Executives See Hope and Opportunity as Regional Synods Prepare to Sunset

As the eight regional synods of the Reformed Church in America (RCA) prepare to sunset at the end of 2026 when middle assemblies become effective and replace regional synods and classes, synod executives and clerks are looking to the future with hope. The final meeting of the Council of Synod Executives (COSE) took place in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in early May. COSE was joined by the General Synod Council (GSC) staff’s Strategic Leadership Team along with Rev. Sarah Palsma, General Synod 2026 president; elder Brad Prince, General Synod 2026 vice president; and Rev. Joshua Scheid, moderator of the GSC and past president of General Synod.

The meeting was poignant as the era of regional synods and classes concludes, some of which have origins dating back to the late 1700s and early 1800s. However, the more pervasive feelings and themes that emerged during the day were ones of gratitude, unity, and hope for a new chapter of ministry and life together.

“There is an inherent calling and hope that God is not done with the RCA yet. We’re being remolded by the Potter’s hands; cracked pots still have purpose and meaning. I believe that the RCA has a bright future ahead of it,” says Rev. Sarah Palsma, president of General Synod 2026. “As I’ve been traveling and talking with churches, being present in anxiety and grief and not knowing what’s ahead, the united hope is the Revelation 7:9 vision of the RCA. God is leading us as a church to a future of all nations, all languages, all peoples. We’re united in that hopeful vision. My hope for the restructuring is that we can leave behind what needs to be left behind—let stories of the past be something that we can share with sweetness instead of bitterness so we can move toward the promised land that God has ahead of us.”

Rev. Dr. Edie Lenz, synod executive for the Regional Synod of Mid-America, acknowledged that past meetings have been filled with anxiety about the transition, but this final meeting carried an entirely different tone.

“I’ve been struck by the graciousness in which people want to move forward,” she says. “The middle assemblies will all look different, but I don’t sense any anxiety or panic about how to do things. It used to be so anxious and frightening. At this moment, there’s been enough dialogue and clarity to move into an unknown. When we get anxious, we cease to be curious. If we can learn to be more curious and wonder together, that will help ease our anxiety.”

The meeting ended in prayer with Michigan-based GSC staff members, thanking God for the work of the regional synods over the years, blessing the leaders involved in this restructuring work, and asking God for continued guidance as the denomination’s new structure is ushered in.

“This is an important moment in the church,” says Rev. Lindsey De Kruif, synod program coordinator for the Regional Synod of Albany. “Religion is shifting, and this time of transition in our structures might allow the church gathered in the RCA to respond more nimbly to these shifts and minister to the total life of all people.”

“We stand at this place of choices,” agrees Lenz. “The RCA is seeking to respond to a world that has changed and will continue to change. We have a choice. Often when change happens, we want to build higher walls and pretend we can go back to the way it used to be. But the moment we’re at is like the Isaiah 43 passage about God doing a new thing. So we tiptoe into the future, not hide.”

Initial roster of middle assemblies

At their final meeting, the synod executives provided a list of 25 middle assemblies that will be forming and becoming effective on December 30, 2026:

Regional Synod of Albany:

• Abiding Middle Assembly
• Northeastern Middle Assembly

Regional Synod of Canada:

• Middle Assembly of Canada

Regional Synod of the Far West:

• Southwest Middle Assembly
• California Middle Assembly
• Central California Middle Assembly
• Middle Assembly of the Americas

Regional Synod of the Great Lakes:

• Great Lakes City Middle Assembly
• Holland Middle Assembly
• North Grand Rapids Middle Assembly

Regional Synod of the Heartland:

• Midwest Assembly
• Reformed Global Assembly

Regional Synod of Mid-America:

• Middle Assembly de las Naciones
• Mid-America Middle Assembly
• Wisconsin Middle Assembly

Regional Synod of the Mid-Atlantics:

• Middle Assembly of the City
• Middle Assembly of Delaware-Raritan
• Middle Assembly of Greater Palisades
• Middle Assembly of New Brunswick
• Middle Assembly of Passaic Valley

Regional Synod of New York:

• Classis of Hudson Valley (use of “Classis” is being maintained)
• Classis of Rockland-Westchester (use of “Classis” is being maintained)
• Agape Middle Assembly
• Global Covenant Middle Assembly
• New Long Island Middle Assembly

Final rosters of pastors, ministers, and churches in each middle assembly are due to the Office of General Synod by November 1. Following the initial formation, pastors and churches will have the flexibility to transfer assemblies should they choose to do so at a later time, as they have had in the structure of regional synods and classes. 

“We went through grace-filled separation; now we move into grace-filled transition,” says Rev. Phil Assink, co-executive for the Regional Synod of the Far West. “We’re not going to get this perfect, so let’s be gracious with each other. We want everyone to feel at home.”

The role of a middle assembly, similar to a classis as stated in the Book of Church Order, will require every ministry in its bounds working together. Middle assemblies are required to supervise churches within their bounds; raise up candidates for ministry, oversee their process, examine and support them, and ordain, install, and/or commission them; form and disband congregations; provide support and care for congregational leaders, including care for ministers and their families; provide training and support for leadership development; and oversee reporting.

Read frequently asked questions about middle assemblies and this transition.

Commitment and hope for the RCA in a new season

During the COSE meeting, general secretary Rev. Eddy Alemán and General Synod president Rev. Sarah Palsma invited synod executives to share their “why” for being in the RCA. Most expressed deep roots and appreciation for relationships, as well as hope for this next chapter of church life.

“I love this denomination, and my roots run deep here,” says Rev. Al Plat, president of the Regional Synod of Canada. “What I’ve really come to appreciate is that there are a lot of deeply committed Christians who have a living faith and their relationship with Christ is obvious. Those people have encouraged me along the way and reassured me that this is a good place to be. Our differences don’t matter; we are all on the same team. There’s a real feeling that God is doing something here, and I want to be a part of this!”

“My mom always taught us that if you want to see change, you have to just keep showing up,” says Lenz. “I was born and raised in the RCA, but at one point, I had an off-ramp—and it would have been easy and comfortable to go elsewhere and be a woman in ministry. But I didn’t go. I stayed because I love the RCA, and people value it when you keep showing up. So I just keep showing up.”

“I am deeply committed to a Reformed understanding of faith and the ways it is expressed through our creeds and confessions. I am also very hopeful for what the RCA can be,” says De Kruif. “Since attending my first General Synod as a college student in 2007 and hearing about the RCA considering the adoption of the Belhar Confession and then being present as a seminarian when the Belhar was adopted as a confession at the 2010 General Synod, I have held a lot of hope for the ways the RCA might live into being a church that welcomes all and stands with those most in need.”

“I’m here and hanging on because I want to see what will happen next,” says Rev. Steve Norman, co-executive for the Regional Synod of the Far West. “God has opened a door for us, and I want to see if we will walk into the new thing God has for us instead of patching up the old. It’s not human nature to do the new thing, but we have a great opportunity to become a new thing. We’re standing on the shoulders of the past and building on that legacy. I am expectant and hopeful that we will rediscover what it means to follow Jesus and help people in local congregations do that.”

“I am in the RCA because—without a doubt—I know that what is happening is a God-breathed movement. I know it because I have seen it and I am experiencing it,” says Rev. Dale Assink, regional synod executive for the Heartland. “The exponential growth of our region is something that God is causing to happen. We could never have written the script for what is happening in and through our classes. We have seen growth into six different countries. We are global. Churches and leaders continue to seek us out from other countries. I don’t know how else to describe it except for a movement of God for us to enter into a new future unlike anything we have experienced in the past.”

Middle assemblies provide opportunities to refocus on mission and deepen connections

In its final report in 2024, the Restructuring Team imagined a refocused denomination:

“An RCA choosing to move forward together focusing on what unifies us: the mission of Jesus Christ. A denomination focused on helping one another present the gospel of Jesus Christ and the good news of God’s reign in ways that are compelling and transformative for a culture too accustomed to division, distraction, and power struggles from within the church. A denomination eager to celebrate new worshiping communities, deepening discipleship in congregations of all ages and sizes, and new people learning how to follow the ways of Jesus in an increasingly post-Christian world.”

That vision is being pursued and becoming a reality as leaders—regional synod executives in particular—see the opportunity that the restructure to middle assemblies presents.

“This is a unique opportunity to distance ourselves from a deep institutionalism and to focus on ministry,” says Phil Assink. “This is a time of creativity and reimagining.”

“This is definitely a time of renewal,” affirms Plat. “Restructuring can be a great thing: everything is under evaluation and we’re asking, ‘What can we do in a better way?’ There’s something exciting about doing something in a different and better way. And there’s so much unity here in the RCA, particularly in mission. We’re able to leave some stuff behind because we’re focused on Christ and making disciples of Christ.”

“You can’t bring bad habits into a new structure and expect to succeed,” says Rev. Dr. Micheal Edwards, synod executive minister for the Regional Synod of New York. “My prayer is that God would bring us over the bridge, through the Jordan River, and into a future of making more disciples.”

Assink is already seeing that expanded reach in the Heartland region and beyond as they wade into continued partnership and mission through forming middle assemblies.

“The growth [that we’re seeing] combined with the transition to middle assemblies creates a formula for a historic shift to providing the supportive structures to faithfully respond to all the new leaders and churches,” says Dale Assink. “There is a miraculous work of God’s Holy Spirit that is opening avenues of ministry for the RCA to become a global denomination with endless possibilities of church planting and disciple making.”

Other leaders are crossing the bridge into middle assemblies with particular hopes for doing ministry in new and better ways.

“It is clear that old initiatives are not working in today’s culture, which requires churches to adapt in creative ways, experimenting in the margins of regular church rhythms and evaluating effectiveness to make sure progress toward a defined mission is being accomplished,” says Tom Grabill, executive director for the Regional Synod of the Great Lakes. “Because of the necessity for innovation and change in churches today … the importance of assessing for emotional health in pastoral candidates is vitally important, as is providing a new set of skills to remain obedient to flourishing ministry.”

“I hope that we can do a better job of caring for one another—our people and our pastors,” agrees Lenz. “And I hope that churches don’t feel like they have to do it all on their own—that churches can be brought into connection and learn something from one another. Our region is in a place where we’ve been deeply disconnected from another. The idea of coming together is challenging, but we know it won’t work if we don’t. I want us to be as gracious as possible and stay at the table together as long as possible.”

For many, those connections and relational strength continue to be priorities for doing ministry and mission together. That includes relationships within middle assemblies and across the denomination.

“My hope is that the connection as an entire denomination will strengthen and not lose track of the main mission—making disciples of Christ,” says Plat. “I’d like to see the church continue to find ways to connect and be relational.”

“Our hope for the middle assemblies is that they find a way to maintain relationships and share resources with each other,” says Rev. Stephen Eckert, clerk for the Regional Synod of the Mid-Atlantics.

“My hope is that by having leaner, more centralized structures at the middle assembly level, churches will be more greatly empowered to impact their local communities, sharing the gospel in word and deed,” says De Kruif. “I also hope that churches will be encouraged to partner together for a greater impact.”

“As this restructure comes to a completion and a new dawn awaits, my hope is that middle assemblies and the RCA work together to provide adequate training for equipping pastors to shepherd a congregation toward appreciating and welcoming different viewpoints and living in the messy middle, for the sake of upholding the gospel and establishing God’s kingdom reign,” says Grabill.

Advice for middle assembly leaders

Some of the regional synod executives and clerks will likely continue in a leadership position for middle assemblies, while some will retire or transition off leadership teams. Still others are unsure where their leadership will be applied. Nevertheless, when COSE convenes, the collective ministry and leadership experience is extensive. Having had front row seats to this restructuring process, they offer words of advice for this next chapter of RCA ministry.

“Approach the middle assembly structure with a focus on local ministries and leaders,” advises Dale Assink. “Make sure the perspective is on how to best support, encourage, resource, and empower leaders and ministries. The focus needs to remain on extending the ministry of leaders and ministries. That will make the qualitative difference for leaders and ministries to experience the value-add of the middle assembly and denomination.”

“My advice is for leaders to stay sharp, pay attention to the needs of congregations, cross the T’s and dot the I’s, and continue to support the ministry and mission of the RCA,” says Eckert.

“Invest in leaders and invest in learning to communicate well with one another,” adds De Kruif. “The future of the church depends on raising up leaders from the next generation, and the work of the gospel depends on those in church being able to seek understanding among each other.”

What’s next?

While the bulk of major restructuring decisions have been made in previous years, this year’s General Synod, convening June 11-16 in Nashville, Tennessee, will consider and vote on a few restructuring implementation items, such as the equitable rotation and representation of middle assemblies on commissions and other bodies. Middle assemblies will become effective on December 30, 2026.

“We’ve been through a lot as a denomination, and there have been many questions about what we’re going to do,” says Brad Prince, General Synod 2026 vice president. “We’ve been through the pruning; come next spring, I believe we’re going to be bearing more fruit. The restructure has provided an opportunity as a denomination to think about what we’ve traditionally done and to rethink new ways of doing things to inspire and disciple more people. Middle assemblies will allow more connections and engagement than ever before. I’m looking forward to the new growth. It will be exciting to see how we’ll grow as we head into the RCA’s 400th anniversary in 2028.”