The Church Order Review Task Force in its report to Synod 2024 noted some big changes in the ways pastors in the Christian Reformed Church serve the denomination. The number of ministers of the Word serving outside of congregational ministry in 2023 is more than nine times greater than in 1950. Here’s the historical breakdown of pastors’ callings:
| 1950 | 1975 | 2000 | 2023 | |
| Congregational Ministry | 283 | 580 | 612 | 808 |
| Missions | 34 | 57 | 45 | 34 |
| Other called positions | 29 | 147 | 236 | 273 |
| Eligible for call but not serving | 0 | 19 | 48 | 93 |
| Emeritus (retired) | 2 | 169 | 368 | 786 |
“Other called positions” includes “chaplains, educators, denominational personnel, and other similar positions,” the task force said. According to Church Order Art. 12-c, “a minister of the Word may also serve the church in other work which relates directly to the calling of a minister, but only after the calling church has demonstrated ... that said work is consistent with the calling of a minister of the Word.”
Source: Agenda for Synod 2024, p. 81. Original data source: CRC Yearbook for years shown.