Synod 2025 sustained an appeal from five Toronto, Ont.,-area churches filed against Classis Toronto, agreeing that the classis knowingly and intentionally violated rulings of Synod 2024 by seating delegates who refused to sign the Covenant for Officebearers or were from churches under limited suspension. The actions of Classis Toronto took place at the classis meetings of October 2024 and February 2025.
After sustaining the appeal delegates had to decide how to move forward in the most pastoral way.
The appellants wanted synod to declare that the two meetings held by the classis were unduly constituted and to disallow delegates from Classis Toronto to be seated at synod.
Cedric Parsels, Classis Illiana, also wanted a strong response. “I want to note that it is a big deal that they did this,” he said. “I would argue it is an egregious violation of our covenantal obligation. What trust do we have that (the classis) won’t knowingly violate more?”
Parsels told delegates they need to take into consideration not just Classis Toronto. “We are watching one another. It seems that making these intentional violations of synodical decisions was simply gasoline on the fire for many churches and classes.”
Peter Jonker, chair of the committee that brought the recommendations to synod, said that in the past there have been people who transgressed covenants because they knew they would never come into compliance. “That’s not what we are dealing with here. I don’t agree that this was egregious.” He noted that the classis wants to commit to compliance.
Moses Kang, Classis Hudson, also noted “movement toward following Church Order” in Classis Toronto’s subsequent actions. “I hope we as a body continue to support Classis Toronto as they work toward compliance.”
Without implementing the remedies suggested by the appellants, Synod 2025 instructed Classis Toronto to “ensure full and immediate compliance with synodical decisions.”
There are currently three congregations in Classis Toronto that are in the process of disaffiliating from the Christian Reformed Church, following synodical decisions regarding human sexuality that do not allow members living in same-sex relationships to serve as elders, deacons, ministers, or commissioned pastors.
One of the churches in the process of disaffiliation is First (Toronto) CRC, which had been at risk of being disaffiliated two decades ago. In 2003 First CRC announced to classis that it would be allowing persons in same-sex relationships to be ordained as officebearers, which was against the CRC's position in a 1973 report. Although the church backed down from implementation, it did not recant its decision. Synod 2005 sent an in loco committee, authorized to act on behalf of synod. That committee confirmed First CRC was acting outside CRC guidelines and said it must conform or be disaffiliated.
In December 2005, First CRC told classis it “resolves to acknowledge the CRC guidelines … and tailor its ministry accordingly.”
In a related discussion, Synod 2025 declined to act on a request to "provide steps of accountability toward churches and classes in defiance and open rebellion” (Overture 21). Classis Toronto was one named in the request.
John Tamming, Classis Huron, pointed out the inflammatory language in the request, saying people should think about the relationships in the church like a family. “These words will sting, and we will regret saying them,” Tamming said. “You can draft overtures (requests) without inflammatory language.”
In rejecting the request, synod encouraged all classes to continue to move toward accountability and trust by good interpersonal communication.
Synod 2025, the annual general assembly of the Christian Reformed Church in North America, is meeting June 13-19 on the campus of Redeemer University in Ancaster, Ont. Find daily coverage from The Banner at TheBanner.org/synod. Visit crcna.org/synod for the agenda, advisory reports, recordings of plenary sessions, and to subscribe to the daily Synod News email.
About the Author
Gayla Postma retired as news editor for The Banner in 2020.
