Church Order and Its Supplements 2024 Available

The updated Church Order and Its Supplements 2024, reflecting the decisions of Synod 2024, which met in June, is now available in digital format for immediate access. It can be downloaded at crcna.org/SynodResources. 

“To encourage the use of the PDF and to reduce printing and postage costs, we are reducing the number of individuals who will receive a physical copy,” said Ashley Medendorp, coordinator for synodical operations, in a message emailed to churches about this resource. Those who would like a printed version may order them from Faith Alive when print copies are in stock later this fall.

“The most significant changes to the Church Order this year are in the Supplement, Article 5 regarding gravamina and the inclusion of the Code of Conduct,” Medendorp explained. 

There are also changes related to the support of bivocational pastors in Church Order Articles 14, 15, and 23.

In addition to these changes, Synod 2024 proposed several changes to Synod 2025 that, if adopted, will be reflected in future editions. These include significant updates to Articles 8, 12-17, and 42 following the adoption of the Church Order Review Task Force report. There are also proposed changes to Church Order Article 24 from the Candidacy Committee, as well as changes to Church Order Supplement, Article 30-c following the adoption of the Judicial Code Review Team report. These items are marked in the Church Order and Its Supplements 2024 with a note indicating they are being proposed to Synod 2025.

“Churches are encouraged to review these proposed changes and may respond to them by way of overture or communication to Synod 2025,” said Medendorp. A description of the process for submitting an overture or communication is available here.

Spanish and Korean versions of the Church Order and Its Supplements 2024 are in process and should be available later this year.