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Artwork for The Messy Reformation

The Messy Reformation

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

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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes284Founded5 years ago
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Religion & Spirituality

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Artwork for The Messy Reformation

Latest Episodes

Part two of our Synod 2026 preview goes after the bones: who has authority to discipline, what the church owes the state, what the church even is, and why confessional integrity at every level isn't a bonus — it's the basic ask. The technical density... more

We're back from a short break with the first half of our annual Synod 2026 preview — and this is not a back-to-normal agenda. The Council of Delegates is bringing 27 recommendations forward, and Jason, Dan, and Willy walk through the bigger buckets t... more

Lee Christoffels was ordained in the Christian Reformed Church in 1970. He has been preaching ever since — in Worthington, Minnesota, where his congregation has held services in four languages and watched the community around it change week by week; ... more

If episode 267 made the case that the CRC has a congregational health crisis, episode 268 asks why the structures meant to address it aren't functioning. The answer, according to Matt Haan, is simple: classes have never had a plan. Not a real one. Th... more

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Recent Guests

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 serving in Classis Toronto
CRC in Ontario, Canada (Meadowvale/Exeter lineage; current assignment near Toronto)
Episode: Episode 265: The Church Was the Training Ground — Harry Frielink (Part 1)
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
Specialized Transitional Minister with extensive experience in the Christian Reformed Church
Christian Reformed Church
Episode: Episode 261: The Bittersweet Work of Transitional Ministry — Roger Sparks & Harv Roosma (Part 1)
Harv Roosma
Specialized Transitional Minister who previously served as a teacher and pastor, and has experience in church administration
Christian Reformed Church
Episode: Episode 261: The Bittersweet Work of Transitional Ministry — Roger Sparks & Harv Roosma (Part 1)
Cameron Oegema
One of the pastors at Bethel Christian Reformed Church in Listowel, Ontario.
Bethel Christian Reformed Church
Episode: Episode 257: From Passive Participant To Active Leadership — Cameron Oegema (Part 1)
Kurt Ritsema
Pastor with over 22 years of experience in ministry and background in youth ministry.
Bethel CRC
Episode: Episode 255: What Seminary Cannot Teach You — Kurt Ritsema (Part 1)
Richard Britton III
Pastor with experience in multiple CRC congregations.
Trinity CRC
Episode: Episode 253: The Value of Confessional Accountability — Richard Britton III (Part 1)
Jim Hollendoner
Pastor engaged in church revitalization and conversation about faithfulness in ministry
Episode: Episode 252: Faithfulness Over Institutional Preservation — Jim Hollendoner (Part 2)

Hosts

Jason Rice
Associate Pastor at Bethel CRC and Chaplain at Central Wisconsin Christian; host of discussions around reform and leadership in the CRC.
Willie Cronke
Co-host and Pease CRC member; contributes to roundtable discussions on CRC reform, leadership, and congregational health.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 73 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.

Guests provide practical, actionable insights for church leadership and governance.
Engaging rundowns of CRC reform; strong, balanced perspectives keep complex issues approachable.
Honest conversations that stay respectful and focused on faith and reform.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
Episode 261: The Bittersweet Work of Transitional Ministry — Roger Sparks & Harv Roosma (Part 1)
Q: What kind of things are you looking to get into right when you get there?
You're looking at a year commitment, which can extend if needed, focusing on healing and preparing the way for the next pastor.

Audience Metrics

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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?

A thoughtful, theology-forward show examining reform and renewal within a specific denomination. Across episodes, conversations with pastors, theologians, and church leaders focus on leadership in transition, pastoral care, and how to navigate contentious issues—from human sexuality debates to synodical processes—while keeping Scripture central. The tone blends practical pastoral experience with long-range vision for church health, often highlighting themes like trust, communication, and collaborative leadership as essential to healthy reform. Noteworthy is the recurring emphasis on honest dialogue and stabilizing transitional ministry as constructive, not disruptive, forces within a denomination in flux.

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1. Three Forms Podcast
2. Reformed Podmatics
3. White Horse Inn
4. Reformed Forum
5. The Briefing with Albert Mohler

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The Messy Reformation launched 5 years ago and published 284 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. Lee Christoffels
2. Harry Frielink
3. Shaun Furniss
4. Roger Sparks
5. Harv Roosma
6. Cameron Oegema
7. Kurt Ritsema
8. Richard Britton III

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