Synod 2025 Reaffirms Local Consistory’s Role in Baptism

Synod 2025 affirmed that the responsibility for granting baptism rests with the local consistory, as outlined in Church Order Article 55 and previous synod decisions. It also voted to remind churches that “baptismal rites are not to be used to affirm that same-sex marriage is ecclesiastically valid.”

Synod is the annual general assembly of the Christian Reformed Church in North America. It is meeting June 13-19 in Ancaster, Ont.

This affirmation and reminder is a response to a request from Classis Grand Rapids South, which believed reaffirmation to be necessary because of a potentially confusing statement concerning the baptismal rite in the Acts of Synod 2024.

Some delegates questioned the need to reaffirm something that hasn’t changed.

Brandon Seaver, Classis Georgetown, said the request should not have been initiated because “at the end of the day, what they wanted to reaffirm is already in place overall.”

Art Verboon, Classis Alberta North, said, “I don’t think we need to remind the local council of the authority for their baptism; that’s not rocket science.”

Phil Appoll, Classis Ontario Southwest, supported making the reaffirmation statement. He said “I have never asked a question of anyone who has moved to my church how they are baptized, I’ve trusted every single church that they’ve done it well.”

Andy Littleton, Classis Arizona, said, “We also receive baptisms from other churches and denominations which we cannot legislate over.”

The vote passed with 114 voting yes, 52 voting no, one abstaining, and one registered negative vote.

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.