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Other Actions of Synod 2024
Some items on the Agenda for Synod 2024 passed with little to no discussion. Here are those things that synod did or didn’t do.
Synod Mandates Review of Church Order Discipline Articles, Clarification on ‘Settled and Binding’
Synod 2024 asked for advice on the categories of synodical pronouncements and wants a task force to “develop Church Order procedures to discipline officebearers, including disaffiliation initiated by a major assembly.”
Multisite Church Task Force Assigned by Synod 2024
Synod 2024 appointed a task force to study multisite churches with a mandate to research current iterations of these churches and report back to Synod 2026.
Synod 2024 President Urges Delegates ‘Be Gentle’ in Closing Worship Message
Derek Buikema tells synod delegates “gentleness is strong” and urges them to refrain from acrimony and slander as they head back to their home congregations.
Synod 2024’s Rulings on Appeals
Synod 2024 heard appeals of several classis rulings in closed session. President Derek Buikema read synod’s decisions into the public record.
Synod Hears a Farewell From Grand Rapids East Delegate
Trish Borgdorff shared words of farewell to the denomination at Synod 2024.
Synod 2024 Declared Disciplinary Measures for Those ‘In Protest’
Synod declared that churches, members, and officebearers who have an “in protest with ecclesiastical intent” status shall be entered into the process of discipline.
Synod Wants Yearly Re-affirmation of Covenant for Officebearers By Signing at Classis
Synod 2024 considered requests to require delegates to re-sign the Covenant for Officebearers at synod, choosing instead to have the re-signing of the covenant yearly at the classis level.
Synod Extends ‘Our Journey 2025’ Ministry Plan to 2030
Synod 2024 adopted a proposal to extend the denomination’s current ministry plan by five years, but it wants a revision of the “Grow in Diversity” milestone to emphasize “hospitality” over “ethnic quotas.”
Young Adult Representatives Invested in the Direction of the Denomination
Synod 2024’s young adult representatives shared with The Banner their motivations for attending synod and their experiences at the assembly.
Synod 2024: Not Necessary to Declare Unrepentant Sin A ‘Salvation Issue’
Synod 2024 declined to make a statement calling specific matters “a salvation issue,” saying Scripture is already clear that all sin is a salvation issue.
Officebearers to Uphold Behavior Standards in CRC Code of Conduct
Synod 2024 addressed recommendations related to the denomination’s efforts to prevent abuse of power, adopting an addition to Church Order that holds all officebearers to its “standards of behavior.”
Synod Sets a Course of Discipline for CRC Churches
Synod 2024 asked for repentance from those congregations and communicated suspension for their officebearers.
CRC Synod Has Questions For RCA
Ten years after the Christian Reformed Church in North America and the Reformed Church in America strengthened ties with a historic joint synod, the CRC’s Synod 2024 wants to know if the RCA is still the same church.
Synod Instructs Calvin University On Faculty Gravamen Process
After clarifying the use of confessional-difficulty gravamina for church officebearers, Synod 2024 addressed Calvin University’s confessional difficulty process for faculty.
Synod Defines Confessional Difficulties, Removes Ambiguity in Gravamen Process
Synod 2024 tightened the process for church councils to receive officebearers’ confessional difficulties and limited the time of struggling with a doctrine to three years.
Consejo Latino and Korean Ministers’ Association Present at Synod Banquet
Traditionally hosted to honor retiring leaders in the Christian Reformed Church, the 2024 synod banquet instead focused on two minority-culture ministry networks.
Ecumenical Speakers Share Stories of CRC’s Contribution to Their Ministries
Ecumenical guests addressed Synod 2024 from the Christian Reformed Church in Nigeria, the Reformed Church in America, the Reformed Church of East Africa, and the Sudanese Reformed Church in South Sudan.
Synod Celebrates 25 new Candidates for Ministry Amid ‘Pastoral Leadership Shortage’
Before introducing 25 new candidates for ministry of the Word in the CRC, Susan LaClear, director of Candidacy, was frank with Synod 2024 about some challenges for emerging leaders.
Synod Addresses Need for Clarification on Expectations for Church Members
Synod 2024 considered the question of members’ commitments to the confessions of the church and asked for theological reflection and advice from the Office of General Secretary.
Synod Retains Current Church Order Process for Accountability of Officebearers
Responding to a request seeking a formal way for regional assemblies of the CRC to object to actions of another assembly, Synod 2024 declined to add to its current Church Order supplement.
Synod 2024 Discusses Pension Plans
After lengthy discussion, Synod 2024 voted to request more financial education for pastors and instructed the pension fund trustees to explore a broader approach to benefits.
Synod Approves Effort to Strengthen Relationships With Churches Outside North America
In adopting the Global Vision Team report from the Council of Delegates, Synod 2024 has opened the door to deeper global partnerships.
Intercessors ‘Stand in Gap’ For Synod Delegates
Thirty intercessors, one coming from as far as Classis Rocky Mountain, are serving Synod 2024 with their prayers.
Lee Street CRC Welcomes Synod 2024
With prayers, Scripture reading, and songs in English and Spanish, the Lee Street congregation of the Christian Reformed Church welcomed Synod 2024 to worship.
‘What We’re Doing Right Now is the Best for the Churches in Canada’
Al Postma, executive director, Canada, and Greta Luimes, chair of the Canada Ministry Board, met attendees of Synod 2024 at a presentation on Canadian ministry in the CRC.
Council of Delegates’ Address Commits to Binationality, Updates on Building Moves
Council of Delegates chair, Michael Ten Haken, encouraged synod to pray for COD members and urged commitment to working binationally.
General Secretary Says God is Planting Seeds in the CRCNA
Zach King spoke at Synod 2024 about four types of seeds he sees God planting in the denomination.
Synod Committed to Work ‘Within Confessional Positions’
Regarding delegates who did not stand in agreement with the declaration of beliefs, president Derek Buikema assured Synod 2024: “We have committed ourselves to do our work in accordance with our confessions.”
Documentary Viewing at Synod’s Annual Women’s Dinner
Thrive ministry staff continued the tradition of hosting a women’s dinner at Synod 2024.
Some Delegates Don’t Stand for Public Declaration of Agreement with CRC Beliefs
Synod 2024 president Derek Buikema asked delegates with “a settled conviction that misaligns with the CRCNA” to refrain from standing in agreement. Those delegates conferred with officers after the session.
Synod 2024 Opens With Worship, Training, Challenges
Worship and training on sharing power and privilege were among the first actions of the Christian Reformed Church’s Synod 2024.
Prayer Team Expands Pre-synod Prayer Gatherings
June 12 - As the Christian Reformed Church’s Synod 2024 approaches, a prayer team—led by Jon Hoekema—is hosting expanded opportunities for people to gather and pray for delegates, decision-making, and the denomination.
Synod 2024 Elects Four Midwest Pastors as Officers
May 30 - Synod 2024 opened on May 29 with a virtual convening to elect the president, vice president, and two clerks who will serve this year.
Synod 2024’s Online Opening Sparse, Prayerful
May 30 - The Christian Reformed Church’s Synod 2024 started with a reminder that God is with us as it drew delegates together in a video-based session.