Dear Canadians,
How has it become increasingly obvious, and more necessary for the Canadian CRC to become autonomous? Two more reasons:
#1 The Council of Delegates Governance Policy, revised on Sept. 19, 2024, has stated as policy that “the agencies receive their mandates from Synod as does the Office of General Secretary. These mandates tie the community of churches, agencies and institutions together” (that's not a surprise, of course, and can be a denominational good, Synod being the broadest decision-making body in the Christian Reformed Church). That policy statement is fundamental, and this principle comes out of it, in the case of reduced denominational income: “Working toward keeping actions as similar as possible fosters better working relationships in the near, mid and long term. Actions to be taken should be as similar as possible on each side of the border when a specific agency program is impacted.” (
see footnote for full list of principles)
The implication is that there is a mandated sameness of reaction (to funding challenges) on both sides of the border,
but there is no parallel principle to recognize Canadian difference or even contextualized ministry and diversity in general, no acknowledgement of potential different ministry priorities on either side of the border. What this implies here is that, in order for the Canadian CRC to completely manage its own ministries (from discernment to planning, through funding through implementing and accountability, even through reduction, if necessary), an autonomous Canadian CRC is necessary.
#2 The Canadian Ministry Board (CMB) which oversees ministry in Canada, is a subsidiary of the bi-country Council of Delegates (CoD), which is composed of 38 American members and 18 Canadian members. Synod appoints the members of the CoD, based on classical nominations. The members-at-large are appointed by Synod from nominations that emanate from the CoDs themselves.
The bi-country CoD is accountable to Synod, and the decisions made are submitted to Synod for approval. The bi-country Synod created the mandates of the bi-country CoD.
The broad parametres of the bi-country CoD (as found on the CRCNA website, linked
here), are that the CoD is involved with financial management, it supports administrative leaders, it sets goals for unified ministry (that is: each of the ministries and agencies of the CRCNA hold to the milestones and "
Our Journey"), and it is to attend to the organizational structure and health of the denomination.
It seems only natural that the larger US context shapes its decision-making, with Canada treated as a minority interest or exception on occasion.
Canada is not a minority interest or exception; we are a country in our own right and should be allowed to make decisions for ourselves and our ministries.
Thank you all for your support,
Blessings,
Peter Bulthuis, for TCRCC
Footnote
(
excerpt from Council of Delegates Governance Policy, supplied via Facebook from A. Postma)
Principles:
a. The agencies receive their mandates from Synod as does the Office of General Secretary. These mandates tie the community of churches, agencies, and institutions together.
b. The ministry boards are essential legal entities with decision-making responsibilities related to staff and programs. Each ministry board impacted may have different legal action requirements, which are to be honored and made known to all the decision-makers involved.
c. The ministry boards have partnered through Joint Ministry Agreements and Joint Service Agreements. Thus, any impact on the ministry and services in these agreements requires joint discussion with the Joint Management Committees.
d. Working toward keeping actions as similar as possible fosters better working relationships in the near, mid, and long term. Actions to be taken:
i. Should be as similar as possible on each side of the border when a specific agency program is impacted.
ii. Should be as similar as possible across agencies when the driving issues are broader than one specific agency.
iii. Should be as similar as possible in the timing and content of the information provided to staff.
e. When a reduction in program and/or staff impacts the ability of the agencies and the Office of General Secretary to carry out synodical mandates, the General Secretary is to be consulted.
