Episode 260: Is the CRC Cutting the Wrong Things?
“We need to trim back…This is a normal aspect of renewal and reformation and revitalization…Everything expands, and then somebody eventually has to make some hard decisions to make some cuts…It’s going to hurt, [but] it’s not…personal.” —Jason Ruis
“If you have a mind for the church…for further casting vision in the CRC…if you see some of these positions start opening up or…a COD position…or another board or committee position…I would encourage you very much, do it…That’s where a lot of this work…is getting done.” —Willy Krahnke
Summary of This Episode
Jason, Willy, and Dan are back for the second part of their conversation on The Messy Reformation. Jason brings up the recommendation coming from the COD to Synod 2026 that synod meetings would be held every other year instead of every year. Willy, a delegate on the Council of Delegates, shares that this came out of the need to steward declining financial resources. He speaks passionately against it. He views Synod not just as a delegated body but as the church. We’re called to gather, this is part of that, the delegates are called by God—and this would shrug that off. He points out the number of COD meetings wouldn’t decrease; it would remain at six in two years. “How self-important have we made the COD?...Is that where the authority should lie in our denomination?” He also suggests, “…A recommendation to have synod every other year coming out of a ‘war’ like we’ve just had is foolish.”
Dan and Jason agree with Willy, and don’t hear a lot of positive talk around the recommendation. However, Dan thinks it could be approved by Synod because of the low commitment atmosphere that he perceives in the denomination. This means more people having to do even less, that may appeal to some. Willy urges that for those who already feel disconnected, this signals more authority and work going to Grand Rapids—it’s not the way to build trust and connection. We’ve just had these “Gather” events and celebrated getting together, but we’re going to gather less now—how does that make sense?
Jason picks up the imagery of ships that is connected with a classis, and wonders how this recommendation would actually help us row in the same direction. He believes it will “undo the possibility of bringing better unity…vision…focus, and direction to our denomination.” Taking years off due to COVID did not seem positive—“Things build up. Politics happen.” It seems like this is just about money, but there are other ways to cut dollars and cents. We shouldn’t do it in the wrong places. Again, we need a strong and clear vision, or else cuts are made in the wrong places. He shares, “…We need to trim back…This is a normal aspect of renewal and reformation and revitalization…Everything expands, and then somebody eventually has to make some hard decisions to make some cuts…It’s going to hurt, [but] it’s not…personal.”
After that lengthy conversation, Jason brings up a recent positive change in the CRC—Lora Copley being hired as the interim director of The Banner. One of the signs of the change is a recent article written by Herb Schreur (https://www.thebanner.org/columns/2026/01/the-next-first-step). Jason and Dan highlight that we need people to keep stepping up and to be willing to serve in various positions and to write. Dan also notes, “It’s going to take the support now of the Abide-minded folks…to go back to The Banner to make this work.” For those who like the direction the CRC is moving in after the last few years, we’ve got to be willing to give things a chance and support. Willy builds on that, “…If you have a mind for the church…for further casting vision in the CRC…if you see some of these positions start opening up or…a COD position…or another board or committee position…I would encourage you very much, do it…That’s where a lot of this work…is getting done.”
Dan’s comments bring us toward the conclusion of the episode. He talks about the sense of “calling” he’s heard from Sam Vanhuizen, a member and officebearer in Classis Lake Superior. We want to see the priesthood of believers on display, that not only the officebearers in the CRC matter but everyone has a role to play that God has called them to. Jason points out that the priesthood of believers and ecclesiology—topics that keep coming up in our discussions—were major tenets for the Reformers. All of us hope that there are many more years left for the CRC, but we can’t be lazy. Willy offers a call to act boldly, courageously, prayerfully, and to understand you’re under the sovereignty of a big God.