And there’s more

After answering over a dozen questions and providing thousands of additional explanations for their responses, hundreds of Canadians who participated in Christian Courier’s survey of members of the Christian Reformed Church (CRC) still had more to say.

Close to 300 took advantage of the invitation to respond to the final open-ended query: Is there anything else you want us to know?

Sixty-nine comments were directed at Christian Courier (CC), with some people criticizing CC’s “woke” and “progressive” coverage of all topics, and others expressing gratitude for balance and nuance.

In all, there were 275 additional comments, with many expressing sadness or lament for the state of the CRC in Canada. About one-third, 82, were provided by people who support the direction of Synod on human sexuality because they indicated they have no difficulty signing the Covenant for Officebearers. Many of those people complained about the survey itself, accusing Christian Courier of stirring up dissension or being schismatic.

A few others encouraged those who disagree with Synod’s recent decisions to leave the denomination, or quoted Scripture to explain the eternal consequences of disagreement with the Human Sexuality Report.

“Synod 2024 has made a decision. If you don’t like it, join another Reformed congregation/denomination,” wrote one, and another: “I pray for a split in the denomination.”

The remaining 193 comments came from those who weren’t sure about signing the Covenant or who said they would not sign it. Many of those respondents expressed gratitude for the survey and the opportunity to be heard (see “Empty Council Rooms” for a breakdown of who is willing to sign the Covenant for Officebearers).

‘The spirit of the age’

There were 28 comments in support of the survey, 17 critical of the survey, and seven people who were upset that the demographic question about gender allowed for more than a male or female response.

Writers also expressed support or dissatisfaction with the direction of the CRCNA. Of the 26 people who expressed support for the denomination, 25 of those comments came from people who would sign the Covenant for Officebearers. All 38 comments expressing dissatisfaction or concern about the direction of the denomination came from people who wouldn’t sign the covenant, or weren’t sure.

A total of 93 respondents also specifically referenced the Human Sexuality Report or the way Synod has handled it. Most of those comments (69) came from people who wouldn’t sign the Covenant for Officebearers, while 24 comments supported Synod and the HSR.

Several of those supporters said they are convinced the majority of CRC members in Canada share their views and that concerns about the direction of the denomination on human sexuality come from a small minority.

The overriding theme, though, was sadness.

“The CRC boasted it would get to 400,000 members by 2000, but we are now well under 200,000. Synod’s draconian measures will further discourage membership and shrink our fellowships,” wrote one. “Families and friends will be pitted against each other, and it feels like the wrong spirit is directing decisions at Synod – a spirit of division and control. Merriam-Webster’s (USA) dictionary’s word for 2024 was ‘polarization.’ Synod has participated in the spirit of the age.”

“I am in the process of resigning from the CRC,” wrote another. “It breaks my heart.”

And the impacts are on young and old. “I have attended church weekly for 65+ years and I have not attended since Synod of 2024,” wrote one. “We have a 17-year-old child who would like to profess their faith,” wrote another, “but they won’t because of the Synod adding the HSR as a confessional.”

In their own words

Just a few of the additional comments submitted in survey respondents’ final thoughts.

“The biggest question that I have heard within my church is, ‘Is there still space for me in the CRC?’ This question does not come from people who have a clear opposition to the CRC’s doctrine, in fact, some are aligned doctrinally with the CRC. The question comes from wondering if the CRC is still a denomination that invites complexity on issues, both theologically and in practice. They are concerned that the CRC is drifting away from the Reformed heart of wonder and investigation, with a healthy hesitation to pass absolute statements on how to live out biblical truths.”

“It is our prayer and petition that the CRC would maintain a very strong position on the wholeness, truth, infallibility, complete and unchanged word of God. We need to be strong in this time of post-Christian societal shift. Our members and children need this stability and tradition more than ever. Do not conform to the ways of the world. The HSR report was a good outcome. Tough for sure, but good. Other issues I would revisit include Woman on the pulpit, any use of genders other than male/female and anything that challenges God’s word.”

“If I don’t agree with the HSR report can I be a Gems or Cadet Leader?  Teach catechism?  Serve on Campus Ministry Committee?  Be a chaplain?  Are people aware of all the ramifications of the HSR?  Do we even know all of them?”

“Conservatism in Canada is surging in YOUNG PEOPLE. They want clear doctrine, a different, non-masochistic way of living, and are flooding the church. Ask yourself an honest question: what do the five thriving churches near you have in common? They aren’t ‘woke.’”

“I am disappointed that Synod could not come up with a resolution that allowed difference of viewpoints. Even if I disagree with some of my brothers and sisters in Christ, they are still my family. Shame on Synod for not being more conciliatory. Where is unconditional Christian love?”

“What has happened at Synod 2024 has given me deep grief. I have grown up in the CRC and been a member for over 70 years. So much damage has been done.”

Editor’s note: How does Alberta compare to the rest of Canada?

Separately from CC’s survey, CC writer Jenna Boone gathered information from church pastors and administrators on 28 of Alberta’s 45 CRC churches to determine their current relationship to the denomination – 15 from Classis Alberta South and 13 from Classis Alberta North.

Then we compared those numbers to question 7 in CC’s survey, which was sent to people across Canada: “Which phrase best describes the current situation in your local congregation?” Our survey allowed for more than one answer, which is why the 2nd column doesn’t add up to 100%. Responses not shown here include “participating in conversations about a distinct CRC in Canada” (22%), none of the above (2%) and “I no longer attend a CRC” (7%).

Neither set of data here can be considered representative; they are estimates, at best – our attempt to map a complex denominational landscape that is changing quickly. We are sharing this snapshot of Alberta because in that province, apart from any guidance or support from the denomination or their Classes, disaffiliating congregations and those staying CRCNA are organizing themselves in a loose alliance called the Alberta Reformed Network.