Episode 180: Synod 2024 Recap - Rebuilding on Confessional Foundations and a Culture of Discipleship
“These decisions are not a church purge, a removal of the ability to doubt or question, or a right-wing takeover. Instead, they are about creating discipleship processes and maintaining the CRC's confessional identity.” -Jason Ruis
“The CRC is entering a new phase of reformation—a rebuilding phase…This as an opportunity to rebuild around the CRC's identity as a confessional church and I encourage listeners to consider ways to rebuild the denomination to be robustly confessional.” -Jason Ruis
Summary of This Episode
Welcome to today’s episode, where we dive into the impactful outcomes of Synod 2024, a pivotal event for the Christian Reformed Church (CRC). While Jason recognizes the pain some may feel over these decisions, he also feels immense joy, believing these choices will glorify God and guide the CRC towards becoming a healthier, more effective denomination.
The key decisions at Synod revolved around two main issues: Gravamina (formal objections to church doctrine) and church discipline. On Gravamina, Synod emphasized that these objections are not permanent exceptions to the confessions but challenges to be addressed through discipleship. When an office-bearer submits a Gravamen, churches are to initiate a discipleship and discernment process, aiming to align them fully with the confessions.
Regarding church discipline, Synod instructed churches that have made public statements contradicting Synod's stance on unchastity to repent and honor their covenant commitments. This involves removing statements opposed to CRC teaching, committing not to ordain individuals in same-sex marriages, and refraining from teaching against the denomination's position.
These decisions are not about purging the church or stifling doubt. They are about fostering processes for discipleship and restoration. Churches and office-bearers have up to two years to engage in this process. Only if they refuse to participate or obstruct the process will further disciplinary actions be considered.
We also addressed the issue of "churches in protest." Synod declared that these churches and office-bearers are now part of the disciplinary process, with a focus on realigning them with CRC doctrine rather than immediately disaffiliating them.
Another significant reaffirmation is that all unrepentant sin is a salvation issue, as stated in the Heidelberg Catechism. Jason stressed the Reformed understanding of faith and works, emphasizing that true faith leads to repentance and good works.
Jason refuted several false narratives about Synod's decisions, clarifying that these decisions are not a church purge, a removal of the ability to doubt or question, or a right-wing takeover. Instead, they are about creating discipleship processes and maintaining the CRC's confessional identity.
Looking ahead, Jason suggested the CRC is entering a new phase of reformation—a rebuilding phase. He anticipates a significant shake-up within the denomination, with some churches and individuals likely to leave. However, he views this as an opportunity to rebuild around the CRC's identity as a confessional church.
Jason encouraged listeners to consider ways to rebuild the denomination to be "robustly confessional." He referenced a previous episode discussing a "courageous vision for future reformation" and urged listeners to think about how to work towards these goals.
Throughout the episode, there's a strong emphasis on the CRC's identity as a confessional church. Jason repeatedly stated that the CRC is and will be known as a confessional denomination, not defined by influential individuals or ethnic heritage. He stressed the need for office-bearers to love, believe, and teach according to the confessions, with processes in place to support those struggling to align with these confessions.
In conclusion, Jason presented Synod's decisions as a reaffirmation of the CRC's confessional identity and a call to discipleship, rather than a purge or takeover. He sees these decisions setting the stage for a period of rebuilding and renewal within the denomination, centered on its confessional commitments.
Thank you for this explanation of the results of Synod 2024 and how we look ahead. The first and most important thing to ask about the decisions which have been made are: Do they align with what God's Word teaches about the issues at hand? Being 'confessional' is all about believing and submitting to the Word of God. Our confessions uphold what scripture has taught us and give us a concise summary of what we confess and believe. Disciplinary issues that come up within the body of Christ are important opportunities to grow in the knowledge of the Lord and His ways. As you have emphasized here, the purpose of discipline is part of 'loving one another', and calling out error/sin with the goal of guiding us back to God's Word, leading us to God's light, encouraging us to walk in His ways, and restoring us back to Christian fellowship. This is all part of being disciples of Jesus Christ; but if we refuse to submit to God's Word by disagreeing with Him as to what sin is, we risk drifting away from the Truth, and wander off into the world of our own desires, thoughts and ambitions. We are then no longer living as Christ's disciples, but rather relying on self, our own righteousness or worldly wisdom believing the delusion that we are 'okay', when we could be falling into apostacy. This is why Synod's decisions are important, need to be God honouring and faithful to Scripture. Without correction, an individual, entire church, or yes, even a denomination can be vulnerable to false teaching, which causes divisions. If this happens, we can become subject to Jesus' own 'discipline' as we see in the seven churches of Revelation where His warning of 'removal of lampstands' is a serious possibility without 'repentance'. The church, and every true church whose foundations are the Word of God, belongs to Jesus Christ. He alone is to be its' 'Head', and we all look to Him and His Word as to how the church functions, is governed and discipled. With humility we seek what pleases our Lord, for the good of His Church, the building of His Kingdom and all for His glory! This is what being Reformed is about and the idea of 'reformed and ever reforming' is revealed in the practice of loving, patient, scripturally sound discipline/training, in order to correct and restore God's people to His ways and blessing for our lives as believers in Jesus.
"All scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may bge competent, equipped for every good work"
II Timothy 3:16&17 ESV
Consider the process used in 1619, post Synod, when the Arminius faction needed to affirm their adherence to the confession, that now included the Canons of Dort. Is this not, sort of, Dort 2