I first met Pastor Derek Buikema in my radio work around 2018. We broadcast my two-hour talk show from the Orland Park Christian Reformed Church (OPCRC) where he serves as lead pastor. Later, he would join me on a frequent segment I hosted called the Pastors Roundtable.

Always an insightful guest.

A few years later, I was serving as the Executive Director of Ministry Leadership at what was then known as Christ Community Church of Plainfield, Illinois.* My part time job was to provide tactical ministry assistance as we were between pastors. Like OPCRC, our fellowship was part of the Christian Reformed tradition.

Our church was in a difficult position. Changing pastors frequently causes a decline in membership and attendance.

We witnessed that.

To find some creative solutions for the future, I called upon my new friend, Derek Buikema, to advise our council on possible next steps. He graciously agreed.

The evening concluded with something unexpected. Pastor Derek suggested that it might make the most sense for our church to consider a multisite relationship with OPCRC. Our Council welcomed the idea, and the two congregations moved forward in discussions of a possible framework.

Finally, a little over two years ago, the church was renamed the Plainfield Christian Reformed Church—a ministry of the Orland Park CRC. Pastor Derek led the way on this process—even bringing a pastor recruit from California to serve on site.

It was during this season that I became aware of some increasing tension within the larger body of the Christian Reformed Church. A publication titled The Banner reports on issues and the various activities of the governing entities of the denomination. A couple of years ago, they updated the status of a “human sexuality report” requested by the CRC leadership in 2016.

The denomination was seeking to “provide concise—yet clear—ethical guidance for what constitutes ‘a holy and healthy Christian sexual life.’ The report would also serve the church with ‘pastoral, ecclesial, and missional guidance that explains how the gospel provides redemptive affirmation and hope for those experiencing sexual questioning, temptation, and sin’.”

A dramatic result occurred. The CRC’s Synod 2022 declared that the church’s historic stance viewing same-sex relationships as unbiblical had “confessional status.” Meaning what? Basically, the decision “closed the door” for individual congregations to a varying theology on this issue. There would be no “gay” pastors.

No same-sex marriages would be performed. This decision also impacted the policies of hiring and teaching at the denomination’s colleges.

You can read more about it here. To many, both inside and outside the denomination, the conservative vote that won the day was surprisingly high. And quite aggravating to opponents.

As it turns out, one of the governing body’s representatives was none other than Pastor Derek Buikema. His clear stance on human sexuality guided by the Scriptures was joined by others of like mind who were willing to stand firm on truth. Earlier this year, Pastor Buikema was voted synod president—a one year term.

These denominational battles are painful and often relationally costly. The CRC had allowed drift on the issues of human sexuality to pollute clear teaching in churches and in the academic circles. To make straight the course, so to speak, would bring consequences.

And it did.

The complexities involved in this story are quite involved. I would highly recommend reading an article published in August by the Gospel Coalition titled, The Curious Case of the Christian Reformed Church. It also explains some of the significant efforts of Pastor Derek Buikema and others in holding ground where needed.

As the CRC drifted in past decades, healthy spirituality declined as one might expect. A church split resulted. And as the Gospel Coalition reported,

“For about 25 years after the split, CRC members reported reading the Bible less, praying less, and having fewer personal and family devotion times.”

When the Scriptures lose prominence in guiding us, we suffer.

True Christ followers must affirm,

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV)

And in John 17:17, Jesus shares these words with His followers,

“Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.” (ESV)

Truth is what Pastor Derek Buikema stands by. May God strengthen his resolve as this Illinois man continues his grand stand in defending the faith.

(* Full disclosure: Mark is no longer part of this congregation.)