Over time, the Christian Reformed Church has stated its position on a variety of contemporary topics. The following are summaries of the denomination's doctrinal and ethical positions as stated over the years by synod.

This material is meant to offer clear and concise descriptions of the positions of the CRCNA. For full reports and exact statements of the denomination's position on a particular issue, the reader should look to the references provided. The material is updated after each annual synod.

Synod 1973 appointed the Committee on Synodical Decisions and the Confessions. Its mandate involved two tasks: (1) to compile materials for a publication containing pertinent synodical decisions on doctrinal and ethical matters and (2) to present a clear statement as to how such synodical decisions are related to the confessions. The committee reported to Synod 1975, which approved the original version of the material in this section and adopted the following recommendations of the study committee regarding the relationship of synodical decisions to the confessions:

  1. The Reformed confessions are subordinate to Scripture, are accepted as a true interpretation of this Word, and are binding on all officebearers and confessing members of the church.
  2. Synodical pronouncements on doctrinal and ethical matters are usually subordinate (except under specific occasions as noted below) to the confessions and are "considered settled and binding, unless it is proved that they conflict with the Word of God or the Church Order" (Art. 29). All officebearers and members are expected to abide by these decisions.

    Note that Synod 2022 declared its interpretation of Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 108 to have confessional status (Acts of Synod 2022, p. 922). In response to overtures and confessional revision gravamina submitted on this issue, Synod 2023 affirmed this decision and its right to confer confessional status on the interpretation of “unchastity” in Q&A 108. Synod 2023 stated, “In accordance with the Acts of Synod 1976, synods have the ability to interpret what the confessions teach” (Acts of Synod 2023, p. 1021).
  3. The confessions and synodical pronouncements usually differ in their extent of jurisdiction, in their nature of authority, in their distinction of purposes, in the measure of agreement expected, and in their use and function.
  4. The use and function of the synodical decisions (i.e., interpretation of the confessions, pronouncements beyond the confessions, adjudication of a particular issue, testimony, guidelines for further study or action, or pastoral advice) are explicitly or implicitly indicated by the wording of the particular decision itself. Synod 1975 adopted the following statement as “expressing the use and function of synodical pronouncements on doctrinal and ethical matters and their relation to the confessions” (Acts of Synod 1975, p. 44):
    1. The Reformed confessions are subordinate to the Scripture and accepted "as a true interpretation of this Word" (Church Order, Art. 1). These confessions are binding upon all the officebearers as is indicated by their subscription to these confessions in the Form of Subscription [now Covenant for Officebearers]. These confessions are binding upon all confessing members of the church as is indicated by their public profession of faith.
    2. Synodical pronouncements on doctrinal and ethical matters are subordinate to the confessions, and they "shall be considered settled and binding, unless it is proved that they conflict with the Word of God or the Church Order" (Church Order, Art. 29). All officebearers and members are expected to abide by these synodical deliverances.
    3. The confessions and synodical pronouncements have nuances of differences. They differ in the extent of their jurisdiction, in the nature of their authority, in the distinction of purposes, in the measure of agreement expected, and in their use and function.
    4. The use and function of synodical decisions are explicitly or implicitly indicated by the wording of the particular decision itself:
      • The use and function of synodical decisions are explicitly or implicitly indicated by the wording of the particular decision itself:
      • When a synodical decision involves pronouncements that are related to the confessions or go beyond the confessions, the use and function of such decisions is to further express the faith of the church without such statements thereby becoming additions to the confessions.
      • When a synodical decision involves adjudication of a certain issue, this is its particular use and function although the decision may have doctrinal and ethical implications for the future.
      • When a synodical decision is expressed in the form of a testimony or letter, this is its use and function.
      • When a synodical decision is expressed as a guideline for further study or action, this is its use and function.
      • When a synodical decision is set forth as pastoral advice to churches or individuals, this is its use and function.

For the full report of the 1975 committee and synod's response to it, see Acts of Synod 1975, pages 44-45 and 595-604.