

the denomination of which we are aware.

As Orland Park CRC and Plainfield CRC have operated within this new

framework, some matters have arisen that we believe could benefit from fo-

cused denominational attention—for example, matters such as appropriate

reporting structures, delegations to classis, allowing both campuses to have

a voice in decision making, and so on. Within our own classis our arrange-

ment has caused some confusion that we would like to address to help fos-

ter and deepen trust.

There have also been joys of mutual accountability, fellowship across

broader bounds, and a broad shared vision that we would love to see as a

viable option for other Christian Reformed congregations.

We would also like to see a process developed to allow for churches to

move forward without multiyear exploration processes.

Thus we have come to believe that it could be a benefit to our denomination

as a whole to appoint a task force to study multisite churches in an effort to

428 Overtures AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

update our Church Order supplements to explain how such an arrange-

ment can function within the context of our Church Order and the Re-

formed confessions.

II. Overture

Classis Chicago South overtures synod to do the following:

A. Appoint a task force to study multisite churches with a mandate to re-

search multisite churches and provide the following:

• direction, advice, and guidance on what models best fit Reformed

theology and polity

• direction, advice, and guidance on what models shouldn’t be em-

ployed in Reformed churches

• a roadmap for how churches might become a multisite campus or

enfold a church as a campus

• recommended changes to Church Order supplements to facilitate

such arrangements and provide clarity for how such churches

should properly function in relation to each other, the classis, and

synod

• provide a legal/structural framework for multisite churches.

B. Appoint to the task force at least one attorney, at least two pastors from

multisite congregations, at least one biblical or systematic Reformed theolo-

gian, and a Church Order expert.

Grounds:

1. The CRCNA Church Order does not envision such an arrangement at

present.

2. Multisite arrangements are being increasingly employed within the

North American church scene and may provide missional opportunities

for CRCNA congregations.

3. A task force provides the time to ensure that a use of multisite congrega-

tions within the CRCNA would be done properly, in good order, and in

accordance with Reformed theological principles.

4. A task force can provide direction on how such arrangements can be

pursued with respect to the law and articles of incorporation.

5. A road map and changes to the Church Order can prevent confusion at

both the congregational and classis levels and give clarity for congrega-

tions as they pursue such an arrangement.

IV. Conclusion

We pray that this work may bear fruit in fostering clarity among classes in

which this structure is employed, as well as missional zeal throughout our

denomination.

Classis Chicago South

Jeremy Oosterhouse, Stated Clerk

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Overtures 429

OVERTURE 8

Reaffirm the Decision of 1996 regarding Racial Reconciliation

I. Background

In the history of the Christian Reformed Church numerous statements

about race and racism have been declared since 1957. And as recently as

2022 and 2023, statements have been made by synods about racism and bib-

lical justice. In 1996 a synodical committee presented a report, which synod

approved and which the CRC published under the title God’s Diverse and

Unified Family (see crcna.org/sites/default/files/diversefamily.pdf). The re-

port was produced in response to instructions from Synod 1992 for a “com-

mittee to engage in a comprehensive review and articulation of the biblical

and theological principles regarding the development of a racially and eth-

nically diverse family of God” (Acts of Synod 1992, p. 720). This report did

not obtain confessional status but has been referred to the churches, and for

several years synodical delegates were expected to read the report prior to

the convening of synod. What has been clear is that the report is solidly

based on the truth of God’s Word and is considered a valuable tool for the

churches of the denomination.

On the basis of the principles articulated in the report, Synod 1996 declared

“that to be in Christ is in principle to be reconciled as a community of ra-

cially and ethnically diverse people and that to ignore his calling to turn

this principle into experienced reality is sinful according to God’s Word and

the Reformed confessions” (Acts of Synod 1996, p. 513). As a declaration of

synod, this matter is settled and binding upon the congregations, office-

bearers, and members of the CRCNA.

In addition, the Heidelberg Catechism, one of the cherished Reformed con-

fessions, explains the sixth commandment from the Word of God very

clearly. We quote the entirety of Lord’s Day 40:

Q&A 105

Q. What is God’s will for you in the sixth commandment?

A. I am not to belittle, hate, insult, or kill my neighbor—not by my

thoughts, my words, my look or gesture, and certainly not by ac-

tual deeds—and I am not to be party to this in others; rather, I am

to put away all desire for revenge.

I am not to harm or recklessly endanger myself either. Prevention of

murder is also why government is armed with the sword.

Q&A 106

Q. Does this commandment refer only to murder?

A. By forbidding murder God teaches us that he hates the root of

murder: envy, hatred, anger, vindictiveness.

In God’s sight all such are disguised forms of murder.

430 Overtures AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

Q&A 107

Q. Is it enough then that we do not murder our neighbor in any

such way?

A. No. By condemning envy, hatred, and anger God wants us to love

our neighbors as ourselves, to be patient, peace-loving, gentle,

merciful, and friendly toward them, to protect them from harm as

much as we can, and to do good even to our enemies.

Given that content from the Heidelberg Catechism, it is clear that fighting

against racism and fighting for racial justice is more than a social or cultural

issue. It is a confessional matter.

During the history of the CRCNA in many locations in the United States

and Canada, this confessional declaration has been violated with impunity.

We have used thoughts, words, looks, and gestures in very disparaging

ways toward people who are different from us. We have frequently stood

by silently as others have given expression to what the catechism describes

and so have become “party to this in others.” We have become angry with

others and vindictive as we have seen neighborhoods change because oth-

ers different from us have moved in. Some of us upon occasion have ex-

pressed outright hatred toward others whom we perceived as those who

destroyed our neighborhoods and our job opportunities. We have treated

First Nations people with scorn and have severely demeaned their culture.

Some have tried to call us to confession, repentance, and changed behavior

and attitudes, but this has often been ignored or had temporary effect. The

repeated appearance of matters dealing with race and racism in the Acts of

Synod indicates that we have not concluded efforts to become the reconciled

community of racially and ethnically diverse people God desires.

II. Overture

Therefore Classis Chicago South overtures synod to reaffirm the declaration

regarding the 1996 report (published as God’s Diverse and Unified Family)

“that to be in Christ is in principle to be reconciled as a community of ra-

cially and ethnically diverse people and that to ignore his calling to turn

this principle into experienced reality is sinful according to God’s Word and

the Reformed confessions” (Acts of Synod 1996, p. 513). Although it may not

ordinarily be wise to reaffirm past synodical decisions, the ongoing gravity

of this issue makes it reasonable to do so in this case.

Grounds:

a. The truth of the statement from Synod 1996 has not changed, and we

need to be reminded of the necessity for reconciliation.

b. The report, published as God’s Diverse and Unified Family, “demonstrates

that the Bible declares this reconciled community to be God’s will”

(ground from the adoption of this statement in 1996; Acts of Synod 1996,

p. 513).

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Overtures 431

c. “The confessions declare that the catholicity of the church means that

Christ ‘gathers, protects, and preserves’ the church ‘out of the whole hu-

man race’ (Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 21)” (ground from the

adoption of this statement in 1996; Acts of Synod 1996, p. 513).

Classis Chicago South

Jeremy Oosterhouse, Stated Clerk

OVERTURE 9

Encourage Observance of the 1996 Declaration on Racial

Reconciliation

I. Background

Synod 1996 declared “that to be in Christ is in principle to be reconciled as a

community of racially and ethnically diverse people and that to ignore his

calling to turn this principle into experienced reality is sinful according to

God’s Word and the Reformed confessions” (Acts of Synod 1996, p. 513).

II. Overture

Classis Chicago South overtures synod to urge all classes in the CRCNA to

encourage observance of this declaration by officebearers of their constitu-

ent churches and by congregation members, repenting of past sins and dili-

gently pursuing paths of reconciliation and obedience.

Grounds:

a. Hebrews 12:14 says: “Make every effort to live in peace with everyone

and to be holy.”

b. Church Order Article 79-a states, “The members of the church are ac-

countable to one another in their doctrine and life and have the respon-

sibility to encourage and admonish one another in love.”

c. The requests of Synod 1996 to classes (Acts of Synod 1996, p. 514) were

not fully and universally implemented by the classes of the CRCNA.

Classis Chicago South

Jeremy Oosterhouse, stated clerk

OVERTURE 10

Suspend the Work of the Dignity Team

I. Introduction

Our overture addresses the work of a group of people that until recently we

had no idea existed: the Dignity Team. As the description of the Dignity

Team reads from its page at crcna.org/dignityteam,

Established in 2022, the Dignity Team exists to respond to less tangi-

ble and less clearly defined abuses of power that occur within CRC

432 Overtures AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

circles, but may fall between or outside the scopes of the systems ad-

dressed elsewhere in the CRCNA’s system to prevent the abuse of

power.

Our concern regarding the work of the Dignity Team is already referred to

there, but it may be hard to see at first. Looking at the Dignity Team man-

date makes our concern a bit more noticeable. The mandate reads,

The approved mandate of the Dignity Team is:

• to prevent abuse of power by being available to advise those within

CRC arenas on how to promote the value and dignity of all persons;

• to respond to abuses of power that occur within CRC circles in nim-

ble, less formal, pastoral ways in coordination with Safe Church

Ministry, Pastor Church Resources, and Human Resources in ways

that promote reconciliation, healing, and restoration; and

• to report trends of abuse and gaps related to response to abuse

within the denomination.

Our great concern is that although this team is mandated to respond to

“abuses of power that occur within CRC circles,” there is no process identi-

fied through which those abuses of power are to be justly and objectively

determined. The description of their work itself refers to abuses of power

that are “less tangible and less clearly defined.” There is already then

acknowledgement that this team is working on the margins, so to speak,

where whether there has been abuse of power or not is unclear. This, it

seems to us, is all the more reason to require a formal and clearly defined

process before the team concludes that genuine abuse of power has oc-

curred. In fact, for this team to use the power that has been conferred upon

it, without utilizing an objective and just process to determine if abuse of

power has occurred in the situations it addresses, would be in itself, an

abuse of power.

Our overture, then, is quite simple and straightforward:

II. Overture

The council of the Christian Reformed Church of St. Joseph, Michigan,

overtures synod to immediately suspend the work of the Dignity Team un-

til a just process for the determination of abuse can be developed and re-

quired as part of the Dignity Team’s mandate prior to the Dignity Team be-

coming involved in cases of alleged abuse, bringing it into alignment with

the explanation of the ninth commandment in Q&A 112 of the Heidelberg

Catechism.

Grounds:

1. Accusations of abuse are incredibly serious and should not be made

without great care. Those who face such accusations, even when later

found to be innocent, suffer long-term repercussions.

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Overtures 433

2. The Scriptures are very clear that the pursuit of justice must follow a just

process. This includes specific guidelines to verify that accusations are

proven true before being accepted as true (Deut. 19:15-21; Prov. 18:17;

1 Tim. 5:19-21).

3. Describing someone’s actions as abusive, before those actions have been

formally determined through a just and careful process to be abusive, is

a breach of the ninth commandment, “You shall not bear false witness

against your neighbor,” as the Heidelberg Catechism explains in Q&A

112:

Q. What is the aim of the ninth commandment?

A. That I never give false testimony against anyone, twist no

one’s words, not gossip or slander, nor join in condemning

anyone rashly or without a hearing.

Rather, in court and everywhere else, I should avoid lying and

deceit of every kind; these are the very devices the devil uses,

and they would call down on me God’s intense wrath.

I should love the truth, speak it candidly, and openly

acknowledge it. And I should do what I can to guard and

advance my neighbor’s good name.

4. The mandate of the Dignity Team includes no provision or requirement

for a just hearing prior to its determining whether genuine abuse has

taken place in situations where abuse has been alleged. (See the explana-

tion of the work of the Dignity Team and its mandate at crcna.org/digni-

tyteam.)

As such, this mandate fails to guard our neighbor’s good name. Rather,

it creates a likelihood that gossip, slander, and rash condemning will

take place instead.

While abuse must be addressed wherever it exists in the church, seeking to

do so without a just process to determine the presence of abuse in the first

place leads us to committing the very abusive treatment of others that we

are seeking to eliminate.

We ask that synod would bring the Dignity Team into alignment with the

explanation of the ninth commandment in Q&A 112 of the Heidelberg Cat-

echism.

Council of the Christian Reformed Church of St. Joseph, Michigan

Ethan Pawelski, clerk

Note: This overture was submitted to the February 1, 2024, meeting of Clas-

sis Holland but was not adopted.

434 Overtures AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

OVERTURE 1

Appoint a Committee to Explore the Need for a CRCNA

Licensing Board for CRCNA Pastors

I. Background on licensing boards

Licensing boards serve to protect the public from misconduct, maltreat-

ment, and abuse by being accessible to persons harmed so that such per-

sons may file a complaint or grievance against a licensed professional

whom they believe has violated them. Medical and mental health profes-

sionals answer to their particular licensing boards (social worker licensing

board, marriage and family licensing board, medical board, etc.) and attor-

neys answer to a bar board. Some of the services that a licensing board pro-

vides are licensure renewal, reporting of CEU hours for renewal, and forms

to file complaints and grievances. Licensing boards meet throughout the

year to review complaints and other concerns. When wrongs are deter-

mined, licensing boards have the power to implement disciplinary action,

such as requiring the licensee to take a class, withdrawing or withholding

his/her license, or suspending the license. Disciplinary action is reported to

the contracted insurance companies of those charged.

II. Overture

I overture Synod 2024 to appoint a committee to explore and research the

need to develop and implement a CRCNA licensing board for pastors of the

CRCNA (licensed and commissioned pastors) who face allegations regard-

ing misconduct, maltreatment, any form of abuse including abuse of power,

and/or job performance. This would not include a pastor’s theological com-

mitments or position.

Additionally, this committee’s exploration and research would do the fol-

lowing:

• determine how a licensing board would fit into the current structure

of Church Order and/or what changes would need to be made to

make it possible, especially regarding the council, classis, and licens-

ing board relationship

• determine how a licensing board would work with

— a victim presenting allegations of abuse of power, abuse of au-

thority, or misconduct to the licensing board

— the safe church team (if available), church councils, classis, and

Church Order protocols

— the safe church team and/or council when either or both of them

present allegations of abuse to the licensing board

• explore what other churches and denominations are currently doing

with regard to using a licensing board structure

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Overtures 435

• provide explanations about the amount of power the licensing board

would or could have in connection with the authority of councils

(and sometimes classis) over a pastor (Church Order)

• provide an explanation of what a licensing board could do for coun-

cils and classes, such as granting licenses, ensuring completion of re-

quired training prior to renewal of license, having authority to disci-

pline (through license suspension, requiring a pastor to take a class,

attend a workshop, undergo supervision, etc.)

• determine what jurisdiction the licensing board would have, such as

certain classes, regions, or the entire denomination

• determine what kind of background the licensing board members

could have (social workers, therapists, psychologists, medical doc-

tors, or other licensed master-level professionals)

• compare and contrast how other professional licensing boards (mar-

riage and family, social workers) execute their duties and responsi-

bilities to understand how a CRCNA licensing board could do theirs

• address other issues or concerns that may arise from their explora-

tion and research

Grounds:

1. The CRCNA denomination, since the opening of Safe Church Ministry

in 1994, has pledged to members and victims of the Christian Reformed

Church to do all it can as a denomination to provide a safe church envi-

ronment. This was promised again in the approval of the Abuse Victims

Task Force Report of 2010, the Abuse of Power Overture in 2018, the

Code of Conduct for Ministry Leaders in 2023, and other decisions. A li-

censing board, where pastors answer to a board, would increase safety

for all.

2. A licensing board for pastors would increase accountability, which

would create a safer church for all.

3. A licensing board (consisting of social workers, therapists, psycholo-

gists, medical doctors) assures better outcomes because of a board’s

greater objectivity and greater expertise when reviewing complaints and

situations that involve abuse issues by church leaders.

4. It has been shown that councils lack the ability to know how to do in-

vestigations of pastor/church leader wrongdoing, how to question the

accused, how to write reports about their investigations, and how to

conduct interviews.

5. A licensing board relieves some of the burden of councils and consisto-

ries when they are faced with how to handle a pastor’s/church leader’s

misconduct, allegations of abuse, and other difficult situations

6. There has been a consistent lack of objectivity among councils and con-

sistories when investigating abuse of power situations and cases be-

436 Overtures AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

cause of the councils’ and consistories’ friendship with the pas-

tor/church leader, their need for the pastor/church leader’s approval,

and their fear of retaliation and rebuttal should a council member stand

up against a pastor/ church leader.

Member of Hancock (Minn.) CRC

Judy De Wit

Note: This overture was presented to the council of Hancock (Minn.) CRC

but was not adopted. This overture was then presented to Classis Lake Su-

perior at its March 2024 meeting but was not adopted.

OVERTURE 12

Ensure that Advisory Committees Review and Present All

Pertinent Information When Synod Receives Overtures or

Appeals on Abuse

I. Background

The CRCNA, since 1994 (the opening of Abuse Prevention Office), has

vowed that abuse by church leaders of the denomination will be addressed

and dealt with. However, this assurance has failed many times. Whether it

has been via church process (council, classis, synod) or by presenting, dis-

cussing, and approving overtures needed in order to bring change to our

church system to ensure a better response to allegations, our church system

has not done what it vowed to do.

II. Overture

I overture that when a synod receives overtures or appeals related to abuse,

its advisory committee(s) shall review and present all pertinent information

to synod so that delegates may make informed decisions.

Ground:

When every overture or appeal is presented on the synod floor, then . . .

• we follow the vows that we as a denomination have made to address

abuse, abuse of power, and abuse in our churches, on all levels.

• the (council, classis, synod) appeal process of Church Order is being

followed and ensures that victims’ voices will be heard at synod;

when an advisory committee declines to present an appeal or over-

ture to synod, more victimization occurs.

• we are hearing a possible better way to respond to abuse. Usually

overtures mean that a loophole in the appeal process has been

found, meaning pastors have manipulated the appeal system to

dodge and avoid charges of wrongdoing. Overtures need to be

heard because then we are strengthening our response to abuse.

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Overtures 437

• the protection of pastors is reduced and the voice of the victim is in-

creased. Lying, deceit, gaslighting, and “that didn’t really happen”

are typical messages victims hear from church leaders in their situa-

tions.

• the victim is validated. Refusing to open and discuss overtures and

appeals increases the pain and harm already done to victims. Mes-

sages of “we don’t want to hear about it” or “let’s call a technicality

on this; then we don’t have to deal with it” or “he’s such a great

man, we don’t want to upset him” are reduced when every overture

and appeal is put on the floor of synod.

Member of Hancock (Minn.) CRC

Judy De Wit

Note: This overture was presented to the council of Hancock (Minn.) CRC

but was not adopted. This overture was then presented to Classis Lake Su-

perior at its March 2024 meeting but was not adopted.

OVERTURE 13

Do Not Adopt Proposed Addition of Church Order

Article 23-d and Its Supplement

I. Background

The Study of Bivocationality Task Force has done significant work to con-

sider the meaning and significance of “proper support” for ordained church

leaders, both ministers of the Word in bivocational service and commis-

sioned pastors (Agenda for Synod 2023, pp. 285-314). Their work provides a

great service to the denomination and offers an important opportunity for

discussion about how we can do ministry faithfully in the changing con-

texts across North America, as well as how churches can encourage and fa-

cilitate the work of pastors by providing sufficient financial resources for

the work of ministry as instructed in Scripture (cf. 1 Tim. 5:17-18; 1 Cor. 9:9-

14; 2 Thess. 3:7-10). However, the proposals to define “proper support” for

commissioned pastors, while well intentioned, could have unintended ef-

fects that diminish the distinctions existing between the offices and place

undue burdens on churches in nontraditional settings within the CRCNA.

The proposal for “proper support” seems to assume that the offices of com-

missioned pastor and minister of the Word are, for all intents and purposes,

equivalent in terms of the kinds of compensation expected for the value of

the work done for church leadership (cf. 1 Thess. 5:12; 1 Cor. 9:14). But this

is not necessarily the case. The offices of the church may be equal in dignity

and honor, but not in task or mandate (Church Order Art. 2). The work of

commissioned pastors is “applicable to a variety of ministries,” which in-

cludes among them youth ministry, education, pastoral care, worship, and

438 Overtures AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

evangelism (Church Order Supplement, Art. 23-a). The variety of ministries

covered by the office of commissioned pastor means that, while guidelines

for compensation may at times be similar to that of a minister of the Word,

there may also be substantial differences that require different treatment

(for example, differences in education, professional training, responsibility

to the local church or wider denomination, etc.). Furthermore, including

commissioned pastors in the specific requirements for “proper support”

begs the question, What about other, nonordained church staff? Is it only

ordained staff who have a right to “proper support”?

Furthermore, with specific reference to the housing provision, the proposal

obscures the historical development of this aspect of “proper support” in

relation to the work of a minister of the Word. A parsonage was typically

allowed to clergy as a benefit due to the more frequent moves expected of a

minister of the Word, who served the ministry of the denomination as a

whole. This idea stands in contrast to that of a commissioned pastor, whose

work is limited to the local ministry to which he or she is commissioned.

The housing provisions, in this regard, are particularly problematic at po-

tentially blurring the distinctions between the two offices in the ways these

offices serve the overall denomination.

Finally, the specificity of the forms of “proper support” prescribed by

synod in the proposed Church Order Supplement, Art. 23-d give the im-

pression that the specific factors named by the task force in its report

(Agenda for Synod 2023, pp. 296-98 and pp. 302-3) can be easily overcome by

simply instructing churches to include housing, sabbatical expenses, and so

forth as compensation expectation without regard for the size of the church,

income level of its members, educational level in the wider community, and

similar considerations. While the report rightly challenges churches to con-

sider whether it is fair for a full-time minister of the Word in a larger church

to be offered a sabbatical while a bivocational commissioned pastor in an

immigrant congregation has no such opportunity, it does not ask whether it

is fair—or helpful for our collective witness as a denomination—to demand

that all churches provide equal benefits. In particular, the instructions of the

Supplement would benefit from additional conversation with leaders of

nonmajority culture communities in the CRCNA to determine the effects of

these requirements on different constituencies within our denomination.

Clearly, we are not arguing that churches should not provide “proper sup-

port” for commissioned pastors (nor ignoring this responsibility for any

church staff). In many ways we would echo the sentiments of the Candi-

dacy Committee that whatever differences exist in the requirements be-

tween ministers of the Word and commissioned pastors, those differences

do not “justify the underpaying of commissioned pastors” (Acts of Synod

2023, p. 857). But it would be wise for synod to consider carefully the impli-

cations of any Church Order changes in the ways the various offices are

perceived throughout the wider CRC.

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Overtures 439

II. Overture

For this reason, we submit the following overture to Synod 2023:

That synod not adopt the proposed addition of Church Order Article 23-d

and its Supplement (Acts of Synod 2023, pp. 964-66).

Grounds:

a. While well intentioned and aimed at developing a parity in terms of the

ways churches support ministers of the Word and commissioned pas-

tors, the proposal obscures the very real differences between these of-

fices, particularly in the distinct ways in which these two offices serve

the denomination.

b. The proposal to require housing support in the compensation for com-

missioned pastors, in particular, overlooks the historical reasons for this

aspect of the compensation for a minister of the Word, which might not

apply to the more localized ordination of a commissioned pastor.

c. Further conversation is needed to determine the impact of these require-

ments on the ministry and financial situations of smaller churches, par-

ticularly in immigrant and other nonmajority culture communities

within the CRCNA.

Classis Atlantic Northeast

David D. Poolman, stated clerk

OVERTURE 14

Regarding Belgic Confession, Article 36

I. Introduction

Brothers and sisters, our society is in crisis, and we all feel it.

While there is always some degree of crisis in society, fallen as it is, and it

goes up and down in waves, the current wave that we are experiencing

seems increasingly like a kind of tsunami. There is something in the air, and

that something is troubling.

From crime and punishment, racial tension, immigration, transgenderism,

and the content of public education to inflation, mounting debt, and deficit

spending, it seems as though every aspect of society is involved.

In addition to these and many other challenges, our society faces difficulties

with a significant loss of faith in its institutions—including the church,

which in times past would be relied upon to provide the steadying influ-

ence and direction to help process the challenges in a way that would be

constructive and healing and lead to a better and more secure place.

Of the 16 institutions currently tracked by Gallup each year, regarding

Americans’ confidence in them, 11 notched their lowest score ever recorded

in either 2022 or 2023.

440 Overtures AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

The nine central institutions that Gallup has regularly tracked since 1979—

the church, the military, the U.S. Supreme Court, banks, public schools,

newspapers, Congress, organized labor, and big business—have seen their

average confidence score plummet from 48 percent in 1979 to 26 percent

last year.

The fall in confidence in the church (organized religion) has been even

greater as a percentage, falling from a high of 68 percent in 1975 to just 31

percent in 2023—a drop of 37 points, or 54 percent.

The vast majority of people in our society do not trust these institutions, do

not trust that they can help, do not trust that they have answers, do not

trust what they say.

We believe that one significant reason the church is not believed to have

any answers to these cultural challenges is that the church, and the Re-

formed churches specifically—which have genuine answers to many of

these, as the history of Western civilization testifies—have chosen to remain

silent, or worse yet, have begun suggesting answers contrary to the ones

God has given us.

It is time for the church to once again begin to declare its answers and to

call our society back to the stability and greater fullness of blessing for all

people that they provide.

There are two main challenges to the church finding its voice in these mat-

ters:

First, there is within the church (and particularly our corner of the church) a

great fear of “getting political.” Since all of the challenges of society are de-

bated and often demagogued in the political sphere, it is believed that the

church should stay silent on these things.

However, we here in the Christian Reformed Church need to remember

that in a very significant way we are confessionally political. One of the three

forms of unity, the Belgic Confession, specifically addresses itself to civil

government, and it does so because civil government has been ordained by

God to perform a certain function—a function that is defined within the

Word of God. Article 36 of the Belgic Confession (as adopted by Synod

2011) reads as follows:

We believe that because of the depravity of the human race, our good

God has ordained kings, princes, and civil officers. God wants the

world to be governed by laws and policies so that human lawlessness

may be restrained and that everything may be conducted in good or-

der among human beings.

For that purpose God has placed the sword in the hands of the gov-

ernment, to punish evil people and protect the good.

And being called in this manner to contribute to the advancement of

a society that is pleasing to God, the civil rulers have the task, subject

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Overtures 441

to God’s law, of removing every obstacle to the preaching of the gos-

pel and to every aspect of divine worship.

They should do this while completely refraining from every tendency

toward exercising absolute authority, and while functioning in the

sphere entrusted to them, with the means belonging to them.

They should do it in order that the Word of God may have free

course; the kingdom of Jesus Christ may make progress; and every

anti-Christian power may be resisted.

Moreover everyone, regardless of status, condition, or rank, must be

subject to the government, and pay taxes, and hold its representatives

in honor and respect, and obey them in all things that are not in con-

flict with God’s Word, praying for them that the Lord may be willing

to lead them in all their ways and that we may live a peaceful and

quiet life in all piety and decency.

[and then the paragraph that is the focus of this overture]

And on this matter we denounce the Anabaptists, anarchists, and in

general all those who want to reject the authorities and civil offic-

ers and to subvert justice by introducing common ownership of

goods and corrupting the moral order that God has established

among human beings.

This reference to the moral order is a reference to the second table of the

law, God’s moral law, which establishes the moral order by establishing

just conduct between people.

This is, as John Calvin rightly referred to it, the second use of the law—the

restraining of evil in society. The second purpose, then, of God’s law is that

it be applied to society and that society be governed by it. Anything else is

lawlessness. This is the role of civil government.

So, while we seek not to blend the two spheres of church and state, we rec-

ognize (1) the role of the church in declaring the truths of God that define

the role of the state and (2) his moral law, which constructs the moral order

in which society can flourish, and which the state has been given the sword

to secure.

We are not only “allowed,” then, to “get political”; we are confessionally

bound to do it—not so much in the area of specific public policy but, rather,

regarding foundational public, or cultural, principles.

The second significant barrier to the church finding its voice on these mat-

ters is the question of just what exactly the church should say. But, here

again, we are given direction by the confession of faith, specifically in-

cluded in that final paragraph that warns against the introduction of com-

mon ownership of goods, which, as the article reminds us, seeks to “subvert

justice “and to corrupt “the moral order that God has established among

human beings.” This is the very thing that we have been experiencing, as

442 Overtures AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

our overture seeks to make clear—the confusion, suffering, and injustice

that always occur where the common ownership of goods is embraced.

As our overture explains, God’s moral law from beginning to end is

founded on the principle of rightful ownership—in its various God or-

dained forms. Children belong to parents (fifth commandment), the life of

each person belongs to that person (sixth commandment), spouses belong

to each other (seventh commandment), material goods belong to those to

whom God has given them (eighth commandment), one’s good name and

reputation belong to that individual (ninth commandment)—and these

unique rights are so ironclad that even the desire to dispossess someone

from that which rightfully belongs to them is sin (tenth commandment).

These principles of morality—these principles of justice—must be defended

where they are attacked and must be reestablished where they have been

lost.

It is for the purpose of placing this paragraph back into the body of Article

36 that we present this overture, with the hope that doing so will rekindle

in us the importance of these life-giving truths—truths that God has en-

trusted to us—and that we might begin again to bring his answers to a soci-

ety that is in desperate need of them, pouring out the blessings of God upon

all.

II. Overture

The council of the Christian Reformed Church of St. Joseph, Michigan,

overtures Synod 2024 to return the final paragraph of Article 36 of the Bel-

gic Confession to the body of the text and adjust its language regarding An-

abaptists and anarchists as follows:

And on this matter we oppose all those who want to reject the au-

thorities and civil officers and to subvert justice by introducing com-

mon ownership of goods and corrupting the moral order that God

has established among human beings.

Grounds:

1. When this paragraph was moved into a footnote in 1985, it was not be-

cause synod had determined the content of the paragraph to be unbibli-

cal but because of the inability to come to agreement on how to deal

with the controversial language regarding Anabaptists.

2. The biblical content of this paragraph is desperately needed in our day:

a. To exhort us regarding our ongoing need to honor the ordained role

of civil government in society.

b. To remind those in civil government of what their God-ordained

role is.

c. To awaken us to the destructive effects on society and justice where

the “common ownership of goods” is introduced.

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Overtures 443

d. To refresh us as to the biblical nature of true justice, grounded in the

second table of the law, and its connection to the love of our neigh-

bors.

e. To supply us with fresh eyes through which to biblically understand

the growing challenges within our society.

f. To restore to us the life-giving message for a hurting world that

God’s common grace provides in societies that are built on his truth.

3. Relegating this paragraph to a footnote implies that we either do not be-

lieve its content to be biblical or that we do not believe its content to be

essential. The church has made neither of these determinations.

4. The difficulty of the language regarding Anabaptists should not create

an insurmountable barrier to restoring this paragraph to the body of the

text where it belongs.

III. Background

The text of Article 36 of the Belgic Confession has frequently been debated.

There are two areas that have been of special focus. While this overture re-

lates only to the second of these two areas, some background on both will

be helpful.

The first area of concern related to the way the Belgic Confession originally

described the proper role of the state, giving the state a role not simply in

matters of the public domain but also in relation to the mission of the

church. Specifically, it stated, “The government’s task is not limited to car-

ing for and watching over the public domain but extends also to the up-

holding of the sacred ministry, with a view to removing and destroying all

idolatry and false worship of the Antichrist. . . .” Synods 1910, 1938, and

1958 all judged this statement to be unbiblical, and in 1958 this section was

moved into a footnote and replaced with language judged to be more faith-

ful to the biblical testimony on this question.

The second area of concern was last formally addressed at Synod 1985. That

year, synod was being asked to approve a new translation of the Belgic

Confession. During this process, the question of the objectionable language

of Article 36 regarding the Anabaptists was again deliberated. For many

years there had been calls for this language to be changed, but with little

success. The need to approve a new translation of the confession forced a

debate on this question once again. At that time the paragraph in question

read,

And on this matter we denounce the Anabaptists, other anarchists,

and in general all those who want to reject the authorities and civil of-

ficers and to subvert justice by introducing common ownership of

goods and corrupting the moral order that God has established

among human beings.

444 Overtures AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

Synod 1983 had already softened the language, substituting, “And on this

matter we denounce the Anabaptists . . .” for the earlier translation, “For

that reason we detest the Anabaptists. . . .” But, as Synod 1985 revisited this

phrasing as part of the approval process for a new translation of the confes-

sion, even this revision did not seem sufficient. The language of “denounc-

ing” which carried with it a formal ecclesiastical connotation, seemed inap-

propriate and perhaps (depending on who you asked) not entirely

historically accurate. Regardless, the decision was made to move the entire

paragraph into a footnote and out of the body of the text.

Here it must be noted that the reasoning for moving this paragraph into a

footnote was different from that for the first area of concern referenced

above, relating to the relationship between church and state. Here, it was

not because the content of the paragraph was judged to be unbiblical—the

record, in fact, including overtures, committee reports, etc. on the Article 36

controversy reveals no debate whatsoever on this point—but rather solely

because the language related to the Anabaptists seemed harsh, divisive, in-

accurate, or inappropriate.

While this compromise may have been sufficient to bring the disputes at

Synod 1985 to an end, it has removed from the body of our confession im-

portant content that the church is desperately in need of in the days in

which we live. Specifically, it has removed content related to the subversion

of justice through the introduction of common ownership of goods, and the

way in which this serves to corrupt the moral order that God has estab-

lished among human beings.

The cause of justice is one that the denomination has long made a focus of

its energies, and the place of justice here in our confession is critical to our

understanding of true justice and to our united voice in promoting it in so-

ciety.

The phrase “common ownership of goods” refers to the belief that material

goods belong not to individuals but, rather, to everyone, “in common.” No

one, therefore, has any exclusive right to the possession of any specific

thing. Variations on this concept have been practiced by various groups

throughout history (some Anabaptists among them), who lived in small

communities of common ownership, or as they have been called in more

modern times, “communes.” While the injustice of this practice eventually

presents itself to those living in these communities, those who live in them

do so by choice and can leave whenever they like. As such, the level of in-

justice they create is limited. However, it is this very same philosophy, the

common ownership of goods, that also lies at the heart of communism (and

all other Marxist ideologies), which takes an authoritarian approach to for-

cibly establishing this principle on entire societies. Where this takes root,

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Overtures 445

the level of injustice that is created in society is extreme.

More recently, ra-

ther than being forcibly established in a society by armed revolution, the

ideology is planted in culture through its institutions: the media, the

schools, the churches, etc. This has come to be referred to as Cultural Marx-

ism.

While the ideology of communism had, of course, not yet been fully devel-

oped or articulated (as we know it today) in the days when the Belgic Con-

fession was written, the author of the confession (Guido de Brès) and those

who adopted it at numerous national synods of the late 16th century as well

as at the Synod of Dort in 1618-19, were familiar with the concept of the

common ownership of goods, and they rightly judged it to be immoral and

unjust. Indeed, the extensive explanation of the role of civil government in

chapter 20 of Calvin’s Institutes, Book Four, lays out in painstaking detail

that the magistrate is ordained by God to rule according to God’s moral

law, which includes the responsibility to ensure “that every man’s property

be kept secure . . . [and] that men may carry on innocent commerce with

each other . . .” (IV, 20, 3). To embrace common ownership of goods is to

deny to men what is due them according to the moral law of God, and to

enforce it through civil government is to use civil government for a purpose

directly contrary to the reason for which God ordained government.

The biblical basis for this assessment of the common ownership of goods

begins with a reflection on the law of God summarized in the Ten Com-

mandments. While the first table of the law governs our relationship to

God, the second table governs our relationships with one another. The six

commandments of the second table, then, summarize just and right conduct

in the relationships between human beings. In each of these six command-

ments the principle of exclusive right to the possession of some specific

thing (“ownership”) is both assumed and enshrined, even though the spe-

cific type of “ownership” at issue can vary slightly from commandment to

commandment. With regard to these things, then, each commandment ar-

ticulates a God-given right of some type of exclusive possession or owner-

ship to individual persons that must be respected by all others.

The fifth commandment recognizes and enshrines the exclusive right of

parents in the raising and care of their children. While this commandment

also governs all other positions of rightful authority, that of parents over

their children is primary (as confirmed by Eph. 6:1-3, et al.).

For a comprehensive scholarly recounting of the injustices done through communism

during the 20th century, see “The Black Book of Communism,” 1999, Harvard College.

For a helpful explanation of this, see “Cultural Marxism: Gramsci and the Frankfurt

School, Emerging Worldviews 4” and “The Overarching Framework: Emerging

Worldviews 5” by Glenn Sunshine at breakpoint.org/cultural-marxism-gramsci-and-the-

frankfurt-school-emerging-worldviews-4/.

446 Overtures AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

The sixth commandment recognizes and enshrines the exclusive right of

one’s life to the individual who has that life. All human beings have the

right to the life God has given them (as confirmed by Gen. 9:5-6, et al.).

The seventh commandment recognizes and enshrines the exclusive right of

one spouse to the other. Each spouse, then, has the exclusive right to the

physical intimacy of the other (as confirmed by 1 Cor. 7:1-5, et al.).

The eighth commandment recognizes and enshrines the exclusive right of

possession of material goods to those who rightfully own them. Those who

own them have the exclusive right to both possess them and determine

how they are used (as confirmed by Acts 5:3-4, et al.).

The ninth commandment recognizes and enshrines the right of every indi-

vidual to their own good name and reputation (as confirmed by Lev. 19:13-

18, et al.).

The tenth commandment serves to underscore and reinforce the serious-

ness with which God takes the protection of these exclusive rights by de-

claring that even the desire to have what rightfully belongs to our neighbor

is sin (as confirmed by Matt. 5:27-30, et al.).

In summary, this enduring foundation of just and moral relationships be-

tween human beings (commandments 5-10), from its beginning to its end,

requires—even demands—a recognition of rightful, individual ownership

of goods and other gifts of God that must not be infringed upon. Of course,

there are times when these rights are forfeited by individuals because of

their abuse of them, and we do have the responsibility to use these gifts in

ways that glorify God. But the fact that these rights can be abused, or not

used for the glory of God, does not nullify them or change this foundation

of just conduct among men. To serve the cause of justice, we must seek to

protect all these things that rightfully belong to us and our neighbors.

But this is far more than simply a quest for the establishment of true justice

in society; it is also a quest for mechanisms through which we can most fun-

damentally love our neighbors as ourselves. When Christ summarizes the

law, he does so by saying, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your

heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and

first commandment” (relating to the first table of the law). “And a second is

like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (relating to the second ta-

ble of the law). “On these two commandments depend all the Law and the

Prophets” (Matt. 22:37-40, ESV). In the eyes of God, then, securing true jus-

tice by honoring the rightful ownership of the things that belong to my

neighbor, as articulated in the second table of the law, is the most basic

foundation of loving my neighbor as myself. Said another way, it is impos-

sible for me to love my neighbor if I am not first and foremost honoring and

seeking to protect his exclusive right to the gifts God has given him.

Close examination of many of the challenges our society faces reveals that

the moral order has, indeed, been corrupted. The fabric of society is being

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Overtures 447

torn apart. Moreover, as we go from issue to issue, we can see that this cor-

ruption of the moral order is being created by an embrace of the concept of

common ownership of goods (in its various forms) and the corresponding

denial of the exclusive right of ownership as expressed in the second table.

Sometimes this is perpetrated by individuals or society itself because man

in his sin turns away from God’s law. At other times it is perpetrated by the

state, or institutions overseen by the state, as the government increasingly

adopts a collectivist or Marxist approach to governance.

An exhaustive list and explanation of these is not possible here, but we in-

clude three examples for greater understanding and clarity.

The most obvious and direct example of this is retail theft

(eighth com-

mandment). Retail theft is increasing dramatically in many areas of the

country, due both to a diminished recognition on the part of many mem-

bers of our society regarding the rightful ownership of the property of oth-

ers, and by the government, in the growing number of states and munici-

palities that “have raised the threshold of what constitutes a felony,

allowing criminals to steal more before being subject to stronger penalties

than a misdemeanor.”

In many urban centers the proliferation of retail

theft, and the violence that increasingly accompanies it, has led to a number

of retail stores closing.

This harms both the store owners and the commu-

nities they serve. It should be noted as well that the issue of retail theft is

only one small aspect of an overall rise in crime that threatens the lives of

citizens in many ways, all of which are in direct opposition to the unique

principles of rightful ownership embedded in the sixth commandment.

The deterioration of an embrace of rightful ownership articulated in the sec-

ond table of the law is also increasingly apparent in the various ways that

the authority of parents is either denied or ignored by various government

entities, including most notably public schools. This is most clearly mani-

fested in the recent developments regarding school policies where a child’s

decision to transition from one gender to another is kept secret from their

parents.

In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns, which forced

The National Retail Federation (NRF) Retail Security Survey 2023 recounts in great de-

tail the dramatic increase in retail theft and the negative effects it is having. As it states in

its introduction, “Retail crime, violence, and theft continue to impact the retail industry

at unprecedented levels. The effects of these criminal acts are not isolated to large na-

tional brands or large metropolitan cities. Daily media reports show that no business is

immune, and these issues touch retailers of all segments, sizes, and locations across the

United States.”

As stated in a summary of the NRF report at poynter.org/reporting-editing/2022/why-has-shop-

lifting-been-out-of-control-since-the-pandemic-began/.

See the NRF Retail Security Survey 2023.

See “Gender transitions at school spur debate over when, or if, parents are told,” Wash-

ington Post, July 18, 2022; washingtonpost.com/education/2022/07/18/gender-transition-

school-parent-notification/.

448 Overtures AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

many children to attend school remotely, also gave parents a clearer under-

standing of what their children were being taught. Many parents voiced

their opposition to things they were hearing. This touched off a nationwide

debate regarding parents’ rights, leading to the development of things such

as the state of Indiana’s “Parents Bill of Right” and serving as the central is-

sue in the 2021 Virginia governor’s election, among many others. This issue

continues to be the focus of fierce debate across the nation, with many law-

suits currently in process.

A third example of the embrace of common ownership of goods is repre-

sented by the current crisis unfolding at the southern border of the United

States. Inherent in the biblical teaching regarding rightful ownership is that

of boundaries. Each commandment in the second table is defined by

boundaries. There are boundaries around a parent’s children. They have

been entrusted to the parent by God, and others are not to seek to take the

place of that parent in their lives. Others are not to breach or deny that

boundary. There are boundaries around a person’s material goods. They

have been entrusted to the person by God, and others have no right to

breach that boundary, taking any of those goods for themselves. There is a

boundary around every marriage, a boundary that no one is to deny or ig-

nore. What we are saying is that justice is inexorably linked to rightful own-

ership, and rightful ownership is marked by God-ordained boundaries.

Boundaries are necessary not simply to determine what belongs to whom,

but also to allow for proper governance over the items that have been en-

trusted. Where boundaries are not recognized, there is no ability to govern

these gifts of God properly, and they do not achieve their intended end. If

the rightful ownership God has given me over my children should be de-

nied me, or if others should seek to take my place, I would have no oppor-

tunity to properly steward that which God has given, and my children

would likely suffer. Likewise, if the rightful ownership of my material

goods should be denied me, or if others should seek to take it from me, I

would have no opportunity to steward that which God has given me mate-

rially, and it would likely be squandered. Where boundaries are honored,

those who have responsibility for that which lies within the boundary can

properly govern it. More than that, the recognition of their unique owner-

ship often inspires them to take this stewardship more seriously. However,

where boundaries are not honored, there can be no proper governance.

While many people react negatively to belief in the necessity of borders and

their defense, it is the honoring of this boundary that permits the governing

of the area within it to be as God would have it. Without honoring this

boundary, no proper governance is possible, and much suffering results.

More and more, this is what we are seeing on the southern border of the

United States. The boundary is not being honored, not by the millions who

are illegally crossing it each year, nor by the government that is ordained to

secure it but is failing to do so. This has led to a significant breakdown in

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Overtures 449

the governance of the places where this is going on. Rather than human

flourishing, we see human trafficking.

Rather than the protection of life,

we see the increase of death, some from the dangers of the journey,

many

thousands of others from the fentanyl and other drugs that flow freely over

the border.

These are only three of many current issues our society faces that are cre-

ated by the embrace of the idea of the common ownership of goods. In all of

these situations, those who suffer the most are those who are the most vul-

nerable: the poor, the weak, the defenseless. The church cannot remain si-

lent about these things. The church must once again speak with clarity into

these issues, and the beginning of finding that clarity is to fully embrace

that which is articulated so well in the final paragraph of Article 36 of the

Belgic Confession. Restoring this paragraph to the body of the text will

serve as a powerful statement by the church in this regard.

In order to do this, of course, a fitting solution will need to be found regard-

ing the language in the paragraph regarding the Anabaptists. While a num-

ber of options are available, and many have been proposed through the

years, we recommend the following three-part solution:

1. Instead of the original “detest” or the current “denounce,” that

synod avoid any inappropriate or questionable language by substi-

tuting the word “oppose.” This word is clear and accurate to the

original intention of the paragraph.

2. That synod strike the words, “the Anabaptists, anarchists, and in

general.” The truth being articulated in this paragraph is not de-

pendent on the specific mention of the Anabaptists or anyone else.

Indeed, in many respects, the historical record on this point is chal-

lenged. There is no reason of content that would keep us from re-

moving these words, thus we are not changing the meaning of the

text. The Anabaptists and other anarchists are being referenced as an

example of the issue being addressed, but they are not the issue be-

ing addressed.

The paragraph would then read, “And on this matter we oppose all

those who want to reject the authorities and civil officers and to sub-

vert justice by introducing common ownership of goods and corrupt-

ing the moral order that God has established among human beings.”

See the New York Times, “Smuggling Migrants at the Border Now a Billion-Dollar Busi-

ness”; nytimes.com/2022/07/25/us/migrant-smuggling-evolution.html.

See CBS News, “At least 853 migrants died crossing the US-Mexico border in past 12

months – a record high”; cbsnews.com/news/migrant-deaths-crossing-us-mexico-border-

2022-record-high/.

See NBC News, “Fentanyl seizures at US southern border rise dramatically”;

nbcnews.com/politics/immigration/fentanyl-seizures-u-s-southern-border-rise-dramati-

cally-n1272676.

450 Overtures AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

3. That synod place the original language in a footnote with an expla-

nation of having found the language regarding the Anabaptists to be

objectionable and unnecessary to the biblical truth being confessed

here.

We respectfully submit this overture for the good of the church, the good of

society, and the glory of God.

Council of the Christian Reformed Church of St. Joseph, Michigan

Ethan Pawelski, clerk

Note: This overture was submitted to the February 1, 2024, meeting of Clas-

sis Holland but was not adopted.

OVERTURE 15

Reexamine Ecumenical Relations with the Reformed Church

in America

I. Initial statement

Classis Iakota overtures Synod 2024 to reexamine the ecumenical relation-

ship of the Christian Reformed Church in North America with the Re-

formed Church in America (RCA) to reflect recent large-scale changes in the

RCA and in Christian solidarity with brothers and sisters in congregations

who felt obligated to leave the RCA due to practices that do not align with

stated positions.

II. Rationale

A. Historical

The CRCNA and RCA share a common heritage. Though after 1857 focus

was often placed on the great differences and animosity between these two

theological “cousins,” the more recent past has seen a closer working to-

gether. On paper, it seemed as if the reasons for any original split were be-

coming obsolete and irrelevant. This culminated in the so-called “Pella Ac-

cord,” a joint resolution made in Synod 2014 in which the RCA and CRC

have agreed to “act together in all matters except those in which deep differ-

ences of conviction compel [us] to act separately” (Acts of Synod 2014, p. 504).

More recent years, however, have seen significant changes, particularly in

the RCA. While the CRCNA has continued to affirm its historical theology

and practice regarding human sexuality, inaction in the RCA to defend its

stated positions has led a majority of congregations to disaffiliate from the

denomination. While the RCA has officially stated positions that align with

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Overtures 451

those of the CRC, these churches have cited unaddressed practices by con-

gregations and classes which do not align with the positions of the RCA

General Synod that are shared by the CRC.

With the departure of these churches, some of whom had previous RCA-

CRC joint affiliation, the RCA of 2024 is no longer the RCA of 2014. If

churches leaving the RCA share the official CRCNA position reflected by

our Human Sexuality Report approved by Synod 2022, we ought to have

grave concern about the character of the RCA that remains.

Thus it is imperative to begin a dialogue about current RCA practices and

whether we really are aligned in doctrine and practice.

B. Biblical and theological

The biblical priority of unity drove the CRCNA and RCA to explore greater

partnership; however, what is the focus of Christian unity? The biblical fo-

cus on love is grounded in truth (Eph. 4:15). Though our churches share

common heritage and geography, if the church represents the kingdom of

Christ, unity can only be found in common faith.

Commands toward unity in the New Testament letters are balanced out by

calls for the church to remain watchful, and perhaps even to separate. In

1 Corinthians 5 a church celebrates its tolerance of a sexually immoral man,

only to be admonished by the apostle Paul, who calls for the man to be put

out from the church for the sake of his salvation. Throughout 1 John, the

apostle John warns the church of the spirit of the antichrist (2:18-27; 4:1-6),

going so far in 2 John as to warn believers not to associate or partner with

false teachers (vv. 10-11). When our Lord Jesus speaks to the seven churches

through John in the book of Revelation, he praises those who reject certain

practices (2:6) while he criticizes those who tolerate them (2:14-15).

The spirit of Matthew 18 calls us, then, to approach the RCA directly to ask

about their current doctrine and practice as we evaluate whether we are as

aligned as churches in communion ought to be. Though Christ’s words here

speak specifically to individuals, it seems applicable and wise for denomi-

national relationships among the same theological family.

C. Ecclesiastical

Our Ecumenical Charter states, “Unity is intrinsic to the truth of the gospel

and to our confession. . . . The unity of the church is a unity in truth, the

truth that is Jesus Christ, as revealed in Holy Scripture.” While we reach out

to people striving for visible oneness in the church, “passion for the truth of

Christ calls us to reject all forms of unity that compromise unequivocal wit-

ness to Jesus Christ.” The present state of the RCA, and our present form of

unity with them, may compromise unequivocal witness to Jesus Christ.

As a fellow Reformed denomination, the RCA affirms the Three Forms of

Unity (the Reformed confessions). Our primary concern regards a potential

452 Overtures AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

failure to promote and defend two primary areas of our common confes-

sion:

1. Heidelberg Catechism Q&A’s 108 and 109—Though on paper the

RCA has made several statements that align with the CRC, in prac-

tice there have been reports of the ordination of openly practicing

homosexual clergy and of clergy solemnizing same-sex marriages

without consequence.

2. Belgic Confession, Article 29—This inaction would thus reflect a lack

of the “third mark” of the true church: “It practices church discipline

for correcting faults.” While the CRCNA must surely examine itself

in this area and repent for a lack of discipline correcting many varied

sins, the third mark appears to be increasingly missing from the

RCA.

D. Practical

In recent years the entire Dakota Classis of the RCA and many RCA congre-

gations throughout Iowa have disaffiliated themselves from the RCA. In

many of our communities, we enjoy solid working relationships with these

congregations that share our Reformed convictions. Now, however, our

Church Order and ecumenical relationships reflect our having a closer rela-

tionship to a distant denomination that we no longer recognize than to

these church families.

In our area, as well as in others across the denomination, dialogue has been

taking place to discern relationships with the Kingdom Network and the

Alliance of Reformed Churches. Recent synods have begun the process of

seeking greater unity with these brothers and sisters.

As our brothers and sisters in these churches acted out of a stand for bibli-

cal truth on matters of scriptural authority and anthropology, it is our obli-

gation as a church in communion to question the current doctrine and prac-

tice of the RCA.

III. Overture

Classis Iakota overtures Synod 2024 to do the following:

A. Instruct the Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations Committee [EIRC] to

communicate with the RCA General Secretary and Commission on

Christian Unity on the following points and to report to Synod 2025 re-

garding responses received:

1. A desire for shared commitment to our confessional Reformed herit-

age, doctrine, and practice.

2. A concern regarding the nature of churches that have disaffiliated

with the RCA as being in alignment with CRCNA positions.

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Overtures 453

3. A request for clarification on the RCA’s ongoing commitment in

faith and practice to Heidelberg Catechism Q&A’s 108 and 109, spe-

cifically as it relates to the forbidding of unchastity, which encom-

passes homosexual sex.

4. A request for clarification on whether RCA clergy have been, or are

being, permitted to solemnize same-sex marriages, or to themselves

remain in same-sex marriages or romantic partnerships, while re-

maining ministers in good standing.

5. A request for response before Synod 2025.

B. Provisionally declare the following decisions of synod to be inoperative,

until further review from Synod 2025 (upon receiving further response

from the RCA to the above communication):

1. Article 36, B, 9-10 of Synod 2005, regarding the Orderly Exchange of

Ordained Ministers between the CRC and the Reformed Church in

America (Acts of Synod 2005, p. 740):

9. That synod approve the Orderly Exchange of Ordained

Ministers between the CRC and the Reformed Church of

America . . . subject to the additions or amendments to the

Church Order (or supplements thereof) as recommended.

10. That synod propose . . . changes in Church Order Article 8

and its Supplement. . . .

2. Article 20 of Synod 2014 regarding the Resolution on the Relation-

ship between the Reformed Church in America and the Christian Re-

formed Church in North America (Acts of Synod 2014, pp. 503-4).

That synod adopt the joint resolution prepared for the CRC

synod and the General Synod of the RCA.

C. Provisionally declare Church Order Article 8-b, along with its Supple-

ment, 8, D, to be inoperative until further review from Synod 2025.

D. Request that Synod 2025 further review the ecumenical status of the Re-

formed Church in America as a church in communion.

E. Prohibit CRCNA classes from delegating RCA-ordained ministers or

commissioned pastors to future synod meetings until the above deci-

sions and articles in concern again become operative.

F. Instruct the General Secretary to work with Thrive on developing a plan

for how to potentially shepherd pastors and congregations affected by

these decisions (i.e., RCA ministers called to CRCNA churches, union

churches) for proposal to Synod 2025, while advising them to continue

any current arrangements until further notice.

454 Overtures AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

Grounds:

1. With over half of its member congregations leaving, most of whom are

in alignment with the CRCNA, the RCA is no longer the same denomi-

nation as the one with whom these bonds were formed.

2. Scripture calls for a unity based upon common faith in Jesus Christ, not

upon ethnic heritage, historical relationships, or common geography,

and for separation from those tolerant of sin—sexual sin in particular.

3. Faithfulness as a church in communion requires encouragement toward

faithful statements and faithful practices related to our common Re-

formed confession, especially regarding RCA clergy, who are permitted

to seek a call in CRCNA congregations.

4. The presence of delegates ordained in the RCA at synod meetings delib-

erating on the CRC’s relationship to the RCA presents an obvious con-

flict of interest.

5. Since many congregations disaffiliating with the RCA align with the

CRC position on human sexuality, we act out of solidarity with them

and out of grave concern for the denomination they have left.

Classis Iakota

Bernard Haan, stated clerk

OVERTURE 16

Solicit Resources for LGBTQ Ministry from the Churches

I. Background

Synod 2023 reaffirmed the decision of Synod 2022 that “unchastity” in-

cludes “homosexual sex.” This effectively precludes the possibility of gay

marriage and makes celibacy a requirement for lesbian and gay people (un-

less they decide to pursue a heterosexual marriage). Synod 2023 also urged

congregations to be “places of belonging for LGBTQ+ members seeking to

follow Christ” (Acts of Synod 2023, p. 1023). Thus our congregations must

find a way to be places of belonging for LGBTQ members and attendees

while maintaining the CRC position on homosexuality.

Some congregations have chosen to become places of belonging for LGBTQ

people while defying the CRC’s position on homosexuality. We have had

less opportunity to hear from congregations who have become places of be-

longing for LGBTQ people while maintaining the CRC’s position on homo-

sexuality. Given Synod 2023’s reaffirmation of the decisions of Synod 2022,

it is time for churches to have this opportunity.

II. Overture

A. We overture synod to solicit resources and tools for LGBTQ ministry

from Christian Reformed churches who are in agreement with the

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Overtures 455

CRC’s position on homosexuality. We ask that an email go out from the

Office of General Secretary to the stated clerks of every CRC classis re-

questing that any church that is both faithful to the CRC’s position on

homosexuality and has a thriving and successful ministry to LGBTQ

people (or simply has a representational percentage of LGBTQ members

who feel a sense of belonging in their congregation) share pertinent in-

formation about their ministry (or their strategies for inclusion). The re-

sources shared should be collected in one place, easily accessible to all

interested CRC congregations.

Grounds:

a. CRC congregations are clearly in need of such information and re-

sources.

b. Synod 2023 adopted the following recommendation: “That synod di-

rect the Office of General Secretary to develop resources and tools, or

endorse existing external resources and tools, that align with our Re-

formed doctrinal standards (as articulated in previous synodical de-

cisions), to equip congregations for pastoral ministry with and to our

LGBTQ+ members and neighbors” (Acts of Synod 2023, p. 1023). No

recommendation was made, however, to endorse internal resources

and tools that have proven successful.

c. Developing new resources and tools will take extended time and en-

ergy; endorsing external ones, although helpful, comes with no guar-

antee that they will fit the needs of CRC congregations. It makes

sense to seek first resources that are already available and being em-

ployed in our churches. This overture does not intend to preclude

the Office of General Secretary from taking any other course of ac-

tion it deems fit in following the synodical recommendation, but

merely offers a simple way to collect resources and tools that are in

alignment with our standards and have already proven successful in

our churches.

d. A top-down approach is unlikely to be as effective as a grassroots

approach. Even if the precise nature of a particular ministry cannot

be replicated from one congregation to another, specific ideas for

ministry, when shared, can be adapted by leaders to different minis-

try contexts.

e. Such a strategy (emailing stated clerks to solicit information) would

not be taxing for the Office of General Secretary but has the potential

to elicit a significant return from those churches who are doing effec-

tive ministry with LGBTQ people within the bounds of CRC ortho-

doxy.

B. If no such resources become available within a year, we ask that a report

be made to that effect to Synod 2025. In such an eventuality, we further

456 Overtures AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

ask that Synod 2025 recommend that the Office of General Secretary ex-

plore whether it is feasible to continue to ask CRC congregations to be

places of belonging for LGBTQ members in the present context.

Grounds:

a. Churches should be made aware of the follow-up and outcomes to

synodical recommendations.

b. Fifty years have passed since CRC synods began instructing congre-

gations to welcome and care for LGBTQ members in response to the

1973 report of the Committee to Study Homosexuality (Acts of Synod

1973, pp. 609-33). If no resources or tools for doing so have arisen

naturally or found success within CRC congregations in alignment

with the denominational position during this time, it is likely that

there are underlying reasons for this. It seems wise to consider and

address those reasons before pushing ahead with top-down initia-

tives, lest we set congregations up to fail.

c. A time-bound plan with built-in accountability and analysis will

help to stop our historic pattern of doing harm to LGBTQ people

even while repeated calls are made to be welcoming, and this will

show consideration for our LGBTQ members who have already been

waiting a long time for the recommendations of the 1973 report to be

implemented.

Council of Church of the Savior CRC, South Bend, Indiana

Charis Schepers, council clerk

Note: This overture was submitted to the October 5, 2023, meeting of Classis

Holland but was not adopted.

OVERTURE 17

Articulate What Is Expected of Confessing Members When

Agreeing with the Confessions

I. Background

At a profession of faith or infant baptism, the candidate(s) or parents are

presented, in one form or another, statements and questions like these:

I ask you before God and Christ’s church . . . to profess your faith in

Christ Jesus, and to confess the faith of the church. . . .

• Do you believe that the Bible is the Word of God revealing Christ

and his redemption, and that the confessions of this church faith-

fully reflect this revelation? . . .

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Overtures 457

• Will you be a faithful member of this congregation, accept its

teaching, and participate in its worship, fellowship, and mis-

sion? . . .

• Do you promise to accept the spiritual guidance of the church in a

spirit of Christian love. . . .

(Form for the Public Profession of Faith, 2016)

While a literal reading of the vow regarding the confessions of the church

would suggest that the person has a personal conviction affirming each of

the doctrines contained in the confessions, the vow to accept the teaching of

the church and its spiritual guidance suggests there is more than one way

to understand what it means for a subscriber to commit to the teachings of

the church.

Synod 1975 noted that “Full agreement with the confessions is expected

from all members of the church” (Acts of Synod 1975, p. 601). But Synod

2023 also heard through a communication from Classis Holland,

. . . in the CRCNA we have very high standards of confessional agree-

ment for both officebearers and members, with the only real differ-

ence being differing degrees of responsibility for the teaching, de-

fense, and promotion of our confessional standards. . . . While we

believe that the church’s ordained offices should continue to be held

to the high confessional standards spelled out in the Covenant for Of-

ficebearers, we suggest that perhaps it is time . . . to make some care-

ful distinctions in our confessional expectations for members. We do

not pretend to have charted a way forward here, but we urge synod

to consider this. (Agenda for Synod 2023, p. 604)

Following Synod 2022’s clarification on the interpretation of “unchastity” in

Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 108 and that this interpretation has confes-

sional status (Acts of Synod 2022, p. 922), a practical question for councils

and pastors is whether one needs to agree with this interpretation to make a

public profession of faith, to present their child for baptism, or even to re-

tain membership in their local congregation. While the interpretation of

Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 108 has raised this question, it is a question

that ought to apply to every article of belief in our confessions.

II. Overture

I request that synod offer the following advice to churches regarding how

the confessions and their interpretations apply to nonofficebearer confess-

ing members in light of the vows made at a public profession of faith:

A. When members vow to “accept the spiritual guidance of the church in a

spirit of Christian love,” they are entrusting themselves to the congrega-

tion they are joining and the way in which it is led.

458 Overtures AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

B. On matters of doctrine that are contained in the creeds and confessions

of the church, teaching them as accurately reflecting Christ and his reve-

lation in the Bible is the desire and goal of the church’s teaching and in-

struction.

C. All who can “accept the spiritual guidance of the church in a spirit of

Christian love” and accept the standards by which the church will teach

them are encouraged to make public profession of faith, present their

children for baptism, and exercise their right to vote at congregational

meetings.

Grounds:

1. In distinction from officebearers, confessing members are not asked to

renounce every teaching that disagrees with the church’s confessions.

2. To expect “full agreement with the confessions” (Acts of Synod 1975,

p. 601) exacerbates the issue experienced in the church that we have

little-to-no expectation for further discipleship beyond one’s profession

of faith.

3. This clarifies what members promise when they vow to “accept the spir-

itual guidance of the church.” The spiritual guidance of the church in-

cludes the positions and pastoral advice which are “settled and bind-

ing” on congregations and their officebearers (Acts of Synod 1975, p. 44).

4. There is a difference in what is expected of confessing members com-

pared to what is expected of officebearers when affirming the confes-

sions of the church as accurately reflecting the revelation of Scripture.

As Synod 1976 heard in the report regarding Revision of the Form of

Subscription, “. . . since the Form of Subscription is the instrument by

which the church regulates the official conduct of the officebearers, it is

not the instrument by which the church regulates the actions of the

membership of the church in general” (Acts of Synod 1976, p. 578).

Pastor of Inglewood CRC, Edmonton, Alberta

Rev. Andrew Aukema

Note: This overture was submitted to the Council of Inglewood CRC but

was not adopted. It was then submitted to the March 8-9, 2024, meeting of

Classis Alberta North but was not adopted.

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Overtures 459

OVERTURE 18

Appoint a Task Force to Review the Covenant for

Officebearers

I. Introduction

Classis Eastern Canada overtures synod to appoint a task force to review

the Covenant for Officebearers and the related Article 5 in the Church Or-

der, and to provide Synod 2025 with analysis and recommendations to ad-

dress the following concerns:

1. Greater clarity about the distinctions and relationship between con-

fessions and interpretations of specific provisions in a confession as

requirements for membership and/or serving in any positions of

leadership, and greater clarity about implementation of the Cove-

nant for Officebearers at all levels of church assemblies.

2. Greater clarity and respect for the role and authority of the local

church to deliberate together and provide guidance in the applica-

tion of specific provisions in the confessions in specific situations in

local contexts.

3. Greater respect for thoughtful and conscientious decision-making

when such decisions are made in prayerful, Spirit-led sincerity be-

fore God and in dialogue with the church community.

II. Background

Classis Eastern Canada has community churches that include members

who identify as, or who have family members or close friends who identify

as, LGBTQ+ persons. We recognize we have not always ministered well

with these members and, in the past few years, synodical decisions have

made it more challenging. We have engaged in learning, prayer-filled dia-

logue, and reflection on what God is calling us to do as partners in God’s

mission in our particular context. We have also actively engaged in the dis-

cernment processes within the CRCNA, including overtures asking for

more time and prevention of harm that were supported and forwarded to

synod in both 2022 and 2023. This overture names other elements in a con-

tinuing process of prayerful discernment as committed members of both

Classes Eastern Canada and the CRCNA.

As part of this journey, especially after the decisions of Synods 2022 and

2023 regarding human sexuality, we have struggled with what it means to

sign the Covenant for Officebearers, the role of gravamina, and living up to

our calling to be part of God’s mission in our community, as we discern

that. We are also alert to and engaged with members of other Christian Re-

formed churches who are struggling with similar tensions and who antici-

pate the possible impacts of further decisions at Synod 2024 about enforce-

ment through the Covenant for Officebearers. It is timely to ask for greater

460 Overtures AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

clarity with regard to the Covenant for Officebearers and its role in CRC

churches.

This matter is important for other issues as well as this one that will create

tensions in our covenantal relationships in the future. Beyond sexuality, the

current moment is fostering high levels of confusion and anxiety about the

way we make decisions together and work together in a community that

takes covenantal relationships seriously, as well as the recognition of differ-

ences in interpretations of specific biblical passages and the implications of

some of our long-standing doctrines. It also highlights tensions between

calls to unity and respect for diversity.

For this reason, we submit a plea to take time for careful consideration and

more clear articulation of essential, relevant elements of Reformed polity as

they relate to implementation of the Covenant for Officebearers and related

articles in the Church Order, both in the current context and for the future

health of our churches. Taking time to do this work now will contribute to

restored confidence in the quality of our decision-making processes and

will help to foster and maintain unity within the denomination.

Grounds:

1. Regarding synodical decisions, interpretation of the confessions, and

implementation of the Covenant for Officebearers

a. More clarity is needed to consistently apply the wise guidance from

Synod 1975 that “no synodical decision involving doctrinal or ethical

pronouncements is to be considered on a par with the confessions”

(Acts of Synod 1975, p. 598). Specifically, decisions of synod (pro-

nouncements) are considered “settled and binding, unless it is

proved that they conflict with the Word of God or the Church Or-

der” (Church Order Art. 29). However, “While synodical decisions

are ‘settled and binding,’ subscription to synodical decisions is not

required” (Acts of Synod 1975, p. 601). In many ways, the declarations

of synod in 2022 and 2023 on human sexuality (specifically related to

the interpretation of Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 108) blur the lines

between the two. This compromises the clear distinction that Synod

1975 described.

b. The Church Order states, “A signatory is bound only to those doc-

trines that are confessed, and is not bound to the references, allu-

sions, and remarks that are incidental to the formulation of these

doctrines, nor to the theological deductions that some may draw

from the doctrines set forth in the confessions” (Supplement, Article

5, A, 3). The Church Order recognizes a healthy tension between the

role of individuals, local churches, and larger assemblies in discern-

ment of the implications of our confessions. Individuals, who may

not decide for themselves what doctrines are covered by the confes-

sions, are to seek decisions of the assemblies and acquiesce with

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Overtures 461

them; those assemblies include councils and classes as well as syn-

ods (Art. 26), who themselves are bound together in covenant rela-

tionships under God. In the wake of Synods 2022 and 2023, greater

clarity is needed to manage this tension well to have a healthy

church at all levels.

c. The Covenant for Officebearers was designed to encourage, not dis-

courage theological discussion (see Agenda for Synod 2011, p. 623;

Agenda for Synod 2008, p. 247; Acts of Synod 2005, p. 735; Acts of Synod

1976, pp. 67-70, 550-91). The way the Covenant for Officebearers is

being used in the wake of Synods 2022 and 2023 is shutting down

discussion instead of encouraging it. This is a consequence, intended

or not intended, of giving one interpretation of one provision by one

synod “status confessionis.” Greater clarity is needed to fulfill the pur-

pose of the Covenant for Officebearers to encourage theological dis-

cussion of challenging issues.

d. A covenant relationship, such as that espoused in the Covenant for

Officebearers, requires greater attention to how decisions are made

and the impacts for all parties in the covenant relationship. Covenant

relationships, different from contracts or hierarchical control, include

deep respect for the calling of each party before God and ensuring

that decisions serve the well-being of the other party. Covenantal

commitments made in baptism, for example, are relevant for how a

local church council deals with persons who later identify as

LGBTQ+. Walking in covenant relationship also has implications for

relationships between local churches when one of them, as a result of

careful discernment, feels called by God to follow a different Re-

formed interpretation than the one endorsed by a particular synod.

More consideration of the implications of the important Reformed

teachings on covenant for the management of tensions in particular

areas would likely lead to more nuanced guidance to maintain rela-

tionships in spite of differences in interpretation.

e. Greater clarity on the relationships between synodical decisions and

the confessions is relevant for many issues, not just those in the Hu-

man Sexuality Report. The lack of clarity contributes to inconsisten-

cies between the way different synodical decisions on interpretations

of confessions are implemented in the life of individual churches and

a significant erosion of trust in the quality of deliberations and deci-

sion-making processes within our denomination. Greater clarity is

important for leaders at all levels of the church who are engaged in

discussions and decision-making related to confessions. Leaders

serve in the context of a growing range of ethical issues that engage

church members and various interpretations of many individual

provisions within the confessions that are consistent with Reformed

approaches to exegesis and hermeneutics.

462 Overtures AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

2. Regarding the role and authority of the local church

a. The local church plays a primary role in CRC church polity, espe-

cially in areas such as pastoral care, discipling, faith formation, and

deciding who serves in ordained offices. Synod has also recognized

that the local council is the most appropriate place for decision mak-

ing in complex pastoral situations (e.g., Synod 1980’s decisions in re-

lation to marriage and divorce). The CRC has practiced a healthy

tension that balances respect for the authority of the local church and

the delegated and limited authority of synods to act in the best inter-

ests of all churches. The decisions of Synods 2022 and 2023 gave very

little consideration to the impacts of their decisions for local

churches, and, in doing so, have created difficulties that could be

avoided with greater clarity and respect for the traditional role of lo-

cal churches in Reformed polity.

b. The Covenant for Officebearers should “enhance the faithful minis-

try of the local church” (Agenda for Synod 2011, p. 623). The way it is

being used in the wake of Synods 2022 and 2023 is hindering the

work of many local churches, including Kanata Community CRC in

Ottawa, Ontario. Greater respect for the authority of local churches

could also assist in maintaining unity within the CRCNA.

c. An important principle in covenant relationships is the concept of

one church or officebearer not lording it over another, as expressed

in Church Order Article 85. Requests to sign the Covenant for Office-

bearers should not be weaponized by one member against other

members or by one church against the delegates of another church to

one of the higher assemblies; nor should it be used by one church to

diminish valuable pastoral work being carried out by another local

church. While technically Article 85 may have more limited applica-

tion, the general principle seems relevant for the current struggle.

More careful articulation of it might assist in finding more healthy

ways to maintain covenantal unity on core beliefs while respecting

some diversity in the implementation of specific provisions in the

confessions.

3. Regarding conscientious decisions made in prayerful, Spirit-led sincer-

ity before God and in dialogue with the church

a. A valued feature of our Reformed approach to life is developing and

exercising robust capacities for individual conscientious decision

making, along with discernment in local community. In keeping

with the strong focus on conscience and Christian freedom in John

Calvin’s teachings (Institutes of the Christian Religion, chap. 19), Re-

formed branches of Christianity have paid a lot of attention to a core

teaching that the church should not bind the consciences of its mem-

bers any more than what is absolutely essential in Scripture.

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Overtures 463

b. Recent decisions by synod raise questions about the level of respect

for carefully considered conscientious decisions that people make

before God, with prayer for the leading of the Holy Spirit and in

community. In our congregation, for example, faithful members in

every respect have given well-developed reasons why they cannot in

good conscience act in accordance with the decisions of Synods 2022

and 2023 relating to human sexuality. This includes members who

have direct experience with the matters involved, persons who pro-

vide counseling services as Christians and professionals, and per-

sons who are called and engaged in public witness about specific re-

lated matters (e.g., the just treatment of intersex children in Canada).

We do not think it is necessary for such members to make a choice

between participation in their church and integrity in work that

clearly contributes to God’s mission in our community.

c. The gravamen process was not developed as a mechanism to show

respect for conscientious decisions. It is a process for settling theo-

logical disputes (Acts of Synod 1976, pp. 68-70). Its inadequacy to deal

with the matter of conscientious decisions is reflected in the many

questions being asked about it, including overtures held over from

Synod 2023 for consideration at Synod 2024. Greater respect for con-

scientious decision-making might lead to consideration of a different

mechanism or significant modification of the current processes for

gravamina.

d. Respect for conscientious decision making relates to many areas of

Christian life. A review of CRC history reveals an uneven pattern on

different issues, but it leans toward greater recognition for individ-

ual conscientious decisions. For example, dancing and card playing

were prohibited at one time but were later treated as matters for con-

scientious decision making. In 2006 synod decided to recognize con-

scientious objections to a particular war, a modification of earlier

just-war teaching that did not permit support for persons with con-

scientious objections to war and military service (see Acts of Synod

2006, pp. 670-75). In the area of human sexuality, decisions about

marriage and divorce in 1980 showed strong respect for the need to

allow conscientious decisions in individual cases, with the local

church providing pastoral care and guidance (see Acts of Synod 1980,

pp. 484-85). Different conscientious decisions about financial stew-

ardship within a congregation do not lead to removal from office or

church membership, even though the Bible has much more to say

about the use of wealth than it does about homosexuality.

e. The contemporary context for Christians and churches requires nur-

turing the development of a robust capacity for the exercise of moral

agency and conscientious living, especially in the Canadian context.

Careful consideration and incorporation of guidance on this matter

464 Overtures AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

for the way we make and enforce decisions on ethical issues would

serve well for upcoming issues and the future of the church’s wit-

ness in Canadian society.

Classis Eastern Canada

B. Bernard Bakker, stated clerk

OVERTURE 19

Require that Synod Delegates Re-Sign the Covenant for

Officebearers

Throughout the years of its history the CRCNA has always been a confes-

sional denomination that wholeheartedly embraces the Three Forms of

Unity and its confessional declarations as fully agreeing with the Word of

God.

Overture

Classis Minnkota overtures Synod 2024 to require that every delegate of

Synod 2024 and all future synods be required to re-sign the Covenant for

Officebearers, understanding the following:

• In signing this covenant, all officers are vowing before God that they

heartily believe and fully affirm, without reservation, the confessions

and anything synod has deemed to have confessional status.

• Those who cannot fully affirm this statement will not be seated as

delegates.

Grounds:

1. At this pivotal moment in the history of our denomination that will de-

termine the trajectory of its future, we must ensure that we are fully uni-

fied around what we believe for the sake of the mission and gospel of Je-

sus Christ.

2. This rightly puts full subscription to the confessions onto the hearts and

minds of officebearers as they carry out the important work of synod.

Classis Minnkota

LeRoy G. Christoffels, stated clerk

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Overtures 465

OVERTURE 20

Disclose Confessional-Difficulty Gravamina During Roll Call;

Seek Classis Nominations for Parliamentarian

Overture

Classis Minnkota overtures synod to implement the following changes to

its format:

1. Instruct all delegates to disclose any current confessional-difficulty gra-

vamina during the roll call.

Grounds:

a. The Church Order Supplement does not ordinarily compel officers

to make their gravamina known beyond their own council, but nei-

ther does it grant the right of secrecy to those who submit gravam-

ina—especially not to those who allow themselves to be delegated to

synod.

b. The Public Declaration of Agreement with the Beliefs of the Chris-

tian Reformed Church in North America specifies that delegates be

“in full agreement with what the congregations of the Christian Re-

formed Church in North America confess.” In that a confessional-

difficulty gravamen is an instrument “in which a subscriber ex-

presses personal difficulty with the confession” (Church Order Sup-

plement, Art. 5), a delegate who has filed a gravamen is not in full

agreement with what the church confesses.

c. Gravamina are considered matters legally before synod (Rules for

Synodical Procedure, V, B, 1).

2. Instruct future Program Committees of synod to seek nominations from

the classes for a synodical parliamentarian prior to making their ap-

pointment.

Ground:

The synodical rules only state that this position “could be filled by the

faculty advisor for church polity,” not that it must be (Rules for Synodi-

cal Procedure, III, B, 2, h).

Classis Minnkota

LeRoy G. Christoffels, stated clerk

466 Overtures AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

OVERTURE 21

First Order of Business for Synod 2024

Classis Minnkota overtures synod to “lay directly before synod” Advisory

Committee Reports 8D and 8E from Synod 2023 as the first order of busi-

ness.

Grounds:

1. This arrangement is allowed by the Rules for Synodical Procedure,

VI, A, 2, b.

2. These reports and their corresponding overtures have already been re-

viewed by a synodical advisory committee in 2023.

3. Synod 2023 ended in an unprecedented way, and synod did a great dis-

service to the delegates by not completing the work they were sent there

to do at great personal cost. The officers of Synod 2024 should take this

action, even if unprecedented, in order to honor the work of the Com-

mittee 8 majority by immediately taking up their recommendations.

4. The outcome of synod's decision on these reports will have significant

bearing on both the long- and short-term trajectory of the CRCNA. In

order to do their work well, the Synod 2024 advisory committees need

to know this direction before convening.

Classis Minnkota

LeRoy G. Christoffels, stated clerk

OVERTURE 22

Clarify the Nature and Use of Gravamina, Building on

Forwarded Report from Synod 2023

I. Background

In an unusual move, significant portions of the work done by Synod 2023’s

Advisory Committee 8 were forwarded to Synod 2024.

Only one minority

report emerged from this committee, which was tasked with addressing

many difficult topics. As noted in the introduction to their majority report,

the entire advisory committee was even in agreement regarding many of

the recommendations in that report.

This overture will build on their work

as it pertains to the nature and use of a confessional-difficulty gravamen

(CDG), which divided Synod 2023’s Advisory Committee 8, producing the

majority and minority reports.

Acts of Synod 2023, pp. 1033-37 (Art. 80).

Acts of Synod 2023, p. 1033 (Art. 80).

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Overtures 467

There is no need to restate the background summaries articulated in the in-

troduction to Advisory Committee 8’s majority report as well as the un-

addressed overtures deferred to Synod 2024, especially Overtures 49 and

50.

The purpose of this overture assumes that background and is intended

to build on the recommendations made in the forwarded majority report of

Advisory Committee 8. The benefit of having more time to reflect on their

work is that it allows us the opportunity to articulate their recommenda-

tions with greater clarity, address areas they may have overlooked, and

even answer more potential objections. The following overture will reiterate

many of the recommendations from Advisory Committee 8’s majority re-

port while hopefully clarifying and fortifying their efforts.

This overture seeks to make clear and explicit the timeline to resolve a CDG

provided in Advisory Committee 8’s majority report. Some believed their

timeline to resolve a gravamen was only six months, when, in fact, it was

much longer. Since the goals are to restore officebearers and reform our doc-

trine according to the Word of God, there must be enough time to achieve

those goals while also maintaining those doctrinal boundaries that locate us

within the larger body of Christ.

This overture also seeks to clarify that CDGs are for active officebearers

only.

Church members and those training for the office of elder, deacon, or even

to become ministers of the Word are not required to sign the Covenant for

Officebearers. Prior to ordination a person possesses greater freedom to ex-

amine and struggle with doctrine. It is also much less consequential for

them to do so.

God's Word also points to this truth in 1 Timothy 3:6, as it instructs that an

“overseer” is not to be a “recent convert” but, rather, should possess a ma-

ture faith. So it is our officebearers who are called to “heartily believe . . .

promote and defend [our] doctrines faithfully . . .” (Covenant for Office-

bearers; Church Order Supplement, Art. 5).

An officebearer who submits a CDG must continue to promote and defend

the doctrines set forth in our standards. Therefore, this overture also seeks

better to answer the question “What does it look like to not teach against

our doctrines?” Consequently, that language has been adjusted, and a pro-

vision about being delegated to classis or synod with a current CDG has

been added.

Finally, Advisory Committee 8’s majority report was still unclear about what

it means for an assembly to examine and judge a gravamen. Therefore, this

overture seeks to clarify that definition as well.

Agenda for Synod 2023, pp. 522-34 (Overtures 49-50).

468 Overtures AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

II. Overture

Classis Zeeland overtures Synod 2024 to accept recommendations 2-8 from

Advisory Committee 8’s forwarded majority report to Synod 2023 (see Acts

of Synod 2023, pp. 1034-36) with the following addenda and clarifications to

recommendations 2-5 (presented as A-D below):

A. That synod amend the Church Order Supplement to clarify the proper

use of a CDG and provide a timeline for its process (changes are under-

lined). (Note: Additional changes by Classis Zeeland to the recommen-

dations of Advisory Committee 8’s majority report [Acts of Synod 2023,

pp. 1034-36] and/or to the Church Order Supplement are indicated by

strikethrough and bold underline.)

1. Amend Church Order Supplement, Article 5, 1

1. A confessional-difficulty gravamen: a temporary gravamen in which

a subscriber an officebearer, subsequent to their ordination, de-

velops and then expresses a personal difficulty with the confes-

sion but does not call for a revision of the confessions, and

2. Amend Church Order Supplement, Article 5, 2

2. A confessional-revision gravamen: a gravamen in which a subscriber

an officebearer makes a specific recommendation for revision of

the confessions.

3. Amend Church Order Supplement, Article 5, A, 1

1. The person signing the Covenant for Officebearers for the first

time, or who has signed it in the past, affirms and continues to

affirm without reservation all the doctrines contained in the

standards of the church as being doctrines that are taught in the

Word of God. “Without reservation” means that the CRC does

not allow gravamina as exceptions to the confessions themselves

or to what synod has determined to have confessional status.

4. Amend Church Order Supplement, Article 5, B, by adding a new

point 2 [the current point 2 would become point 3]:

2. Examination and judgment of a confessional-difficulty grava-

men includes determining the extent and nature of the grava-

men in question and providing an officebearer the information

and/or clarification being sought. Additionally, examination

and judgment would include discerning whether an office-

bearer has a sincere difficulty or a settled conviction better

served by resignation or by filing a confessional-revision gra-

vamen.

5. Amend Church Order Supplement, Article 5, B, by adding a point 34:

34. A confessional-difficulty gravamen is a personal request for help

in resolving a subscriber’san officebearer’s doubts about a doc-

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Overtures 469

trine contained in the confessions. It is not a request for an assem-

bly to tolerate a subscriber’san officebearer’s settled conviction

that a doctrine contained in the confessions is wrong. Therefore,

in all instances of confessional-difficulty gravamina, no assembly

may exempt a subscriberan officebearer from having to affirm all

of the doctrines contained in the standards of the church.

Grounds:

a. There is not, nor has there ever been, a provision in the Church Or-

der allowing a subscriberan officebearer to take an exception to the

standards. Officebearers are expected to hold to the standards

without reservation upon becoming officebearers. The purpose of

a CDG is to address a personal difficulty that may develop after

becoming an officebearer, since one would need to violate the

ninth commandment in order to sign the Covenant for Officebear-

ers while harboring a confessional difficulty. One of the purposes

of ministerial training is to struggle with doctrines in order to de-

termine to which part of the larger body of Christ one belongs.

Part of becoming qualified to hold an ecclesiastical office within

the CRC is aligning oneself with the doctrines that locate us

within the larger body of Christ. Therefore, it is expected and good

for those training for office to struggle with the CRC’s doctrines

and to have resolved those struggles prior to ordination.

b. There is confusion as to what it means to examine and judge a con-

fessional-difficulty gravamen.

c. There is already a provision in place to revise the confessions if they

are found to be in error.If one believes a doctrine is in error, one

may file a confessional-revision gravamen, making the case to the

broader body. The purpose of a CDG is to express and then work

through a difficulty. It is not to be used as a means of holding an

unresolved difficulty in perpetuity.

d. Although the creeds and confessions of the CRCNA are neither iner-

rant nor exhaustive, they are a comprehensive summary of every-

thing deemed essential for the faith and life of our denomination.

B. That synod approve the following process for a CDG:

1. During the time the officebearer has a CDG, the individual must

teach, act, counsel, promote, defend, and live in unity with the con-

fessions in all areas. The individual may not contradict the confes-

sions openly and deliberately while the gravamen is still unresolved,

and the individual must diligently work toward resolving their con-

fessional difficulty. This may require recusing oneself from council

and/or consistory discussions, or possibly even taking a leave of

absence.

470 Overtures AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

2. An officebearer with an unresolved CDG may not be delegated to

classis or synod.

3. Classis credentials shall include the line “Number of active con-

fessional-difficulty gravamen/gravamina in council:_____”

4. Based on the process laid out in Church Order Supplement, Article

5, B, 1 stipulates that a gravamen is first filed with an officebearer's

council for examination and judgment. If the council is not able to

judge the matter, the council will submit the matter to classis and

then to synod if necessary. The council and the classis shall have a

minimum of six months each to judge the matter before submit-

ting the gravamen to the next higher assembly. Therefore, a council

has six months, or until the next classis meeting, whichever is greater

[added bold italics], to provide the necessary information and/or

clarification being sought. If the CDG is forwarded to classis, classis

shall have six months, or until agenda items for the next synod must

be submitted, whichever is greater [added bold/italics], to provide

the necessary information and/or clarification being sought. In most

cases this process would provide approximately two years before a

CDG would arrive at synod. If the CDG appears before synod,

synod’s decision will be binding and the subscriberofficebearer will

have until the end of that calendar year to either (1) affirm the stand-

ards, (2) file a confessional-revision gravamen, or (3) resign from of-

fice.

5. If applicable, ministers can be honorably released at the conclusion of

the CDG process.

Grounds:

a. It is necessary to have a delineated process that guides churches, clas-

ses, and synod according to the purposes of gravamina.

b. This process provides time for an officebearer to resolve their diffi-

culty while maintaining the doctrinal integrity that locates us

within the larger body of Christ. The purpose of this process is to

restore an officebearer to doctrinal unity or reveal where our

standards may be in error. This process may also reveal that an of-

ficebearer is doctrinally located elsewhere in the larger body of

Christ, or possibly outside of the body of Christ.

c. This process allows officebearers to work through a doctrinal diffi-

culty that develops after ordination while not violating the third or

the ninth commandments by preventing them from committing to

the Covenant for Officebearers at higher assemblies.

d. Asking councils to divulge the number of active confessional-dif-

ficulty gravamen/gravamina maintains the pastoral and personal

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Overtures 471

nature of a gravamen while allowing for transparency and account-

ability, since the nature of the gravamen and the person filing it

need not be disclosed.

C. Since synod has already made a judgment regardingexamined and

judged the definition of “unchastity” in Heidelberg Catechism Q&A

108, that synod instruct those who have submitted a CDG with respect

to the definition of “unchastity” to resolve their difficulty by affirming

the standards, resign, or be suspended from office by the end of

20232024. This would also include, if applicable, their resigning from

their position(s) in broader assemblies, boards, or committees, includ-

ing the COD.

Grounds:

1. The process explained above has already happened in part during

2022-2023.

12. The decision regarding the definition of “unchastity” has already

been examined and judged by Synod 2022 and Synod 2023. There-

fore, the above amendment and CDG timeline do not applyhas al-

ready taken place.

23. There is no need to file a confessional-revision gravamen unless new

grounds are provided, since sSynod 2023 has already reaffirmed the

confessional definition of “unchastity,” as it is now settled and

binding.

D. That synod instruct councils to begin special discipline of officebearers

who are suspended from office at the end of 20232024 if they refuse to

adhere toaffirm the definition of “unchastity” reflected in the standards.

Grounds:

1. Church Order Articles 82-84 and their Supplements state the appro-

priateness and process for the special discipline of officebearers.

2. “Special discipline shall be applied to officebearers if they violate the

Covenant for Officebearers, are guilty of neglect or abuse of office, or

in any way seriously deviate from sound doctrine and godly con-

duct” (Church Order Art. 83).

3. Not adhering toaffirming the definition of “unchastity” reflected in

the standards is a serious deviation from sound doctrine.

Classis Zeeland

Ronald Meyer, stated clerk

472 Overtures AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

OVERTURE 23

Limited Suspension

I. Background

Synod 1973 adopted a position on homosexuality stating, “Homosexual-

ism—as explicit homosexual practice—must be condemned as incompatible

with obedience to the will of God as revealed in Holy Scripture” (Acts of

Synod 1973, p. 52).

Synod 2004 reviewed the case of First CRC of Toronto, Ontario, which had

communicated its openness to ordaining practicing homosexuals as office-

bearers in a letter to the entire classis. Synod 2004 instructed Classis To-

ronto “to investigate the allegations made in the appeal and the overtures

. . . and . . . to urge First CRC to act in accordance with the guidelines of the

[1973 and 2002] reports” (Acts of Synod 2004, p. 632). Synod 2005 appointed

a committee in loco to investigate. The committee reported to Synod 2006

that First CRC, Toronto, had apologized for its earlier decision (Agenda for

Synod 2006, pp. 455-62). Synod 2006 adopted a recommendation to “encour-

age Classis Toronto to continue to provide support to First Toronto CRC in

their efforts ‘to tailor its ministry’ according to denominational guidelines

for same-gender relationships and to provide accountability as they do so”

(Acts of Synod 2006, p. 653).

In 2020, Neland Avenue CRC of Grand Rapids, Michigan, ordained a dea-

con living in a same-sex marriage.

Communications to Neland Avenue

CRC urged them to reconsider (Deferred Agenda for Synods 2020-2021, pp.

463ff) and communications to Classis Grand Rapids East urged accountabil-

ity (Deferred Agenda for Synods 2020-2021, pp. 468-74). Neland Avenue re-

sponded, “Scripture not only permits us, but calls us to the decision we

have made” (Deferred Agenda for Synods 2020-2021, p. 467). Classis Grand

Rapids East took no action.

Synod 2022 voted to “instruct Neland Avenue CRC to immediately rescind

its decision to ordain a deacon in a same-sex marriage” and appointed a

committee in loco to meet with Neland Avenue “to oversee its compliance

to synod’s rulings” as well as to “meet with Classis Grand Rapids East to

admonish them regarding their responsibility to uphold our shared denom-

inational covenants and procedures” (Acts of Synod 2022, pp. 926, 941).

The in loco committee reported that keeping covenant is “essential” and that

Neland Avenue CRC’s actions constituted “a breaking of covenant.” Neland

Avenue had no “appreciation of how its decisions and actions might deeply

affect the wider CRCNA” (Agenda for Synod 2023, pp. 321-22). Meanwhile,

calvinchimes.org/2020/09/10/local-crc-appoints-deacon-who-is-in-same-sex-marriage;

thebanner.org/news/2020/09/woman-in-same-sex-marriage-installed-as-deacon/

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Overtures 473

the All One Body website announced 11 CRC congregations have official

policies in violation with the CRC decisions about “unchastity.”

Synod 2023 repeated its instruction to Neland Avenue CRC to rescind deci-

sions about ordaining officebearers in violation of our shared denomina-

tional covenants. Additionally, synod voted to “instruct Classis Grand Rap-

ids East to guide the Neland Avenue CRC congregation and leadership into

alignment with the biblical guidelines affirmed by Synod 2022” (Acts of

Synod 2023, p. 1027). Synod 2023 also voted to “instruct all classes to guide

into compliance the officebearers of their constituent churches who publicly

reject the biblical guidelines affirmed by Synod 2022 regarding same-sex re-

lationships” through the work of their church visitors (Acts of Synod 2023,

pp. 1029-30).

The festering conflict over sexuality and unchastity must be resolved. The

matter of unchastity is not optional but critical to the life of a believer and

the life of believers together in Christ (Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 87; Eph.

5:3).

Having different standards of what constitutes unchastity among believers

in covenant together is untenable at best (Amos 3:3) and sinful at worst

(1 Cor. 5). On the one hand, those who reject instruction on sexual immoral-

ity do not reject mortals but God (1 Thess. 4:2-8). Likewise, those who do

not love a fellow brother or sister do not know God (1 John 4:8), and to hate

while professing to love God is to lie (1 John 4:20). When some in the same

covenant of believers are considered to be rejecting God and others to be

hating fellow believers, there can be no unity. From either side of this con-

troversy, light and darkness cannot have fellowship (2 Cor. 6:14).

The list of denominations that have attempted to hold conflicting views to-

gether is long. The Episcopal Church USA, Evangelical Lutheran Church in

America, Presbyterian Church (USA), Mennonite Church USA, Church of

the Brethren, United Methodist Church, and Reformed Church in America

have all attempted to keep everyone together despite differences on un-

chastity. Each one has faced a major split and tremendous upheaval of

budgets, staff cuts, and structural reorganization.

Meanwhile, the LGBTQ community is being greatly harmed. This is the

case regardless of where one stands. Whether by being told they are sinning

when they ought to celebrate, or by being told to celebrate sin, the ongoing

conflicts are being borne on the backs of those who need our care the most.

PDF found on the home page of allonebody.org (allonebody.org/wp-

content/uploads/2023/09/Compilation_Affirming_Church_Model_Statements.pdf) as of

11/29/2023. Those congregations included Eastern Ave. CRC, Grand Rapids, Mich; Fel-

lowship CRC, Edmonton, Alta.; First Christian Reformed Church, Grand Rapids, Mich.;

First Christian Reformed Church, Toronto, Ont.; Grace CRC, Grand Rapids, Mich.; Loop

CRC, Chicago, Ill.; Meadowvale CRC, Mississauga, Ont.; Neland Avenue CRC, Grand

Rapids, Mich.; Sherman Street CRC, Grand Rapids, Mich.; The Road Church, Calgary,

Alta.; Washington, D.C., Christian Reformed Church.

474 Overtures AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

The harm is inevitable unless we as a denomination can move forward

from this conflict, coordinate our efforts, and not have congregations under-

mining one another.

This being the situation, the CRCNA has two options. We can do loving

discipline with those who err and move forward, or we can walk the path

of seven other denominations that has proved to be disastrous.

Moreover, if the CRCNA withholds action on flagrant violations of cove-

nant, it will set precedent for other acts of defiance to undermine our shared

life together. If synod refuses to discipline when congregations break cove-

nant on sexuality, how will synod respond if a congregation breaks cove-

nant by embracing kinism or white nationalism? When covenant is broken,

disciplinary action is required, or our covenant will not have integrity.

II. Overture

Classis Zeeland overtures Synod 2024 to do the following:

A. Instruct all classes to place councils and officebearers that publicly re-

fuse to comply with the CRC views on “unchastity” in word or life on

limited suspension.

B. That synod define limited suspension to include loss of all privileges at

broader assemblies, on denominational boards, and on the Council of

Delegates. Councils and officebearers that demonstrate repentance shall

be welcomed back into full covenant fellowship.

C. That synod instruct all classes to compile a list of councils and individ-

ual officebearers on limited suspension and report to the Office of Gen-

eral Secretary. The list shall be made available to a classis or congrega-

tion within the CRCNA upon request, via the Office of General

Secretary.

Grounds:

1. Councils and individuals who wish to remain in covenant with the

CRCNA must follow the expectations of our shared covenant or lose

privileges of the covenant.

2. The big-tent attempt to include conflicting views has failed in many de-

nominations.

3. All CRCNA officebearers have signed the Covenant for Officebearers,

which states, “If the church asks, we will give a full explanation of our

views,” and “We promise to submit to the church’s judgment and au-

thority.”

4. Synod has twice practiced admonishment and instruction for those who

reject church teachings on “unchastity.”

5. Both Scripture and synod have been clear on “unchastity.”

Classis Zeeland

Rev. Ronald J. Meyer, stated clerk

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Overtures 475

OVERTURE 24

Clarify Church Order Supplement, Articles 82-84

Overture

Classis Atlantic Northeast overtures Synod 2024 of the Christian Reformed

Church in North America to add the following statement to the Church Or-

der Supplement, Articles 82-84:

Special Discipline by Broader Assemblies

While councils have the original authority to impose special disci-

pline, broader assemblies may apply special discipline in extraordi-

nary circumstances using the following procedures:

a. Appeals of Decisions Not to Apply Discipline to Individual

Officebearers

When a member of a congregation appeals a council’s decision to

its classis, or a council appeals a classis’ decision to synod, the

broader assembly must follow the process for appeals according

to Article 30.

b. Suspension of an Entire Council by a Broader Assembly

1) A broader assembly may suspend an entire council from of-

fice, with corresponding administrative leave, only when

a) the broader assembly has issued an instruction specific to

that council regarding a violation of the Covenant for Of-

ficebearers, neglect or abuse of office, or a deviation from

sound doctrine and godly conduct,

b) the council has neglected for at least one year to comply

with the instruction from the assembly, and

c) the council is not proceeding through the process of disaf-

filiation according to Article 38-f.

2) Upon voting to suspend the council, the assembly shall revert

the congregation to unorganized status and place that congre-

gation under the care of a neighboring council, designated by

the broader assembly that imposed the suspension.

3) In order that the congregation may be returned to organized

status, when possible, in a timely manner, the neighboring

council shall

a) investigate allegations and apply special discipline as nec-

essary, and

b) assist the congregation in electing and calling new council

members as necessary.

476 Overtures AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

Grounds:

1. There is significant confusion about the process that classes should use

when efforts fail to guide councils into compliance (see “Classes,

Churches Taking Differing Actions on Human Sexuality Decisions

within CRCNA,” The Banner, Dec. 29, 2023).

2. The right of broader assemblies to apply special discipline has long been

recognized in CRC polity (Grand Rapids, 1861; Zeeland, 1864; Sioux

Center, 1921; Grand Rapids, 1924; Classis Huron, 1980; Classis Lake

Erie, 1991—as cited in Henry De Moor, Christian Reformed Church Order

Commentary (Faith Alive, 2020), p. 423). Since the procedures followed in

those cases may not always have been consistent, a clarifying supple-

ment to the Church Order would be valuable.

3. These procedures ensure that members in good standing of congrega-

tions with erring councils are properly cared for and are not effectively

excommunicated by a broader assembly ejecting an entire congregation

from the denomination for the errors of its officebearers.

4. These procedures ensure that a broader assembly’s suspension of an en-

tire council cannot be used to thwart a congregation’s decision to disaf-

filiate from the denomination.

5. The contents of this supplement do not amount to substantial alterations

to the Church Order and are, likewise, appropriately included in the

Supplement for the following reasons:

a. Articles 82-84 do not specify which assemblies may or may not apply

special discipline, and the history of special discipline applied by

broader assemblies in the CRC indicates that such actions are neither

novel nor inconsistent with the intent of the Church Order.

b. The procedures outlined ensure that special discipline applied by

broader assemblies is consistent with other provisions of the Church

Order (e.g., Art. 30, 38).

Classis Atlantic Northeast

David D. Poolman, Stated Clerk

OVERTURE 25

Call Noncompliant Churches to Either Repent or Disaffiliate

Classis Iakota overtures Synod 2024 to call all CRC churches who publicly

state they are no longer willing to call practicing same-sex relationships a

sin, to choose one of the following options:

1. Publicly repent of their decision and bring themselves back into compli-

ance with the Bible’s and our confessions’ position on human sexuality,

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Overtures 477

which has been acknowledged throughout all nations and generations

of the church catholic for nearly 2,000 years, including the past 50 years

of CRCNA synodical decisions. Public repentance will be indicated by

the use of the attached form for the Public Acknowledgment of Sin and

Declaration of Repentance.

2. Voluntarily disaffiliate from the Christian Reformed Church in North

America by December 31, 2024.

3. If neither of these two things occur, Synod 2025 is to acknowledge that

for the fellowship-breaking actions and inactions of these affirming

churches, they shall be effectively removed from the fellowship of the

Christian Reformed Church.

4. All churches and their governing classes who refuse to exercise church

discipline over them will no longer have delegations recognized at

synod; nor will they have representation on the Council of Delegates or

any other denominational bodies and agencies.

Grounds:

a. Synod 1926 asserted the right for ecclesiastical assemblies to take deci-

sive disciplinary action even if the Church Order does not stipulate an

exact process of action (Acts of Synod 1926, pp. 329-30). It also made clear

that a consistory worthy of discipline had “placed itself outside of the

church relationship” (Acts of Synod 1926, p. 139).

b. Classis Hudson in 1992 recognized that one of the churches in its classis

had “broken the bonds of fellowship with the denomination and there-

fore [had] placed themselves outside the fellowship of the CRC” (Acts of

Synod 1993, p. 610). Synod itself said that the church that was no longer

in fellowship with the denomination would be allowed to participate in

synod’s process of appeals if it would “bring itself into conformity with

the standards from which it was declared to have deviated” (p. 610).

c. Synods 2022 and 2023 have given enough time for churches and classes

to discern their covenant fidelity to the fullness of God’s Word related to

human sexuality and the desire to be affiliated with the Christian Re-

formed Church.

d. Paul’s letter to Titus speaks to the need for the officebearers of the

church of Jesus Christ to resist false teachers. In Titus 1:9 Paul states that

an elder “must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been

taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute

those who oppose it.” And then, more directly, in Titus 3:10: “Warn a

divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that,

have nothing to do with them.”

e. This meets the burden of synod’s instruction to “err on the side of cau-

tion, permitting full opportunity for other pastoral efforts to take effect”

(Acts of Synod 1991, p. 771).

478 Overtures AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

f. Our Lord and Savior commands his church to permit what his Word

permits and to forbid what it forbids (John 20:23; Matt. 16:19; 18:17-18,

20).

g. Discipline with the end goal of restoration has been sought (Matt. 18:22;

1 Cor. 5:5; Gal. 6:1; Heb. 12:11).

Classis Iakota

Bernard Haan, stated clerk

ADDENDUM A

Public Acknowledgment of Sin and Declaration of Repentance

for use by a council of the CRCNA

We, the council of ______________________ Christian Reformed Church:

• acknowledge before God and his people that we have sinned against

God and his church by persistently going beyond the teaching of our

Lord, by breaking the unity of the church, by refusing to submit to

its instruction and discipline, and by refusing to bend our necks un-

der the yoke of Jesus Christ.

• acknowledge before God and his people that we are truly sorry for

our sin and believe that the Lord has forgiven us.

• reaffirm our union with Christ and desire to be readmitted to the

covenant family of God.

• reaffirm, without reservation, that all the doctrines contained in the

standards of the church are doctrines that are taught in the Word of

God.

• promise to do all we can, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to

strengthen our love and commitment to Christ by sharing faithfully

in the life of the church, honoring and submitting to its authority.

• promise to be formed and governed by the forms of unity of the

CRCNA, heartily believing, promoting, and defending their doc-

trines faithfully, conforming our preaching, teaching, writing, serv-

ing, and living to them.

• promise to join with the people of God in doing the work of the Lord

everywhere.

Signed:_____________________________

[clerk of council]

Date:_______________________

ADDENDUM B

Public Acknowledgment of Sin and Declaration of Repentance

for use by a classis of the CRCNA

We, Classis ____________________ of the Christian Reformed Church North

America:

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Overtures 479

• acknowledge before God and his people that we have sinned against

God and his church by persistently abusing our God-given author-

ity, by refusing to fulfill our responsibility to lovingly discipline the

councils and officebearers entrusted to our care, and by breaking the

unity of the church by refusing to heed its admonitions and warn-

ings.

• acknowledge before God and his people that we are truly sorry for

our sin and believe that the Lord has forgiven us.

• reaffirm our union with Christ and desire to be readmitted to the

covenant family of God.

• reaffirm without reservation that all the doctrines contained in the

standards of the church are doctrines that are taught in the Word of

God.

• promise to do all we can, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to

strengthen our love and commitment to Christ by sharing faithfully

in the life of the church, honoring and submitting to its authority.

• promise to be formed and governed by the forms of unity of the

CRCNA, heartily believing, promoting, and defending their doc-

trines faithfully, conforming our preaching, teaching, writing, serv-

ing, and living to them.

• promise to faithfully use our God-given authority as Scripture de-

mands in the admonition and discipline of the officebearers and

councils entrusted to our care.

• promise to join with the people of God in doing the work of the Lord

everywhere.

Signed:___________________________

[stated clerk of classis]

Date:_______________________

OVERTURE 26

Require a Letter of Repentance from Consistory of

Eastern Avenue CRC

Classis Georgetown overtures Synod 2024 to require a letter of repentance

from the consistory of Eastern Avenue Christian Reformed Church of

Grand Rapids, Michigan, for defying the decisions of Synods 2022 and 2023.

I. Background

Synod 2022 affirmed that “unchastity” in Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 108

“encompasses adultery, premarital sex, extramarital sex, polyamory, por-

nography, and homosexual sex, all of which violate the seventh command-

480 Overtures AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

ment” (Acts of Synod 2022, p. 922). In so doing, Synod declared this affirma-

tion “an interpretation of [a] confession,” meaning “this interpretation has

confessional status” (p. 922). When challenged on this point, Synod 2023 re-

stated that this interpretation of Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 108 has confes-

sional status (Acts of Synod 2023, p. 1021).

Nevertheless, since Synod 2023 convened, Eastern Avenue CRC has treated

a homosexual union as if it were a legitimate and permissible marriage in

the church of Jesus Christ. On November 19, 2023, two women in a same-

sex relationship presented their daughter for baptism during an Eastern

Avenue CRC worship service. The sacrament of baptism was administered

to this child without any qualms about the parents’ homosexual union. In

fact, following the baptism, the pastor who administered the baptism in-

vited the congregation to “extend a hand in a posture of blessing as we pray

over this family.”

On November 19 it became clear that Eastern Avenue

CRC will treat a same-sex union as if it were a legitimate and permissible

marriage in the Christian church, even though synod has definitively stated

that homosexual sex is a violation of the seventh commandment.

II. Overture

In order to avoid confusion about where the denomination stands on this

issue, and in order to remain faithful to the Word of God and our confes-

sional standards, Classis Georgetown overtures Synod 2024 to do the fol-

lowing:

A. Require a letter of repentance from the consistory of Eastern Avenue

CRC to the churches of the CRCNA, within which the Eastern Avenue

consistory repents for treating a homosexual union as if it were a legiti-

mate and permissible marriage during the November 19 worship ser-

vice. Synod should set a specific date by which the consistory must sub-

mit this letter. This letter should come from the consistory since it is the

consistory’s responsibility to regulate worship services (Church Order

Art. 52-a).

B. Communicate to the consistory of Eastern Avenue CRC that if they do

not comply with this aforementioned instruction, synod, with the full

cooperation of Classis Grand Rapids East, will set in motion an appro-

priate process of discipline for consistory members who remain unwill-

ing to comply with the rulings of Synods 2022 and 2023.

Grounds:

1. It is vital to maintain confessional unity in the CRCNA.

2. The Covenant for Officebearers requires those who sign it to affirm that

they will be “formed and governed” by the Belgic Confession, Heidel-

berg Catechism, and the Canons of Dort.

youtube.com/watch?v=e3__DKA2QgM; see 19:07 minute mark; accessed 12/12/2023.

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Overtures 481

3. The Covenant for Officebearers requires those who sign it to “promise

to submit to the church’s judgment and authority.”

4. When sin emerges, the Bible prescribes a process of candid rebuke and

repentance, followed by sincere forgiveness (Luke 17:3).

5. “Church discipline for correcting faults” is one of the marks of the true

church (Belgic Confession, Art. 29).

Classis Georgetown

Glenda Tebben, stated clerk

OVERTURE 27

Maintain the Distinctive Authority of the Local Church in

Matters of Discipleship, Discipline, and Pastoral Care

I. Background

A. Synod 2024 and real-life situations

How the church decides this overture and the issues around it has im-

portant, real-life consequences. These decisions take on flesh and blood in

cases such as the following:

Grant is a 57-year-old African-American physician, widely respected in the

community. He has been elected as an elder in his local multiethnic Chris-

tian Reformed church. To the surprise of the council, Grant has submitted a

gravamen to his council stating that he privately struggles with the concept

of infant baptism. (He grew up in a denomination that emphasized believer

baptism.) Grant's current Christian Reformed congregation highly values

his presence at the church and his willingness to serve as an elder. Grant is

willing to remain completely silent about the infant baptism issue, except as

his council asks him about it. How quickly, if ever, should synod require

the local church council to expel Grant from office?

Megan is a 35-year-old history teacher in the local Christian high school. She is

engaging and popular at church, particularly with the teens ministry. Both

in church and at school, teens seek her out for counsel. She was recently

elected as a deacon. She has submitted a gravamen acknowledging that she

has private doubts about Belgic Confession Article 37’s description of

events surrounding Christ's return to earth. She grew up in a different de-

nomination that taught a somewhat different understanding of eschatology.

She is willing to remain completely silent about those doubts, except as her

council might ask her about the topic. How quickly, if ever, should synod

require the local church council to expel Megan from office as a deacon over

this issue?

Alvin is a highly regarded university professor, renowned in his field for ster-

ling academic writings about the reasonableness of Christian faith. He has

482 Overtures AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

been elected elder in his university-town church. Alvin has submitted a gra-

vamen to his council, stating that he privately struggles with some teach-

ings in the Canons of Dort about reprobation. He questions whether the Bi-

ble teaches as clearly or as emphatically as the Canons of Dort imply that,

before time, God chose particular named individuals from whom he would

knowingly and willfully withhold the gift of salvation, instead condemning

them to eternal punishment. Alvin is willing to remain completely silent

about his private doubts, except as his council might ask him about the

topic. Should synod force the local council to push Alvin out of office over

this issue?

B. Church Order background

Through this overture we are asking synod to maintain the authority of the

local council when it comes to deciding cases like these. Giving councils the

authority to judge the length of time for examination and judgment of a

confessional-difficulty gravamen fits with the Church Order. When talking

about CDGs, Church Order Supplement, Article 5, B, 2 states that “this type

of gravamen is a personal request.” While not explicitly stated, the lan-

guage suggests that such a request is to be made in personal relationship

with fellow officebearers. This sense of personal, pastoral connection aligns

with the Church Order elsewhere when it states that elders and deacons

complete their tasks within the context of a congregation. Church Order Ar-

ticle 25-b says, “The elders, with the minister(s), shall oversee the doctrine

and life of the members of the congregation and fellow officebearers, shall

provide counsel and discipline along with pastoral care in the congrega-

tion. . . .” Notice that the tasks of counsel, discipline, and pastoral care are

designated for officebearers in the local context. These are also the tasks that

need to be exercised when dealing with a confessional-difficulty gravamen.

This is not to say that classis and synod do not provide care or discipline,

but a lack of reference to these tasks being completed by broader assemblies

does underscore that these tasks are best completed in personal relation-

ship. Reformed ecclesiology has always leaned into these tasks being com-

pleted at the local level and involving the broader assembly in these tasks

when there has been a failure to complete them. The Church Order recog-

nizes this local/broader distinction in the very division of types of gravam-

ina. A confessional-revision gravamen requests changes to the confessions

that require the involvement of higher assemblies because confessional

change affects the entire church. A CDG is concerned with “a personal re-

quest” and is therefore to be “dealt with pastorally and personally” at the

local level. We could add, for clarity's sake, that pastoral and personal mat-

ters, by their very nature, do not concern churches in common, making the

involvement of major assemblies unnecessary (Art. 28-b).

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Overtures 483

C. Historical background

Since its founding, the Christian Reformed Church has required its office-

bearers to subscribe to the creeds and confessions of the denomination.

First, through the Form of Subscription, and now through the Covenant for

Officebearers, elders, deacons, ministers, and professors have demonstrated

their agreement with these confessions of faith by signing. The purpose of

this process has always been to preserve the faith and to guard orthodoxy.

In 1976, in response to some questions from within the denomination, a

study committee (Report 38) gave this summary of the Form of Subscrip-

tion’s purpose: “The focus of the form lies clearly on the church’s regulation

of the ministry of the Word and the government of the church in accord

with the confessions. The form is the instrument by which the church seeks

to assure itself that those called by the church to function officially do so in

accord with the faith of the church. As such an instrument it has been well

conceived; it is ‘water-tight,’ assuming that both those who subscribe and

the church requiring subscription take it seriously” (Agenda for Synod 1976,

p. 571).

Even as Report 38 made this observation, it did so recognizing that office-

bearers do sometimes have personal difficulties with some parts of the con-

fessions and that sometimes those difficulties turn into settled differences.

The committee wrestled with the question about how to handle those dif-

ferences, and, at Synod 1976, the synodical advisory committee assigned to

process the report used the report’s findings to create our current categories

of gravamina. A confessional-revision gravamen (CRG) was defined as a re-

quest for confessional change. A confessional-difficulty gravamen was de-

fined as an expression of personal difficulty and a request for a conversa-

tion with the church about that difficulty. Both of these gravamina included

a process of “examination and judgment.” In the case of the confessional-

revision gravamen, the examination and judgment focused on whether or

not a confession needed to be changed. In the case of the confessional-diffi-

culty gravamen, the examination and judgment focused on whether or not

the person's personal views were in line with the confessions. What is not

stated in either the advisory committee report, or in Report 38 itself, is

whether or not a confessional-difficulty gravamen could be ongoing. If a

council reviewed an officebearer’s confessional-difficulty gravamen and

judged that the officebearer’s opinions were out of line with the confes-

sions, could that officebearer continue to serve for an extended period of

time even when their difficulty remained, so long as the difficulty was not

too extreme and the officebearer kept the difficulty private?

That history has precipitated the question facing Synod 2024: What role do

the broader assemblies have in relation to the authority of the local church

in pastoral matters? That deeper question finds its application in the more

specific question, Can a local church council allow a confessional-difficulty

484 Overtures AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

gravamen to continue for an extended period based on pastoral considera-

tions and local judgment, or must it be resolved within the bounds of a syn-

odically prescribed time period?

D. Are ongoing CDGs a threat to orthodoxy?

A person might well ask, If we allow difficulties to continue, will that

weaken our church? Will our commitment to being a confessional, ortho-

dox denomination be essentially compromised? Not if the difficulties are

handled in the right way. If the officebearer submits to the judgment of the

church, promises not to contradict the confessions in their speaking and

teaching and preaching, and promises to enthusiastically support the con-

fessions and work of the church in every other respect, there is no danger to

the church’s confessional integrity. This is not just a guess; there is good ev-

idence to support this assertion.

The Presbyterian Church in America and the Orthodox Presbyterian

Church are both orthodox, Reformed, confessional churches who have

maintained their confessional identity for generations. Both the PCA and

the OPC require subscription to the Westminster Catechism as part of hold-

ing office. But both the PCA and the OPC also allow for officebearers to reg-

ister exceptions as part of their subscription. That process is outlined in

chapter 21, section 4, of the PCA’s Book of Church Order:

While our Constitution does not require the candidate’s affirmation

of every statement and/or proposition of doctrine in our Confession

of Faith and Catechisms, it is the right and responsibility of the Pres-

bytery to determine if the candidate is out of accord with any of the

fundamentals of these doctrinal standards and, as a consequence,

may not be able in good faith sincerely to receive and adopt the Con-

fession of Faith and Catechisms of this Church as containing the sys-

tem of doctrine taught in the Holy Scriptures.

Potential officebearers submit their exceptions (difficulties), and once these

exceptions are submitted, individual presbyteries judge whether these ex-

ceptions are acceptable, or whether they are of such a magnitude that the

officebearer should not serve. In effect, they examine and judge, and if the

difficulty isn't too strong, they allow the exception to be ongoing. They've

done this for years. Common exceptions granted by presbyteries include

disagreement with the Westminster Confession's doctrine of the Sabbath,

and with the Westminster Confession's teaching on magistrates. Given the

experience of these two denominations, there's no reason why gravamina

couldn't be ongoing within the Christian Reformed Church without endan-

gering our confessional orthodoxy.

E. Doubt of the mind versus commitment of the will

As previously discussed, the Church Order Supplement says that those who

sign on as officebearers must “heartily believe” the creeds and confessions of

the church. That's appropriate. We should all aspire to hearty belief.

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Overtures 485

But what sort of standard is hearty belief? If, in asking for hearty belief, we

require that every officebearer have 100 percent mental agreement and 100

percent mental certainty for every doctrine in the confessions, without any

shade of doubt, we are asking too much. Asking for 100 percent commit-

ment to the confessions in our actions and our words and our wills is rea-

sonable, but on this side of the new creation all human beings wrestle with

private mental doubts and reservations. Doubt and uncertainty are un-

pleasant. In the new creation, when we see Christ face to face, we will cease

to see darkly through the glass, we will know even as we are fully known,

and our mental doubts will mercifully vanish. But in this world, where we

still squint through the dark glass, doubt is part of the not-yetness of our ex-

istence. Even John Calvin has admitted as much. Calvin says that we are

partly unbelievers until we die. Commenting on Mark 9:24, the passage

where the father of the young man whom Jesus heals says, “I believe, help

my unbelief!” Calvin says this:

[The man] declares that he believes, and yet acknowledges himself to

have unbelief. These two statements may appear to contradict each

other, but there is none of us that does not experience both of them in

himself. As our faith is never perfect, it follows that we are partly un-

believers; but God forgives us, and exercises such forbearance to-

wards us, as to reckon us believers on account of a small portion of

faith. It is our duty, in the meantime, carefully to shake off the re-

mains of infidelity which adhere to us, to strive against them, and to

pray to God to correct them, and, as often as we are engaged in this

conflict, to fly to him for aid. If we duly inquire what portion has

been bestowed on each, it will evidently appear that there are very

few who are eminent in faith, few who have a moderate portion, and

very many who have but a small measure.

For Calvin, when it comes to the certainty of our mind, hearty belief is “but

a small measure.” It is reasonable for the church to expect an officebearer’s

outward statements and pronouncements to 100 percent align with the con-

fessions. It’s reasonable to expect a 100 percent commitment of the will. It's

not reasonable to expect every officebearer to have 100 percent mental cer-

tainty about 100 percent of the things. That’s why, when we make our

vows, we say, “I do, God helping me.”

F. Helping the church

In describing the confessional-difficulty gravamen, the Church Order Sup-

plement says that they should be dealt with “personally and pastorally.” If

local churches want to act personally and pastorally, they will need to

maintain the pastoral authority proper to the local council. People’s lives

are complex; all our beliefs are shaped by and intertwined with our rela-

tionships and life events. Pastoring one person may need a different ap-

proach and a different timeline from pastoring another person, even when

486 Overtures AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

those two people express exactly the same difficulty. Furthermore, not all

confessional difficulties are the same. An officebearer who has difficulty be-

lieving that Jesus rose from the dead has a very different kind of difficulty

from an officebearer who has difficulties with the way the catechism han-

dles the use of images in Lord’s Day 35. Even the spirit of difficulties can

vary widely from person to person. One officebearer may hold a difficulty

in a spirit of proud defiance; another officebearer might hold the very same

difficulty with tears and anguish. Local congregations are best positioned to

judge these personal and pastoral situations. A synodically prescribed time

period diminishes both the council’s pastoral authority and its pastoral ef-

fectiveness. Finally, allowing local congregations to maintain primary au-

thority in determining how long a confessional-difficulty gravamen can

continue would allow many churches to stay united in ministry. Many con-

gregations in our denomination have a wide variety of members with a

broad range of opinions on all sorts of issues. Though those differences

have long been known, only recently have they threatened the unity of

these bodies. Lately, it's become harder and harder to live in a community

of difference. In the political realm, people are moving to areas where eve-

ryone is politically like-minded. In the world of the church, there has been a

similar migration. For churches who are trying to hold together a family of

difference, we need to keep the pastoral freedom that allows us to live with

our differences while still protecting orthodoxy. If synod takes this author-

ity away, many churches will fracture. Because each church is a different

kind of family facing different challenges, we urge synod to allow local

churches to maintain pastoral authority when handling confessional-diffi-

culty gravamina. If an individual church wants to make a CDG time-bound,

if they feel that a CDG should last only six months, they should feel free to

apply that limit. If another church needs to allow CDGs to continue longer

than that in order to protect the critical good of congregational stability and

long-term ministry, that decision should be considered part of their proper

pastoral authority.

II. Overture

A. Classis Grand Rapids South overtures Synod 2024 to maintain the dis-

tinctive authority of the local church with respect to matters of disciple-

ship, discipline, and pastoral care and to clarify the process by acknowl-

edging the local council’s authority to judge the appropriate time length

of confessional-difficulty gravamina.

B. Decisions about the length of an individual confessional-difficulty gra-

vamen (CDG) would be part of a council’s “examination and judgment”

proper to any CDG (see Church Order Supplement, Art. 5). In cases

where a council is unable to make that judgment, the classis may/would

decide. In cases where the classis is unable to make that judgment,

synod may/would decide.

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Overtures 487

C. We acknowledge that accepting the above overture may require that the

following language be added to section B of Church Order Supplement,

Article 5: “During the time an officebearer has a confessional-difficulty

gravamen, the officebearer must teach, defend, and live in unity with

the confessions in all areas. The individual may not contradict the con-

fessions openly and deliberately.”

Grounds:

a. The majority report of Advisory Committee 8, Synod 2023

Synod 2023 was scheduled to deal with this issue, but due to time con-

straints, the matter was pushed forward to Synod 2024. Nevertheless,

Synod 2023 did receive advice about how to handle CDGs from the ad-

visory committee assigned to the issue. The majority report of Advisory

Committee 8 advised synod to allow a confessional-difficulty gravamen

to continue for no more than six months. In effect, they asked synod to

regulate the pastoral decisions of the local church. In their report they

grounded this opinion on two statements. First, they suggested that “the

process initiated by a subscriber submitting a CDG should be time-

bound and time-sensitive and should result in a final decision whereby

some terminal action takes place,” because, as the Supplement to

Church Order Article 5 says, “No one is free to decide for oneself or for

the church what is and what is not a doctrine confessed in the stand-

ards” (Acts of Synod 2023, p. 1033).

While it is true that no one is free to decide for oneself or for the church

what the confessions say, that's not what a gravamen does. In a grava-

men (especially a confessional-difficulty gravamen) a person is not de-

ciding what the confessions say; they are admitting that they have a dif-

ference with the confessions. They are not determining what those

standards say; they are acknowledging difficulty with the standards.

The question to be examined and judged is whether their difficulty is in

fact at odds with the confessions, and, if it is, whether or not that differ-

ence is disqualifying. In effect, when someone asks for a CDG to con-

tinue, they are saying, “I suspect that my opinions disagree with the

confessions on this point. I submit to the council's judgment as to

whether or not I'm in disagreement. But, regardless, in humility, despite

this difference, I hope council will allow me to keep serving the church

with my brothers and sisters.” That is not the same as deciding for one-

self what the confessions say. The request doesn’t contest the confession;

it asks for pastoral permission.

For the second ground, the majority report quoted from the Covenant

for Officebearers, noting that the person signing the covenant must

“affirm that the doctrines in the standards ‘fully agree with the Word of

God’” and that the subscriber promises “‘to be formed and governed by

them’ and to ‘heartily believe and . . . promote and defend their

488 Overtures AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

doctrines . . .’” (Acts of Synod 2023, p. 1033). The majority report says that

because the officebearer must “heartily believe” and defend these

doctrines, any objection must be resolved within six months. But why

should that be true? We know that the Church Order allows

officebearers to express exceptions to their hearty belief in the form of a

gravamen. Why couldn’t a council examine and judge an individual

officebearer’s difference and decide that in their unique case, with their

particular difficulty, they could continue to serve, so long as they

promised never to teach or preach or promote anything other than the

church’s teaching?

The statements in both the Covenant for Officebearers and the Church

Order Supplement are designed to protect our identity as a confessional

church. Despite the claims of the majority report, what these documents

don't tell us is how long a person with a confessional difficulty should

be allowed to serve. They don’t tell us, for example, whether or not an

officebearer who humbly promises to submit to the judgment of the

council by keeping their confessional differences to themselves could

continue serve for an extended period of time.

b. Precedent for ongoing confessional-difficulty gravamina

In further support for limiting CDGs to six months, the majority report

says this: “What Synod 1976 did not say and what no synod has ever

said is that this type of gravamen is a way for someone to take exception

to the church's creeds and confessions.” That's true, of course, but that's

also an argument from silence. It’s also true that what no synod, includ-

ing 1976, has ever said is that a gravamen was not a way to take ongoing

exception to the church’s creeds and confessions. No judgment has ever

been made either way.

In fact, when you dig a little deeper, you find that, in practice if not in

pronouncement, synod has allowed difficulties and differences to be on-

going. Harry Boer, whose case precipitated the 1976 report, and whose

gravamen about reprobation and the Canons of Dort was arguably the

best-known gravamen in the history of the Christian Reformed Church,

was never forced to resign. He was never stripped of his ministerial cre-

dentials. This despite the fact that he never changed his opinion about

reprobation and the Canons of Dort. In effect, his personal difficulty was

allowed to continue even after the church examined and judged and

found against his complaint.

When you read the 1976 report, there are a number of places that sug-

gest that Dr. Boer was not the only one whose difficulties were allowed

to continue even when judged to be out of line with the confessions. Af-

ter discussing the difficulties of a Dr. Boersma, difficulties which came

before synod between 1952 and 1961, the report makes reference to how

lessons from the Boersma case were later applied in dealing with other

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Overtures 489

minor difficulties and uncertainties held by other candidates for the

ministry: “the church’s assemblies have consistently been applying

them [the lessons] in accepting without prejudice candidates for the minis-

try who have voiced difficulty with matters in the creeds, such as those

raised by Dr. Boersma” (Acts of Synod 1976, p. 563; emphasis added).

So while there has never been an official judgment on whether or not

CDGs are time-bound, there is evidence that the practice of allowing of-

ficebearers to continue serving even when they have differences is well-

established, so long as those officebearers don't preach and teach against

the church’s confessional judgments.

Classis Grand Rapids South

Paul Sausser, stated clerk

OVERTURE 28

Declare as Heresy the Belief that Scripture Sanctions

Homosexual Marriage

I. Background

Synod 2022 of the Christian Reformed Church in North America affirmed

that “unchastity” in Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 108 “encompasses adul-

tery, premarital sex, extramarital sex, polyamory, pornography, and homo-

sexual sex, all of which violate the seventh commandment” (Acts of Synod

2022, p. 922). Synod further clarified that this interpretation also has “con-

fessional status.” However, while synod affirmed the confessional frame-

work of our human sexuality, synod did not, at this time, define whether

opposition to this confessional understanding is heretical.

Synod 2022 also adopted a study report first presented in the 2020 agenda

that offered parameters for deciding when to use the term heresy (Acts of

Synod 2022, pp. 843-44). In this study report, the authors offer nine “tests”

for when a doctrine in question might be heretical (Deferred Agenda for Syn-

ods 2020-2021, pp. 168-69):

1. Heresy typically involves serious distortion or rejection of basic or

core Christian doctrines, including core Christian teachings about

God, creation, humanity, or God’s dealings with creatures.

2. Heresy typically contradicts doctrines that have been defined by

an official church body (such as a creed or confession).

3. Heresy typically is embedded in an affirmation of Christianity,

claiming to be Christian while at the same time distorting or

twisting central teachings of Christianity.

4. Heresy typically involves not just an individual, but a group or a

faction that threatens the unity of the church and the Christian

490 Overtures AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

faith. Even if heretical teachings are initiated by an individual,

those teachings typically do not reach the status of heresy until

sufficient numbers of people are swayed by them.

5. Heresy typically leads its adherents away from genuine faith in

the triune God. In contrast, other differences (even what we

would regard as errors, such as not baptizing infants or holding a

non-Reformed view of the roles of God and humanity in salva-

tion) typically do not lead people away from faith in God.

6. Heresy typically causes inquirers and other believers to be con-

fused about Christian teaching and thus led astray in their belief or

discouraged from believing. In this way, heresy presents a special

danger to the church that goes beyond its effect on its adherents.

7. Heresy typically ends up bringing disrepute on the truth of the

gospel. Because it confuses people about what the gospel really is,

heresy can lead those outside the Christian faith to mistakenly be-

lieve that heretical teaching is actually genuine Christianity.

8. Heresy typically involves a stubborn refusal to be corrected by

patient and gracious engagement with the church. Even when the

church thoughtfully shows biblical and theological problems with

heresy, proponents of heresy refuse to change their views.

9. Heresy typically involves a moral failing as well as a theological

or doctrinal one. Heresy misleads others about Christianity and

threatens to introduce division into the body of Christ. In this

way, heresy is a moral as well as a theological problem.

We believe that the belief by some members, officebearers, and churches in

the CRCNA that Scripture sanctions homosexual marriage or relationships;

or that God permits or even desires homosexual marriage or relationships;

or that homosexual marriage or relationships do not violate the eternal,

moral law of God rightly ought to be called a heresy because such action is

supported by the nine tests adopted by Synod 2022:

1. The belief that homosexual marriage is sanctioned by Scripture is a se-

rious distortion of the historic and basic Christian doctrine and teach-

ing that all sexual activity outside of the marriage of one man and one

woman is unchaste and a violation of the seventh commandment.

2. The belief that homosexual marriage is sanctioned by Scripture con-

tradicts the official interpretation of the CRCNA on what the Heidel-

berg Catechism teaches in Q&A 108 regarding the doctrines of adul-

tery and unchastity, as affirmed by Synods 2022 and 2023. Because

this belief contradicts a confessional standard, it is properly a heresy

instead of simply being a differing interpretation of Scripture.

3. Those within the CRCNA who believe that homosexual marriage is

sanctioned by Scripture claim to be true Christians while at the same

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Overtures 491

time they distort a central teaching of the Christian faith regarding

God-honoring human sexual practice.

4. The belief that homosexual marriage is sanctioned by Scripture is

held not just by a few individuals but by a group of CRCNA mem-

bers, officebearers, and churches, indicating that many appear to

have been swayed by these false teachings.

5. The belief that homosexual marriage is sanctioned by Scripture leads

people away from genuine faith in the triune God because it rejects

his eternal, moral law and the true, plain reading of God’s Word.

6. The belief that homosexual marriage is sanctioned by Scripture

causes confusion for both believers and unbelievers alike because

both sides claim to represent truth. Indeed, there is anecdotal evi-

dence that some people have declined to pursue faith in Christ in the

CRCNA context because of our confusion regarding the issue of hu-

man sexuality.

7. The belief that homosexual marriage is sanctioned by Scripture has

brought disrepute upon the gospel insofar as some outside the faith

do mistakenly believe this belief to be the genuine teaching of Chris-

tianity.

8. Those who believe that homosexual marriage is sanctioned by Scrip-

ture have exhibited a stubborn refusal to be corrected and have re-

fused to change their views despite the CRCNA pointing out the er-

ror of this belief at the last two synods of the CRCNA.

9. Those who believe that homosexual marriage is sanctioned by Scrip-

ture have misled others about Christianity and have introduced divi-

sion into our denomination and therefore have also committed a

moral failing alongside a theological failing. Their work to divide the

CRCNA over this heresy instead of seeking unity over the orthodox

teaching of the Christian faith regarding human sexuality has dam-

aged the witness and fellowship of the CRCNA.

Further, the authors of the 2020 study report on heresy write, “So when

should the church say, ‘Those who hold this view should be regarded as

heretics’? When many or all of the characteristics identified in the previous

section are present, then it seems reasonable for the church to consider de-

claring that people or movements are engaging in heresy” (Deferred Agenda

for Synods 2020-2021, p. 169).

thebanner.org/news/2023/12/classes-churches-taking-differing-actions-on-human-sexu-

ality-decisions-within-crcna; allonebody.org/ (see the list of churches and the mission and

values statement); hesedprojectcrc.org/work_genre/learn/ (see the various CRCNA

churches and individuals who have published statements that align with the belief that

Scripture sanctions homosexual marriage or relationships).

492 Overtures AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

Therefore, having seen how the belief that Scripture sanctions homosexual

marriage reasonably meets the criteria to be called heresy, as demonstrated

by the nine tests, the council of Immanuel CRC urges the CRCNA to make

proper use of the adopted tests to declare such beliefs heretical. We urge

our brothers and sisters to go beyond merely adopting a confessional view

of human sexuality to also rooting out all heretical views that oppose our

confessions and Scripture itself and that would lead our brothers and sisters

astray.

Let us stand fast in this moment against those who would question God’s

clear teaching on human sexuality. Let us not be deceived by “fine-sound-

ing arguments” (Col. 2:4) that argue for a difference of opinion or a local

option on human sexuality. Instead, let us guard those whom God has en-

trusted to our care—as did Paul, John, and Peter in their epistles—and

clearly and without reservation point out the heresy that denies God’s crea-

tional design for and moral law governing God-honoring human sexuality.

II. Overture

The council of Immanuel Christian Reformed Church of Burbank, Illinois,

overtures synod to declare as heresy the belief that Scripture sanctions ho-

mosexual marriage or relationships; or that God permits or desires homo-

sexual marriage or relationships; or that homosexual marriage or relation-

ships do not violate the eternal, moral law of God.

Grounds:

a. The CRCNA has adopted a series of tests that guide when a doctrine is

to be labeled heresy.

b. The nine characteristics of heresy each appear to be present in the belief

that homosexual marriage is sanctioned by Scripture or permissible to

God or otherwise does not violate his moral law.

c. Our scriptural, apostolic, and confessional heritage gives us warrant for

labeling as heresy certain beliefs.

d. Our call as shepherds necessitates that we protect our sheep by clearly

labeling and defending against heresy when it enters our midst.

e. The CRCNA has a vested interest in promoting unity in our church by

opposing divisive beliefs.

Council of Immanuel CRC, Burbank, Illinois

Jeremy Oosterhouse, stated clerk

Note: This overture was submitted to the March 2, 2024, meeting of Classis

Chicago South but was not adopted.

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Overtures 493

OVERTURE 29

Declare that Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 108 Addresses a

Salvation Issue

I. Background

Leading up to and following Synods 2022 and 2023, a common argument

has been made for maintaining “unity” with, and withholding discipline

from, members who disagree with both synods’ affirmations that “unchas-

tity” in Heidelberg Q&A 108 “encompasses adultery, premarital sex, extra-

marital sex, polyamory, pornography, and homosexual sex, all of which vi-

olate the seventh commandment” (Acts of Synod 2022, p. 922). That common

argument is this: Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 108 does not address a “sal-

vation issue” and should therefore be treated as some form of adiaphora (a

matter judged to be not essential to the faith: a “questionable” or “disputa-

ble” issue about which Christians can disagree).

The argument that Q&A 108 does not address a “salvation issue” (and that

sexual ethics, broadly speaking, are not a “salvation issue”) is made numer-

ous times in the agendas for both Synods 2022 and 2023 and is used as the

foundation of arguments for maintaining “unity” and refusing to discipline

those who disagree with the position of the CRCNA. In the report of the

Neland Avenue CRC In Loco Committee, for example, Neland Avenue

CRC’s response to the decisions of Synod 2022 states: “But we do agree on

paying attention to the call of the Holy Spirit and the fact that this issue is

not a salvation matter that should shatter churches or denominations”

(Agenda for Synod 2023, p. 328). In the same report, an elder from Neland

Avenue offered the same line of argumentation for remaining a member

and officebearer of that church: “I’m still at Neland because I don’t think

this issue, though very important, is a salvation issue” (p. 330). The same

line of argumentation was employed already in 2022 by classis Chicago

South, who attacked the Human Sexuality Report, saying that it “works

against its call to repentance and hospitality, erects barriers to open conver-

sation, and continues to support a culture of shame by claiming the

church’s teaching on sexuality already has confessional status, by arguing

sexual ethics are a matter of salvation . . .” (Agenda for Synod 2022, p. 657).

The CRCNA’s own confessions, however, rule out the possibility of such

arguments. In fact, the Heidelberg Catechism itself explicitly states that un-

chastity is certainly a salvation issue. Q&A 87 says:

Q. Can those be saved who do not turn to God from their ungrate-

ful and unrepentant ways?

Other examples from the agendas of both synods could be cited. This line of argumenta-

tion is also frequently found in the publications and public statements of individuals and

organizations advocating for the classification of human sexuality as adiaphora and for

“space for disagreement” within the CRCNA on the issue of human sexuality.

494 Overtures AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

A. By no means. Scripture tells us that no unchaste person, no idola-

ter, adulterer, thief, no covetous person, no drunkard, slanderer,

robber, or the like will inherit the kingdom of God.

In order to argue that unchastity and sexual ethics (along with idolatry,

adultery, theft, covetousness, drunkenness, slander, robbery, or the like) are

not “salvation issues,” we would be required to revise or remove Q&A 87

from the catechism. If we did not revise or remove Heidelberg Catechism

Q&A 87, the argument that sexual ethics is not a salvation issue would al-

ways be confessionally incoherent (and as we believe our confessions to be

a faithful summary of Scripture’s teaching, also biblically incoherent).

II. Overture

Classis Iakota therefore overtures Synod 2024 to do the following:

A. Declare that Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 108, along with all cases of un-

repentant sin, addresses a salvation issue.

Ground:

The Scriptures and confessional standards (particularly Heidelberg Cat-

echism Q&A 87) make clear that Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 108 does

address a salvation issue and that unchastity and sexual ethics are salva-

tion issues.

B. Declare that it is a serious deviation from the teachings of the confessions

of the Christian Reformed Church in any way to deny that either Heidel-

berg Q&A 87 or Q&A 108 addresses salvation issues or to deny that sexual

ethics and unchastity are salvation issues.

Grounds:

1. Officebearers in the CRCNA are denying that Heidelberg Catechism

Q&A 108 (and implicitly Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 87) and sexual

ethics are salvation issues.

2. It is a serious deviation from the teachings of the CRCNA to reclas-

sify that which is a matter of salvation as a disputable or questiona-

ble issue or some other classification; such serious deviations from

the clear teachings of Scripture and our confessions endanger the

eternal salvation of the sheep and the unity of the flock entrusted to

the officebearers’ care.

3. This action is in keeping with the established guidance of Synod

2022 (see Acts of Synod 2022, pp. 897-98).

C. Declare that any officebearer who denies that Heidelberg Catechism

Q&A 87 or Q&A 108 addresses a salvation issue and/or denies that unchas-

tity and sexual ethics are salvation issues is worthy of special discipline in

accordance with Church Order Article 83.

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Overtures 495

Grounds:

1. Church Order Article 83 states, “Special discipline shall be applied to

officebearers if they violate the Covenant for Officebearers, are guilty

of neglect or abuse of office, or in any way seriously deviate from

sound doctrine and godly conduct.”

2. Tolerating such denials of these salvation issues puts the CRCNA in

danger of transgressing its own boundaries for what a true church is,

which includes the proper exercise of church discipline (Belgic Con-

fession, Art. 29).

3. Officebearers in the CRCNA who deny that Heidelberg Catechism

Q&A 87 and Q&A 108 and sexual ethics address salvation issues, in-

stead of faithfully fulfilling the responsibility of their office to con-

front brothers and sisters regarding their sin, are leaving them in

their sin, thus denying them the opportunity for repentance and sub-

sequent reconciliation with God and their neighbors.

D. Instruct all classes, councils, and officebearers in the CRCNA that it is

our duty to uphold the clear teaching of the Scriptures and confessions on

the nature of Heidelberg Q&A 87 and Q&A 108 and sexual ethics.

Grounds:

1. As Christians, we are called to be people of the truth, with integrity

and honor, and failure to promote and defend the faith is to break

the Covenant for Officebearers.

2. The church must make every effort to correct such a grievous error,

that we might not continue to sin in the eyes of God.

Classis Iakota

Bernard Haan, stated clerk

OVERTURE 30

Guide Classes into Compliance or Discipline

I. Background

Our classis has spent several years discussing matters of human sexuality.

Our synods have also spent much time in studying and deliberating this

particular topic. Synod 2022 recognized that "unchastity" in Q&A 108 of the

Heidelberg Catechism included all of the grievous sins discussed in the Hu-

man Sexuality Report (HSR). Then at Synod 2023 it was adopted that clas-

ses should “guide into compliance the officebearers of their constituent

churches who publicly reject the biblical guidelines affirmed by Synod 2022

regarding same-sex relationships” (Acts of Synod 2023, pp. 1029-30).

496 Overtures AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

II. Overture

The council of Edson-Peers CRC of Edson, Alberta, overtures Synod 2024 to

guide into compliance or discipline classes that are not guiding the office-

bearers of their constituent churches into compliance with the “guidelines

affirmed by Synod 2022 regarding same-sex relationships” (Acts of Synod

2023, pp. 1029).

Grounds:

1. Our classis has not articulated either plan, timeline, or the will to guide

erring councils or officebearers into compliance. Indeed, the Healthy

Church Task Force of our classis has voiced that church visitors assess

and do what they think is appropriate and that their present posture is

only to “walk alongside.”

2. Synod itself has not given any guidance on how to do this; synod has

only adopted a recommendation that classes should do this.

3. Our gospel and true discipleship requires repentance and obedience in

all areas of our lives, including the area of human sexuality. The apostle

Paul, when he gave his farewell to the elders in Ephesus, declared that

he was "innocent of the blood of all men" because during his time there

he made known "the whole will of God" (Acts 20:26-27, NIV [1984]). It is

safe to say that his teaching included the area of sexuality, as most of his

letters address sexual conduct at some point. Our sexual conduct is an

important part of our living in covenant with our holy God (Ex. 20:14;

Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 108). We, therefore, cannot afford to ignore

what God's Word so clearly teaches and does not shy away from teach-

ing (1 Cor. 6:9-11, NIV [1984]):

Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of

God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idola-

ters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders

nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor

swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some

of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were

justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of

our God.

In sum, if we are not calling people to repentance in all of these areas,

we are failing to proclaim the gospel, failing to make true disciples, and

robbing people of the joy of living according to God's design and in true

covenant with him. Synod needs to act so that the gospel in our denomi-

nation is not compromised.

4. It is simply time to move forward. Synod has recognized the clear teach-

ing of Scripture, and it is time that our classes and councils do the same.

Regarding our Covenant for Officebearers, the Church Order Supple-

ment, Article 5, A, 3 states:

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Overtures 497

. . . no one is free to decide for oneself or for the church what is

and what is not a doctrine confessed in the standards. In the event

that such a question should arise, the decision of the assemblies of

the church shall be sought and acquiesced in.

This matter has been thoroughly considered so that no one is wondering

about the content of our teachings. Now is the time for classes and of-

ficebearers to acquiesce.

5. The true church only exists where discipline also exists (Belgic Confes-

sion Art. 29). There is never perfect discipline, and we should never be

eager in the area of discipline. That said, it is clear that some classes are

demonstrating that they do not have the will or desire to discipline or

guide into compliance erring officebearers. This is evidenced by the

overtures seeking to overturn the HSR or the definition of "unchastity"

in our confessions.

Council of Edson-Peers CRC, Edson, Alberta

Ryan Hoogerbrugge, clerk

Note: This overture was submitted to the March 8-9, 2024, meeting of Clas-

sis Alberta North but was not adopted.

OVERTURE 31

Ensure Accountability regarding Synodical Decisions and

Instructions

Classis Minnkota overtures synod to ensure accountability regarding syn-

odical decisions and instructions by means of the following:

1. Instructing classes that have constituent churches which publicly reject

the biblical guidelines affirmed by Synod 2022 regarding same-sex rela-

tionships to provide a written update of the efforts made to guide their

officebearers into compliance, and provide time during the opening ses-

sion of synod for these reports to be discussed by delegates.

Grounds:

a. Synod 2023 instructed classes to do this (Acts of Synod 2023, p. 1029).

b. Being informed of how the classes are approaching this task will

greatly enhance the trust that has been eroded and will enable synod

to fulfill the obligations given to it by Church Order Article 27-b.

2. Instructing Classis Grand Rapids East to provide a written update to

Synod 2024 outlining the steps they've taken to discipline Neland Ave-

nue Christian Reformed Church. Time should be provided during the

opening session of synod for these reports to be discussed by delegates.

498 Overtures AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

Grounds:

a. In Overture 78 to Synod 2023, Classis Grand Rapids East indicated

that at its January 19, 2023, meeting it “Agreed to provide a season of

mutual forbearance in the classis while the appeal by Neland Ave-

nue CRC of its discipline by Synod 2022 is pending before Synod

2023” (Acts of Synod 2023, p. 886).

b. Neland Avenue’s appeal was not sustained by Synod 2023. Synod’s

decision not to discipline Neland Avenue CRC does not relieve Clas-

sis Grand Rapids East of its responsibility to discipline Neland for

sins and offenses outlined in the In Loco Committee Report. These

sins have harmed the entire denomination, therefore Classis Grand

Rapids East must report on the progress of its discipline to the entire

denomination.

c. Church Order Article 27-b assigns the classis authority over the

councils of its constituent churches: therefore synod, which has au-

thority over the classes, must monitor the efforts of classes to disci-

pline when their churches promote blatant heterodoxy and must

hold the classes accountable for exercising discipline. This report is

necessary for synod to meet this obligation.

Classis Minnkota

LeRoy G. Christoffels, stated clerk

OVERTURE 32

Clarify Decisions Concerning “Unchastity” in Q&A 108 and

How This Definition Functions in the Life of the CRC

I. Background

Synod 2022 declared the following (Acts of Synod 2022, p. 922):

that “unchastity” in Heidelberg Catechism Q. and A. 108 encom-

passes adultery, premarital sex, extramarital sex, polyamory, pornog-

raphy, and homosexual sex, all of which violate the seventh com-

mandment. In so doing, synod declares this affirmation “an

interpretation of [a] confession” (Acts of Synod 1975, p. 603). There-

fore, this interpretation has confessional status.

Synod 2023 upheld this decision and in so doing declared that this uphold-

ing of the decision of Synod 2022 was the answer to many overtures sub-

mitted to Synod 2023.

Classis Alberta North identified in Overture 32 to Synod 2023 a concern

about how churches were to understand the implications of the 2022 deci-

sion. We noted that the 2022 decision, while clear in identifying a definition

of “unchastity” and the status of that definition in the confessions, had at

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Overtures 499

the same time led to confusion, disagreement, and uncertainty about the

scope of that decision. This was also evidenced on the floor of Synod 2023

when the reporter of the majority report of Advisory Committee 7 was una-

ble to answer a question about whether a member of the CRC who was un-

certain about the definition was able to remain a member; at the same time

the chair of the committee thought the answer was clear.

Classis Alberta North has identified further questions and concerns that

were brought to Synod 2023 and have been raised since then, which include

the following:

1. May members who are uncertain about this interpretation . . .

• make public profession of faith?

• remain members within the CRC?

• present their children for baptism?

• serve as officebearers in the CRC while signing the Covenant for

Officebearers, pledging to live within the bounds of that covenant?

2. May members who disagree with this interpretation . . .

• make public profession of faith?

• remain members within the CRC?

• present their children for baptism?

• serve as officebearers in the CRC while signing the Covenant for

Officebearers, pledging to live within the bounds of that covenant?

3. May those who desire to candidate for minister of the Word and who

are willing to sign the Covenant for Officebearers, but are unsure where

they stand regarding this specific interpretation, pursue candidacy?

4. Synod 2024 will need to consider overtures and recommendations re-

garding the place and function of gravamina. Will decisions about gra-

vamina apply equally to . . .

• uncertainty about infant baptism?

• uncertainty about the presence of the body and blood of Christ in the

sacraments?

• uncertainty about the declarations regarding election and predesti-

nation in the Canons of Dort?

5. Is it conceivable for someone who is uncertain or even disagreeing with

an aspect of this interpretation to yet submit to the authority of the

church and its teachings, be willing to live and work within the bounds

of the confessions, and thus still be a member in good standing?

6. Is it conceivable to give a verbal affirmation to the confessions if in one’s

heart or mind one is uncertain, and still be a member in good standing?

7. Does lack of understanding or awareness of the confessions of the

church and its interpretations disqualify someone from membership or

serving as an officebearer? How much does one need to understand the

details of a confession in order to be understood to be compliant with it?

500 Overtures AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

8. How will the implications of (and answers to) the above be monitored

and enforced, and who will do that? Will compliance be pursued and

ensured equally for all the matters identified as “unchaste” (including

premarital sex and pornography) and other areas of the confessions?

How would this be achieved?

9. If, for example, I, as a parent, have pastorally wrestled with the matter

of same-sex committed marriage for 20 years because I have a child who

is gay, may I now no longer wrestle with understanding, even if I live in

compliance?

10. The Human Sexuality Report (HSR), which Synod 2022 approved,

noted: “Even if a teaching has confessional status, that does not mean

there is no room for disagreement within the bounds of that teaching. In

addition, the church sometimes allows for pastoral accommodations”

(Agenda for Synod 2022, p. 457). While we recognize that synod has yet to

deal with overtures regarding gravamina, the committee recommenda-

tions at Synod 2023 were moving in a specific direction that would ap-

pear not to include the above. Given the history of pastoral accommoda-

tion and what the HSR says as per the above, how may councils

understand this “room for disagreement”?

11. The shift from Synod 1973 (pastoral advice) to Synod 2022 (confessional

status) is significant with all of the subsequent concerns, questions, un-

rest, and confusion noted above—and raises the question churches are

wrestling with: What is the rationale for this significant change in func-

tion for an understanding of Scripture (1973) that has not changed?

We are concerned that synod, in its desire to come to conclusions and deci-

sions about matters of human sexuality, has inadvertently shut the door to

discussing and clarifying the implications of these decisions. When synod

declares that a particular position is the answer to a whole group of over-

tures that contain significant nuances and serious concerns, many of those

concerns and nuances go unaddressed. As a result, synod can be seen to be

veering away from its historic tendency to respond pastorally and carefully

in helping churches to understand and dialogue together. Without the clar-

ity of what these decisions mean and what their implications are, it be-

comes too easy to simply react or draw lines or choose/vote for a side.

Churches will interpret and act in a variety of ways that are inconsistent

with each other, as we are presently already observing.

We are also concerned that in an effort to clarify and close the door on some

decisions, synod has closed the door on our historic commitment to deliber-

ate and wrestle together. Recognizing that God’s people from the time of Ja-

cob have had the name Israel, which means “to contend with God,” and

given our historic desire to wrestle with God and his Word, we need to

work through these implications together so that even if we don’t all agree,

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Overtures 501

we will at least be on the same page of understanding what we agree or

don’t agree with.

Classis Alberta North believes that we need to ensure that in our engage-

ment together within the denomination there is clarity about these deci-

sions and their implications. This is important in order to avoid actions

based on misunderstanding, and to avoid fostering simple votes of agree-

ment or disagreement with a decision without proper awareness of what

those decisions mean.

II. Overture

Classis Alberta North overtures Synod 2024 to review and clarify the impli-

cations of its decisions concerning the definition of “unchastity” in Heidel-

berg Catechism Q&A 108, and to clarify how this definition as an interpre-

tation of the confession functions in the life of the churches, the agencies,

and the institutions of the CRC.

Grounds:

1. The confusion, lack of direction, and conflict within our churches, agen-

cies, and institutions in seeking to work out the implications of the

Synod 2022 declaration demonstrate the need for clarification.

2. In a climate of conflict, it has become easier to simply vote on decisions

and draw lines rather than to dialogue about the implications. While

unity may not be achievable, it is better to have been clear about what

the reasons for disunity are than to just draw more lines that vary from

church to church.

Classis Alberta North

Gary Duthler, stated clerk

OVERTURE 33

Rescind Compliance-Requirement Decision of Synod 2023

I. Introduction

Synod 2023 adopted the following recommendation: “That synod instruct

all classes to guide into compliance the officebearers of their constituent

churches who publicly reject the biblical guidelines affirmed by Synod 2022

regarding same-sex relationships” (Acts of Synod 2023, pp. 1029-30). While

some decisions of synod may not have grounds, a decision of this weight

and with this impact should have solid reasons or grounds for action. The

following three grounds that Synod 2023 used to support the recommenda-

tion it adopted are faulty, calling into question the decision itself.

502 Overtures AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

Ground a:

“Church Order Article 3 states that officebearers must meet the biblical

requirements, and Synod 2022 has clarified those requirements.”

After citing the Church Order, this ground equates the statement of Synod

2022 with the biblical requirements noted by the Church Order. Nowhere in

the Bible is it declared that agreement with a decision of a CRC synod is a

requirement for office. The conclusion the ground makes is an overreach

and cannot be used as a ground.

Ground b:

“Regarding our confessions, the Covenant for Officebearers states that

‘we heartily believe and will promote and defend their doctrines faith-

fully, conforming our preaching, teaching, writing, serving, and living

to them’ (Church Order Supplement, Art. 5).”

Synod 2022 defeated a recommendation to place a footnote in the confes-

sion (Heidelberg Catechism) with synod’s interpretation of the word “un-

chastity,” thus clearly deciding not to make that interpretation part of the

confession. In addition, the complete failure of previous synods to make

such a declaration with any other confessional explanations makes this an

unprecedented and absurd ground. Therefore, the ground should not ap-

ply.

Ground c:

“Church Order Article 27-b assigns the classis authority over the coun-

cils of its constituent churches; therefore synod, which has authority

over the classes, must instruct classes to discipline when their churches

promote blatant heterodoxy, and hold the classes accountable for exer-

cising discipline.”

This ground jumps to the conclusion that synod “must instruct classes to

discipline.” The Church Order article does not require instruction to classes

regarding discipline. Section IV of the Church Order, which deals with

“The Admonition and Discipline of the Church,” does not mention the im-

position of synod in the exercise of discipline; nor does it allow synod’s in-

structions to engage in discipline. The ground misstates the impact of the

Church Order and therefore is not applicable to the recommendation.

II. Overture

Therefore Classis Chicago South overtures synod to rescind the following

decision of Synod 2023: “That synod instruct all classes to guide into com-

pliance the officebearers of their constituent churches who publicly reject

the biblical guidelines affirmed by Synod 2022 regarding same-sex relation-

ships” (Acts of Synod 2023, pp. 1029-30).

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Overtures 503

Grounds:

a. The grounds for the 2023 decision are flawed, making the decision itself

faulty and groundless. If there are no grounds for such a weighty deci-

sion, the decision should not have been made and should be rescinded.

b. The Church Order gives responsibility for discipline to the consistory,

not to synod (Church Order Articles 78-84).

Classis Chicago South

Jeremy Oosterhouse, Stated Clerk

OVERTURE 34

Revise Decision of Synod 2023 and Carry Out Biblical

Requirements

I. Introduction

When given the opportunity to call for accountability, repentance, and pos-

sible church discipline for Neland Avenue CRC and for Classis Grand Rap-

ids East, Synod 2023 declined to do so (Acts of Synod 2023, pp. 1027-28). By

this inaction, the delegates to synod made a great mistake. Synod 2024 must

declare this decision to be in conflict with the Word of God. Further, only

after declaring that Synod 2023 acted in conflict with the Word of God,

Synod 2024 is then obligated to carry out the biblical requirements Synod

2023 declined to pursue.

II. Overture

Therefore, Classis Minnkota overtures Synod 2024 to do the following:

A. That Synod 2024 declare that Synod 2023 acted in conflict with the Word

of God (Church Order Art. 29) by not calling Neland Avenue CRC to re-

pentance for their decision to allow someone in a same-sex relationship

to be a member in good standing at Neland and further, to serve as a

deacon (Acts of Synod 2023, pp. 1027-28).

Grounds:

1. Sin that is public in nature calls for repentance that is public as well

(Gal. 2:11-14). The sin, public defiance, and dishonor to the name of

the risen Lord Jesus that Neland Avenue CRC has demonstrated

over the last several years warrants a call to repentance that is just as

public as their sin has been.

2. Synod 2023, comprised of officebearers in the Christian Reformed

Church, is called to a high standard in their beliefs and behavior

(James 3:1). Having signed the Covenant for Officebearers, these del-

egates acknowledged “the authority of God’s Word” and promised

504 Overtures AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

to “submit to it in all matters of life and faith” (Covenant for Office-

bearers). Synod 2023 failed to submit to God’s Word by not calling

Neland Avenue CRC to repentance.

3. Synod 2023 was required to call for what Christ the King calls for,

namely, that Neland Avenue CRC repent and turn from wickedness

(James 5:19-20; Acts 3:26; Acts 14:15). Because Synod 2023 failed to

call for repentance, Synod 2024 must do so instead.

4. Synod 2023 stood in conflict with the Word of God (Church Order

Art. 29) when they set aside the demands of the head of the church,

the Lord Jesus. Christians have no authority to set aside the de-

mands of Christ (Matt. 28:20). It is unacceptable for citizens of

heaven (Phil. 3:20) to tolerate what Christ the King forbids (Rev. 2:20;

1 Cor. 5:1-8).

5. Neland Avenue CRC has disobeyed the Word of God by setting

aside what the Lord commands regarding human sexuality. So too

Synod 2023 set aside what the Lord commands regarding church

discipline (1 Cor. 5:2; Rev. 2:20). As such, Synod 2023 stands in con-

flict with the Word of God for their decision to not call for repent-

ance by way of a new In Loco Committee (Acts of Synod 2023,

pp. 1027-28).

6. Synod 2024 has the authority to revise the decision of Synod 2023 in

this matter. This overture has been processed as far as possible al-

ready at the levels of the council and the classis. It is therefore within

the authority of Synod 2024 to act (Church Order Art. 31 and its Sup-

plement).

B. That Synod 2024 carry out the biblical requirements that Synod 2023, in

conflict with the Word of God, declined to pursue. Therefore, Synod

2024 must do all the following:

1. That Synod 2024 itself, prior to their adjournment on June 20, 2024,

call upon Neland Avenue CRC to publicly repent for their open, per-

sistent rebellion against Christ the King. This public repentance is to

take the form of a written communication to the Office of General

Secretary, to then be distributed to all the churches in the CRC. This

communication is due to the Office of General Secretary no later

than August 31, 2024.

2. That Synod 2024 itself, prior to their adjournment on June 20, 2024,

call upon Classis Grand Rapids East to publicly repent for allowing

the unbiblical positions and practices of Neland Avenue CRC to be

tolerated. This public repentance is to take the form of a written com-

munication to the Office of General Secretary, to then be distributed

to all the churches in the CRC. This communication is due to the Of-

fice of General Secretary no later than August 31, 2024.

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Overtures 505

3. That Synod 2024 require Classis Grand Rapids East, at their Fall 2024

classis meeting, if there is no public repentance from Neland Avenue

CRC, to depose the council of Neland Avenue CRC for their serious

deviation from sound doctrine, in accordance with Church Order

Supplement, Articles 82-84.

4. That Synod 2024 require Synod 2025, if there is no public repentance

from Classis Grand Rapids East, to depose all the church councils of

Grand Rapids East for their serious deviation from sound doctrine in

accordance with Church Order Supplement, Articles 82-84.

5. That Synod 2024 itself, prior to their adjournment on June 20, 2024,

call for public repentance from all the churches of the CRC that have

publicly made declarations on human sexuality that are contrary to

the Word of God and our confessions. This list of churches shall in-

clude, but is not limited to, the list of churches posted on the website

of the organization “All One Body” as those “Welcoming and Af-

firming CRC Churches.” This public repentance is to take the form of

a written communication to the Office of General Secretary, to then

be distributed to all the churches in the CRC. This communication is

due to the Office of General Secretary no later than August 31, 2024.

If there is no public repentance, the classes in which these particular

churches are located must begin the process of special discipline in

accordance with Church Order Articles 82-84 and the Supplement.

6. That Synod 2024 instruct Synod 2025 to hold a joyous celebration of

forgiveness, reconciliation, and restoration if Neland Avenue CRC,

Classis Grand Rapids East, and the other affirming CRC churches re-

pent and turn from their wickedness. “In the same way, I tell you,

there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner

who repents” (Luke 15:10). “If anyone has caused grief, he has not so

much grieved me as he has grieved all of you to some extent—not to

put it too severely. The punishment inflicted on him by the majority

is sufficient for him. Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort

him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. I urge

you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him. [The] reason I wrote

you was to see if you would stand the test and be obedient in every-

thing. Anyone you forgive, I also forgive. And what I have for-

given—if there was anything to forgive—I have forgiven in the sight

of Christ for your sake, in order that Satan might not outwit us. For

we are not unaware of his schemes” (2 Corinthians 2:5-11).

Classis Minnkota

LeRoy G. Christoffels, stated clerk

506 Overtures AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

OVERTURE 35

Amend Church Order Supplement, Article 5, B

I. Background

At every level of the Christian Reformed Church’s ecclesiastical life (coun-

cil, classis, and synod), officebearers are required to indicate their confes-

sional covenant with one another around our forms of unity by either sign-

ing the Covenant for Officebearers or, in the case of synod, standing

together to signify their confessional covenant with their fellow delegates.

As signatories, officebearers “promise to be formed and governed by” the

creeds and confession, and they profess, “We heartily believe and will pro-

mote and defend their doctrines faithfully, conforming our preaching,

teaching, writing, serving, and living to them.” As Church Order Supple-

ment, Article 5, A, 1 says, “The person signing the Covenant for Officebear-

ers affirms without reservation all the doctrines contained in the standards

of the church as being doctrines that are taught in the Word of God.”

It is important to assure that councils and classes within the Christian Re-

formed Church in North America are not using the confessional-difficulty

gravamen as a means of allowing those who cannot affirm “without reserva-

tion all the doctrines contained in the standards of the church as being doc-

trines that are taught in the Word of God” either to begin their service as of-

ficebearers or to continue in service as officebearers without any desire or

effort to resolve the “difficulty” at the council level or to submit the matter to

classis or synod for examination or judgment. Such use would render the in-

tegrity of our covenant as officebearers uncertain, particularly at the classical

and synodical levels where, due to the confidential and pastoral nature of

the confessional-difficulty gravamen process, delegates cannot know the na-

ture or weight of any confessional difficulties that their fellow officebearers

from other councils might have submitted. In short, delegates to classis and

synod do not know (and cannot know) if their fellow delegates have “diffi-

culties” with the confessions, what the nature and type of those difficulties

might be, and if the delegates to the ecclesiastical body are in confessional

covenant or not. This is clearly problematic and unsustainable.

To restore the integrity of the confessional covenant of classes and synod

and to maintain the pastoral sensitivity of the confessional-difficulty grava-

men process, those who have submitted a confessional-difficulty gravamen

should not be delegated to those ecclesiastical bodies that do not and can-

not know the nature of their difficulties (i.e., classis and synod) until their

difficulties are resolved with appropriate pastoral care and confidentiality

and until they can affirm “without reservation all the doctrines contained in

the standards of the church as being doctrines that are taught in the Word

of God.” To further preserve the integrity of the confessional covenant of

the council and the mutual accountability of councils, classis, and synod, a

reasonable timeline should be observed for providing help to officebearers

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Overtures 507

with difficulties and for classical and synodical examination and judgment

of those difficulties.

II. Overture

Classis Iakota overtures synod to amend Church Order Supplement, Article

5, B to read as follows (new material is underlined):

1. Ministers (whether missionaries, professors, or others not serving

congregations as pastors), elders, or deacons shall submit their “diffi-

culties” to their councils for examination and judgment. Should a

council decide that it is not able to judge the gravamen submitted to

it, it shall submit the matter to classis for examination and judgment.

If the classis, after examination, judges that it is unable to decide the

matter, it may submit it to synod, in accordance with the principles

of Church Order Article 28-b. These procedures shall follow the fol-

lowing timetable.

a. A council shall have six months, or until the next classis meeting,

whichever is greater, to provide the necessary information and/or

clarification being sought. If the gravamen is forwarded to clas-

sis, classis shall have six months, or until agenda items for the

next synod must be submitted, whichever is greater, to provide

the necessary information and/or clarification being sought. If the

gravamen appears before synod, synod’s decision is binding, and

the subscriber will have until the end of that calendar year to ei-

ther (1) affirm the standards without reservation, (2) file a confes-

sional-revision gravamen, or (3) resign from office.

b. If applicable, ministers can be honorably released at the conclu-

sion of this process.

2. In all instances of confessional-difficulty gravamina, the matter shall

not be open for discussion by the whole church, since this type of

gravamen is a personal request for information and/or clarification

of the confession. Hence this type of gravamen should be dealt with

pastorally and personally by the assembly addressed.

3. A confessional-difficulty gravamen is a personal request for help in

resolving a subscriber’s doubts about a doctrine contained in the

confessions that arise after the officer has, in good faith, subscribed

themselves to the Covenant for Officebearers. It is not a request for

an assembly to tolerate a subscriber’s settled conviction that a doc-

trine contained in the confessions is wrong. Therefore, in all in-

stances of confessional-difficulty gravamina, no assembly may ex-

empt a subscriber from having to affirm all of the doctrines

contained in the standards of the church.

4. To honor the confidential and pastoral nature of the confessional-dif-

ficulty gravamen process and to maintain the integrity of the

508 Overtures AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

church's confessional covenant, the local council of an officebearer

who has submitted a confessional-difficulty gravamen may not dele-

gate that officebearer to a broader ecclesiastical assembly (classis or

synod) until the difficulty has been resolved and the officebearer can

affirm without reservation all the doctrines contained in the stand-

ards of the church as being doctrines that are taught in the Word of

God. If the officebearer who has submitted a confessional-difficulty

gravamen is nominated as a delegate to a broader assembly by an of-

ficebearer outside of his or her own council, he or she must decline

the nomination.

Grounds:

1. Confessional-difficulty gravamina were never intended as a permanent

exception to our confessions. Therefore we cannot let their illegitimate

use as a permanent exception to the confessions compromise the integ-

rity of our confessional covenant.

2. Due to the confidential nature of confessional-difficulty gravamina, del-

egates to broader assemblies (classis, synod) have no confidence that

their fellow delegates hold to the same beliefs and are deliberating from

the same biblical and confessional foundation.

3. Adding a timetable to the guidelines and regulations will ensure that

commitment to God’s Word, commitment to the testimony of the creeds

and confessions, and mutual trust among all officebearers of the

CRCNA will be restored in a reasonable and prompt manner.

Classis Iakota

Bernard Haan, stated clerk

OVERTURE 36

Preserve the Gravamen Process

We, Classis Red Mesa of the Christian Reformed Church, overture Synod

2024 not to accede to the deferred overtures from Synod 2023 that ask for

changes in the gravamen process. Our desire is for the gravamen process

to be preserved as is written in the Church Order in the Supplement to

Article 5:

We also promise to present or receive confessional difficulties in a

spirit of love and fellowship with our brothers and sisters as together

we seek a fuller understanding of the gospel. Should we come to be-

lieve that a teaching in the confessional documents is not the teaching

of God’s Word, we will communicate our views to the church, ac-

cording to the procedures prescribed by the Church Order and its

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Overtures 509

supplements. If the church asks, we will give a full explanation of our

views. Further, we promise to submit to the church’s judgment and

authority.

We honor this covenant for the well-being of the church to the glory

of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

(Acts of Synod 2012, pp. 761-62)

As noted in the Church Order Supplement above, provision is made for of-

ficebearers to give expression to their conscientious objection to a variety of

possible areas of difficulty with the confessions of the CRCNA. Submitting

what is called a “gravamen” allows officebearers to express their difficulty

or doubt while still signing the Covenant for Officebearers with integrity

and remaining members in good standing in their churches. However,

there is now a strong push to functionally eliminate this provision—a mat-

ter to be taken up at Synod 2024.

If adopted, the restrictions to the gravamen process proposed at Synod 2023

(but deferred to Synod 2024) would leave many local churches with very

few people eligible to serve as officebearers and thereby seriously impede

their ability to function. These sweeping changes would affect all potential

officebearers who have difficulties or doubts about any of a number of doc-

trines, resulting in barring them from service as elder, deacon, minister of

the Word, or commissioned pastor. It would leave local churches bewil-

dered and confused to have saints and lifelong leaders suddenly disquali-

fied from church leadership because of a decision made by those wholly

unknown to their congregation or its leaders. We judge that it is neither

right, feasible, nor morally necessary for any church’s ministry leadership

to be limited only to the people who unreservedly agree with all of the con-

fessional interpretations, including Synod 2022’s confessional declaration.

We treasure our denomination’s colorful history of discussion, discern-

ment, and disagreement about nonsalvific issues, always knowing that as

we disagree in a variety of forums that we can stand in alignment and

agreement in worship before our Creator. We grieve the potential loss of

our ability to dialog and hold opposing opinions. We also see this as the

creation of a systemic bias where none had previously existed. We declare

that the only way we can remain part of the Christian Reformed Church

with integrity, if Synod 2024 intends to significantly change or remove the

gravamen process, is “under protest.” Though under protest, we continue

to participate because we love the CRCNA and seek God’s blessing upon

our denomination.

Classis Red Mesa

John Greydanus, stated clerk

510 Overtures AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

OVERTURE 37

Maintain Local Council Authority over Timelines for the

Confessional-Difficulty Gravamen Process

I. Background

Church Order Supplement, Article 5 lays out both the Covenant for Office-

bearers and the “Guidelines and Regulations re Gravamina,” stating (in the

Covenant) that if officebearers have difficulty with a teaching in the confes-

sional documents, they “promise to present or receive [such] confessional

difficulties in a spirit of love and fellowship . . . [as the church together

seeks] a fuller understanding of the gospel.” Officebearers also commit to

“submit to the church’s judgment and authority” as the church council re-

ceives any difficulties via gravamina. Neither the Church Order nor synod

has provided a timeline for the use of such gravamina, entrusting this to the

discernment and authority of local councils and entrusting that officebear-

ers will submit to their councils in whatever said councils decide.

However, overtures submitted to Synod 2023 requested, among other

things, that synod amend the Church Order and place timelines on this pro-

cess, removing authority from local councils and compelling officebearers

either to resolve their confessional difficulties, escalate their gravamen to a

confessional-revision gravamen before synod, or be removed from their of-

fice.

We respect the desire of the writers of these overtures to “be of one mind”

(Phil. 2:2; 1 Pet. 3:8), and we understand their concerns that confessional-

difficulty gravamina could threaten this unity. We also believe, with them,

that officebearers should be held to a high standard. Further, we wish to

maintain the option for them to choose such a time-bound process in their

own churches should their own local councils decide. However, we do not be-

lieve such a time-bound process should be imposed by synod.

II. Overture

Classis B.C. North-West overtures Synod 2024 to maintain local council au-

thority over timelines for the confessional-difficulty gravamen process.

Grounds:

1. The current gravamen process has served the church well since its in-

ception, as it gives space for individuals to be open and honest about

their positions and concerns while still allowing councils the authority

to discern whether said positions and concerns have an impact on those

individuals’ ability to serve in office.

2. Maintaining local council authority over timelines avoids synodical

overreach. Gravamina are received at the local level, and decisions

See, for example, Overture 50: Establish a Time of Discipleship for Officebearers with a

Confessional-Difficulty Gravamen (Agenda for Synod 2023, pp. 529-34).

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Overtures 511

around what to do with them should remain at the local level. Any esca-

lation to classis or synod should be the decision of the local council, as is

already laid out in the existing guidelines for gravamina.

3. While there are valid concerns about the potential abuse of gravamina,

there are other ways (see point 4) to safeguard against this abuse rather

than using synod-imposed timelines.

4. Since the local council receives gravamina from officebearers with

whom they are already in relationship, the local council is best equipped

to discern how to support and engage these individuals in their journey

of faith and growth, and on what timeline.

5. The current gravamen process “[upholds] the confessions, the Church

Order, and the Covenant for Officebearers”

while still maintaining

space for respectful dialogue and discernment that allows for unity in

mission and purpose, in the service of Christ and the church.

Classis B.C. North-West

Kathy N. Smith, stated clerk

OVERTURE 38

Do Not Implement Any New Acts of Discipline or Mandatory

Timelines for Confessional-Difficulty Gravamen

Overture

In response to Article 80 in the Acts of Synod 2023 (pp. 1032-39), we call on

Synod 2024 not to implement any new acts of discipline or mandatory time-

lines for officebearers who have offered a confessional-difficulty gravamen

with regard to the confessional status of the Human Sexuality Report (HSR).

Grounds:

1. The Christian Reformed Church in North America is made up of a di-

verse community of churches and individuals seeking to understand

God's teachings and God's will for our lives. Diversity enriches our faith

and witness.

2. Decisions about the confessional status of the HSR have brought to light

differences in perspective among individuals, congregations, and clas-

ses. Within some churches there are sizable communities of people, in-

cluding current officebearers, holding differing views on this topic. It is

important to seek to agree on foundational elements of our faith. And it

is also important to seek to live in fellowship together within individual

churches and as a broader denominational church.

Smith, Dr. Kathy; “Gravamen: What It Is and How to Use It,” Jan. 18, 2023;

crcna.org/news-and-events/news/gravamen-what-it-and-how-use-it.

512 Overtures AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

3. Scripture encourages us to continue to grow and learn (2 Pet. 3:18; Phil.

1:9; Prov. 1:5). Similarly, our Reformational heritage encourages us to

continually be Reformed by the Spirit of God through the Word. It is im-

portant to create space that allows for humble wondering and doctrinal

wrestling within the accountability structures of council, classis, and

synod. “For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall

see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I

am fully known” (1 Cor. 13:12).

4. Applying a disciplinary approach with rigid timelines with respect to

the HSR raises a serious risk of causing harm, of rushing action nonpas-

torally, and of causing damage to the body that may not be in alignment

with God’s desire for how we proceed as a community. Poorly contem-

plated and rushed discipline is likely to hurt people, fracture communi-

ties, and impact the church’s ministry and witness in our communities

and our families.

5. Romans 14:19 states, “Let us therefore make every effort to do what

leads to peace and to mutual edification.” For our denomination, and

for individual churches, it is our hope that this may be a season of pur-

suing harmony and walking in humility as we seek a path that leads to

peace and mutual edification.

Classis Huron

Fred Vander Sterre, stated clerk

OVERTURE 39

Clarify the Use of a Confessional-Difficulty Gravamen

I. Introduction

The confessional-difficulty gravamen (CDG) was created within Christian

Reformed Church polity to allow officebearers the opportunity to faithfully

question and wrestle with doctrines and theological matters contained

within our Reformed confessions. We recognize that a CDG must be used

in any instance where an officebearer has developed reservations after sign-

ing the Covenant for Officebearers. Additionally, we acknowledge the im-

portance of the CDG in the ongoing discipleship of faithful Christ-followers

under the guidance, accountability, and confidentiality of the local council.

As our churches, classes, and denomination seek to disciple its membership

into alignment with the confessions, the CDG remains a vital tool which al-

lows those new to Reformed theology, or wrestling with Reformed theol-

ogy, to serve faithfully within their congregation. Their faithful service in

Christ’s church is held in tandem with their engaging in continued disciple-

ship toward alignment with the confessions of the CRC.

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Overtures 513

II. Overture

Therefore the council of Princeton CRC overtures Synod 2024 to amend

Church Order Supplement, Article 5, section B by adding the following:

A. “3. In all instances of confessional-difficulty gravamina, the officebearer

is expected to submit to the church’s confessions and judgments and

must not teach, disciple, care, or counsel against any doctrine for which

they are filing a gravamen.”

B. “4. All gravamina will be revisited in closed session (ordinarily yearly),

so that the officebearer may inform council about their progress in

working toward full alignment with the confessions.”

C. “5. In all active instances of confessional-difficulty gravamina, the office-

bearer shall not be delegated to the higher assemblies.”

Grounds:

1. This recommendation upholds the authority of the local council (Art. 27-

a) to provide oversight and accountability over the life and doctrine of

its officebearers.

2. This recommendation strengthens its commitment to the confessions

through (1) requiring those filing a gravamen to set aside their difficulty

for the larger body and (2) requiring that no officebearer with an active

confessional-difficulty gravamen will be delegated to classis or synod.

3. This recommendation recognizes that the CDG is a discipleship tool that

aids congregations who draw membership from a variety of theological

traditions and backgrounds. This recommendation therefore allows for

continued long-term discipleship while officebearers serve as their gifts

allow.

Council of Princeton CRC, Kentwood, Michigan

Casey Jen, clerk

Note: This overture was submitted to the January 16, 2024, meeting of Clas-

sis Thornapple Valley but was not adopted.

OVERTURE 40

Leave Gravamen Process as It Stands

I. Background

Almost five decades ago, and in response to specific circumstances that

warranted it, the CRC developed a process by which officebearers could

express personal difficulty with our creeds and confessions or request a

revision to them.

Officebearers could submit a gravamen (pl. gravamina)

that stated their difficulty (confessional-difficulty gravamen) or requested a

crcna.org/news-and-events/news/summary-history-behind-guidelines-gravamina

514 Overtures AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

revision (confessional-revision gravamen), and they could expect a re-

sponse from their council or from a broader assembly, depending on the

nature of the gravamen.

This process was used to good effect and without much fanfare until 2022.

At that time, synod, by majority vote, declared a particular interpretation of

the word “unchastity” in Q&A 108 of the Heidelberg Catechism, and then

declared that that interpretation had “confessional status.” Suddenly the

many officebearers who disagreed with synod’s interpretation found them-

selves with a confessional difficulty that they had not previously had,

newly created as it was by Synod 2022. Many of these officebearers, in com-

pliance with the process laid out in the Church Order, submitted a grava-

men to express that difficulty.

Synod 2023 formed a committee (Advisory Committee 8) to process the

overtures it received related to the gravamen process. The committee pro-

duced a majority report and a minority report. The majority report (see Acts

of Synod 2023, pp. 1032-37; see also Communication 2, Agenda for Synod

2024) called for sweeping changes to the gravamen process, proposing a

six-month time limit on working out one’s difficulty,

with three options at

the end of it: affirm the interpretation they had difficulty with, file a confes-

sional-revision gravamen,

or resign from office. Before Synod 2023 could

act on the recommendations of either report, the clock ran out and the work

was put on hold. It will be taken up again at Synod 2024, with the majority

and minority reports received as communications.

II. Overture

We overture synod to leave the gravamen process as it stands currently in

the Church Order, and not to adopt the changes recommended by the ma-

jority report of Advisory Committee 8 at Synod 2023.

Grounds:

1. The gravamen process was formed out of the institutional wisdom of

the past and has worked well for many decades. If changes are to be

made, that should only be after serious consideration and not in reaction

to, or in the midst of, a conflicted and controversial situation such as we

are now in.

2. While the majority report is not coming before Synod 2024 as a report to

be voted on, it is (against parliamentarian advice and against precedent)

coming as a “communication.” Thus, although the majority report

ought not to have standing at Synod 2024, the reality is that it is likely to

have a strong influence on proceedings. Thus we are compelled at this

Depending on what one’s council and/or classis did with the gravamen, and the timing

of meetings, this timeline could stretch out a little longer.

As Synod 2023 summarily dismissed all confessional-revision gravamina without en-

gaging meaningfully with them, it is hard to see this as anything but an option given in

bad faith.

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Overtures 515

critical moment to overture Synod 2024 not to adopt its recommenda-

tions.

3. It is transparent that the recommendations of the majority report target

both in intent and effect those officebearers who have reservations about

Synod 2022’s definition of unchastity.

Changes to the Church Order

should not be made in this spirit.

4. The gravamen process was put into place to promote unity in the

church and to encourage honesty and integrity on the part of those ex-

periencing doubts and difficulties.

The changes recommended by the

majority report are likely to discourage open and honest communication

and to lead to disunity that is hidden underground.

5. The compressed timeline recommended by the majority report is prob-

lematic on several fronts:

a. The Reformed tradition has always promoted thoughtful considera-

tion of theological issues, which takes time, and to put a deadline on

such Spirit-led, thoughtful discernment is foreign to our tradition.

b. It is destabilizing for local churches to have officebearers leave office

in the middle of a term, for reasons imposed from the outside that

have little or nothing to do with the life of the local church.

c. It puts pressure on officebearers to fall into line quickly, creating the

temptation to be less than honest about their doubts and difficulties.

d. The majority report seems wholly insensitive to the choice their rec-

ommended timeline is imposing on hundreds of ministers: to lose a

career within six months that they have perhaps spent decades

building (see 6, a below), or to jeopardize their integrity so that they

might continue to provide for their families (see 5, c above).

6. The majority report violates the spirit of the Covenant for Officebearers

in at least two ways:

a. A rigid timeline and harsh consequences are not in keeping with the

Covenant for Officebearers, which states, “We also promise to pre-

sent or receive confessional difficulties in a spirit of love and fellow-

ship with our brothers and sisters as together we seek a fuller under-

standing of the gospel.”

As evidenced by the fact that gravamina garnered no negative attention until they were

used in response to Synod 2022’s interpretation of Q&A 108. Additionally, the majority

report names their targets explicitly and notes that in their case, the clock is already tick-

ing: “Since synod has already made a judgment regarding the definition of ‘unchastity’ in

Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 108, that synod instruct those who have submitted a CDG

with respect to the definition of ‘unchastity’ to resolve their difficulty by affirming the

standards, resign, or be suspended from office by the end of 2023” (Recommendation 4,

Acts of Synod 2023, p. 1035).

crcna.org/news-and-events/news/gravamen-what-it-and-how-use-it

516 Overtures AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

b. The Covenant for Officebearers calls those who disagree with a syn-

odical decision regarding a creed or confession (or its interpretation)

to “promise to submit to the church’s judgment and authority.” The

majority report insists that those who disagree “affirm without reser-

vation” (Recommendation 2, b; Acts of Synod 2023, p. 1034) what

synod decides about a creed or confession (or its interpretation).

There is a vast difference between submitting to a decision one does

not personally agree with and affirming that decision without reser-

vation. Instead of promoting unity, as the Covenant for Officebearers

does, the majority report insists on uniformity. Instead of requiring

submission on the part of those who disagree, as the Covenant for

Officebearers does, the majority report calls for their exclusion.

7. The majority report violates Scripture when it claims that what “truly

unifies” the CRC is the “standards” (Recommendation 8, Ground a; Acts

of Synod 2023, p. 1036). Scripture is clear that it is Jesus Christ who uni-

fies the church (see Eph. 2:14-22; John 17:20-23; Col. 1:15-20).

8. The majority report does not recognize the fact that some doubts and

difficulties never go away this side of heaven. Having them does not au-

tomatically disqualify someone from serving in office. This is why the

Church Order calls for handling gravamina at the local church level; the

council is in the best position to know how or whether the doubt or dif-

ficulty will affect the person’s ability to serve in their context.

Council of Church of the Savior CRC, South Bend, Indiana

Charis Schepers, council clerk

Note: This overture was submitted to the February 1, 2024, meeting of Clas-

sis Holland but was not adopted.

OVERTURE 41

Refrain from Making the Confessional-Difficulty Gravamen

Time-Bound

I. Background

The Synod 2023 Advisory Committee 8 majority report argues that “the

process initiated by a subscriber submitting a CDG should be time-bound

and time-sensitive and should result in a final decision” (Acts of Synod 2023,

p. 1033; see also Communication 2). The report goes on to recommend that

synod add the word “temporary” to Church Order Supplement, Article 5, 1

(p. 1034):

A confessional-difficulty gravamen: a temporary gravamen in which a

subscriber expresses personal difficulty with the confession but does

not call for a revision of the confessions.

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Overtures 517

The report then asks synod to mandate that “a council has six months, or

until the next classis meeting, whichever is greater, to provide the necessary

information and/or clarification being sought [by the gravamen]” (p. 1035).

II. Overture

Classis Grand Rapids South overtures Synod 2024 to refrain from making

the confessional-difficulty gravamen time-bound.

Grounds:

1. The process proposed by Synod 2023’s Advisory Committee 8 regarding

the confessional-difficulty gravamen fails to recognize that a gravamen

may express different levels of difficulty with one of the doctrines of the

church. Difficulty may range from “I struggle with how to hold to this

doctrine in the light of these Scriptures” to “I don’t believe this doctrine

anymore.”

2. The process outlined fails to recognize that gravamina may express dif-

ficulty with different doctrinal concerns. An officebearer who is not con-

vinced that Paul wrote the letter to the Hebrews (Belgic Confession,

Art. 4) is expressing a concern different from an officebearer who denies

the deity of Christ. The proposed timeline would not allow a council to

determine if the matter should be resolved in six months or three years

or longer, even though the gravamina in question would be very differ-

ent.

3. The setting of an arbitrary time limit on a gravamen fails to recognize

that grappling with complex theological matters requires wisdom, in-

tegrity, support, and time. We believe that any time limit would make it

very difficult for a council to deal with a gravamen in a pastoral and

personal way. Without a practicable gravamen process, officebearers

might simply avoid the risk of sharing their concerns.

III. Conclusion

We believe that the gravamen process as it is currently outlined in the

Church Order has served the church well over the years. When undertaken

with integrity, humility, and respect, the process allows the church to be a

place of truth and grace. It is with this in mind that we humbly request that

Synod 2024 not add an arbitrary timeline to this process. We ask that you

preserve the flexibility that the local council currently maintains in the pro-

cess.

Classis Grand Rapids South

Paul Sausser, stated clerk

518 Overtures AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

OVERTURE 42

Create a Category of “Confessional-Exception Gravamen”;

Clarify Its Regulations and Process in Church Order

Supplement, Article 5

I. Background

Synod 2023 closed with decisions related to the use of “confessional-diffi-

culty gravamina” deferred to Synod 2024. As a part of this, the officers of

synod also deferred all Synod 2023 overtures on this topic to Synod 2024,

and they forwarded Advisory Committee Reports 8D and 8E (majority and

minority) to Synod 2024 as well (Acts of Synod 2023, p. 1039).

The clarity of Synod 2022 and Synod 2023’s decisions on human sexuality

has precipitated a larger conversation in the CRCNA about what it means

to be a confessional denomination. In particular, we are asking ourselves—

in churches, classes, and in-person and online discussions—what we might

reasonably expect of churches, officebearers, and members as it relates to fi-

delity to the confessions, along with what sort of latitude exists as we wres-

tle with the meaning of Scripture and the confessions for life and ministry

in the present. We regard this conversation as good and necessary, and we

have spoken into it elsewhere (see Communication 3, Agenda for Synod 2023,

pp. 601-11).

Here we wish to speak more specifically, via an overture,

about our preferred path forward for how the CRCNA will use confessional

gravamina as part of this overall picture. We do this self-consciously in dia-

logue with the respective positions of the majority and minority reports of

Advisory Committee 8 and as part of the “confessional conversation” that

the CRCNA is now having.

In this overture, which proposes a new category of gravamen called a “con-

fessional-exception gravamen,” we seek to hold in tension a delicate bal-

ance—on the one side, recognizing the legitimate role that a confessional

tradition has in guiding our reading of Scripture and guarding the unity of

life and doctrine in its churches, while, on the other side, not overvaluing

that confessional tradition in a way that places it functionally on par with

Scripture. In order to hold this tension, we believe that, with good guide-

lines and a good process in place, confessional exceptions should be al-

lowed in certain circumstances, under proper authority and oversight. If we

do not allow for this, it seems to imply a belief that our confessions cannot

be mistaken vis-à-vis Scripture—a claim none of us should wish to make.

While we certainly wish to avoid a confessional minimalism, we wish also to avoid a

confessional absolutism—or a tendency to appeal to our confessions before we appeal to

Scripture, or to the clarity of our confessions’ doctrinal synthesis at the expense of Scrip-

ture’s ambiguity on some questions. As we said in our Communication 3, “Confessional

commitment ought never be a means of avoiding the gaze of God’s Word” (Agenda for

Synod 2023, p. 604).

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Overtures 519

By way of background, and to recognize the challenges of and to head off

potential concerns with this new category of gravamen, we observe the fol-

lowing:

1. There is precedent for “confessional exceptions” in the polity of other

Reformed denominations. Both the Presbyterian Church in America

(PCA) and the Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC) allow for such ex-

ceptions in a careful and circumscribed way.

In the PCA, such excep-

tions are allowed only when an officebearer’s disagreement is consid-

ered “neither hostile to the system [of doctrine] nor strikes at the vitals

of religion” (Book of Order, Art. 21-g). Similarly, in the EPC exceptions

are allowed “that do not infringe upon the system of doctrine in the

Westminster Confession of Faith,”

while no exceptions may be taken to

“The Essentials of Our Faith,” a document clarifying core EPC beliefs

(Book of Order, Art. 12-4). In other words, confessional exceptions are

closely circumscribed, but they are allowed.

2. Yet we recognize that the above examples raise challenging questions:

what sorts of exceptions would infringe too closely on our own system

of doctrine, and what would not? What constitutes the “vitals of reli-

gion” in our confessions, and what does not? And who would decide?

We admit that we can’t simply write policy to answer any and every

possible question. In the overture below we can suggest guidelines, pro-

pose right lines of authority, and recommend obvious boundaries, but

none of this can serve as a replacement for officebearers, councils, clas-

ses, and synods who act with character and integrity, and who choose to

trust each other and to act in trustworthy ways. We cannot legislate our

way to a wise use of Scripture, the confessions, and our Church Order.

3. We do not envision the creation of this category as opening a Pandora’s

box. In fact, we expect that, if used appropriately, such confessional ex-

ceptions will be sought and approved in relatively rare circumstances.

a. Partly, this is a “what” question. Can officebearers take exception to

core creedal doctrines? In our proposal, no. Can they disagree with a

doctrine that is pervasive across the confessions, and thus closer to

the heart of the system—say, the penal substitutionary theory of the

atonement? In our proposal, almost certainly not. But might they

quibble and take exception to the particularly strong language of the

Heidelberg Catechism’s doctrine of divine providence in Q&A 27—a

question on which Scripture itself is somewhat more ambiguous

than the catechism? In our proposal, probably yes. As we would

Presbyterian Church in America, Book of Church Order, Art. 21-f, -g; Evangelical Presby-

terian Church, Book of Order, Art. 12-4.

See the “Explanatory Statement to ‘The Essentials of Our Faith’”; accessed at

epc.org/about/beliefs/ on Nov. 30, 2023.

520 Overtures AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

suggest it, the clearer and more pervasive a teaching is across Scrip-

ture and the more deeply connected it is to the gospel, the less likely

it would be that an exception should be approved.

b. But this is also a “who” and “why” question. Who is this officebearer

who brings this exception, and why are they seeking it? Is it purely a

matter of private disagreement, and born from a desire to take one’s

vows seriously—in order to sign the Covenant for Officebearers in

good conscience? Or is it an attempt to be immune from those com-

mitments—to not submit to the judgment and authority of the

church, to not accept its teaching, to not have to defend or promote

its teaching, and to be free to do otherwise? In the latter case, ap-

proving an exception would be inappropriate, since even the office-

bearer serving with an exception is expected to be able to teach and

defend the church’s position rather than their own private views.

c. In other words, an exception should only be granted by an assembly

on an issue that it deems acceptable and to a person that it deems

trustworthy. For all these “what,” “who,” and “why” reasons, then,

we would expect that assemblies would be judicious and cautious in

granting confessional exceptions—and generous where appropriate.

4. Having said all of that, we recognize that different assemblies will make

different decisions and will have different levels of tolerance for “con-

fessional-exception gravamina.” To our minds, this is an appropriate ex-

pression of diversity within a robust confessional system. Yes, it creates

space for some types of thoughtful divergence that keeps the system

honest, but it mitigates the excesses of such via the vows we take and

make to one another in the Covenant for Officebearers—which, again,

apply to all officebearers regardless of exceptions granted. In other

words, it is a way of creating and allowing for some level of freedom

and diversity while doing so within appropriate constraints and bound-

aries.

5. And at this point, we are back to the question of trust. Will we trust each

other and act in trustworthy ways, or will we not? Will we be people

and assemblies of character, or will we not? Will we take our vows seri-

ously, or will we not? No creation of a new category of gravamen and

no change to the Church Order can serve as a substitute for the for-

mation of the sort of Christian character and integrity that alone can

make our covenantal commitments to one another work. In light of that,

the overture below will not work—and it may even create more con-

flict—unless we learn to love, trust, and submit to one another (and our

assemblies) out of reverence for Christ (Eph. 5:21).

None of the above places an individual’s views above those of the church’s

confessions as it relates to a right reading of Scripture; nor does it inherently

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Overtures 521

water down confessional commitment. On the contrary, it makes confes-

sional subscription more realistic and honest, and it has the potential to

spur conversations that would renew the best aspects of Reformed confes-

sionalism rather than settle for the diluted form we currently exhibit.

With the above as background, then, we offer the following overture.

II. Overture

The council of Fourteenth

Street Christian Reformed Church of Holland,

Michigan, overtures Synod 2024 to revise the section titled “Guidelines and

Regulations re Gravamina” in Church Order Supplement, Article 5 to create

a category of gravamen called a “confessional-exception gravamen” and to

clarify the regulations for how such gravamina could be used, as well as the

process to be followed in granting them. Specifically, we recommend the

following revisions to Church Order Supplement, Article 5 in order to cre-

ate this category and clarify its use (recommended changes are indicated by

strikethrough and underline):

Guidelines and Regulations re Gravamina

Synod declares that gravamina fall into at least three basic types:

1. A confessional-difficulty gravamen: a gravamen in which a sub-

scriber expresses personal difficulty with a point of doc-

trine/teaching contained in the confessions but does not take set-

tled exception to nor call for a revision of the confessions, and

2. A confessional-exception gravamen: a gravamen in which a sub-

scriber takes settled exception to a point of doctrine/teaching con-

tained in the confessions but does not call for a revision of the

confessions, and

32. A confessional-revision gravamen: a gravamen in which a sub-

scriber makes a specific recommendation for revision of the con-

fessions.

A. Guidelines as to the meaning . . . [stays the same]

1. The person signing the Covenant for Officebearers affirms with-

out reservation all the doctrines contained in the standards of the

church as being doctrines that are taught in the Word of God.

2. [Stays the same]

3. [Stays the same]

B. Regulations concerning the procedure to be followed in the submis-

sion of a confessional-difficulty gravamen:

1. [Stays the same]

2. [Stays the same]

3. If an officebearer’s confessional-difficulty gravamen (i.e., his or

her “request for information” and the conversation that ensues)

522 Overtures AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

results in either the resolution of the difficulty or agnosticism on

the point of difficulty, the process may end at this stage. Only in

the case of sustained and settled disagreement with a teaching in

the confessions should an officebearer move to the next stage and

submit a confessional-exception gravamen.

[The following new section C would be inserted; the next section would remain

the same and become section D.]

C. Regulations concerning the procedure to be followed in the submis-

sion of a confessional-exception gravamen:

1. Candidates for ministry in the office of minister of the Word (in-

cluding missionaries, professors, and others not serving congre-

gations as pastors) or commissioned pastor shall provide a writ-

ten statement of any exceptions to the Belgic Confession,

Heidelberg Catechism, and Canons of Dort prior to a classical ex-

amination, and the classis shall act to allow or disallow the excep-

tions with the concurring advice of the synodical deputies.

2. Should a minister of the Word (including a missionary, a profes-

sor, and any other not serving a congregation as pastor) or com-

missioned pastor develop an exception to the Belgic Confession,

Heidelberg Catechism, and Canons of Dort following ordination,

he or she shall report those exceptions to his or her council and

provide a written statement of those exceptions to the classis, and

the classis shall act to allow or disallow the exceptions with the

concurring advice of the synodical deputies.

3. Nominated and/or elected elders and deacons shall provide a

written statement of any exceptions to the Belgic Confession, Hei-

delberg Catechism, and Canons of Dort prior to their ordination,

and the council shall act to allow or disallow those exceptions.

Should an elder or deacon develop an exception to the confes-

sions following ordination, he or she shall report those excep-

tions to his or her council via a written statement, and the council

shall act to allow or disallow the exceptions.

4. In the case of an elder or deacon, should a council decide that it is

not able to judge the gravamen submitted to it, it shall submit the

matter to classis for examination and judgment. In the case of a

minister, elder, or deacon, if a classis judges, after examination,

that it is unable to decide the matter, it may submit the matter to

synod, in accordance with the principles of Church Order Article

28-b.

5. In the event that a confessional-exception gravamen (whether of

a minister, elder, or deacon) is accepted by a council and/or clas-

sis, that decision shall be filed with both the officebearer’s clerk of

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Overtures 523

council and the clerk of classis,

and shall be publicly available to

council members and classis delegates as they make decisions

about delegating officebearers to higher assemblies. A confes-

sional-exception gravamen, in other words, unlike a confessional-

difficulty gravamen, is not a private matter but a matter of public

record at the level of congregation and classis. The information

filed should take the following form: (a) officebearer’s name and

church; (b) office; (c) type of gravamen (i.e., exception); (d) point

of exception.

6. An officebearer who serves with an approved exception is not, by

virtue of having that exception, prohibited from being delegated

to higher assemblies, nor from being nominated for classical or

denominational positions. However, the council and/or classis

may consider an officebearer’s exception when choosing whether

or not to delegate him or her to a higher assembly, or when nom-

inating him or her for a classical or denominational position.

7. In the event that a confessional-exception gravamen (whether of

a minister, elder, or deacon) is not accepted by a council and/or

classis, the officebearer may seek, together with the council/clas-

sis, to pursue a process that resolves the exception so that it no

longer exists, or the officebearer may choose not to serve or to re-

sign from office.

8. While an approved exception allows for private disagreement

and the preservation of conscience with respect to some point(s)

of doctrine in the confessions, it does not allow an officebearer to

“preach, teach, write, serve, or live” contrary to that point of doc-

trine while serving in office. All of the expectations of the Cove-

nant for Officebearers remain for ministers, elders, and deacons

serving with an exception.

9. No exceptions for any officebearer are to be approved that in-

fringe upon or undermine essential points of doctrine as they are

contained in the three ecumenical creeds (Apostles’ Creed, Ni-

cene Creed, Athanasian Creed). Assemblies shall also recognize

that not all doctrine contained in the confessions is of equal im-

port; nor is Scripture equally clear with respect to every point of

doctrine in the confessions. Assemblies, therefore, shall use great

caution in approving any exceptions to the confessions in areas in

which Scripture is deemed clear, as well as in areas that may be

In the case of a minister, it shall also be placed on the ministerial credentials. When a

church and/or classis delegates any officebearer serving with an exception to a higher as-

sembly, that officebearer’s exception shall also be placed on the church’s/classis’s creden-

tials to the higher assembly.

524 Overtures AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

seen to infringe upon or undermine key tenets of a Reformed sys-

tem of doctrine.

10. If, at any time, an officebearer’s exception is resolved such that he

or she no longer takes settled exception to a point of doc-

trine/teaching in the confessions, the officebearer shall report this

to the assembly that approved the exception, and, upon examina-

tion, the assembly shall act to resolve or not resolve the excep-

tion. If the exception is resolved, it shall no longer be filed with

the officebearer’s clerk of council and clerk of classis.

DC. Regulations concerning the procedure to be followed in the submis-

sion of a confessional-revision gravamen:

[The rest of this section would be unchanged.]

Grounds:

1. The language “without reservation” is unnecessarily stringent an expec-

tation and impossible to apply in practice.

2. The current language of Church Order Supplement, Article 5 on a con-

fessional-difficulty gravamen makes clear that such a gravamen is

largely a “personal request for information and/or clarification” which

the officebearer hopes to resolve in consult with the “examination and

judgment” of his or her council (Supplement, Art. 5, B, 1-2). Attempts to

use a confessional-difficulty gravamen outside this purpose (e.g., as a

settled exception) run afoul of a plain-sense reading of Church Order,

and such attempts understandably raise questions about the motiva-

tions attached to such use.

3. Yet there is, in practice if not in theory, well-established precedent for

using confessional-difficulty gravamina in just this way, as a sort of lim-

ited exception, whether the formal process is followed or not.

For the

sake of clarity, then, and so as not to further deepen the disconnect be-

tween theory and practice, we should allow confessional-difficulty gra-

vamina to function simply as Church Order defines them and create a

new category (“confessional-exception gravamen”) which accords with

our historic practice and builds guidelines and processes around it so as

to safeguard it from abuse.

4. Church Order articulates a balance between local and supralocal author-

ity and accountability (Art. 27). Differences in the ordination of minis-

ters versus elders/deacons (transferability, length of time, where dis-

cernment and examination occur, etc.) suggest that a minister’s

exception is best adjudicated at the classical level, while an elder/dea-

con’s exception is best dealt with at the local level (see proposed section

This accords with how Calvin University handles confessional-difficulty gravamina (see

Acts of Synod 2023, p. 1036), but it is also, more informally, how churches have dealt with

situations involving an officebearer who has a difficulty with, e.g., infant baptism.

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Overtures 525

C, 1-3). Further, given the settled (long-term) nature of these exceptions,

it is wise for such exceptions to be a matter of the “public” (i.e., council

and classical) record, rather than a private matter between officebearer

and council, so that assemblies can make informed decisions about dele-

gating and nominating officebearers (proposed section C, 5). This in-

creases transparency and trust.

5. Given that the vows made in the Covenant for Officebearers still apply

to any officebearer serving with a “confessional-exception gravamen,”

there is no reason for this type of gravamen to involve a time-bound

process that must end in resolution of the exception,

nor should it auto-

matically disqualify an officebearer from being delegated to a higher as-

sembly or serving in a classical/denominational position (proposed sec-

tion C, 6). This does not threaten confessional identity or the faithfulness

of our assemblies. It simply allows for certain types of exception to be

taken when an assembly judges that space may be given to private con-

science—while placing significant expectations on the officebearer who

requests such an exception as well as acknowledging certain nonnego-

tiable matters on which an assembly must not grant an exception (pro-

posed section C, 9).

6. All of this is not at all dissimilar to how the Presbyterian Church in

America and the Evangelical Presbyterian Church handle matters of

confessional commitment in their Books of Order,

applied to the partic-

ulars of our own polity. Such provisions seem to work well in these con-

texts and have not watered down confessional commitment.

7. The above policy—keeping confessional-difficulty gravamina narrowly

construed and private while creating a category of “confessional-excep-

tion gravamina” carefully circumscribed and public—has a greater

chance of enhancing transparency and trust among churches and office-

bearers than do either of the alternatives in Advisory Committee Report

8E: on the one hand, the functional eradication of confessional-difficulty

gravamina in the way that they have been historically used (majority re-

port), and, on the other, the ongoing confusing, inconsistent, and some-

what suspicious use of confessional-difficulty gravamina in ways that

are at odds with Church Order (minority report).

Council of Fourteenth Street CRC, Holland, Michigan

Paul Katerberg, clerk

Note: This overture was submitted to the February 1, 2024, meeting of Clas-

sis Holland but was not adopted.

In this respect, we oppose the majority report when it proposes a time-bound process

for the resolution of (in its case) a confessional-difficulty gravamen (Acts of Synod 2023,

Art. 80, C, 3, pp. 1034-35).

See footnote 2 above.

526 Overtures AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

OVERTURE 43

Amend the Church Order Supplement to Reflect Grace and

Truth in the Confessional-Difficulty Gravamen Process

I. Background

As the body of Christ, we have a fundamental commitment to reflecting

Christ's fullness of grace and truth (John 1:14) in all our endeavors, includ-

ing the confessional-difficulty gravamen (CDG). The Covenant for Office-

bearers echoes this sentiment, calling officebearers “to present or receive

confessional difficulties in a spirit of love and fellowship with our brothers

and sisters as together we seek a fuller understanding of the gospel”

(Church Order Supplement, Art. 5). Our covenant emphasizes a pastoral

approach in handling CDGs (Supplement, Art. 5, B, 2).

Synod 2022's decision to recognize the Human Sexuality Report's interpreta-

tion of “unchastity” in Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 108 as confessional high-

lighted the need for a pastoral approach in the CDG process. Synod 2023 was

tasked to address this need, and it received majority and minority reports (Acts

of Synod 2023, p. 1032-39), which it sent to Synod 2024. The Council of

Brookfield (Wis.) CRC hopes that Synod 2024 continues the work begun in

2023 and that this overture will contribute to the ongoing discourse.

Some of the proposed recommendations impose a stringent timeline for the

CDG process, potentially limiting the process to two years. At the close of the

process, officebearers with confessional difficulties would choose to either “(1)

affirm the standards, (2) file a confessional-revision gravamen, or (3) resign

from office” (Acts of Synod 2023, p. 1035). A strict time limit puts unnecessary

pressure on officebearers to rush a decision or end their service to their

churches. This kind of strict limit deviates from the personalized and amenable

approach that marks pastoral care.

There is also consideration of a mandate that officebearers with confessional

difficulties “teach, act, promote, [and] defend” even the parts of the confessions

with which they are wrestling (Acts of Synod 2023, p. 1034). This is a heavy bur-

den to place on our brothers and sisters who are already dealing with the

weight of a confessional difficulty. Followers of Christ are called to give com-

passion and understanding even to our enemies, how much more to fellow

children of our Father? As church leaders, no less than others, we need appro-

priate forums for expressing our doubts, our failings, and our difficulties. Fol-

lowing Christ’s call, we can be examples to the flock of how to be gracious

when experiencing and responding to conflicts (1 Tim. 4:11-16). Those going

through the CDG process should not teach contrary to our confessions or dis-

parage them but should not be compelled to feign agreement while they strug-

gle internally. Our churches can endure this tension and must be willing to

have real dialogue around areas of disagreement.

In conclusion, imposing strict timelines and unnecessary burdens will move us

away from Christ’s call: grace and truth. These changes threaten the nurturing

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Overtures 527

spaces that are vital for providing pastoral care to those wrestling with confes-

sional difficulties. They run contrary to the spirit of our Covenant for Office-

bearers and of our faith, which demand no less than all humility, gentleness,

patience, and love as we bear with one another (Col. 3:13).

This overture is presented with the hope of guiding Synod 2024 toward a path

that wholeheartedly embraces the embodiment of grace and truth as demon-

strated by Jesus Christ. It aims to encourage our church bodies to cultivate an

atmosphere of mutual love, fellowship, and nurturing spaces for all, particu-

larly for those grappling with confessional difficulties.

II. Overture

Brookfield (Wis.) Christian Reformed Church overtures Synod 2024 to

amend Church Order Supplement, Article 5, B as follows (with deletions in-

dicated by strikethrough and additions indicated by underline).

B. Regulations concerning the procedure to be followed in the sub-

mission of a confessional-difficulty gravamen:

1. Ministers (whether missionaries, professors, or others not

serving congregations as pastors), elders, or deacons shall sub-

mit their “difficulties” to their councils for counsel, examina-

tion, and judgment. [Note: The rest of subpoint 1 becomes subpoint

5 below.] Upon receiving a confessional-difficulty gravamen,

the assembly addressed shall begin a process of discipleship

and discernment, in conjunction with two deputies from the

immediately larger assembly. Together, they are responsible

for providing time, encouragement, and counsel toward the

officebearer’s full alignment with the confessions. It is also

their responsibility to ensure that the officebearer and the as-

sembly are presenting, receiving, and resolving confessional

difficulties in a spirit of love, humility, and fellowship as to-

gether they seek a fuller understanding of the gospel.

2. As part of this process, the officebearer, the assembly ad-

dressed, and the deputies shall set a reasonable timeline for

the resolution of the confessional difficulty. The timeline may

be modified if all three parties agree that such a modification

would be profitable and lead to the resolution of the confes-

sional difficulty. The deputies shall report to the immediately

larger assembly on the nature and timelines of ongoing pro-

cesses. These reports shall be given annually and at any such

time as the deputies believe that the process will not result in

aligning the officebearer with the confessions in life and faith.

32. In all instances of confessional-difficulty gravamina, the mat-

ter shall not be open for discussion by the whole church, since

this type of gravamen is a personal request for information

528 Overtures AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

and/or clarification of the confession. Hence this type of grava-

men should be dealt with pastorally and personally by the as-

sembly addressed. A confessional-difficulty gravamen is not

an exception to the confessions themselves or anything that

holds confessional status. Therefore, an assembly may not

merely acknowledge an officebearer’s reservation regarding a

confession—it must work toward resolving it. Likewise, this

process may not be used as a means to coerce conformity or

resignation—the assembly must provide due pastoral care.

This care includes, but is not limited to, offering instruction

and clarification regarding the confession in question.

4. While her or his confessional-difficulty gravamen process is

ongoing, an officebearer must (1) submit their life and actions

to the standards set by the church’s confessions and judg-

ments, (2) refrain from teaching contrary to or disparaging

these confessions and judgments when they instruct, disciple,

care for, and counsel others, (3) work actively in good faith to-

ward full alignment with the confessions even after the term

of their service is over, and (4) continue to serve the church

faithfully, which may include participating in larger assem-

blies, provided they abstain from decisions and advocacy di-

rectly related to their area of confessional difficulty.

5. Should a council decide that it is not able to judgeresolve the

gravamen submitted to it, it shall submit the matter to classis

for examination and judgment. If the classis, after examina-

tion, judges that it is unable to decideresolve the matter, it may

submit itthe matter to synod, in accordance with the principles

of Church Order Article 28-b.

6. All assemblies are encouraged to initiate a periodic review of

the confessions. This review is designed to encourage the of-

ficebearers’ continuous spiritual growth and to energize life-

long discipleship. As part of this review, the assemblies

should engage those who have completed the above process,

inquiring about their alignment with their previous area of

difficulty. This review and inquiry shall be pastoral—a chance

to edify and better understand each other. As part of this in-

quiry, the assemblies shall consider how they can disciple, cor-

rect, instruct, and admonish in a way that increasingly glori-

fies the Lord Jesus Christ.

Grounds:

1. This amendment clarifies the confessional-difficulty gravamen process

to prevent potential misuse and to ensure it serves its intended purpose

effectively.

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Overtures 529

2. This amendment ensures a more pastoral approach to resolving confes-

sional difficulties, allowing sufficient time for thoughtful discernment

and fostering a nurturing space that prioritizes pastoral care and mutual

understanding.

3. This provision fosters accountability by involving deputies from a larger

assembly, ensuring that the resolution process adheres to the church’s

confessional standards while embracing a spirit of love and fellowship,

in line with the church's forms of unity.

4. The amendment acknowledges that experiencing confessional difficul-

ties may be part of one’s lifelong discipleship and spiritual growth that

requires nurturing spaces for honest wrestling.

5. This amendment enables officebearers to maintain their active role in

the church community while honoring the church’s current understand-

ing of its confessions.

Council of Brookfield (Wis.) CRC

Craig Du Mez, council clerk

Note: This overture was submitted to the February 17, 2024, meeting of

Classis Wisconsin but was not adopted.

OVERTURE 44

Do Not Allow Calvin University Faculty to Take Exceptions to

the Covenant for Faculty Members

I. Overture

Classis Minnkota overtures Synod 2024 not to allow faculty of Calvin Uni-

versity to take exceptions to the Covenant for Faculty Members in the par-

ticular area of our confessional definition of “unchastity.”

Ground:

Calvin’s own documents, in consultation with past synods, gives synod the

right to speak into the confessional implications of the university:

1. The Covenant for Faculty Members uses the same language as that of

the Covenant for Officebearers in the following key paragraphs:

We also affirm three confessions—the Belgic Confession, the Hei-

delberg Catechism, and the Canons of Dort—as historic Reformed

expressions of the Christian faith, whose doctrines fully agree

with the Word of God. These confessions continue to define the

way we understand Scripture, direct the way we live in response

to the gospel, and locate us within the larger body of Christ.

Grateful for these expressions of faith, we promise to be formed

and governed by them. We heartily believe and will promote and

530 Overtures AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

defend their doctrines faithfully, conforming our preaching,

teaching, writing, serving, and living to them.

(Faculty Handbook, 3.5.1.1, p. 42)

To “heartily believe,” “promote,” and “defend” the doctrines and at the

same time be given the space not to believe them is disingenuous and is

a violation of the ninth commandment.

2. The Faculty Handbook aligns faculty with our Church Order regula-

tions:

For the work of the university, the meaning of affirming the con-

fessions shall be determined according to the Church Order of the

Christian Reformed Church (e.g., Church Order, Article 5, and its

Supplement), which currently reads:

The person signing the Covenant for Faculty Members affirms

without reservation the doctrines contained in the standards

of the church as being taught in the Word of God.

(3.5.1.1, p. 43)

This language of affirming “without reservation” does not allow for

differing opinions in this matter. If Synod 2024 were to make the

gravamina regulations clearer and tighter, Calvin’s adherence to our

Church Order should follow.

3. The Faculty Handbook says, “When the synod of the Christian Re-

formed Church has issued a formal interpretation of the confessions,

that interpretation shall be binding for Calvin University,” and, “Any

judgment of the Board of Trustees is in turn subject to the judgment of

the synod of the Christian Reformed Church” (3.5.1.1., p. 44).

4. Calvin University's paper on Confessional Commitment and Academic

Freedom says, “While CRC synodical decisions are ‘settled and binding’

with respect to pertinent aspects of institutional policy, they do not au-

tomatically limit academic freedom unless they are offered as ‘interpre-

tations of the confessions’” (p. 7). Since synod has interpreted a confes-

sion and recognized it as having confessional status, especially with

regard to a sin issue, this should mean that no exceptions are allowed in

this particular area.

5. Calvin University’s paper on Confessional Commitment and Academic

Freedom says that “authority to make binding judgments about the

meaning and implications of the confessions is assigned to synod” (p. 41).

a. The longstanding exceptions policy for faculty was often over issues

such as disagreeing with the language of detesting the Anabaptists

in our confessions, infant baptism, or teachings on reprobation. We

should not allow exceptions for matters of sin that would endanger

someone's salvation (1 Cor. 6:9-10), whether that is a private or pub-

licly held belief.

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Overtures 531

b. Other institutions such as Dordt University and Reformed Theologi-

cal Seminary do not allow exceptions to the confessions for their fac-

ulty, and both institutions are thriving.

Classis Minnkota

LeRoy G. Christoffels, stated clerk

OVERTURE 45

Appoint a Task Force to Shape a Gentle Pathway for Those

Departing the CRCNA

I. Background

In our current tumult, many of those connected to the CRCNA are discern-

ing that it is time to leave: members, officebearers, and whole congrega-

tions. This overture is born out of lament that our unity in Christ is break-

ing, and out of a desire to love well those who have discerned it is time to

leave. Not only are many discerning it is time to leave; they are being forced

out of the CRCNA. Written and verbal communication in many circum-

stances is summarized as “If you don’t like it, leave.” This overture, in-

spired by some ideas from Rev. Cedric Parcels, asks that Synod 2024 ap-

point a task force to provide support especially for the pastors and the

congregations who depart the CRCNA.

II. Overture

The council of River Park Church of Calgary, Alberta, overtures synod to

appoint a Gentle Pathway Task Force for the purpose of providing support

for those departing the CRCNA, with the focus primarily on supporting

congregations and pastors who have discerned a need to leave the CRCNA.

This task force would consider how, if at all possible, to do such things as

the following:

• equipping the CRCNA to pray for one another with both conviction

and kindness

• allowing ministers departing the CRCNA to remain in the CRCNA

Pension Plan

• supporting CRCNA staff if they discern a need to leave their em-

ployment without having a new position to enter

• inviting CRCNA ministries, agencies, and institutions to engage in

discernment with their own stakeholder groups regarding how best

to reshape their formal relationship with the CRCNA so as best to

flourish in their mission

• providing support with the help of Thrive (Pastor and Church Sup-

port) for congregations and ministers in their discernment about de-

parture from the CRCNA

532 Overtures AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024

• establishing ways for congregations and ministers departing the

CRCNA to collaborate as they determine if they could remain con-

nected after departing

• providing support for any collective group of congregations work-

ing to establish a new, independent denominational structure

• considering how, if possible, to support the CRCNA community ex-

periencing a sense of loss by way of professional counseling oppor-

tunities

• discerning if other tasks are helpful or doable as they may come up

in the discernment of the task force or in feedback from congrega-

tions or individuals

• by doing all of these things in order to shape a Gentle Pathway to-

ward separation, hopefully minimizing any discerned need for liti-

gation for property or funds in the body of Christ

Grounds:

1. We are seeing multiple signs that congregations and ministers are dis-

cerning the need to leave the CRCNA. We desire not to coerce unity,

and we desire to love those who are departing the CRCNA, whatever

their reasons.

2. The tasks named above, and others to be discerned by the task force, are

complex enough to require a focused team to work through the chal-

lenges.

3. A task force with diverse denominational connections and support from

the Office of General Secretary is best equipped to shape this gentle

pathway for those discerning the need to leave.

Council of River Park Church, Calgary, Alberta

Joanne Spronk, clerk

Note: This overture was adopted by the council of River Park Church on

January 29, 2024. This overture was presented to Classis Alberta South/Sas-

katchewan on March 8, 2024, but was not adopted.

APPENDIX

A. Who is finding the CRCNA to be a challenging denomination?

Here follow the examples of two congregations:

1. First CRC of Byron Center, Michigan: First Byron CRC is a vibrant con-

gregation with a membership of 1,398 persons. In December 2023, the el-

ders of First Byron CRC sent a letter to their congregation informing the

congregation that they have established a “Denominational Discern-

ment Committee.” For rationale, the elders wrote, “First Byron CRC and

the CRC denomination have been misaligned on critical issues for many

years.” They speak about fundamental disagreements around women in

AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2024 Overtures 533

office, social justice, and the sinfulness of homosexual desire, among