The CRC has recognized the Belhar Confession as a contemporary testimony since 2017, but it hasn’t been in the Covenant for Officebearers, and that won’t change.

Synod 2025, in receiving a report from Calvin University on changes to the school’s approach to confessional subscription for its faculty and trustees, asks for clarification on one point.

Synod 2025 agreed with a request to instruct churches and classes to provide financially for the spiritual care of pastors’ spouses.

Moses Jawara, president of the Christian Reformed Church of Sierra Leone, thanked the CRC for its support, especially through Resonate Global Mission.

Peter Sinia told Synod 2025 that the Reformed Church in The Netherlands bridged differences and did the tough work of reconciliation.

The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada is at work on many legal issues, including human trafficking and medical assistance in dying—an issue also on the Synod 2025 agenda.

Eddy Alemán told delegates the RCA is committed to living together in disagreement, in the messy middle.

Synod 2025 recognized the 150th anniversary of Kelloggsville CRC and encouraged commemoration of the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicea.

Rev. Gerben Meijer brought greetings from the Reformed Church in South Africa.

Synod 2025 told Classis Toronto it was wrong to seat delegates from churches under limited suspension but declined suggested remedies.

Synod 2025 chose not to speak on prohibiting concealed handguns at ecclesiastical assemblies, regardless of local laws.

Without discussion, Synod 2025 accepted several recommendations related to matters of the Council of Delegates, the ecclesiastical board of the Christian Reformed Church.

Gathered in the auditorium of Redeemer University, Synod 2025 shared communion and was led in worship by First Christian Reformed Church in Chatham, Ont.

Synod hears each year from the chair of the Council of Delegates. Vice-chair Greta Luimes, who is also chair of the Canada Ministry Board, shared this year as well.

In a wide-ranging address noting various parts of the Christian Reformed Church, general secretary Zachary King looked at themes of rebuilding and renewal.

Elaine May, project manager for Gather, shared with Synod 2025 some of what the church learned and experienced through the 10 events and looked at principles for next steps.

World Renew director Carol Bremer-Bennet encouraged the 18 women delegates to the Christian Reformed Church synod: “you are not alone.”

Michael Winnowski, a retired pastor, former synodical deputy, campus chaplain, specialized transitional minister, and newly trained spiritual director is serving as Synod 2025’s parliamentary adviser.

A team of students from Chatham (Ont.) Christian High School accompanied Pastor Nate Van Denend of First CRC in Chatham to lead worship as Synod 2025 commenced.

A May classis meeting that saw 10 churches disaffiliate and more than 50 pastors leave the denomination also included unified worship that was “like an embrace within the departure.”

The supplement to the Agenda for Synod 2025 includes a Gather Initiative report, a new overture, updates from the Council of Delegates, and several comments on material already on the agenda.

Christian leaders stress that the council and its anniversary still have relevance in the modern day, despite theological divides.

Classis meetings throughout the spring have included the disaffiliation of 16 congregations, the release of 56 ministers of the Word, and the approval of eight commissioned pastors, four ministers, and two new organized congregations.