A Most Momentous Canadian Reformed Synod
The latest Canadian Reformed synod concluded last week Friday in Aldergrove, BC. I attended as a fraternal delegate from the Free Reformed Churches of Australia. As such, I caught most of the plenary sessions, as well as being able to sit in on some of the advisory committee discussions.
I believe this is the most momentous synod in the history of the Canadian Reformed Churches. There were numerous decisions made affecting especially the worship and ecumenical relations of the CanRC. There are ten decisions particularly worth noting. I’ll just supply the substance of the decisions without going into the considerations. If you want to know the reasons, you can find the provisional Acts here.
Footnote to the Apostles’ Creed
In article 118, Synod decided to reject an overture from Regional Synod West to add a footnote to the Apostles’ Creed. This footnote would have explained the meaning of “He descended into hell” with a reference to QA 44 of the Heidelberg Catechism.
Hymn Cap
Previous synods were understood by some of the churches to have placed a cap on the number of hymns to be included in the Book of Praise. Synod Aldergrove decided in article 158 that this 100 hymn cap is null and void.
Additional Hymns and Alternate Psalms
Over the last three years, the churches have been trialling new songs to be included in the Book of Praise. In article 182, Synod decided to add several alternate psalm renderings, as well as 31 new hymns (including a “three-fold Amen” already in use with some churches). Among the additional hymns is CityAlight’s “Yet Not I but Through Christ in Me.”
Article 55 of the Church Order on Psalms and Hymns
Synod considered overtures from the two Regional Synods to change article 55 of the Church Order. In article 115 of the Acts, Synod decided to change the wording of CO 55 to the following:
The 150 Psalms of the Bible are foundational to the church’s worship, and are to be sung frequently in the worship services. General Synod shall adopt metrical versions of the psalms and shall approve hymns for inclusion in a song book which shall, as a rule, have the principal place in the worship of the church. The Consistory may also approve the singing of alternate settings of the psalms and additional hymns, provided they are in harmony with the Word of God as confessed in the Three Forms of Unity.
Revising Forms for Baptism
A Regional Synod West submitted an overture expressing concerns over the language of the baptism forms. In article 175, Synod decided to appoint a committee to study the matter and bring recommendations to the next synod in 2028.
“Summarized in the Confessions” vs. “Summarized in the Apostles’ Creed”
In 1983, a synod changed the Form for Public Profession of Faith (and other forms). Prior to 1983, the question was asked, “Do you acknowledge the doctrine which is contained in the Old and New Testament, and in the articles of the Christian faith, and which is taught here in this Christian church, to be the true and complete doctrine of salvation?” That was changed to “Do you confess that the doctrine of the Old and New Testament, summarized in the confessions and taught here in this Christian church, is the true and complete doctrine of salvation?” An overture from Blessings Christian Church and Classis Central Ontario asked Synod to return to something like the old wording. While strongly affirming that the CanRC maintain confessional membership, Synod 2025 decided in article 184 to change “summarized in the confessions” to “summarized in the Apostles’ Creed.”
Article 50 of the Church Order on Ecumenical Relations
In article 73, Synod Aldergrove decided to change article 50 of the Church Order. It now reads:
Ecumenical relationships with other churches of Reformed confession shall be entered into where feasible and be maintained according to the rules adopted for this purpose by general synod. On minor points of ecclesiastical governance and practice churches shall not be rejected.
In connection with this new rules for ecumenical relationships were also adopted. On a federational level, there are three categories: Category A (Ecclesiastical Fellowship) – “intense contact”, Category B (Ecclesiastical Fellowship) – “less intense contact,” and Ecclesiastical Contact. These all fall under Rule 1. There is also a Rule 2:
In circumstances where no Ecclesiastical Fellowship (Rule 1, Level 1) exists, churches may engage in ecumenical relationships with other local churches as per CO art. 50, in accordance with the following protocols:
(1) Pulpit fellowship may occur with the concurring advice of classis.
(2) Reception of members at the Lord’s Supper according to local regulations.
(3) Reception of members into the local congregation according to local regulations.
(4) Churches shall give an account of their ecumenical activities to their respective classis.
Ecclesiastical Fellowship with the Gereformeerde Kerken
The Canadian Reformed Churches again have sister churches in the Netherlands. The Reformed Churches (Gereformeerde Kerken) are a new federation formed from a merger from two separate church federations which separated from the Gereformeerde Kerken Vrijgemaakt. The decision to enter into category A ecclesiastical fellowship can be found in article 13.
Ecclesiastical Fellowship with the Associated Reformed Presbyterian Church
In article 135, Synod Aldergrove decided to enter into category B ecclesiastical fellowship with the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. While most of the congregations are in the United States, there are also a few in Canada. The ARP sent a fraternal delegate from the nearest church in Washington State.
Change to Church Order Article 30
There has been a longstanding debate in the CanRC about how matters go from a local church to a synod. The question has been: can a local church submit overtures or proposals concerning the churches in common directly to a synod? For the last several synods, the answer has been that churches must follow “the ecclesiastical route.” First an overture goes to classis, then to regional synod, then to synod. This process was based on article 30 of the CanRC CO. In response to an overture from Regional Synod West 2024, Synod Aldergrove, in article 176, has decided to change article 30 so that the last line reads as follows: “A new matter which has not previously been presented to that major assembly and is common to its churches may be put on the agenda by one of its churches.”
Conclusion
Synod 2025 of the CanRC was a joy to attend. There was both good brotherly harmony and robust discussion of the issues. Above all, there was a sincere desire to make decisions that were just and pleasing before God and also for the good of the Canadian Reformed Churches. May God bless the decisions that were made to that end.
