Eddy Alemán, general secretary of the Reformed Church in America, told Synod 2025 that his denomination is in a season of change and restructure.
The RCA has been roiled by division over same-sex relationships in much the same way as the Christian Reformed Church.
“You have probably heard of our challenges. In a divided world, the RCA committed to living together in disagreement, to remain together in that tension,” he said. “We have not moved away from our historical stance, but we decided together to live in the tension, the messy middle. It’s hard. You need a lot of community, a need to be humble, to try to focus on Jesus Christ.”
Some people don’t agree and have moved to other associations, said Aleman. “We bless them and wish them well.”
Since 2021, when the RCA synod adopted a process for generous separation, the denomination has lost 254 churches. Aleman noted that five different groups have been formed by these churches, the largest being the Alliance of Reformed Churches. In Canada, several RCA congregations have formed the Canada Reformation Network.
The RCA is also restructuring its governance. It is merging its two layers of classes and regional synods to one. Its national synod will meet every three years instead of annually.
In the midst of all that change, Alemán said that the RCA continues to become more multicultural and multiracial each year. “God is bringing us people from around the world who are drawn to Reformed theology and RCA polity. We celebrate this movement of God’s Spirit.”
The RCA is the CRC’s closest ecumenical relationship. The two churches have joined in planting churches together, conducted their Disability Concerns ministries jointly, supported World Renew in disaster response, collaborated on the Lift Up Your Hearts hymnal, and formed the Reformed Benefits Association.
For nearly 20 years, pastors in the RCA have been able to be called to serve in CRC congregations and vice versa.
In 2014, both denominations approved what has become known as the Pella Accord: To act together in all matters except those in which deep differences of conviction compel (them) to act separately.”
Later at Synod 2025, delegates will discuss the CRC’s ecumenical relationship with the Alliance of Reformed Churches and the RCA.
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.