Synod 2026 came to a close with multilingual prayer, a meditation from parliamentarian Michael Winnowski, and a final sermon and blessing from president Chad Steenwyk.

From rejecting a request to require all denominational employees to be confessing members of a Christian Reformed congregation, to no longer requiring the publication of a printed yearbook, some decisions of Synod 2026 passed without much discussion.

Delegates asked for more financial information and explanation from the denomination and gave guidance for church giving.

Although appreciative of the 2008 expression of faith “Our World Belongs to God,” delegates to Synod 2026 recommended taking it out of the Covenant that binds pastors, deacons, and elders to the creeds and confessions of the church. A future synod must ratify the change.

Churches need clarity for members who are uncertain about the Christian Reformed Church's expectations for confessional alignment, synod said.

Synod 2026 young adult reps were thankful and encouraged by their experiences.

Host Lora Copley, The Banner’s editor-in-chief, discusses synod’s last day of deliberations with Sarah Zylstra, a member of New City Church (Kansas City, Mo.) and Derek Buikema, pastor of Orland Park CRC (Orland Park, Ill.).

Synod 2026 accepted a review of the work of World Renew and recommitted its covenantal relationship with the relief and development agency.

Synod 2026 reviewed some changes to rules that govern how the annual synod operates and chose to keep the recent practice of having a parliamentarian.

Synod 2026 voted to leave the World Communion of Reformed Churches, a group the CRC helped inaugurate in 2010. Rev. Philip Vinod Peacock, the WCRC general secretary, expressed sadness at the decision and read a letter of farewell.

Calvin University continues to pursue full confessional alignment with the CRC doctrine, but the presence of a Pride flag in the faculty wing caused consternation.

Synod 2026 no longer sees the need for the Dignity Team, a group established in 2022 to help support people who feel they have been victimized by abuses of power in the church.

While seeking to cut costs, Synod 2026 decided to maintain an annual synod but will look at classis restructuring.

Following extended debate on the purpose and governance of multisite churches, Synod 2026 passed new guidelines for the creation, support, and governance of several kinds of multisite congregations in the CRC.

Host Lora Copley, The Banner’s editor-in-chief, discusses synod’s third day of deliberations with David Bosscher, pastor of Lakeside CRC (Alto, Mich,) and Petr Kornilov, with Resonate Global Mission.

Jon Hoekema, the CRC’s prayer shepherd, whose son is a young adult representative, says mentoring helps teach the bigger picture of the church—what it is and can be.

If councils don’t properly govern themselves, a broader body may step in, Synod 2026 affirms.

Synod 2026 agreed to maintain its broader membership criteria for the Christian Reformed Church’s governance board. While not restricted to officebearers, all members sign a statement of agreement with the beliefs of the CRC.

Rev. Lora Copley, who has served as interim editor since December, is now editor-in-chief. The first time a woman has served in the role.

Synod 2026 specifies what churches should include in worship in the Church Order. The actual change will need to be adopted by a subsequent synod.

The over-20-year-old mission and vision statements for the Christian Reformed Church will get an update. The first report is due to Synod 2027.

While officebearers face higher expectations for confessional alignment, members should be discipled, as well, through profession of faith classes and Reformed liturgies and forms.

Aaron Vriesman, Classis Zeeland, interviewed Christopher Fantuzzo, PhD prior to his approval as a new professor of Old Testament at Calvin Theological Seminary.