Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - June/77

Contributor - Henry Van essen

Title - Drop In When Passing Through

Topic - Vacation

Last summer four families of the Bethel Reformed Church in Exeter took a trip to the West. During their travels they visited some Reformed churches (Winnipeg, Edmoilton, Abbotsford, a.o.). During the last winter another number of families went south and visited the Reformed Church in Florida. A university student went to see friends in Holland, Mich. and in Grand Rapids, and was amazed to discover that the Reformed Church was so much more than his own local congregation and the few others in southern Ontario.

All these experiences have the same message: discover for yourself that part of which you are a part, the Reformed Church in America,.

When going on vacation, plan to get to know a part of the Reformed Church and her work. See how others operate, listen to what comes through, find out how the mission of the Lord Jesus is being worked out elsewhere.

Visitors to Florida could detour over Brewton, Alabama or over Annville Kentucky to see the ministry to the whole young person, body, mind, and soul, in action. Travelers from the West to Washington and California have ample opportunity to see various ministries in operation. And it is always a joy to welcome visitors from south of the border at the services and functions of R.C.A. churches in Canada.

Meanwhile our fellowship in Canada would be greatly strengthened if more people from Ontario would get to know the churches west of them, and visa versa. It probably will take a little planning, and some persistence. Reformed churches in Canada are not very visible. Sometimes information about services and locations are not easy to come by, once you are in a strange city. I recall a young couple who had just moved 2000 miles spending literally hours on Saturday trying to find out where the Reformed church was and when the services took place. But . . . they found it!

An easier way is to watch for the information sheet which is published from time to time on the back of PIONEER. Clip it and put it with your telephone book or in your correspondence map. Then, of course, you can always ask your pastor before you leave. He receives every year an up-to-date list of churches and addresses listed by place name and state.

During the last twenty years I have visited a number of areas in the R.C.A. Some experiences come to mind at this time.

One was a trip with three farmers from the Wainfleet, Ontario area to Springfield, South Dakota ('?.64). The main reason was agricuitural. But after traveling 1000 Tiles one older immigrant farmer found himself right at home in the church fellowship in Springfield. He said something to the effect that he felt the distance between him and the Presbyterian church in Port Colborne, 12 miles from his home, was far greater than that between him and the Springfield congregation.

This leads to something I experienced during a trip last summer, when entering the pulpit of the Calgary Reformed Church, together with the pastor, Rev. Eric Schulze.. I had never been in Calgary before, yet the first impression was: nothing strange, a typical (Canadian) Reformed Church. That same evening this experience repeated itself in Edmonton, two days later in Winnipeg. And ten days before that the attendance at a Reformed Church in California was also familiar, even though it was a large walk-in, drive-in church.

But imagine traveling thousands of miles to find yourself on the platform with Rev. Chris Platteel, on his way to the mission work in Mexico, who informs me that members of the Exeter congregation had been worshipping in Abbotsford the Sunday before. (Talk about keeping tabs on your flock!)

All this leads me to say, that there is much similarity between most Reformed churches, particularly in Canada.

True, some of my visits to some of the churches took place some years ago, and I was never in the Brockville church. Some may ask about the New Life Community Reformed Church in Burnaby, B.C., and about the Cundles Height Community Reformed Church in Barrie. Maybe less similarities will be found there.

Yet the whole approach and philosophy of ministry will be permeated by reformed teaching and practice. Like children from the same home will always reflect the influence of the same mother, so Reformed churches will always be recognized as part of one certain part of the family of God.

These similarities through background and teaching help and stimulate and make possible exchanges of thoughts and open discussions. There is usually nothing greater, and more stimulating, then when these children get together.

Therefore, drop in when passing through. Even better, why not plan your vacation partly as an exploration of some areas of the Reformed Church, its work and its witness? The whole family, at home and away, will profit.

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