CRCNA Stated Clerks

These can be found here. 

Agenda Materials - Overtures and Communications 

Submit any overtures and communications for Synod 2025 adopted by your classis to the Office of General Secretary (synod@crcna.org) by March 15. Be sure to review the Overture and Communication Process document and share at your next classis meeting to assist member churches with the rules for submitting overtures and communications. As items become available, they will be posted to crcna.org/synodresources. 

Appointment of Delegates

• Appoint your classis delegates to synod and forward the completed “Credentials for Synod” to the Synodical Services Office by March 15. Stated clerks are expected to include the full names of all delegates and their alternates as well as ensuring that their contact information and office is correct.

• As a reminder, delegates must be actively serving in the appointed role at the time of synod. Stated Clerks are also responsible to indicate whether interpretation is needed for any of their delegates.

• Synod 2023 decided that: “each classis shall ordinarily delegate one minister, one elder, one deacon, and one other officebearer to synod. A classis may send no more than two delegates bearing the same office (Church Order Article 45).” You must still send one delegate from each office if you are able. If you are unable, you may send two delegates from two of the offices.

• Please also give careful consideration to the decision of Synod 2019, which encouraged that “each classis include at least one woman or one ethnic minority person in its delegation” (Acts of Synod 2019, pp. 814-15). Synod 2019 also encouraged classes “to send one or more delegates to synod for two consecutive years, if possible, to build continuity from synod to synod” (Acts of Synod 2019, pp. 809-10).

Who is eligible to serve as a delegate? 

• Synod 2024 declared that after the conclusion of synod, “all office-bearers from churches in non-compliance, by actions or in any form of media, be placed on a limited suspension. That suspension would include a loss of ability to send delegates to classiss, synod, the COD or other CRCNA agencies” (Acts of Synod 2024, p. 892). Church Order Supplement, Article 5-a also states that officebearers who hold a confessional-difficulty gravamen should “recuse oneself from being delegated to broader assemblies while the confessional difficulty remains unresolved” (Church Order and its Supplements 2024, p. 16). Councils and classes are asked to keep these decisions in mind as they appoint delegates to Synod 2025.

• Synod 2011 adopted rules to ensure the reasonable accommodation of disabled and nondisabled persons alike at synod (Acts of Synod 2011, pp. 817-18). When delegates register they will have an opportunity to share with us how we can make their experience more meaningful.

• Ministers of the Word serving the local congregation, as well as serving in specialized ministry (unless classis rules prevent it) qualify to serve as minister delegates. 

• Retired ministers of the Word must be serving either in a specialized ministry (e.g., chaplaincy, transitional pastor) or as an elder or deacon to be delegated. They should be delegated according to the office they are currently serving in. Some classes have adopted rules with regard to the appointment of retired ministers as delegates to synod (please consult your classis rules). 

• RCA pastors called as ministers of the Word to serve CRC congregations are eligible to serve as delegates (see Church Order Supplement, Article 8, D, 10). 

• Elder and deacon delegates must be ordained in their respective offices at the time of synod (ministers should not be appointed to serve as elders or deacons unless serving in the office of elder or deacon at the time of synod).

• Commissioned pastors (see Church Order Supplement, Article 45):

  • if serving in emerging churches and associate staff positions may only be delegated as elder delegates to synod. 

  • if serving as a solo pastor of an organized congregation may only be sent as ministerial delegates to synod. 

Expectations of Delegates

• Delegates are expected to attend the virtual convening session on May 28, 2025, 7:00 - 10:30 pm Eastern. 

• Delegates are expected to arrive on time and attend all scheduled meetings of synod on June 13-19, 2025. 

• Delegates, and alternates, are asked to complete the Delegate to Synod Information form by March 15 or earlier.

• As a reminder, all delegates who need to cross an international border will need a passport or Nexus card. Please give yourself a minimum of 8 weeks for this process. 

• The document, What to Expect as a Delegate to Synod, is a helpful tool to learn more about the logistics and expectations for Synod 2025.

Virtual Convening Session of Synod 2025

At its October 2024 meeting, the Council of Delegates adopted a recommendation to move forward with a virtual convening session of Synod 2025 and following.

As part of these recommendations, classes and Stated Clerks are asked to ensure all delegates have access to a device and internet for the convening session, whereas synod will ensure that all delegates have access to a device, if needed, and internet for the in person sessions of synod. Stated Clerks and Classes are also asked to support the Office of General Secretary in providing technological support to delegates in accessing the secure delegate website and Zoom meeting. Lastly, classes are asked to ensure that all delegates are able to attend both the virtual May 28 session as well as the in person sessions from June 13-19, in Canada.

Advisers and Young Adult Representatives

Synod has benefited from having ethnic advisers (since 1995) and young adult representatives (since 2010) who attend synod and offer input into the deliberations. We ask that you consider nominating young adult persons and persons from our ethnic minority communities to add to the diversity of voices in the classis delegations to synod.

1. Ask the nominee(s) to complete the “Adviser and Representative Nominee Form”

2. Please complete the “Adviser and Representative Nomination Form”

Nominations are due to the Office of General Secretary by January 10, 2025.

Appointments of young adult representatives and ethnic advisers to synod will be made by the Council of Delegates (COD) in February 2025; correspondence will be sent to all nominees following the COD meeting.

Praying for Synod 2025

Rev. Jon Hoekema, the denominational prayer shepherd, will be leading a number of prayer initiatives in preparation for synod. The COD approved the theme of “Journey with Jesus” for synod prayer and worship this year, following the theme of the Gather initiative. We will once again be walking through 40 days of prayer before synod. To learn more, please visit crcna.org/synod/prayer or email synodprayer@crcna.org to get involved.

On Thursday, September 5 the following registration information was sent to Stated Clerks:

Dear Classis Stated Clerks,

On behalf of the Office of General Secretary (OGS) team, we would like to invite you to the Stated Clerks Gathering in Miami, Florida, on January 15 - 17, 2025. A link to the registration form is included at the end of this email.

A few details:

1. Please register by October 31, 2024, but have your travel plans arranged before you complete the registration form.

2. Please book your air travel into Miami International Airport (MIA) through the following CRCNA agencies:

Canadian Travelers - Direct Travel

(519) 622-7925 or (226) 750-2722

Marcia Faber - mfaber@dt.com

US Travelers - FROSCH-Conlin Travel

Please contact the Corporate Meeting Desk at 833-698-1640 or email crcnaMTGS@frosch.com

Agents: Paul Foley and Sanya Spencer-Oliver have been assigned to book the flight reservations.

Meeting Profile: CRCNA STATED CLERK25

When booking by email/phone, please provide the meeting profile CRCNA STATED CLERK25 to the booking agent. You should have the following information ready when you call:

• First, Middle and Last Name as it appears on a Government Issue ID (For International as it appears on passport)

• Date of Birth

• Gender

• Cell number

• Email Address

• Arrival and Departure Airport

• Preferred Airline

• Frequent Flyer Number

• TSA Number/ Known Traveler Number (if applicable)

• Seat Preference (based on availability)

• Special Accommodations

CRCNA dedicated meeting specialists are available Monday through Friday 8am – 5pm ET.

After 5pm ET the number 833-698-1640 rolls over to “After Hours”, this is for emergency purposes only. If you reach the After Hours emergency line and your travel is not within 24 hours/emergency, they will refer you back to the meeting specialists during regular business hours.

3. A room block has been reserved at the Best Western Plus - Miami Executive Airport for our group. Please indicate on the registration form whether you (and your spouse if applicable) will need lodging. You will have your own room, unless your spouse is traveling with you or you have requested a roommate. You do not need to contact the hotel. If you request an accessible room via the registration form, we will do our best to accommodate that. All arrangements are being handled by the OGS team.

13700 SW 139th Ct

Miami, Florida 33186

4. Meetings, unless otherwise specified, will be held at South Kendall Community Church.

16550 SW 147th Ave

Miami, FL 33187

5. Each classis is asked to contribute $750 (U.S. or Can.) for the attending stated clerk, which will cover a portion of the airfare, ground transportation, meals, and lodging during the event. Your classis can make this payment via check/ cheque or over the phone with a card (see below for US and Canada specific instructions). Please share these instructions with your classis treasurer as soon as possible.

US: Checks should be made out to “CRCNA” and mailed to 

Molly Towne

Office of General Secretary

1700 28th St SE 

Grand Rapids, MI

49508

Please make sure the check note includes reference to the “Stated Clerks Gathering”. Please direct your treasurer to send in this check as soon as possible. If you would prefer to pay with a card, you may do so over the phone at (877) 272-6201.

Canada: Cheques should be made out to “CRCNA” and mailed to 

Jacquie Van Der Velde-Hulst

3475 Mainway

PO Box 5070 Stn LCD 1

Burlington, ON L7R 3Y8

Please make sure the cheque note includes reference to the “Stated Clerks Gathering”. Please direct your treasurer to send in this cheque as soon as possible. If you would prefer to pay with a card, you may do so over the phone at (800) 730-3490.

*Please note, the classis contribution of $750 is towards the cost of one individual. If your classis wishes for the stated clerk alternate to attend along with the stated clerk, all costs associated with the travel and lodging of the stated clerk alternate must be covered by the classis.

6. Schedule: A more detailed schedule and agenda will be shared in the weeks leading up to the gathering, but following is a preliminary outline:

Wednesday, January 15

• Arrive at MIA - Transportation to Best Western Plus (details to follow)

• 4:45 PM - Welcome session, including appetizers/dinner, at Best Western Plus

Thursday, January 16

• Morning - meetings at South Kendall Community Church

• Lunch will be provided at the church

• Afternoon - meetings at South Kendall Community Church

• Leave at 3:00 PM for airboat rides at Gator Park Everglades (spouses to join)

• Dinner at local restaurant

Friday, January 17

• Morning - meetings at South Kendall Community Church, conclude at noon.

• Boxed lunches provided

• Transportation to MIA from South Kendall Community Church (details to follow)

7. A note about spouses:

Spouses are welcome to enjoy the Florida sunshine with you! Here are the activities we have planned for spouses:

• Wednesday - Spouses may join for appetizers and dinner at the hotel

• Thursday - Morning trip to Vizcaya Museum & Gardens, lunch at Versailles Restaurant, airboat rides in the Everglades with the clerks, and Thursday dinner

• Friday - Morning visit to the charming exotic fruit stand and farm called “Robert is Here,” before rejoining the clerks at the church for transportation to the airport.

The registration fee for spouses will be $100, which will cover the following:

Wednesday dinner at the hotel

Vizcaya Museum & Gardens

Gator Park Airboat Ride 

Thursday dinner

Boxed Lunch on Friday 

Transportation Contribution

*Spouse's meal at Versailles Restaurant and anything purchased at Robert is Here are their own expense.

We will provide a separate registration form for spouses via another email to all stated clerks in the next couple of weeks.

Registration Form:

Complete this Stated Clerks Registration Form, after making travel plans, by October 31, 2024.

Thank you for all the work you do! We hope that you can join us for this special event and we look forward to serving you at the 2025 gathering. Please send any questions or concerns to statedclerksinfo@crcna.org.

One resource that the Office of General Secretary has prepared is a form (available here) to complete the bi-annual report about progress made with congregations that are on a path towards disaffiliation or restoration due to public statements against synod’s position on unchastity. 

Please see the pertinent decision of synod below:

That synod instruct the General Secretary to prioritize the development of resources to help classes and churches navigate the process towards repentance and restoration or towards  disaffiliation. These resources and the defined process should be in the hands of classes by November 29, 2024. Churches may continue in the process, provided there is continued momentum towards repentance and restoration through the measurable benchmarks listed in 1.a-e, or towards the disaffiliation process as outlined in the Church Order, Article 38-f. Classis will submit a bi-annual report to the General Secretary and Council of Delegates of the progress made. (Acts of Synod 2024, p. 887).

Resources are also available at crcna.org/limitedsuspension and on the Limited Suspension page of this site.

video greetings for Canadian classes

video greetings for U.S. classes

video greetings for Classis Lake Superior

Fall Classis Letter from the General Secretary

Fall Classis Letter from the Executive Director-Canada

You are invited to pray with Jon Hoekema (Prayer Shepherd), Zach King (General Secretary), Shirley DeVries (Chief Administrative Officer), Dan DeKam (Director of U.S. Ministry Operations) and Al Postma (Executive Director-Canada) on the following dates: 

Join Zoom Meeting / Meeting ID: 847 6428 9268 / Passcode: 980981

September 18: Huron, Lake Superior, Hackensack, Lake Erie, Columbia

October 1: Pacific Northwest, Alberta North, Grand Rapids North, Greater Los Angeles, B.C. Northwest

November 13: Alberta South / Saskatchewan, B.C. South-East, North Cascades, Ko-Am, Central California (interpretation provided)

December 11: Atlantic Northeast, Eastern Canada, Iakota, Georgetown, Holland

January 7: Niagara, Quinte, Heartland, Muskegon, Kalamazoo

February 26: Southeast U.S., Ontario Southwest, Grand Rapids East, Red Mesa, Chicago South

March 4: California South, North Central Iowa, Northern Illinois, Toronto, Thornapple Valley

April 9: Rocky Mountain, Hamilton, Yellowstone, Minnkota, Grandville

May 21: Illiana, Grand Rapids South, Wisconsin, Hudson, Northern Michigan

June 3: Central Plains, Zeeland, Arizona, Hanmi (interpretation provided)

Greetings all! 

It was great to see many of you on Tuesday. Thank you for being present and asking excellent questions throughout the meeting.

The recording is linked below:

Stated Clerks Connect Call - Aug 13, 2024

Here are some written notes from the call that we hope will be helpful:

Notes - Stated Clerks Connect Call - Aug 13, 2024

Below are the chat file and closed captioning files:

Chat file

Closed Captioning file

We wish you well as you continue to prepare for fall classis meetings and begin this next ministry year!

Hello Stated Clerks,

I’m writing to ask you to include Resonate Global Mission on the agenda for your Fall Classis meeting. These are turbulent times; we see this within the CRC, but also in events around the world. What is unchanging is our call to mission and to bring the hope and peace of the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

Last year,  I told the delegates at Synod that I believe Resonate can help lead the Christian Reformed Church into a bright future. Mission is an area of unity for our church, and Resonate gives all of us a huge opportunity to love, trust, and work with one another on mission.  This year, we are encouraging our churches and members to “Look for the Light.”  We see an ever-increasing amount of ways that the Spirit is working in and through the Christian Reformed Church.  

I’m sending Resonate representatives to as many classis meetings as possible this fall to help share that message and introduce some fresh energy for mission work. Will you please include a few minutes for a Resonate representative on your agenda, and distribute the attached handout with the materials you send to your delegates?

Thank you for your time, and if you have further questions I’ll be happy to answer replies to this email or refer you to the Resonate representative who will be at your meeting.

Serving with you,

Kevin DeRaaf

Director, Resonate Global Mission

Attachment:

Classis 2024 pdf handout

August 8 , 2024 

Each year around this time, our office will send a communication with a variety of documents to assist you in serving your classis. This is to help our newest stated clerks as well as provide updated resources and references for those continuing to serve in their role. 

• AGENDA FOR STATED CLERK CONNECT: Tuesday, August 13: 2:30pm Eastern

• STATED CLERKS SITE - We have created a Google site specifically for stated clerks. This will be a place where you can access resources, as well as serve as an FAQ for newer clerks. Some of these resources include:

  • Handbook for Stated Clerks of Classes - gives a fairly detailed overview of various aspects of the work of Stated Clerks

  • Credentials and Licenses Held By Classes

  • Classis Meeting Check List for Stated Clerks - A checklist for steps needed before and after classis meetings. 

  • Guide for Processing Pastors - Quick reference guide for how to process the beginnings or endings of a pastoral call in your classis.

  • Guide to CRC-RCA Pastor Exchanges - Quick reference guide for how to process ministerial exchanges with the RCA.

  • Sample Classis Minutes - Examples of good classis minutes from three classes

• SYNOD 2024: 

• Acts of Synod 2024

• Synod 2024 FAQ

• Summary of Synodical Decisions - for stated clerks use

• CURRENT LIST OF SYNODICAL DEPUTIES: Please check the name and the term expiration of the deputy and alternate for your classis. If you find an error, or if a change of Synodical deputy or alternate has become necessary after synod, remember that classis recommends names and then synod (or COD in the interim) makes the appointment. Send any changes or new appointment requests to statedclerksinfo@crcna.org.

• TRI-FOLD ORDINATION CARDS for newly ordained ministers and commissioned pastors within your classis are available upon request in English, Korean, and Spanish by filling out this order form.

• BOARD AND COMMITTEE NOMINATIONS: As part of your fall classis meeting, we ask for your assistance in identifying replacements for people ending terms of denominational service next June. Nominations are due November 15, 2024. Resources for the process are available in the Nominations section of the Stated Clerks Site. 

For any classis: 

JCC: Minister of the Word (1)

JCC: nonordained / non law (2)

JCC: person trained in law (1)

Historical: (2)

Candidacy (2)

Loan Fund (1)

https://www.crcna.org/gather/upcoming-events

August 6, 2024

One of the most challenging and weighty conversations that occurred during Synod 2024 was around discipline of churches that have made public statements of opposition against the CRCNA’s confessional interpretation of unchastity. Synod 2024 declared, “All officebearers from churches in non-compliance, by actions or any form of media, be placed on limited suspension. That suspension would include a loss of ability to send delegates to classis, synod, the Council of Delegates, or other CRCNA agencies.”  In a related decision Synod 2024 said, “That synod declare churches, members, and office-bearers that have declared themselves to be in the status of one in protest with ecclesiastical intent shall be entered into the process of discipline according to the procedures set by Synod 2024 and existing Church Order.” 

In another difficult deliberation, Synod 2024 updated the Church Order Art. 5 supplement and declared that officebearers with confessional difficulty gravamina should “recuse themselves from being delegated to broader assemblies while their confessional difficulty remains unresolved.” If you are interested in learning more about any of these decisions, please see crcna.org/Synod2024FAQ.

In summary, Synod 2024 stated that officebearers from congregations who have made public statements (on their websites, in “letters of protest” to synod, or other venues) that are contrary to the position of the CRCNA on unchastity “be placed under limited suspension.” Officebearers under limited suspension may not delegated to classis as voting members, but may still attend and have “privilege of the floor” at classis meetings. Furthermore, officebearers in the process of resolving confessional difficulty gravamina may also not be delegated as voting members to classis (or synod). For more information about the nature of limited suspension and what congregations might be under it, please refer to the recently posted Synod 2024 Frequently-Asked-Questions document referenced above.

I have received numerous questions of concern about how these synodical decisions should be applied to classical functionaries and service committee membership. At the outset, I want to acknowledge that synod did not provide direct answers to these questions. Synod did not give any instructions regarding classical functionaries and service committees. Instead, it primarily focused its attention on officebearers delegated to classis and synod.  By not commenting on this matter, Synod 2024 allowed for some latitude for classes to discern their own responses for classis functionaries and service committee members who may or may not be officebearers or delegates to classis. 

Nevertheless, I am providing the following advice as a good faith attempt to respond to your questions and give some direction. Please review it and determine how it best fits the situation you have in your context.

1. Classis Clerks and Treasurers: Classis clerks and treasurers from churches under limited suspension should be allowed to continue to function in their administrative roles. Classes will especially need competent administration when dealing with these weighty issues. Often classis clerks and treasurers are not voting delegates. However, clerks under limited suspension who are delegated to classis should not vote.

2. Church Visitors: Church visitors from congregations under limited suspension should recuse themselves from weighing in on matters related to the CRCNA’s position on unchastity and discipline matters related to it. In the event that the work of church visitors who are under limited suspension takes them to a congregation that is also under limited suspension, it would be wise for such visitors to recuse themselves.

3. Classis Counselors: Classis Counselors assist churches in their efforts to call pastors (C.O. Art. 9). Counselors under limited suspension should be allowed to continue to serve unless they are addressing an issue related to a potential minister who is out of compliance regarding the CRCNA’s position on unchastity.

4. Classis Interim Committees, Classis Executive Teams, Classis Vision Teams: For the sake of clarity and for the continued function of classis, members of these kinds of leadership committees should recuse themselves from speaking into and voting on disciplinary matters related to the CRCNA’s confessional position on chastity, or statements and policies regarding matters related to the CRC’s positions on unchastity. Those from churches under limited suspension, however, should not have voting rights on these committees or, if applicable, on the floor of classis.

5. Classis Ministry Leadership Teams: These teams typically focus on the development and recruitment of ministry leaders. It would seem appropriate for members from churches under limited suspension to avoid weighing in on matters related to potential leaders who might not be aligned with the CRCNA’s position on unchastity.

6. Student Fund Committees: These teams make decisions about the funding of ministry students from a particular classis. Members from churches under limited suspension would be wise to avoid weighing in on students who might not be aligned with the CRCNA’s position on unchastity.

7. Synodical Deputies and Alternates: Synodical Deputies under limited suspension should recuse themselves from concurring with classis decisions. While concurrence is not, strictly speaking, the same as voting as a classis delegate, it is related. If you are having difficulties finding three (3) Synodical Deputies from the nearest classis, we encourage you to email synodicaldeputyinfo@crcna.org and the Office of General Secretary will assist in identifying the nearest Synodical Deputy or Alternate.

8. Regional Pastors: 

During these challenging moments, we remember that we serve in a voluntary covenant with one another and that trust is essential for our relationships. We trust that conscience will be our guide in this matter.

Thrive suggestions for Classis Leadership in anticipation of upcoming classis meetings: 

1. Take time to select chairpersons for the next few classis meetings who are known to be wise and calm people who can lead with pastoral hearts and confident voices, who have deep experience within the classis, and who know the church order as well as the decisions of Synod 2024. 

2. Consider designating not just one but two vice-presidents for the next few classis meetings, so that there are wise people with whom the president can caucus, as needed, and so that there are two people who can help the president to read the room and discern how best to engage the tension and stress that may arise during these meetings.

3. Consider designating a classis meeting chaplain for the day (see job description, below).

4. Consider hosting an orientation for all new classis meeting participants, so that they are prepared and able to enter and contribute to the classis meeting fully.

Classis Meeting Chaplain for the Day:

1. For each regular meeting of classis, the stated clerk will appoint a person able and willing to serve as Chaplain of the Day (CD).

2. The CD will provide spiritual support and inspiration to the delegates and other attendees of the classis meeting. The chaplain will attend to the following:

     a. Review the classis meeting schedule to note themes for devotions and possible times of challenge in the deliberations.

     b. Creatively plan the devotional times to inspire and focus the attendees.

     c. Monitor the classis deliberations and intervene with pastoral concerns as deemed necessary.

     d. Monitor the pastoral needs of individuals and groups that arise in the context of the meetings, and provide individual and group support as needed.

     e. Work with representatives of the Credentials Advisory Committee in reviewing and determining how to address pastoral concerns listed on credentials forms received from the churches.

This material is based on work done by Classis Alberta North, with thanks for their thoughtfulness and wisdom.

Dave Den Haan (ddenhaan@crcna.org)