Al Postma Named Executive Director-Canada for CRCNA

The Canada Ministry Board of the Christian Reformed Church in North America announced Wednesday, Feb. 28, that Rev. Al Postma, who has served as transitional executive director-Canada since May 2022, is now taking the role of executive director.

The search for executive director launched in November with the intention of having the successful candidate begin on or before May 1, 2024. “At the time of the appointment of the transitional executive director, a hiring protocol was put in place to have a formal search process at the end of the two-year term for the sake of transparency and integrity,” said Greta Luimes, president of the CRCNA Canada Ministry Board.

In the board announcement of Postma as the successful candidate, Luimes said, “Al has served the Canadian CRC with diligence and wisdom in these last two years, and we are looking forward to what God will do through him in the coming years. Al will lead and oversee the Canadian ministry leaders and staff, as well as those engaged through our binational partnership with CRCNA ministries and agencies.”

Postma was attending the Classis Niagara February meeting when the announcement was released, something he has made a priority over the past two years. He’s visited each of the 12 classes in Canada for at least one meeting and most of them for more than one, counting 10 classis meetings in 2022, 19 in 2023, and three so far in 2024.

“One of the gifts of serving in this role is that it offers a window into a whole variety of experiences and stories in the churches,” Postma told The Banner. “Even amidst pain and disagreements, there is such strength, energy, and creativity in so many churches all across Canada. As denominational ministries, we get to walk alongside churches through all these experiences. To have a role in stewarding these relationships is a true joy.”

Postma’s service as transitional executive director started at a time of change for Christian Reformed ministry in Canada. The Canada Ministry Board (then called the CRCNA Canada Corporation) had parted ways with the previous interim executive director-Canada, and the way Canadian and U.S. ministry relationships were structured was being reorganized. (See “Canadians Meet to Discuss Leadership Structure,” Feb. 1, 2022; “Synod 2022 Adopts New Governance Structure,” June 16, 2022)

Continuing now as executive director, Postma fills the role at a time of ongoing uncertainty. Some leaders and members of Christian Reformed churches in Canada have formed “Toward CRC Canada,” a group seeking an independent Canadian Christian Reformed Church. It hosted “Kitchen Table Conversations” in online gatherings through November and December and continues to host Zoom video conference meetings to further discuss themes expressed in the first conversations.

“None of us know exactly what is ahead,” Postma said, “but the Canadian churches have a robust history of supporting collective ministry in Canada and around the world. I only see that commitment strengthening. Especially since we have some new organizational structures, including new Canadian-specific staff positions, that we are living into right now. One of my primary responsibilities as executive director is to ensure that, no matter what, Canadian churches are being well served and supported for the whole variety of challenges and opportunities they experience. I’m grateful to work with competent and passionate staff who are making this happen for churches all across Canada.”