Sorting Out Synod 2024: Chaplains Help Move Forward

Synod 2024 laid out a path and timeline to call for compliance for churches and office bearers who disagree with CRC teachings. Within our chaplain community, there are chaplains who unreservedly agree with the recent Synodical decisions and chaplains that no longer feel there is space for them in the denomination. Some chaplains are in churches that have started the process of disaffiliation. In this weighty time, the Office of General Secretary has been tasked to provide further resources for congregations and pastors who decide to disaffiliate.

As the chaplaincy endorser for Thrive and the CRCNA, my commitment is to listen and provide whatever assistance that I can to help you continue in your calling to serve as a chaplain in the CRC or in another denomination. If you decide to join another denomination, I can provide letters of recommendation to communicate with other endorsers.

For those who might be in a congregation that decides to disaffiliate, but you want to remain in the CRC, I can assist in the process of transferring your ministerial credentials to another CRC church and establishing a new Covenant of Joint Supervision.

My prayer is for all of us to embody grace in these challenging times as we face saying goodbyes to colleagues, friends, and family members, who we had shared the connection with of being members together in the Christian Reformed Church. There is pain and grief in these goodbyes and people are in mourning.  

This is also the very space where chaplains are equipped and called “to provide spiritual care to people in pain or spiritual distress.” I have received and continue to receive spiritual care and support on my grief journey by members of our chaplain community and I know first hand how God’s grace is embodied through your calling to chaplaincy. I know that God will continue the work of redemption through you in “the moments that matter.”

Grace and Peace,

Tim Rietkerk

Thrive Ministry Consultant/Chaplain Endorser