14th Synod of URCNA Focuses on Doctrine and Pastoral Guidance
Synod adopted a statement condemning any theological or political teaching that claims racial or ethnic superiority based on immutable characteristics
The United Reformed Churches in North America’s 14th Synod met in Calgary, Alberta, from June 8 through June 11, organizing its work around church-order revisions, ecumenical relationships, missions, appeals, and several significant study committees. Rev. Joel Dykstra was elected chairman, with Rev. Bradd Nymeyer as vice-chairman; Synod also provisionally admitted Redeemer Reformed Church of Golden Valley, Minnesota.
The most consequential actions involved doctrine and pastoral guidance. Synod formed a Study Committee on Bioethics of Reproductive Technology to address emerging questions in medicine, science, theology, and ethics. It also created a committee to define and evaluate Kinism and Race Realism, provide biblical and confessional analysis, and offer pastoral or doctrinal guidance to consistories. Synod then adopted a statement condemning any theological or political teaching that claims racial or ethnic superiority based on immutable characteristics, and called those promoting or associating with such teaching to repentance.
Synod declined to take direct action on two other contested overtures. It withheld action on a proposal concerning transfers or releases of members under discipline, and on an overture seeking a doctrinal affirmation about animal death before the fall. In the latter case, Synod reaffirmed its 2001 statements on creation. It also denied an appeal from Christ Reformed Church in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, concerning the 2024 amendment to the Church Order’s appeal procedures.
Church-order work was a major part of the gathering. Synod approved clarifying editorial changes, set a 90-day expectation for consistories to adjudicate appeals, and adopted amendments governing changes to Church Order appendices. It also clarified the respective roles of consistory and council in calling, supporting, and supervising ministers. Several constitutional changes remain subject to ratification by two-thirds of the consistories.
The Synod expanded the denomination’s external relationships. It entered Ecclesiastical Fellowship with the Heritage Reformed Congregations, pending ratification by URCNA consistories, and entered Corresponding Relations with the Bible Presbyterian Church. It also approved initial ecumenical contact with the Presbyterian Church of Australia and the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Central and Eastern Europe.
On mission and institutional matters, Synod created a standing committee for its work with the Presbyterian and Reformed Commission on Chaplains and Military Personnel, adopted an updated foreign-missions manual, and urged churches to cultivate a stronger culture of evangelism, church planting, and personal witness. It approved the 2027-28 budget, re-elected Rev. Doug Barnes as stated clerk, and set the next Synods for 2028 in Kansas City and 2030 in Sheffield, Ontario.