In 2021, Neland Avenue CRC in Grand Rapids, Michigan ordained a deacon in a same-sex marriage. A group of unrenowned pastors and lay leaders started the Abide Project with the goal to maintain biblical sexuality in the CRC. The conflict came to a head in 2022 when the CRC’s annual synod adopted the Human Sexuality Report. This report stated that “adultery, premarital sex, extra-marital sex, polyamory, pornography and homosexual sex” all violate the Seventh Commandment. Moreover, this had “confessional status.” In other words, all ministers, elders and deacons would be expected to hold this position.

A reformation continues to unfold in the Christian Reformed Church in North America (CRC). A denomination from the Dutch Reformed tradition with around 950 congregations and 180,000 members, the CRC went through a tumultuous struggle over marriage and sexuality.

A group called All One Body spent years advocating for the CRC to be fully LGBTQ-affirming. In 2021, Neland Avenue CRC in Grand Rapids, Michigan ordained a deacon in a same-sex marriage. A group of unrenowned pastors and lay leaders started the Abide Project with the goal to maintain biblical sexuality in the CRC.

The conflict came to a head in 2022 when the CRC’s annual synod adopted the Human Sexuality Report. This report stated that “adultery, premarital sex, extra-marital sex, polyamory, pornography and homosexual sex” all violate the Seventh Commandment. Moreover, this had “confessional status.” In other words, all ministers, elders and deacons would be expected to hold this position.

At Synod 2023, a flood of challenges to this decision were denied with a firm stand on “confessional status.” Meanwhile, more and more congregations were openly waving rainbow pride flags and stating publicly that they were fully affirming alternative sexual lifestyles. For a denomination with many family ties, discipline has often been avoided. Arguments were made that Church Order does not permit regional classes or the binational assembly of synod to conduct discipline.

Nevertheless, Synod 2024 imposed “limited suspension” on all officebearers who publicly contradicted synod decisions on sexuality, restricting them from being delegates to broader assemblies such as classis or synod and keeping them from serving on CRC agency boards.

After Synod 2024, the progressive wing began to depart the CRC. Dissenters have painted themselves either as martyrs or victims of political maneuvering or political partisanship.

Living Into the Biblical Stance on Sexuality

Most recently, Synod 2026 met from June 12-18 and its decisions reflect a denomination that is continuing its renewal. Delegates and discussions reflected a settled stance on marriage and sexuality. Debates centered around how to live into this stance.

The Abide Project steering committee chair, Chad Steenwyk, was elected President of synod. A long-time Abide steering committee member, Lora Copley was approved to be 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.

The CRC has long been in communion with the Reformed Church in America (RCA), which has recently decided to be indifferent on LGBTQ matters. As a result, a mass exodus of those who hold the biblical position have departed the RCA. Many have organized into the Alliance of Reformed Churches with a clear intent to uphold a biblical view of marriage and sexuality. Synod decided to “gratefully receive” the positive response from the Alliance of Reformed Churches regarding the CRC’s invitation to be a “church in communion.”

A sister church in the Netherlands that recently merged with an LGBTQ-affirming denomination was demoted from a “church in communion” to a “church in cooperation.” Additionally, a statement was issued to “clearly inform” the new denomination “of the CRCNA’s position.”

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