Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - July/86

Contributor - Rev. Will Kroon

Title - Is a Remarriage Possible?

Topic - Reformed Church In America

lt has been more than 100 years ago that the Christian Reformed Church in North America separated from the Reformed Church in America. This did not happen all at once but over a period of time. It is not my intention to list all the old arguments that have been used to justify this action. What I would like to point out is that both denominations have begun to take another look at each other. And those who aye serious about all this are beginning to ask: "Is a remarriage possible?"

There are various reasons why I raise that question at this time. They are:

1. The Reformed Church and Christian Reformed Church in the Netherlands are indeed taking a possible merger seriously and are presently in the process of planning for a possible merger. Many congregations are worshiping together each Sunday and some Reformed Churches are already calling pastors from the Christian Reformed Church.

2. The Reformed Church in America and the Christian Reformed Church in North America have decided to hold a concurrent session of their 1989 meetings of General Synod at Calvin College.

3. There will be an overture from The Classis of Queens at this year's General Synod meeting regarding this matter.

Now before you get too excited (or annoyed) about these actions I have to admit that we are not courting yet. We are only beginning to take a closer look at each other. However, it is true that some begin to say: "If we want to seek to become one with another denomination, the Christian Reformed church is the most logical choice." This is true, for we were once married together, at least in the United States. The situation here in Canada is somewhat different for our histories are different. The Canadian Churches think more about their common background in The Netherlands where the major separations took place in 1834 and 1886. Yet, that should not prevent us from asking some serious questions about a common future. If the mother denominations go in that direction what prevents their offsprings from following their example? And let us not forget that already 25% or more of the members of the Christian Reformed Church in Canada are of Reformed Church background and some of their members are now part of the Reformed Church. This assimilation has not spoiled either denomination; in fact the new blood has been a source of invigoration.

It seems to me that the first obstacle to overcome is that of attitude. If there is a positive will there will be a way to take one another seriously. If not, we will not even get to first base. It is quite easy to dust off the old skeletons from the past and revive all the old arguments that led to our separation. But that is the easy way out. It is more constructive to discover what we have in common, and how we can be a blessing to each other.

I know from experience that we hold strong views about each other, views that are frequently based on past experiences in a certain area of the Church as well as on biased attitudes. Of course, we have to admit that we have different ways of looking at or doing things. For instance, at one time I preached in a Christian Reformed Church and I noticed that one of the Elders was taking notes all through the sermon. No doubt he was serious about what he was doing but he left the impression that one's love for and loyalty to Jesus Christ can be determined by an abundant use of familiar doctrinal expressions. But I also know that there are others in the Christian Reformed Church, people who bring a breath of fresh air in the Church. At one time I happened to be an observer at a meeting where the President of Calvin Seminary shared his views on ecumenical and doctrinal concerns and I found his views quite similar to ours. in both denominations we find members who are in favour of Christian education, working closely with other denominations, of giving women the opportunity to serve and welcoming believers from other churches to Holy Communion. in both denominations we have members who are opposed to abortion, capital punishment, etc. Our main difference is that the percentage of those who are for or against these issues vary in each of the two denominations. The Reformed Church has in the past been more open to the free flow of the Spirit than has been the case in the Christian Reformed Church.

If both denominations want to put their feelings into actions, they may want to take the following steps:

1. Provide opportunities for the members of our churches to meet each other regularly and under various circumstances;

2. Provide opportunities for our leaders to examine our attitudes, to discuss our fears, to talk about our friends (denominations with whom we associate) share our gifts, and above all, meet for worship.

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