Zoom Meetings and Presentations
Hospitality and Justice in CRC Canada: A Small Synod decision with big impacts in Canada?
Watch this panel discussion focused on the importance of justice, reconciliation, and hospitality within the Christian Reformed Church in Canada, with a particular emphasis on the need for the church to prioritize justice advocacy and engage in justice ministries.
Panelists were Pablo Kim, former lead for cross-cultural ministry and anti-racism in the CRCNA, Marlene Wolters, Chair of the Canadian Indigenous Ministries Committee, and Pastor Roy Berkenbosch, long-time advisor to World Renew and former Director of the Micah Centre at King's University in Edmonton.
What happened at the August Zoom meetings, and what else is going on?
A summary of what we heard from you and what we're working on in response to your input!
Round 2 of TCRCC Zoom Conversations
Summary of Concerns and Work in Progress to Address Them
Introduction
Toward CRC Canada (TCRCC) hosted a second round of Zoom conversations in the summer of 2024 because of heightened concerns in Canadian churches after the decisions of the CRC Synod 2024 in June. The purpose was to provide a forum for dialogue about the future of CRC churches and our public witness in Canada. They also included an update on the initiatives of TCRCC.
The Zoom sessions were held on July 20, July 23, and August 13 at different times to accommodate interested people across Canada. In total, more than 300 persons participated, with some returning to express strong concerns or strong interest in the goals of TCRCC.
Below is a brief summary of the major themes in these sessions. It is not verbatim minutes and it respects the need for safe space by not including any names or direct attribution of specific comments. The purpose is to inform on-going dialogue and finding the best solutions for the future.
Opening Presentations to Start Dialogue
For each session, TCRCC set the context with a summary of developments to date, and delegates to Synod from Canada shared their experiences and thoughts about impacts for the future of the CRC in Canada.
This moment combines enthusiasm for the opportunities we have in Canada with increased concerns about the impacts of the decisions of Synod 2024 for local churches and many members of the CRC in Canada. With Synod 2024, the focus has shifted from the issue of human sexuality to what kind of church the CRC is and will be. Of particular concern are the following:
Respect for the authority of the local church to decide who can be leaders and how local ministry will be shaped.
Space for thoughtful, well-informed deliberation that listens to various voices and seeks the common good, rather than a focus on winning votes, power and control of the CRC, and polarization on specific red-line issues.
Willingness to accommodate diverse local contexts and openness to different interpretations of basic creeds and confessions.
Heavy influence of US culture, including elements of Christian nationalism, within the CRC, that leads to experiences of being bullied, silenced, and unwelcome unless one conforms to certain specific views.
Limited awareness of Canadian context and marginalization of Canadian concerns in assemblies and governing bodies where 75% of the votes are responsive to US context.
In this context, TCRCC reported that it continues to work for space for a distinct CRC in Canada. Steps taken since the first round of Zoom meetings include the following:
Vision Statement, based on creeds, that provides basis for unity with respect for diversity.
Three Working Papers that explain the need for a distinct CRC in Canada:
Declaration of Readiness as a tool for churches to express interest in a distinct CRC in Canada. [1]
TCRCC is using a website, Facebook, and a Newsletter to provide space in Canada for the kind of conversations that respond to concerns we hear in Canadian churches. At this moment, TCRCC is focusing on its proposal for a Canadian Synod, where Canadians deliberate and make decisions about ministry in Canada, with the following benefits:
Stronger partnerships across Canada
Substantive accountability to Canadians, as well as formal accountability
Remove conflict of interest for board members
More clear links between priorities and allocation of resources
Greater engagement between Canadian members and our shared ministries.
Note:
[1] Churches can sign the declaration and remain in the CRCNA. Disaffiliation is not required to pursue the goals of TCRCC.Question & Answer Session
Below are major areas of questions and concerns for the future of the CRC in Canada
Q. Is TCRCC proposing a new denomination or changes within the CRCNA?
A. The TCRCC proposal offers both continuity and change. While preserving important parts of our heritage and common ministries, one major change would be an ecclesiastical assembly that makes decisions for Canada - a Canadian Synod.[1]
Q. Further questions along this theme include the following:
Suppose 80% agree on Canadian Synod and 20% do not. Would those who do not be able to remain part of the US Synod?
If Canadian Synod takes different direction on some issues, would the US Synod continue to be interested in joint ministries?
If churches are forced to disaffiliate from the CRCNA, would they be allowed to be part of a CRC Canada?
A. Details will have to be worked through as discussions continue.
Q. Will a Canadian Synod be different than a US Synod? What evidence is there that it would operate differently? Are you sure a Canadian Synod would not split along the same lines as the current split, thereby resulting in four different groups?
A. The Vision Statement includes greater respect for the authority of the local church and for conscientious decision-making. These are strong values within the Canadian CRC and a foundation for finding ways to work together with respect for differences.
The earlier Council of Christian Reformed Churches in Canada had robust deliberations, focused on the Canadian context, and it pursued ministries where there was agreement, with respect for areas of disagreement without polarization. While they are not formal decision-making assemblies, the Canadian National Gatherings have shown desire for and success in robust deliberation and identifying common ministry priorities.
The common focus on contextual ministry in Canada provides a strong bond, and the smaller scale would allow stronger connections between local churches and the discussions at Synod.
There are no iron-clad guarantees. One Synod cannot bind another, in Reformed polity.
Q. What is the path to achieve TCRCC goals? Why not an overture, the normal channel? What other avenues could be pursued?
A. A first step is showing a high level of support through church and personal Declarations of Readiness. A personal avenue for members to show support is being developed. If there is strong grassroots support, ways will be found to make the changes required. Earlier changes, known as SALT, make this change easier.
Overtures to the Canadian Ministry Board are not allowed. Overtures that go to the current CRCNA Synod go to a body with 75% US/25% Canadian votes, which likely means dismissal, as happened to an overture on this in 2022. Canadians should make decisions about this; there is not a forum for doing so at the moment.
The option of a third Canadian Catalytic Conversation (meeting of Canadian classes, hosted by one of the classes under Article 44 in the Church Order) is being considered.
Q. Can change happen fast enough to prevent the loss of Canadian churches and church leaders who are being pushed out of the CRCNA under tight timelines?
A. If there is a strong show of support for this change in Canada, it is possible that the commitment to be flexible about disciplining those who disagree with the decisions of Synod 2022/2023 might be used to create time for responsible decision-making.
TCRCC is very concerned about the loss of significant churches and leaders who contribute a lot to our reach and ministry in Canada, and about the splintering in many directions that is a likely outcome of the Synod 2024 decisions in Canada. The proposed option offers one way to prevent that. If there are options, let’s hear them.
Q. Pensions: At both sessions, someone with knowledge about the Canadian Pastors Pension Plan informed the group that there are discussions about improving the Canadian pensions but they face barriers under the current bi-national Synod. Canadians voting on Canadian pension policies is an issue that needs attention, whatever else happens.
Caring well for pastors through this challenging time is a common concern within Canadian churches.
Q. Are the previous changes (SALT plus) adequate to allow distinct ministry in Canada? Would it be wise to wait a few years and see what the status quo brings?
A. While positive, the previous changes are limited to operations and do not address the need for ecclesiastical space to make decisions that fit for the Canadian context. The operational improvements, such as joint ministry agreements, can be continued. Adding the capacity to make decisions in Canada for Canada will strengthen local-to-national connections and provide robust accountability to the members of the churches in Canada.
There are more questions and a continuing need for active engagement by church leaders and members to find the most wise way forward for CRC churches and ministry in Canada.
Notes:
[1] From our Facebook group: We are already the CRC in Canada; the future we envision together offers continuity and change.We want to make it clear that we are not calling for the formation of a completely new denomination, separate from what we have been. We don't need to walk away from or tear down the systems and supports that we've worked hard to build. So much excellent ministry is happening, and will continue—Indigenous Ministries, Diaconal Ministries Canada, the role of our gifted staff team, the pension fund, the Burlington office—the list goes on. We want to improve them by making decisions that fit for Canada and be held accountable to God for that.What needs to change is authority and accountability. We need full authority, by way of a Canadian synod, to make ecclesiastical and ministry decisions for Canada that foster unity with respect for diversity.We also need to restore respect for the wisdom of each council called to pursue local ministry in their own context, including decisions about who may serve in leadership, return to an atmosphere that values spiritual discernment by way of open dialogue as per our Reformed tradition, focus on priorities that fit for Canada and manage our shared Canadian ministries as we continue to work and serve together across our differences, and foster a Canadian approach to diversity and justice that goes far beyond hospitalityGod is graciously and marvelously doing great things through the CRC in Canada. We believe a Canadian CRC will create even greater opportunities and resources to join more fully with God in being good news.