Top Five Episodes of 2025

Introduction

2025 was a pivotal year for the CRCNA. After years of difficult synods and hard decisions, we began to see the denomination settle into a new normal—one marked by confessional clarity, renewed vision, and the hard work of rebuilding trust. Throughout the year, The Messy Reformation continued to bring you conversations with pastors, leaders, and theologians who are committed to faithful reformation in the CRC.

As we look back, we wanted to share the five episodes that resonated most deeply with you this year. We compiled data from our Podcast, YouTube, and Substack to see which conversations reached the most people.

Here are the top five episodes of 2025.

#5: Episode 232: Synod 2025 — Oneness and Holiness: The Tension of a Faithful Church (Chris Ganski, Part 1)

“We [had] the broad spectrum ideologically…or theologically…and people coming at things very differently, but I was really amazed at how well we are able to come together and find…common points of agreement and move forward without a lot of fractiousness or deep division....My concern going into Synod was that it was going to be a hard pull to the right, ‘scorched earth,’ we’re going to get all of the dissent out by any means necessary with a heavy hammer, and I was ready to come in and resist that…[because] how you go about [things] matters…I tried to think…this Synod really is about how we as a church hold together the attributes of the church’s oneness and its holiness.” —Chris Ganski

Chris Ganski, pastor at City Reformed Church in Milwaukee, helped us process what happened at Synod 2025. His concern going in was a potential “scorched earth” approach. What he witnessed was something more nuanced: delegates working to affirm accountability while honoring the integrity of our institutions.

#4: Episode 210: The State of the CRCNA Following Synod 2024 (Jason Ruis, Part 1)

“If we’re going to survive as a denomination, we have to lean out the bureaucracy that’s grown up…One of the benefits of doing that is that it forces us to have some really hard conversations about who we are…and what should a denomination do...If you could only have one denominational agency, what would they be, and what would they do?…Think of how effective we could be–instead of having all of our energy and resources trickling off into all these tributaries…we’d just have one river heading in one direction.” — Jason Ruis

We started 2025 with an honest assessment of where the denomination stood. The picture was more encouraging than many expected: most classes are aligned with Synod 2024’s decisions, only about 3% of churches were in the process of disaffiliating, and denominational staff were leaning into the decisions rather than softening them. This episode also named the challenges ahead—including a coming pastoral shortage and the hard work of rebuilding trust.

#3: Episode 227: Synod 2025 — Living Into Our Decisions & Rebuilding Trust (Chad Steenwyk & Aaron Vriesman)

“Don’t fret. This is the Lord’s church. He’s going to build it. Synods rise and fall, but the Lord will remain forever and remain steadfast. I would also just mention the importance of prayer. I think that prayer is much more powerful than we even realize. I would say that one person praying is much more powerful than a person being a delegate at Synod and casting a vote. The Lord can work in hearts and minds in ways that we cannot. Let’s not underestimate the importance of praying for Synod, the Christian Reformed Church, the delegates, and God’s leading in all of this.” —Aaron Vriesman

Chad and Aaron joined us the week before Synod to discuss what lay ahead. After years of synods with 70+ overtures, this year brought only 29—a sign that the denomination is settling into a new normal. The conversation centered on what it means to live into our decisions rather than relitigate them, and our hope for a denomination that is unashamedly Reformed about its identity. This episode generated more engagement than any other this year.

#2: Episode 228: Synod 2025 — The Changing Face of CRC Leadership

“There’s always this kind of uneasiness, and I just want to encourage people to realize that the denomination has shifted significantly…The leadership at Synod has changed for sure and I think that’s going to keep filtering up into the rest of the denomination. So be at ease.” — Jason Ruis

Released right as Synod 2025 was convening, this episode explored the significant leadership transitions happening across the denomination. It became our top-performing YouTube video of the year. It seems like our listeners wanted clarity on who is leading, where things are headed, and what it means for local churches.

#1: Episode 211: The CRC We’re Fighting For (Jason Ruis, Part 2)

“In two to five years, we dream that the CRCNA would be a confessionally-grounded, unified, and mission-focused denomination. We dream that it will be a place where pastors confidently preach the gospel, members grow in discipleship and joy, and churches thrive as vibrant witnesses for Christ. We dream of a denomination that embodies courageous leadership, empowers local churches, and passes the faith on to the next generation. We dream that the CRCNA will be known for its faithfulness to God and to His Word. And because we dream these things, we get out there and we keep fighting the good fight in this messy reformation.” — Jason Ruis

This became our most-viewed episode of the year and it was focused on vision. After four years of asking guests about their dreams for the CRC, this episode laid out what we’ve been hearing: a confessionally united church, a denomination that prioritizes discipleship, courageous leadership, and a renewed focus on mission. The response to this video shows that people are hungry for that vision. We need to keep casting it over and over again as we move into this next phase of reformation.

Thank You

The Lord has been good to us this year. We're grateful for the guests who shared their wisdom, the churches pursuing faithful reformation, and the God who remains sovereign over all of it. Most of all, we're thankful for you—the pastors, elders, deacons, and church members who listen, share, and keep showing up week after week.

Keep fighting the good fight in this Messy Reformation! Soli Deo Gloria!