It’s a new day.
A sense of cautious optimism. That’s how I’d describe the feeling in the zoom-rooms on Thursday, July 10 and Saturday, July 12. Over 75 people, representing 40+ CRCs and all the Canadian classes, joined in to learn and ask questions about the Kitchener Summit. Of those present, more than 80% represented churches that have been (unofficially) questioning or have (officially) begun or completed the disaffiliation process. The delegates at the 2025 Synod decided not to structurally create separate Canadian and American CRCs. All the while, there are Canadian CRCs that are discussing, questioning, and discerning their future in the CRC; others have completed their disaffiliation process. Churches have a desire to have their original authority respected AND come home to a fellowship of churches that is familiar. As Pastor Mike Borgert has said: “a fellowship that is curious, compassionate and courageous.” Seeing those decisions and desires, TCRCC (Toward a Christian Reformed Church in Canada) wondered: how shall we then be as a group of churches? Well, let’s find out; let’s learn from each other; let’s dream, think and plan. Let’s organize a Summit in Kitchener, Ontario, November 5-9, to do all of those, and invite all those in the Canadian CRCs who are looking for something different, a new fellowship of churches. 4 ½ days of intensive listening to the Spirit as he speaks to each of the attendees; 4 ½ days of hopeful planning. So what will the event be like? There will be times of worship and prayer; of workshopping a new community; times of hearing keynote speakers who will offer wisdom for this journey; time of Q & A; times of listening to each other’s stories of hope. The big-picture questions:- what will be the structure of this new community?
- will this be a new denomination?
- what will be the relationship with (the agencies of) the CRCNA?
