To bring this brief analysis of the history of the CRCNA to a conclusion, first consider the present statistics on membership. According to the Yearbook 1995 issued at the denominational headquarters, there were 187,868 communicant members and 106,311 non-communicants (baptized but not having made profession of faith), or 294,179 total members in 985 congregations (including 849 organized churches, 95 non-organized churches and 31 other fellowships) in 46 classes (10 of these are in Canada, and two other classes have large parts of their areas in Canada as well). The Yearbook 1997 lists 185,713 communicant members and 100,151 non- communicants in 987 congregations (including 841 organized churches, 103 non-organized churches and 32 other fellowships) in 47 classes. The defections mentioned in the previous discussion added to reversions and deaths offset the growth through evangelism, receptions from other denominations and births, to cause an approximately 10% decline in total membership over the past few years.

As just noted, the synod is composed of 47 classes which are geographically determined, with the exceptions of Classis Red Mesa, which is composed of congregations scattered over the American West and Southwest and whose members are in large part of American Indian ethnic background, and Classis Pacific Hanmi, which is composed of ethnic Korean congregations mostly on the West Coast. These classes were organized as an exception to normal policy to allow those churches with common cultural heritage and which face common issues and problems to deal more effectively and unitedly with their particular needs. The Church Order calls for triennial classical assemblies, though for purposes of efficiency more classes are meeting now on a twice-a-year schedule instead. Synod itself is convened annually. The CRCNA is incorporated separately in the US and Canada because of government regulations regarding charitable and religious groups; however it is in fact one denomination. The Canadian congregations have organized a coordinating council which does not have the status of a regional synod but functions as a forum to address concerns of the Canadian churches and to make recommendations to the corporate officers of the church in Canada as they address issues which face the Canadian churches in regards to legal issues, regional issues, as well as to address the concerns of the church to the Ottawa government.

Local CRC congregations are normally incorporated and trustees are elected for legal purposes under the jurisdiction of their state or provincial governments, but the spiritual oversight of the members is carried out by a consistory of elders and pastor(s). A board of deacons also serves each congregation in matters of benevolent ministry and stewardship. The deacons and elders normally gather together monthly in a joint "council" meeting to deal with general matters of church operation, while the deacons and elders will also meet separately to deal with their particular areas of oversight. Ministers are members of the congregations they serve, and the oversight of their doctrine and life is the responsibility of their consistory, the body of elders. Ordination and discipline of ministers, as of elders and deacons and all other members, is the responsibility of the consistory, though in some instances the classis may discipline office-bearers.

Classis meetings are convened with the assembly of a minister and an elder of each congregation in attendance. The spiritual authority of classis is delegated from the local consistories, so the classis is not considered a "higher" assembly, but rather a "broader" one, although in matters of appeals it does function as a higher judicial authority. Chairmanship of classis rotates among the ministers of the classis. The classes discuss issues of joint concern, give advice regarding excommunication proceedings, conduct examinations of candidates for the ministry before they are ordained by local congregations which have called them, license qualified persons to "exhort" in public worship services, bring the concerns and proposals of local congregations to the attention of the whole church by way of appeals, overtures, gravamina, etc. In some weighty matters, the classis will be served by the advice of "synodical deputies," ministers of neighboring classes who elected by classes and approved by synod each year for this purpose. Each classis also appoints and hears reports of "church visitors" who meet with each consistory during the year, inspect their records, consult with them (according to a classically approved agenda of areas to be discussed) regarding their ministries, and give them encouragement and advice as needed. Classis also appoints "mentors" who serve as encouragers and counselors for young ministers. The various classes each may establish their own committees for various specialized joint ministries (evangelism, social justice, benevolence, etc.) and fund these by assessing their members. Throughout the year, the classes are represented by an interim committee composed of the stated clerk, the treasurer, and the chairman of the previous meeting, or others elected to so serve. Finally, classes appoint two ministers and two elders from among their churches to serve as delegates to the annual synod and elect members of the denominational boards.

The synod is thus composed of four representatives of each of the 47 classes. Its function is to serve as the broadest assembly of the church in the same sense that the classes serve as an intermediate broader assembly. The synod adopts the forms of unity (confessions) and the church order which defines the organizational covenant of the denomination, and carries out joint ministries of the congregations. The synod resolves disputes, appeals, and protests processed in lower assemblies, processes overtures (proposals) which have been placed on its agenda according to a specified procedure, and oversees the committees and agencies which it has appointed to carry out specific mandates. Synods normally convene annually (in June) to conduct their business, entrusting the carrying out of mandates to standing and ad hoc committees and to the interim committee, known now (in accordance with North American corporate language) as the Board of Trustees.

The synod may appoint standing (long-term) committees to deal with matters of continuing concern (like SCORR, Committee for Educational Assistance for Churches Abroad, Committee for Disability Concerns, etc.), short-term ad hoc, study or action committees to carry out specific mandates (research and recommend regarding doctrinal, ethical or ministry issues) or agencies to carry out ongoing denominationally sponsored ministries (CRWM, CRWRC, CRHM, Calvin College & Seminary, Chaplain Committee, Board of Publications, BTGH, Consolidated Group Insurance, Interchurch relations Committee, etc.) The latter agencies may sometimes incorporate separately for legal purposes, though their oversight and government is effectively controlled by synodically appointed boards which are normally composed largely of classically designated and/or regionally composed membership.

Many denominational-related activities and para-ecclesiastical activities have already been noted in the above history. Perhaps better known are ministries like those of the missions agencies (CRHM, CRWM, BTGH) and that of CRC Publications (C.S. materials) and relief (CRWRC). However, there are many less-well known ministries also being carried on which are impacting the churches within and without the CRCNA in wonderful ways, such as the service of the Committee on Disability Concerns, the Committee on Abuse and the Chaplain Committee, just to name a few. CRC-sponsored educational institutions (at all levels of education), facilitating services (Christian Schools International), Bible and tract publication/distribution agencies, institutions of ministry to those suffering severe disabilities or mental illnesses (Hope Haven, Elim Christian School, Pine Rest Christian Hospital, Christian Health Care Center, Eastern Christian Children's Retreat, Bethesda Hospital, etc.), as well as many other agencies already noted, are also known for their excellent and effective services in the name of Christ. The extent and excellence of the CRCNA's various activities is indeed noteworthy, and it can only be hoped that God will see fit to continue to keep these many activities going and accomplish even more through this small North American church with Dutch roots.

Issues which are presently confronting the church are in some cases matters which affect the vital health of the church, matters of faithfulness to its Reformed heritage and the truths of Scripture. How these matters are dealt with in the years ahead will determine whether the church will grow in grace and ministry and numbers or whether the present tendency to decline will accelerate. The CRCNA faces continuing tensions and controversies, most of which have ancient roots. Let all who love the church of Jesus Christ pray for her and for this denomination, a small branch of the body of Christ which over the years and despite its shortcomings he has seen fit to bless so richly.