Synod 2025 made a series of quick decisions June 16, choosing to not form a new legal entity for the Office of General Secretary, approving a guideline for ministry reviews, and giving authority over making changes to the mission and governance of the Loan Fund.
Synod is the annual general assembly of the Christian Reformed Church in North America. It is meeting June 13-19 in Ancaster, Ont.
Synod 2025 chose to forgo the creation of a separate legal entity to house the Office of General Secretary, noting that the initial recommendation came from Acts of Synod 2022 when there were many more unknowns. Synod said that since the recommendation was made, leadership and structural changes have been implemented and there is no longer a need for a separate legal entity.
Synod also decided that instead of pursuing an evaluation of ministry in alignment with the five ministry priorities used since 2015 (faith formation, servant leadership, loving mercy and doing justice, global missions, and gospel proclamation and worship) it adopted the Council of Delegates’ four-year schedule for reviewing the implementation of the Our Journey ministry plan milestones in each ministry, agency, and institution. The review work will be based on the synodical mandate of the agency, institution, or ministry and its work on cultivating spiritual disciplines and prayer, listening to the voices of every generation, growing in diversity and unity, and sharing the gospel, living it missionally, and planting churches. Reviews will be conducted by a panel consisting of two Council of Delegates members (one Canadian and one American) and board members and the directors of the institution or agency. Synod 2024 had requested a review of the language of that third milestone—“Grow in diversity and unity by seeking justice, reconciliation, and welcome, sharing our faith as we build relationships with and honor the cultures of our neighbors and newcomers.” Synod 2025 accepted the Council of Delegates report on that without discussion.
Synod 2025 authorized the Council of Delegates “to review and approve any amendments the Loan Fund board of directors proposes to its Article of Incorporation, stated purpose, and place in the CRC denominational structure.” The Loan Fund is a separate entity operating exclusively in the U.S. and reporting its activities to synod. Its current Articles of Incorporation and bylaws “do not specify denominational oversight mechanisms for reviewing and updating its governing documents,” synod said, and “its relationship to the broader CRC ministries should be clarified,” which the Council of Delegates is in a position to do. Part of what might be considered, expanding lending to CRC-related organizations, including Christian schools, “aligns with synod’s longstanding support for Christian education,” synod said.
Synod consented to a pension report found in Agenda for Synod 2025 designating “up to 100 percent of a minister’s early or normal retirement pension or disability pension for 2025 as housing allowance for United States income-tax purposes (IRS Ruling 1.107-1), but only to the extent that the pension is used to rent or provide a home.” It also consented to designating “up to 100 percent of an ordained pastor’s distributions from their CRC 403(b)(9) Retirement Income Plan in 2025 as housing allowance for United States income-tax purposes (IRS Ruling 1.107-1), but only to the extent that those funds are used to rent or provide a home.”
Craig Lubben, Classis Kalamazoo, reporter for the committee that presented these recommendations, noted, “Synod 2024 asked the pension trustees to look at the minister’s pension plan and see if there might be ways to restructure it.” Pension plan trustees will report their findings to Synod 2026, Lubben said.
Synod also received as information the budgets for fiscal year 2025-2026 for the agencies, institutions, and ministries, and noted the creation of the Council of Delegates Diaspora and Ethnic Ministry Advisory Committee.
Regarding a suggestion (Overture 22) to celebrate returning and repenting churches and members, Synod 2025 approved a statement to encourage all “to celebrate whenever the lost are found, when people repent, and when God’s grace brings people home.” It didn’t specify a way to do it.
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
Kristen Parker is a freelance writer. She has a passion for words and creativity. Kristen and her husband Chris, enjoy board games and thrift shopping. They attend Stratford CRC in Stratford, Ont.