Response to Letters Concerning U.S. Gov’t Administration

Dear signatories, 

Thank you for your letter dated March 10, 2025. We wanted to let you know that we hear your concerns and agree with you about the seriousness of the situation currently facing our two countries. 

You took the time to outline several momentous actions taken by the U.S. government administration — from threatening Canada’s sovereignty to withdrawing from major international treaties; from mistreatment of Ukraine’s president to threatening to take over Gaza; and, perhaps most harmful of all, drastic cuts to humanitarian aid for some of the world’s poorest people. We agree with you that these actions and statements are unprecedented, often short-sighted, sometimes hostile, and deeply concerning for us all. 

We recognize the anger and pain experienced by many people around the world at this time. We oppose the disrespectful rhetoric and harmful actions coming from President Trump and his administration, and we lament the effect that these things are now having on Canada and other countries. 

Steps We Have Taken

We want to start by saying that we have not stood silently as these things have taken place. We have taken several steps and shared a variety of resources in the past few weeks. A sample of these include the following:

• A prayer and call to action on immigration

• A World Renew call to action on foreign aid

• A pastoral letter on U.S. and Canada relationships

• A Prayer for Our Binational Denomination (video)

• Immigration guidance for churches and ministry leaders

• A reminder of the longstanding CRCNA tradition of welcoming refugees

• A blog post about how cuts to NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)
  will impact creation

• Justice prayers related to specific actions taken by President Trump

• Attendance and shared prayer at a vigil in Washington, D.C. 

• A Prayer for the Hungry

Across our CRCNA agencies, we remain committed to our binational mission, which includes “pursuing God's justice and peace in every area of life.”

We also have additional stories and resources planned that show how congregations and members are taking action in some of these areas, as a reminder of how others can join them or carry out similar responses in their local areas. We will also remind people of the resources we have available to equip congregations and their members to advocate with their elected representatives in either country on issues that are important to them. Each of us has a role that we can play in pursuing justice in the face of today’s issues.

CRC Position on Political Statements

Your letter challenged us, as leaders of the CRCNA, to issue a “prophetic statement” calling out the U.S. president and condemning his activities.

The CRC has a long history of speaking publicly into theological, moral, and ethical issues that the Bible, the Reformed confessions, and synodical deliberations address. 

Many of these issues have been addressed by synod and can be found at crcna.org/welcome/beliefs/position-statements. 

Often these issues do have political implications. When speaking into politics, we speak carefully and courageously, pointing to God’s Word, our confessions, and our synodical decisions.

When issues are complicated, or when Christians may have different and nuanced stances on those matters, we also recognize that it might not be appropriate for leaders to speak on behalf of the whole church. In matters that synod and Scripture have not specifically addressed, and in which the church does not have competence, it can often be better to remain silent. This is a matter for careful discernment in each unique circumstance. 

What’s Next:

At this point in time, the actions of the U.S. government administration are in flux and seem to change daily. Some of the threatening actions get reversed before they are implemented. We also recognize that, given the speed of current political developments, there is a need to “pace ourselves.” There is also a risk of “diluting” the church’s voice if we speak too early (before an action is actually final) or too often (for every decision that seems unprecedented). 

Thus far, we as CRCNA leaders have felt that it has been appropriate to speak to our shared values and to what Scripture has said about various issues. We feel it is imperative to remind church members about our synodical position statements, and we commit to continuing to share the lived experiences of our members as it relates to decisions of the U.S. administration (e.g., the World Renew statement related to USAID, and how immigration decisions are impacting our congregations). We are also closely watching the situation and have indicators identified for when it might become more appropriate for the church to speak out more specifically about current events. 

Until then, we encourage our members to do their part as individual citizens. At those times when it may not be appropriate for leadership to speak on behalf of the church as a whole, it does not preclude our members from speaking to their elected representatives, attending protests, or fundraising to fill gaps left by cuts to foreign aid. There is much that each of us can already do today, and we encourage our members to consider what steps they want to take. 

Thank you again for your letter. Please continue to keep us, the church, and our countries in your prayers. 

Zach King
General Secretary

Al Postma
Executive Director-Canada

Dan DeKam
Director of U.S. Ministry Operations