Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - June/70

Contributor - John J. Opmeer

Title - The R.C.A. in Canada - what does God want of us?

Topic - Focus on Canada

ON JUNE I AND 2 THE RCA. CHURCHES BELONGING TO CLASS CASCADES CAME TOGETHER IN CALGARY TO DISCUSS A MO,' CRUCIAL QUESTION: WHAT DOES GOD WANT OF US AS RE FORMED CHURCHES IN CANADA? DOES OR SHOULD THE RCA HAVE A FUTURE IN CANADA NOW THAT IT NO LONGER HAS MISSION TO NEWLY-ARRIVING DUTCH IMMIGRANTS?

It is not a new question. The existence of the R.C.A. in Canada was the main topic of a previous workshop, held in Hamilton, Ont. in 1959. At that time some of the ministers and elders of our churches in western Canada were of the opinion that once the main task of receiving immigrants had been completed, our churches should integrate within a Canadian church, specifically the Presbyterian Church of Canada' But the overwhelming majority of the delegates from Ontario churches voted in favor of a more permanent ministry of the R.C.A. in Canada. Thus, the existence of the R.C.A. in Canada changed from rnission to denomination.

One of the results of that decision was the establishment of the Ontario Classis of the R.C.A., the first Classis to operate entirely outside the bounds of the U S A. However, the identity crisis of our churches in Canada has never been entirely overcome, witness the continual flare-up of discussion on the future of our churches in Canada. It was finally the West where the question came to the surface again in an official workshop. One of the western churches, Lethbridge, served as a catalyst for this new phase of the discussion. It had requested Classis Cascades in 1969 to offer advice on the matter of a joint ministry with the St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Lethbridge, leading to possible merger. The other Canadian churches of Classis Cascades immediately responded by Ok declaring that the Lethbridge situation should not be considered in isolation. Classis then appointed a Committee of Three, consisting of the ministers John Moerman of Edmonton, John Opmeer of Vancouver, chairman and elder Peter Hanhart of Lethbridge, to prepare for a workship of the Canadian churches belonging to Classis Cascades. The theme was formulated as "The R.C.A. Canada - what does God want us?"

In the working paper, which was prepared for all delegates and which summarized answers of t] churches to a questionnaire, was stated: "We are in a transition period, but it is not clear yet what we are changing int or even what we would like change into. The decisions that must be taken before long have such large consequences that we dare not move without first seeking out the mind of all involve Together, as church leaders, in prayerful and informed confrontation of the issues, we seek to become more aware of God's will f( our churches in Canada."

One of the conclusions of the working paper was that, on the whole, our churches have indicated a desire, not for integration within another Canadian denomination, but for closer identification with Canadian life through one or more of the following:

a. much greater and effective coperation with evangelic, churches on the local and national scale;

b. a shift of benevolence move from U.S.A. to Canadian projects;

c. a strong outreach program in the local community.

It was realized that, for the time being, our identity as an ethnic church would be more of a burden than a help in any outreach ministry.

At the workshop, it soon appeared that the hardest question to deal with was that of our identity. An attempt was made to spell out our identity in terms of doctrinal position, but this was considered unsatisfactory by most. It is apparent that not all our churches agree that we are in Canada because our churches present the true church (see Belgian Confession) in its most ideal form compared to the other denominations. However, there was quite general agreement that we are faced with a lack of clear alternative. I f we do not want to continue as Reformed Churches, should we then join the Presbyterian Church of Canada, the United Church of Canada, or perhaps the Christian Ref. Church? And would such a move really be a step forward for the church of Christ in Canada? It is realized by many of our leaders that the Spirit of God is moving across denominational lines, and that we better be obedient as churches to the Spirit's leading, rather than seek our salvation as a denomination in Canada in a simple organizational merger.

After much discussion and prayer, it was finally agreed to accept the following guidelines for future action: "As R.C.A. churches of Classis Cascades we understand that God wants of us:

1. Total commitment to Jesus Christ in faith and life, as ministers, elders, deacons and people of God.

2. To be Spirit-led, Biblically centered,, evangelizing local congregations.

3. To do everything we can to further the Christian life and mission of the Church of Jesus Christ in Canada, both locally and nationally.

4. To consider our allegiance to the R.C.A. only in the light of our primary allegiance to serve the church of Jesus Christ in Canada.

5. To express our oneness with fellow Christians in Canada locally and nationally in whatever way would serve best what we understand to be God's will for us as R.C.A. church in Canada (as above).

6. To consider God's present call to all of us for much more effective co-operation with other evangelical churches in Canada, both locally and nationally.

7. To consider God's call to come of us to seek such co-operation through a joint ministry or program with another local evangelical church.

8. To help each other to reach these objectives both locally and nationally by staying together as R.C.A. churches.

Several other decisions were taken, and much more was presented that would be worth being printed here for the consideration of other churches. But this report is made rather hastily at this time, so that the current issue of the Pioneer may at least contain some of the results of the Calgary workshop. I hope that there will be opportunity to come back to the subject of the workshop in the next issue, perhaps with some comments from our sister churches in Ontario and elsewhere.

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