Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - June/77

Contributor - P. J. Yff

Title - Editorial

Topic - Editorial

Factories run on assembly lines, and turn out products, each looking, and hopefully functioning, just like the other. With education a different kind of product emerges. While young people often make a studied effort to dress alike, and act alike, each nonetheless is an individual. Through education this individual is prepared to take his or her place in society. Education is not, or at least, should not be, merely the acquiring of a set of facts. Education must equip us for the business of living.

To our graduates of 1977 we offer our congratulations. May each of you find work that offers a challenge, and that also brings satisfaction. May each of you also realize the truth of scripture that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

How will you regard the education and training you have acquired to this point? Was it just so much time which had to be spent, and so many courses which had to be mastered, or at least, endured? Hopefully, it means much more. Education is preparation. Education is a mutual matter, involving the student just as much as the teacher. Teachers might well remember that high on the list of things to communicate is attitude: attitude towards life and living. Long after the subject matter of a given course has receded into the back corners of the mind, the attitude taught, or acquired, will persist.

Moreover, education is a continuing process, long after school has ended. All of us need to continue in the school of them. "Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing into heaven . . . ?" They were to return to the city, and witnesses. Our money follows this commitment. for it is impossible to truly go to the work before them.

Something of the same sort must be true for our graduates, and for all in training. We wait until we are equipped, and then go forth. All of us, when it comes to that, are in the school of Christ. All of us are in need of his strengthening. All of us are to be his witnesses, in one way or another, to his redeeming power and love.

We hear a good deal about Church Growth these days, and what is necessary for it to take place. We have training offered, and challenge, and it is well that we do. We need, however, before anything else, commitment for the task, a response in faith to our Lord who calls us, in our day, to be his witnesses. Our money follows this commitment for it is impossible to truly love this Lord and not put our money where our response is. Our talents will be enlisted too, and we will serve him with our abilities and interests. Our time will be involved. (As summer approaches, it would be a good time to think about preparing and organizing for the fall, both individually and as churches.) Our involvement in programmes such as Here's LIFE, Canada, or Good News will be a part of this response. Church growth will result when commitment in sincere faith leads to response, to witness, to support, to involvement in Christ's work day by day, Sunday by Sunday, year by year.

Men, and women, and young people . . . of Ontario . . . Quebec, or British Columbia, or of any of the other provinces, or of the United States, or wherever . . . why do you stand by watching? Ask the Lord for his Spirit, his strength, and his equipping, and become involved in your task as a oft Christian. Respond to the Church Growth Fund Appeal, but let the church grow in your heart, in your family, in your love . . . and you will see that it will grow in the world too, as dedicated witness bears its fruit.

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