Synod 2025 danced between continuing trust and firming up guidelines.
Synod 2025
Synod 2025, the annual general assembly of the 大象传媒, is meeting June 13-19 on the campus of Redeemer University in Ancaster, Ont., with an initial convening by video conference May 28. The Banner will provide daily coverage posted here. See for the agenda, advisory reports, recordings of plenary sessions, and to subscribe to the daily Synod 大象传媒 email.
A request to clarify the relationship among assemblies of the Christian Reformed Church has been deferred to yet another synod.
With a message from Luke 24, synod president Stephen Terpstra dismissed delegates with a hope for 鈥渙verwhelming confidence, hope, and expectation鈥 in what God is doing.
Denominational ministries were blessed and recognized at Synod 2025 as ministry leaders spoke about God moving in their work.
Synod 2025 voted overwhelmingly to restrict The Banner鈥檚 mandate to articles that support the denomination鈥檚 positions.
Speaking passionately about the vital role that church planting has in multiplying the church, Synod 2025 committed to strategizing a planting plan, including financial resources, over the next year.
The Christian Reformed Church will review its close relationship with the Reformed Church in America over the next five years.
Somewhat divided on the matter, Synod 2025 accepted six recommendations for ongoing experimentation of digital ministries.
The young adult representatives at Synod 2025 say they were encouraged and inspired by conversations and connections.
Lamenting a shortage of people to preach in all of the denomination鈥檚 churches, synod encouraged classes to help prepare individuals with a license to exhort by 2027.
Synod 2025 recognized several positive milestones for Calvin Theological Seminary and requested a report to Synod 2026 of confessional adherence for all instructional personnel.
New categories for decisions by synods of the Christian Reformed Church provide a hierarchy of their status.
Some Christian Reformed pastors already serve in congregations that are part of the network of former Reformed Church in America congregations.
The Easy to Read Version was commended with reservations for new believers and children鈥檚 worship.
Classis Grand Rapids South found a statement from Synod 2024 to be confusing; Synod 2025 agreed to reaffirm.
Synod wants to know more about board member nominees that it has to vote on. It asked the CRC鈥檚 general secretary to obtain and publish the boards鈥 criteria.
Christian Reformed Church commissioned pastors becoming solo pastors must work toward ordination as a minister of the Word, including the required education.
Members of the intercessory team at Synod 2025 have hearts for discernment and openness to the Holy Spirit.
Synod 2025 voted to not accede to a request from an Ontario church council that wanted to 鈥淓nvision Two Distinct Christian Reformed Churches.鈥
The Covenant for Officebearers in the Christian Reformed Church will still affirm that the church鈥檚 historic confessions 鈥渇ully agree鈥 with the Word of God.
Synod 2025 discussed request for a 鈥楩ormal Act of Confessional Submission鈥 for officebearers. Saying no to that, synod did define the parameters of confessing 鈥渨ithout reservation.鈥
The form of affirming the Covenant for Officebearers might be varied, but delegates to classis are instructed to affirm it every classis meeting.
A short exchange at Synod 2025 acknowledging the work of Canadian Justice Ministries had Al Postma, executive director-Canada, say 鈥榬each out鈥 with any questions.
Newly appointed professor of systematic theology Jessica Joustra isn鈥檛 afraid of theological wrestling 鈥渂ecause I have confidence in what we teach.鈥