How Binding are Synodical Decisions?

Synod decisions are binding on Christian Reformed congregations, but Synod 2025 decided there are four different categories for those decisions.

Any decision by a synod that clarifies which doctrines are contained in the creeds and confessions of the church are “confessional interpretations” that require officebearers to agree that the doctrine fully agrees with the Word of God.

Synod decisions that include pronouncements, positions, decisions, and deliverances now fall under “doctrinal affirmations.” Those are declarations made by synod that deal with matters of doctrine, ethics, church policy, or other important issues and are considered to be authoritative and are meant to guide the beliefs and practices of the church community.

“Adjudicatory decisions” made in a particular dispute can be declared to have a universal and binding application.

And “doctrinal applications” include what synod has called guidelines for further study, contemporary testimonies, or pastoral advice. They are decisions that apply Scripture and the confessions to contemporary contexts but are not considered additions to the confessions. They are binding but allow for discernment in the way they are applied in local contexts.

K.C. Vande Streek, who brought the proposal to delegates, said that the new categories are meant to be tools. “It’s up to future synods how to use them.”

Nate Vanenden, Classis Ontario Southwest, expressed concern that there are no rules on how to use those tools.

Paul Vanderklay, Classis Central California, noted that the church has been through recent trauma and that one of the reactions to trauma is to create rules. “We create these things when we have these traumas. (Church) assemblies decide when to pick up those rules.”

Cedric Parsels, Classis Illiana, said the new categories are not a change to church polity but clarification in response to a recent controversy that created confusion. “When we face situations in the future, we know what the rules are,” he said. “In this case, clarity is pastoral.”

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.