Episode 230: Synod 2025 — The Trajectory of Reformation & Rebuilding
“Anybody who thinks we're going backwards is not seeing things accurately… We're maybe not going forwards as fast as you would like, but there's no way that anything that's happened at this synod has brought us backwards…It seems like we're in a synod of rebuilding rather than reformation." —Jason Ruis
Summary of This Episode
This week on the Messy Reformation, Jason and Dan are back to give a mid-Synod update. It’s Tuesday morning, which means synod has started, the majority of advisory committee meetings are complete, and the delegates have a full day of plenary under their belts. Jason kicks off the episode by reminding us of President Stephen Terpstra’s encouragement for the delegates to use Scripture when they speak to an issue. Even recently that has been mocked and in the past described as arrogance–that people are showing off their interpretation or expertise. Yet that’s not the intent; Stephen has pointed out we are officebearers, the Word of God is what we should rely on. Dan points out we haven’t seen much of this yet, but it’s a good encouragement.
One of the weighty things picked up late on Monday morning was an appeal from Classis Toronto. Classis Toronto to some degree had not required the signing of the Covenant for Officebearers after last Synod and a group of their churches appealed the actions of those meetings, which included the seating of their delegates to Synod 2025. The advisory committee decided to sustain the appeal, which Synod adopted–Classis Toronto did act contrary to the decisions of Synod 2024. However, the advisory committee offered different remedies than provided in the appeal–they wanted to communicate to the Classis they are in violation and instruct them to full and immediate compliance. Synod adopted the advisory committee’s recommendation. Jason and Dan talk about how this is a soft or patient approach, more than some would have liked out of this Synod. While it doesn’t do much in the way of taking further action, it wasn’t intended to tear down past work.
From there, Dan turns to the work around approving retirements and the synodical deputies’ work in various releases. This was an extremely heavy Synod for these–roughly 160 or more combined retirements and Article 14 and 17 releases. Not all of these are due to beliefs around human sexuality or the gravamen decisions, but many are. It is painful and sheds like on the situations as well as the pastor shortage. For admissions to ordained ministry and candidates being approved at this Synod, the number is probably around 40 combined, and so 1 to 4, incoming to leaving, is a huge deal.
Dan also briefly touches on the discussion around adding the Belhar Confession to the Covenant for Officebearers, which the advisory committee majority that ended up being adopted was to not include. There was passionate debate, but it’s necessary to point out the report/action was not about the content of the Belhar or even its status. Some aligned with the minority would say including it would correct an inconsistency. The South African ecumenical delegate did share that perhaps the global Reformed church should consider a new document on diversity and unity in place of a very contextual confession.
The final thing Dan highlighted were conversations on Monday afternoon to not accede to an overture prohibiting handguns from ecclesiasical assemblies and then the approval of the work of the Assisted Suicide Task Force. All sides that were voiced talked about the sanctity of life. Those who opposed the decision to not prohibit handguns talked from the perspective of guns being a tool to kill, which we are not to do, it violates the sanctity of life. Those who supported the decision to not prohibit handguns talked of caring for the sanctity of life by way of protection against those who may seek to harm. Synod took unanimous stances against the deplorable legalization and practice of medically assisted suicide–again citing the sanctity of life. There was nuance in the urge for compassionate care, making a distinction between the intent to relieve suffering from the intent to kill. This report is worth looking into more.
Jason wraps up the episode reminding those who are wound up and worried about the gentleness or graciousness of Synod’s decisions so far to chill out. It’s early; there’s still a lot of work–important work–to be done. Whether delegates look at social media now or after synod, it can be painful to read comments that devalue or look down on their work. He encourages perhaps waiting to be critical until a later time when we can look back on the whole body of work. Dan and Willy (and maybe Jason) will provide a Synod wrap-up towards the end of the week.