Five conversations

“This would give me hope for the Canadian CRC.”

That comment was one of hundreds sent in to Christian Courier as part of our recent survey, specifically regarding two key questions gauging interest in a distinct Christian Reformed Church (CRC) in Canada. Though at first glance the numbers seem to be overwhelmingly in support of a uniquely Canadian CRC – with 56% of respondents saying ‘Yes,’ 25% ‘No’ and 19% ‘Not Sure’ – the adjoining comments to a follow-up question add layers of complexity and nuance to the stats. Taken together, it appears that at least five overlapping conversations related to the question of a distinctly Canadian CRC are happening simultaneously among the ‘Yes’ responses, which I’ll summarize in descending order.

More info, please

Just under 1,200 people answered our question, “Do you have any interest in a distinctly Christian Reformed Church in Canada, with its own governing body?” Among those who indicated ‘Yes’ and also answered the next question about a special Canadian gathering, a significant number qualified their support in some way. “I want to hear more on possible directions of the theology of the Canadian church and the standards we agree on,” one person said. “What are the ramifications?” someone else wondered. Another said, “I do not think it’s a great option, but would be open to discussing.” This group of 63 comments can be characterized by its cautious, somewhat conditional support, epitomized in this phrase: “If done with extreme care.”

Not like the States

The second largest group of comments discussed Canadian culture and a “worry about U.S. influence” in Canadian churches. With tense cross-border relations and a surge of mid-February patriotism as a backdrop, these respondents noted that “as Canadians we are different [from Americans] in culture and thinking,” “history and context,” and that they would support “a separate Canadian CRC for governance and justice initiative reasons.” “The CRC witness in Canada should not be negatively impacted by decisions made at Synod,” one person said, while at least 12 others named the current U.S. President as a reason to part ways from a binational organization like the CRCNA. There were 54 comments in total in this group (one quarter of the ‘Yes’ comments), all making some reference to Canadian identity and context.

Divided over the HSR

The third conversation relates to human sexuality, specifically the adoption of the Human Sexuality Report (HSR) by recent Synods of the CRCNA. This group was almost evenly split between those who said they want an independent Canadian CRC if it upholds the HSR (21 comments) and those who said they’ll only join an independent Canadian CRC if it’s affirming and ditches the HSR (17 comments). Bearing in mind that the initial question made no reference to sexuality, these remarks made it the key factor anyway, ranging from “I am not interested in joining a schism of affirming churches leaving the denomination” to “I’d only be interested if the Canadian CRC includes all people inclusive of gender [and] sexual orientation.” Despite the fact that several people said, “I believe that a separate Canadian CRC should not be confused with the HSR issue,” it’s clear that assumptions and confusion over intent are prevalent. One person asked for a ‘local option’ compromise, to allow some congregations to “welcome and include sexual and gender minorities and minister to members of those communities as they feel called by the Holy Spirit to do.”

It’s high time

A fourth type of comment (22 people) conveyed unbridled enthusiasm for a distinct Canadian CRC along with some mention of its timeliness: “long overdue” and “it’s about time,” for example, and “I’m totally behind the Toward CRC Canada.” Among the people who chose ‘Yes’ to a distinct CRC in Canada, 672 chose to elaborate by answering the question “how strongly do you support such an initiative, on a scale of 1 (minimally) to 7 (wholeheartedly)?” Three hundred and twenty-one people picked ‘wholeheartedly’ – representing 48%. That energy seems to be captured by the excitement in this group of comments.

Freedom of conscience

Lastly, the fifth set of comments (15 people) illustrated concerns deliberately separate from culture and sexuality: these related instead to ecclesiology, specifically the current understanding of what it means to be Reformed. “I think the decisions of Synod 2024 marked a big shift in the CRC, moving from a denomination where the church held the theology and officebearers committed to support those doctrines, to a strict confessionality for each officebearer,” one person said. “I don’t want to focus on the HSR,” another said; “Let’s focus on what a distinct Canadian CRC could do to build God’s Kingdom here on Canadian soil.” “Doubters have to understand this is about far more than the HSR and recent Synod decisions. This is about what being Reformed Christian means!!” And lastly: “I want to stay within the CRC, as I support the fundamental belief of constantly reforming, [but] the current CRC leadership and Synod’s decisions leave our church with no choice but to seek other options.” The impetus in this group is to move beyond the HSR, make room for difference and allow freedom of conscience as Reformed believers.

I asked Everett Vander Horst and Peter Bulthuis of Toward CRC Canada if they were surprised by our survey’s preliminary findings – 56% support for independence. “The percentages match what we have been hearing,” they said. “Canadian governance has been an issue since at least 1957. Currently, the cultural gap between Canada and the U.S. keeps growing, commensurate with a deepening sense that the binational Synod does not speak effectively for Canada, nor does it allow for effective made-in-Canada decisions nor initiatives. We believe the numbers support our contention that it is time for Canada to take full responsibility for our own church and governance.”

Al Postma, Executive Director of the CRC in Canada, declined to comment on the results specifically but did say he appreciates the time people spent completing the survey and the good conversations it could generate, saying “we are grateful to be walking this journey together.”

A separate analysis needs to be done among the comments added by those who chose ‘No’ and ‘Not Sure’ on the question of a distinct CRC in Canada. For now, it’s clear that those who said ‘Yes’ are far from being on the same page: at least five different conversations are currently overlapping, some at odds with each other, while the loudest voices seem to be calling for caution. But a sense of urgency is there, too: “Something needs to be done, and soon,” one respondent concluded.

Check out Angela’s editorial for our methodology, and Marlene’s breakdown of demographics along with the response to two specific questions. Stay tuned for further findings in early April.