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Artwork for The Messy Reformation

The Messy Reformation

Jason Ruis
Christian Reformed Church
Synod 2024
Reformation
Synod 2025
Synod
Discipleship
Church Planting
Synod 2026
Confessions
Human Sexuality
Reformed Theology
Covenant For Office Bearers
Courageous Leadership
Youth Ministry
Human Sexuality Report
Ecclesiology
Virtual Church
Leadership
Prayer
Reformed Ecclesiology

We love the Christian Reformed Church; we want to see reformation in our denomination; and we recognize that reformation is typically messy. So, we’re having conversations with pastors throughout the CRC about what reformation might look like.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes296Founded6 years ago
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Religion & Spirituality

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Artwork for The Messy Reformation

Latest Episodes

Recorded days after Synod 2022 adjourned. Second of three reruns in the Before We Knew series. Jason and Willy work through the six questions the podcast then put to every delegate it interviewed: your role at synod, what you learned about yourself a... more

Recorded in May 2022, weeks before Synod 2022. First of three reruns in the Before We Knew series, pulled from the years before the CRCNA's direction was settled.

A solo episode. Jason works through the fear of the Pharisees — Matthew 21:45-46, Mark... more

If Synod's new ten-year church-planting vision is going to mean anything, it has to land somewhere ordinary: in one Christian noticing another. Part 2 of our conversation with Ralph Wigboldus starts exactly there. Asked how a small, tired congregatio... more

Ralph Wigboldus has been in the boiling water longer than most of us. A senior pastor in Woodstock, Ontario, and a six-year veteran of the Council of Delegates, he came to Synod 2026 tired and half-hoping someone else would carry the load. He left ov... more

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Recent Guests

Ralph Wigboldus
Guest; featured speaker discussing Synod reflections
CRC denomination leadership figure
Episode: Episode 280: Synod 2026 — Speak Boldly, Raise Leaders, and Share the Gospel — Ralph Wigboldus (Part 2)
Zack Flipse
Return guest, delegate at Synod
Synod delegate (CRC)
Episode: Episode 277: Synod 2026 — The Slow Work of Trusting Our Institutions Again — Zack Flipse (Part 1)
Chris Ganski
Co-author of the overture and fellow pastor
Unknown from transcript
Episode: Episode 274: Synod 2026 — What Is a Church? Forcing a Theological Conversation (Chris Ganski & Derek Buikema)
Derek Buikema
Vice President of Synod (at time of recording) and co-author of overture
Synod leadership
Episode: Episode 274: Synod 2026 — What Is a Church? Forcing a Theological Conversation (Chris Ganski & Derek Buikema)
Lora Copley
Current interim editor of The Banner
The Banner
Episode: Episode 272: The Banner's Future and the Confessional Renewal of the CRCNA — Lora Copley (Part 2)
Lee Christoffels
Minister with 52 years of ministry, Worthington CRC
Worthington Christian Reformed Church
Episode: Episode Replay: Why Reformation Is Always a Return, Never an Evolution — Lee Christoffels
Harry Frielink
Pastor
Episode: Episode 266: If We Are Faithful Now, We Can Trust the Word — Harry Frielink (Part 2)
Shaun Furniss
Pastor at Trinity CRC, Sparta, Michigan
Trinity CRC
Episode: Episode 263: The Holy Spirit Is the True Counselor — Shaun Furniss (Part 1)
Roger Sparks
Pastor; STM participant
Church leadership circles mentioned
Episode: Episode 262: The Communication Problem Every Church Has — Roger Sparks & Harv Roosma (Part 2)

Hosts

Jason Rice
Host with multiple affiliations in CRC congregations and ministry contexts
Willie Cronke
Co-host bringing CRC local church perspectives

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 76 ratings
  • Refreshing

    Thanks for being a voice of reason and clarity to work through whats going on with the CRC. Really enjoying all the different perspectives and it’s so encouraging to see how many faithful preachers there still are in the denomination and these conversations are a great starting place for starting conversations we need to be having in our own local church communities.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MBHB95
    Canada2 years ago
  • Dropping truth

    Dropping reformation truth weekly.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    aromatharpy katie
    United States4 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

High-value guests and practical takeaways for local churches and synods.
Candid discussions on governance and leadership that attract pastors and church leaders.
Thoughtful, steady conversations that push toward reform without abandoning doctrinal grounding.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Episode 271: Breaking the Echo Chamber - Wider Voices in the Banner — Lora Copley (Part 1)
Q: So going from the interim editor to Senate as the permanent editor, did you feel prompted to pursue the permanent role as strongly as the interim role?
Lora describes the ongoing discernment process, conversations with colleagues, and a sense that continuing the work was a natural progression once trajectory changes were identified; the decision involved prayer, weighing commitments, and discussions about releasing from previous roles.
Episode Replay: Why Reformation Is Always a Return, Never an Evolution — Lee Christoffels
Q: What role does preaching style play in maintaining doctrinal integrity within the church?
Expositional preaching is crucial because it centers Scripture as the authoritative voice, preventing the pastor from becoming the sole sense-maker and helping the congregation engage a biblically grounded message across generations.
Episode Replay: Why Reformation Is Always a Return, Never an Evolution — Lee Christoffels
Q: How has the CRC's understanding of Scripture authority shaped debates about reform over the decades?
Scripture's authority is the central testing ground; reform should align with Scripture and the confessions, not with changing cultural pressures or novelty, which helps explain why confessional unity matters for steady reform.
Episode Replay: Why Reformation Is Always a Return, Never an Evolution — Lee Christoffels
Q: What were some of the joys of ministry over 52 years, and how do they inform your view of reform in the CRC?
Joy comes from seeing people come to know the Bible and the Reformed faith, from long-term ministry where relationships and mentoring flourish, and from watching former congregants grow in faith and family life; these experiences underscore the value of stability and doctrinal clarity in pursuing reform.
Episode 266: If We Are Faithful Now, We Can Trust the Word — Harry Frielink (Part 2)
Q: As we approach Synod and talk about reform, what words would you leave with our listeners?
He urges pastors to blow on the live embers of people's faith, to stay in the Word and in prayer, and to walk with those God is drawing to Christ, emphasizing personal devotion as the source of public leadership.

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Messy Reformation

What is The Messy Reformation about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Conversations center on reforming a bi-national denomination through practical, pastor-led dialogue. Episodes frequently tackle governance, church polity, synod decisions, and the balance between tradition and renewal, with guests ranging from interim editors and church leaders to pastors and STM specialists. The show often blends candid, sometimes provocative takes on strategy (e.g., budgeting, classis planning, church planting) with grounded pastoral care discussions, making it a go-to for listeners who want tangible paths toward healthier churches and a more coherent reform agenda. A standout trait is its willingness to debate contentious topics openly—while staying rooted in Reformed doctrine and CRC accountability—often aiming to trans... more

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1. White Horse Inn
2. The World and Everything In It
3. Reformed Forum
4. Core Christianity
5. Mortification of Spin

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The Messy Reformation launched 6 years ago and published 296 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Messy Reformation?

Recent guests on The Messy Reformation include:

1. Ralph Wigboldus
2. Zack Flipse
3. Chris Ganski
4. Derek Buikema
5. Lora Copley
6. Lee Christoffels
7. Harry Frielink
8. Shaun Furniss

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