The Banner

Nine advisory committees, four days of plenary sessions, 182 delegates—Synod 2026 covered plenty of ground.

I pray synod will be remembered for a magnifying glass put on Jesus and his gospel. I pray it will be recalled for a bigger vision and a burning focus that resulted.

It’s hard to hide when you’re nearly 8 feet tall. At 17, Amish Gabriel is spotted working in a hay field by the local football coach. What happens next transforms not only Gabriel’s life but the lives of everyone he meets.

Beginning June 2027, Bethany will only license and re-license foster families whose Christian faith and beliefs align with its statement of faith and belief.

The story of the personal challenges George Washington faced before the American Revolution.

A picture book biography about how the trailblazing astronomer found her people—and figured out what stars are made of.

Being preoccupied with death is not the biblical way for the people of God.

The Christian Reformed Church, as observed by Classis Hamilton delegate Mark Verbruggen, is in the same car and going in the same direction. There are some bumps in the road.

Wilderness experiences are the formative crucibles God uses to move leaders to their next stage of ministry.

The CRC won’t call exclusively digital ministries “churches” for now. The decision doesn’t apply to online extensions of churches such as service livestreams or Bible studies that meet online.

Faith is a lifelong journey of growth and transformation that culminates in being conformed into the likeness of Christ.

Synod 2026 made space to hear about and celebrate the work God’s Spirit is doing within the denomination’s major ethnic communities.

Synod 2026 came to a close with multilingual prayer, a meditation from parliamentarian Michael Winnowski, and a final sermon and blessing from president Chad Steenwyk.

From rejecting a request to require all denominational employees to be confessing members of a Christian Reformed congregation, to no longer requiring the publication of a printed yearbook, some decisions of Synod 2026 passed without much discussion.

Delegates asked for more financial information and explanation from the denomination and gave guidance for church giving.

Although appreciative of the 2008 expression of faith “Our World Belongs to God,” delegates to Synod 2026 recommended taking it out of the Covenant that binds pastors, deacons, and elders to the creeds and confessions of the church. A future synod must ratify the change.

Churches need clarity for members who are uncertain about the Christian Reformed Church's expectations for confessional alignment, synod said.

Synod 2026 young adult reps were thankful and encouraged by their experiences.

If “God is the builder” of his house (Heb. 3:3), what role do church leaders play in that great project?

I enjoy my job, but my company is making it harder to combine work with a young family. Should I look for a new job?

Host Lora Copley, The Banner’s editor-in-chief, discusses synod’s last day of deliberations with Sarah Zylstra, a member of New City Church (Kansas City, Mo.) and Derek Buikema, pastor of Orland Park CRC (Orland Park, Ill.).

Synod 2026 accepted a review of the work of World Renew and recommitted its covenantal relationship with the relief and development agency.