The Christian Reformed Church Approves Discipleship Plan and Maintains Stance on Marriage and Sexuality

The Christian Reformed Church in North America (CRC) continues to navigate a reformation that has been shaped by deep theological and pastoral debates over marriage and sexuality. Rooted in the Dutch Reformed tradition, the CRC comprises approximately 950 congregations and 180,000 members. The denomination has experienced significant internal conflict over the past several years, particularly concerning the inclusion of LGBTQ individuals within its theological and pastoral framework.

A group known as All One Body has been a vocal advocate for the CRC to embrace a fully LGBTQ-affirming stance. In 2021, Neland Avenue CRC in Grand Rapids, Michigan, made headlines by ordaining a deacon who was married in a same-sex union. In response, a coalition of pastors and lay leaders formed the Abide Project, aiming to uphold what they describe as biblical teachings on sexuality.

The conflict reached a critical point in 2022 when the CRC’s annual synod adopted the Human Sexuality Report. This document affirmed that “adultery, premarital sex, extra-marital sex, polyamory, pornography and homosexual sex” all violate the Seventh Commandment. The report was given “confessional status,” meaning all ministers, elders, and deacons were expected to adhere to this position.

At Synod 2023, challenges to the Human Sexuality Report were rejected, with a firm commitment to the “confessional status” of the report. Meanwhile, many congregations began publicly displaying rainbow pride flags and declaring their support for alternative sexual lifestyles. For a denomination with strong family ties, the avoidance of formal discipline has been a notable feature of the conflict. Some argued that Church Order does not permit regional classes or the binational assembly of synod to conduct discipline.

Synod 2024 marked a turning point, as the denomination imposed a “limited suspension” on all officebearers who publicly contradicted synod decisions on sexuality. This measure restricted such individuals from serving as delegates to broader assemblies like classis or synod, and from participating on CRC agency boards.

Following Synod 2024, the progressive wing of the CRC began to depart the denomination. Some dissenters have described themselves as martyrs or victims of political maneuvering, while others have framed the conflict as a matter of theological conviction.

Most recently, Synod 2026, held from June 12-18, reflected a denomination that is continuing its renewal. Delegates and discussions indicated a settled stance on marriage and sexuality, with debates focusing on how to live into this stance. The Abide Project steering committee chair, Chad Steenwyk, was elected President of synod, and Lora Copley, a long-time member of the Abide steering committee, was approved as editor-in-chief of *The Banner*, the CRC’s official magazine.

A ten-year plan to make disciples and plant churches was approved by a unanimous vote and celebrated with a standing ovation. The CRC is looking forward in the Great Commission, seeking to fulfill its mission in light of its theological convictions.

The CRC has long been in communion with the Reformed Church in America (RCA), which has recently decided to take an indifferent stance on LGBTQ matters. This shift has led to a mass exodus of those who hold more traditional views, raising questions about the future of denominational unity and the challenges of maintaining a shared theological identity in an increasingly diverse and pluralistic context.

Source: Read the original report