Top Six Episodes of 2024

Introduction

This past year we witnessed a powerful and beautiful reformation in the CRCNA. Through the faithful, unrelenting work of pastors and leaders, God has breathed new life into a denomination many thought was on its deathbed. Against all odds, we’ve seen the seeds of faithfulness—planted and nurtured over decades—bear fruit in ways that only God could orchestrate. He has brought us back from the brink, refocusing us on His Word and our Confessional Identity.

But the fight isn’t over. While we give thanks for the immense progress, we know this battle for biblical faithfulness and confessional renewal is far from finished. We are deeply grateful for all of you who have stood shoulder to shoulder with us—listening, sharing, and amplifying the message of The Messy Reformation. Your support has been a vital part of this movement.

Now is not the time to rest. As we reflect on this year’s most impactful episodes, let them remind us of how far we’ve come and inspire us to keep pressing forward. This messy reformation is only just beginning, and by God’s grace, we will fight on for the good of His church and His glory.

Top Six Episodes of 2024

#6: Episode 181: Synod 2024 - Trusting God's Providence - Dan DeGraff (Part 1)

“[This Messy Reformation is] the quiet development of fruit that’s been growing for decades, and finally—by God’s providence…this is what the church is about, what the faith is about, what being a confessional church is about…The essence of who we are and what we are as members of the Christian Reformed Church—this synod was a historic moment in bringing us fully on that track.” — Dan De Graff

#5: Episode 187: Synod 2024 - Building Trust & Community in the CRCNA - Michael Bentley (Part 1)

“God is working for a deeper good in the CRC, on deeper levels than I can account for, and for a longer term than I can plan for.” -Micheal Bentley

“Nobody now is questioning whether the majority of our denomination is conservative…And yet, four years ago, when we started this podcast, many, many, many people thought that conservatives were the minority…We almost forget that…It shows how much, I think, the liberals have…infiltrated the institution…how much of our public face seemed very progressive…The Messy Reformation, [and] through Abide, the work has been to connect people and to build some friendships and…fellowship so that people realize, ‘We’re not the minority anymore’...and [work] together for this.” — Jason Ruis

#4: Episode 183: Synod 2024 - Leading with Clarity and Compassion - Derek Buikema (Part 1)

"I think that the church is benefited by clarity…I wanted to avoid the uncertainty that would pervade if we were kept putting that off. Psychologically, it's more difficult to deal with uncertainty than it is to deal with bad news…Synod acted with really decisive majorities all throughout and providing so much clarity about the processes that classes and churches are obligated to follow now…My hope and trust is that the fact that Synod is provided so much clarity around this is…that it might genuinely create more peace across different Classes as we live into these decisions." — Derek Buikema

#3: Episode 173: The Rationale Behind Committee 8's Gravamen Report (Todd Kuperus & Jason Ruis)

“The pressure is really on at Synod 2024. We have to be very clear that gravamina cannot be treated as exceptions. There need to be clear forms of discipline enacted at Synod 2024. Task forces can certainly help carry out discipline and address the broader implications of gravamina, like issues surrounding disaffiliation, pensions, and other complexities. I understand that it gets messy.

But the priority is clarity and action. We have to make it absolutely clear that exceptions are not allowed, rebellion will not be tolerated, and discipline will be enacted. If we don’t, I honestly think the denomination is finished. That might sound dramatic, but I truly believe it’s the reality we face.” — Jason Ruis

#2: 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…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

#1: Synod 2024 Convenes: Confessional Renewal From the Pews Upward

“This is no coup. This is a beautiful reformation that is the result of many faithful members throughout the CRCNA building and multiplying and working for the good of this denomination for the past two decades. I’m thankful to be able to play some small role in all of this. I’m thankful that many of you have been working toward this. I would love to be able to recognize all of the faithful Christians who’ve been working toward this for the past two decades. Either way, this is where we are, and I’m thankful for it and I’m excited to see what God is going to do at this next Synod, and in the next phase of this Messy Reformation.” — Jason Ruis