July/August 2025

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

2025 총회는 19명의 목회 후보생들을 승인하며 기쁨의 예배를 드렸다.

2025 총회는 직분자에게 ‘신앙고백에 대한 공식적 동의 선언’ 요청을 논의했다. 총회는 해당 요청을 받아들이지 않기로 했지만, ‘기꺼이 받아들인다’는 고백이 의미하는 바의 범위를 명확히 정의했다.

2025 총회는 2023 총회가 위임한 조력자살 연구위원회의 권고안을 만장일치로 채택했다.

Shiao Chong, editor of The Banner since 2016, is stepping down from that post. CRCNA leadership working with staff to maintain publishing. New editor search to come.

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.

A short exchange at Synod 2025 acknowledging the work of Canadian Justice Ministries had Al Postma, executive director-Canada, say ‘reach out’ with any questions.

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

The annual denomination survey asks respondents to select from 28 phrases in response to the prompt “To me, the term ‘Christian Reformed’ means ...”

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

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.

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

The form of affirming the Covenant for Officebearers might be varied, but delegates to classis are instructed to affirm it every classis meeting.

The Christian Reformed Church will review its close relationship with the Reformed Church in America over the next five years.

Lamenting a shortage of people to preach in all of the denomination’s churches, synod encouraged classes to help prepare individuals with a license to exhort by 2027.

Denominational ministries were blessed and recognized at Synod 2025 as ministry leaders spoke about God moving in their work.

Some Christian Reformed pastors already serve in congregations that are part of the network of former Reformed Church in America congregations.

Synod 2025 voted to not accede to a request from an Ontario church council that wanted to “Envision Two Distinct Christian Reformed Churches.”

CRC 교단은 향후 5년간 RCA 교단과의 관계를 면밀히 검토할 예정이다.

Christian Reformed Church commissioned pastors becoming solo pastors must work toward ordination as a minister of the Word, including the required education.

The Easy to Read Version was commended with reservations for new believers and children’s worship.

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.

No agenda, no rule book, just building Christian relations is the aim of Global Christian Forum.

Synod 2025 instructed the Office of General Secretary, with the Council of Delegates task force, to review governance costs and to engage with the needs of classes affected by disaffiliations.

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.”

New categories for decisions by synods of the Christian Reformed Church provide a hierarchy of their status.

With over 40 years of pastoring and serving different communities as chaplain, Jerry DeVries, a gentle and humble pastor, died May 30. He was 85.

A chaplain who brought a sense of peace and comfort to patients and fellow chaplains alike, Marj Kooy died April 17. She was 75.

One of the first women to enroll in Calvin Theological Seminary, Nola Galluch, had a long career as a Christian counselor. She died May 10 at age 76.

Jared Michelson, newly appointed professor of systematic theology, says all pastors are public theologians.

Newly appointed professor of systematic theology Jessica Joustra isn’t afraid of theological wrestling “because I have confidence in what we teach.”

새로 임명된 조직신학 교수 Jessica Joustra는 “우리가 가르치는 것에 확신이 있기에” 신학적으로 씨름하는 것이 두렵지 않다고 전했다.

The delegates to Synod 2025 of the Christian Reformed Church in North America elected four pastors as officers to this year’s meeting: two who served Synod 2024 and two first-time officers.

The Covenant for Officebearers in the Christian Reformed Church will still affirm that the church’s historic confessions “fully agree” with the Word of God.

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

The CRCNA's Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations Committee recommends that Synod 2025 add a stipulation about signing the Covenant for Officebearers for RCA pastors serving CRC congregations and if that is adopted, to affirm the current status of “church in communion.”

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

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

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

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 wants to know more about board member nominees that it has to vote on. It asked the CRC’s general secretary to obtain and publish the boards’ criteria.

Synod 2025 recognized several positive milestones for Calvin Theological Seminary and requested a report to Synod 2026 of confessional adherence for all instructional personnel.

A request to clarify the relationship among assemblies of the Christian Reformed Church has been deferred to yet another synod.

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.

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

Synod 2025 discussed request for a ‘Formal Act of Confessional Submission’ for officebearers. Saying no to that, synod did define the parameters of confessing “without reservation.”

Nate Van Denend, pastor of First Christian Reformed Church in Chatham, Ont., welcomed the online assembly of Synod 2025 as pastor of the gathering’s host church.

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.

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.

Classis Grand Rapids South found a statement from Synod 2024 to be confusing; Synod 2025 agreed to reaffirm.

Synod 2025 received the presentation of 19 candidates for ministry with a joyful service.

Synod 2025 unanimously voted to approve the recommendations of the Assisted Suicide Task Force, mandated by Synod 2023, and commend their report.

Synod 2025 danced between continuing trust and firming up guidelines.

With a message from Luke 24, synod president Stephen Terpstra dismissed delegates with a hope for “overwhelming confidence, hope, and expectation” in what God is doing.

Somewhat divided on the matter, Synod 2025 accepted six recommendations for ongoing experimentation of digital ministries.

Members of the intercessory team at Synod 2025 have hearts for discernment and openness to the Holy Spirit.

Synod 2025 voted overwhelmingly to restrict The Banner’s mandate to articles that support the denomination’s 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.

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.

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

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.

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

The young adult representatives at Synod 2025 say they were encouraged and inspired by conversations and connections.

2025 총회는 <배너>가 교단의 입장을 지지하는 기사만 다루도록 위임을 제한하는 안건에 압도적인 표차로 찬성했다.

교회 개척이 교회의 확장에 있어 중요한 역할을 한다고 열정적으로 강조한 가운데, 2025년 총회는 향후 1년간 재정 자원을 포함한 교회 개척 전략을 수립하기로 결의했다.

방식은 다를 수 있지만, 노회 대표들은 매 노회에 참석할 때마다 직분자 서약에 동의한다는 것을 확인해야 한다.

2025년 총회는 교회와 노회가 목회자 배우자의 영적 돌봄을 위해 재정적으로 지원하도록 지시해 달라는 요청에 동의했다.

교단 내 설교할 수 있는 사람이 부족한 현실을 안타까워하며, 총회는 각 노회가 2027년까지 설교 허가를 받을 수 있는 인재를 양성하도록 권장했다.

CRC 교단의 직분자 서약서는 교단의 역사적 신앙고백서들이 하나님의 말씀에 “온전히 일치함”을 계속해서 고백한다.

다소 의견이 엇갈린 가운데, 2025 총회는 디지털 사역의 지속적인 탐구를 위한 6개의 권고안을 채택했다.

2025 총회는 칼빈대학교로부터 교수진과 이사회의 신앙고백 서약 방식 변경에 관한 보고를 받은 가운데, 한 가지 사항에 대한 추가 설명을 요청했다.