Teens in Classis Columbia have counted on Camp Calvin’s volunteer teachers and other professionals for opportunities in spiritual growth, friendship, and leadership since 1975.

In light of ongoing changes to U.S. immigration and refugee policy, Religion News Service asked faith-based resettlement organizations what communities of faith should know.

Though a little early, the two delegates to Synod 2026 from Classis Yellowstone memorialized their shrinking classis with a yellow stone. They anticipate a merger in 2027.

Nine advisory committees, four days of plenary sessions, 182 delegates—Synod 2026 covered plenty of ground.

Beginning June 2027, Bethany will only license and re-license foster families whose Christian faith and beliefs align with its statement of faith and belief.

The Christian Reformed Church, as observed by Classis Hamilton delegate Mark Verbruggen, is in the same car and going in the same direction. There are some bumps in the road.

The CRC won’t call exclusively digital ministries “churches” for now. The decision doesn’t apply to online extensions of churches such as service livestreams or Bible studies that meet online.

Synod 2026 made space to hear about and celebrate the work God’s Spirit is doing within the denomination’s major ethnic communities.

Synod 2026 came to a close with multilingual prayer, a meditation from parliamentarian Michael Winnowski, and a final sermon and blessing from president Chad Steenwyk.

From rejecting a request to require all denominational employees to be confessing members of a Christian Reformed congregation, to no longer requiring the publication of a printed yearbook, some decisions of Synod 2026 passed without much discussion.

Delegates asked for more financial information and explanation from the denomination and gave guidance for church giving.

Although appreciative of the 2008 expression of faith “Our World Belongs to God,” delegates to Synod 2026 recommended taking it out of the Covenant that binds pastors, deacons, and elders to the creeds and confessions of the church. A future synod must ratify the change.

Churches need clarity for members who are uncertain about the Christian Reformed Church's expectations for confessional alignment, synod said.

Synod 2026 young adult reps were thankful and encouraged by their experiences.

Host Lora Copley, The Banner’s editor-in-chief, discusses synod’s last day of deliberations with Sarah Zylstra, a member of New City Church (Kansas City, Mo.) and Derek Buikema, pastor of Orland Park CRC (Orland Park, Ill.).

Synod 2026 accepted a review of the work of World Renew and recommitted its covenantal relationship with the relief and development agency.

The 100th graduating class of Everett (Wash.) Christian School received diplomas and Bibles at First Christian Reformed Church on June 3. On May 15 the church hosted a centennial celebration for the school.

Synod 2026 reviewed some changes to rules that govern how the annual synod operates and chose to keep the recent practice of having a parliamentarian.

Synod 2026 voted to leave the World Communion of Reformed Churches, a group the CRC helped inaugurate in 2010. Rev. Philip Vinod Peacock, the WCRC general secretary, expressed sadness at the decision and read a letter of farewell.

Calvin University continues to pursue full confessional alignment with the CRC doctrine, but the presence of a Pride flag in the faculty wing caused consternation.

Synod 2026 no longer sees the need for the Dignity Team, a group established in 2022 to help support people who feel they have been victimized by abuses of power in the church.

While seeking to cut costs, Synod 2026 decided to maintain an annual synod but will look at classis restructuring.

Following extended debate on the purpose and governance of multisite churches, Synod 2026 passed new guidelines for the creation, support, and governance of several kinds of multisite congregations in the CRC.