Responding to a request from one congregation, Synod 2025 decided to not make a declaration prohibiting concealed handguns at all ecclesiastical assemblies, regardless of local civil laws.
Synod is the annual general assembly of the Christian Reformed Church in North America. It is meeting June 13-19 in Ancaster, Ont.
Ben Wimmers, Classis B.C. South-East, was against not making a statement. He spoke about the sanctity of human life. “The sanctity of life is central to who we are as Christians.” He referred to the early Christians who “laid down their weapons in the face of persecution.” Philip Bergman, Classis North Cascades, agreed that “this is an issue of ethics.”
Richard E. Grift, Classis Toronto, said the suggested statement would have “actually prohibit(ed) police officers from entering our place of worship.” He also stated, “This goes against God's command to submit to government authorities. Trusting God and using weapons to defend ourselves are not contrary to each other.”
Jeffrey Bennet, Classis Pacific Northwest, agreed that synod should not speak about the matter. If necessary, this issue should be dealt with on a micro level, instead of a macro one.
Christopher D. Samuels, Classis Arizona, also believed this to be a matter for classes (regional groups of churches). “Even the concept that this is a tool mainly for killing is not the correct way to look at this. This is a means by which we can express love for our congregation,” Samuels said, referencing protection of the sheep.
J. Greg Sinclair, Classis Toronto, who admitted, “As a Canadian delegate, hand guns freak me out,” did want a statement prohibiting concealed weapons in ecclesiastical assemblies.
In the end Synod 2025 chose to not accede to the request for a statement, noting, “The right to have or not to have ‘concealed weapons’ is determined by the laws of the jurisdiction in which the church assembly is gathering. If this is a concern at the local level, then the local (church) council or classis can speak into 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
Isabelle Brown is a writer from Brampton, Ontario and a student at Redeemer University, where she is a reporter for The Crown. Her non-writing interests include painting and sketching.