The synod of the CRC represents the churches of all the classes. Synod meets annually in June with 188 delegates: two ministers and two elders from each classis. The tasks of synod include responsibility for creeds, the Church Order, liturgical forms, hymnals, principles of worship, and moral/ethical positions.

Synod also provides general oversight for the ministries undertaken jointly by CRC churches. These include educational institutions, a broadcast ministry, world and domestic mission agencies, a world relief agency and a publication ministry, as well as pastoral ministries such as abuse prevention, chaplaincy, disability concerns, pastor-church relations, race relations, and social justice and world hunger concerns.