Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - June/82

Contributor - Siebrand Wilts

Title - Where Do We Go From Here?

Topic - Church in Canada

A letter to all members of the RCA in Canada by Rev. Siebrand Wilts, President, Council of the Reformed Church in Canada

Dear Members of the RCA in Canada:

At our C.R.C.C. meeting, held on May 15, 1982, at the Reformed Church Centre, Cambridge, Ontario, we were reminded once again of the misunderstandings and misapprehensions concerning the Council of the Reformed Church in Canada. The Council of the Reformed Church in Canada was established in order to "establish a unified presence in the Dominion of Canada". Prior to 1974, and prior to the Council, this was a deeply felt need in the RCA churches in Canada; the C.R.C.C. was the answer to that need.

Since 1974 a great deal has happened in Canada; changes have been made in the Council and changes will continue to be made. In 1978 an East-West Task Force was appointed to study and to prepare a report on the future of the RCA in Canada. All levels of church government were represented on this Task Force, including the PSM and PSW. All of the RCA churches in Canada received copies of the report prepared by this Task Force, and were asked to send their comments and reactions to the Executive Committee of the C.R.C.C. As a direct result of this study and report, the following decisions were made by the C.R.C.C. and approved by both Classis Ontario and Classis Cascades:

1. C.R.C.C. needs to make a commitment to Church growth in Canada under Canadian management;

2. The formation of additional Classes in Canada and the possibility of establishing a regional (Particular) Synod of Canada needs to be discussed as part of a long-range plan; and

3. We need to plan for the engagement of a full-time staff person(s) to organize and implement the long-range programmes and that we aim for the establishment of a Canadian Regional Centre at Camp Shalom by 1981.

In the Spring of 1980, first at the Executive Committee meeting and then again at the Fourth Biennial Council meeting, held on May 9, 1980 at Camp Shalom, Cambridge, Ontario, the following motions were approved:

1. Council go on record as favouring a Western Canada Classis;

2. A church office be established at Camp Shalom;

3. A field secretary be called to work Canada-wide; and

4. We work towards the development of a Particular Synod of Canada.

Again, these recommendations were presented to both Classis Ontario and Classis Cascades for approval. The PSM and PSW were also kept informed as to our decisions; both the PSM and PSW have supported this decisions.

Since May 9, 1980, the Rev. Cor Bons has been appointed Field Secretary for Canada and Classis Cascades has approved, in principle, the formation of a Western Canada Classis. As soon as there are twelve (12) viable and willing churches in the four Western Canadian provinces, a Western Canada Classis will be formed.

Since we now have an office at Camp Shalom and since the decision has been made to organize the Churches in Western Canada into a Classis, there is no longer a need for a large council. Moreover, it has been brought to our attention that many of the Ontario Council Units do not function. Consequently, changes were proposed and accepted by both Classis Ontario and Classis Cascades to change the method by which members were elected to Council membership. Henceforth, there will be only two Council units, one east of the Ontario-Manitoba border and one west of the Ontario Manitoba border. Each unit will have three representatives elected by their respective Classis. The Field Secretary will be a member ex-officio. This re-organization will greatly cut down the cost of Council meetings as well as make the Council more responsible to the Classes.

The question that remains to be answered is, "Where do we go from here?" All of the decisions made thus far have been made in order to meet the unique needs of the RCA Churches in Canada; it is our hope that decisions made in the future will always be made on the basis of need. Eventually, we do envision a Synod of Canada, RCA. However, it will not become a reality until there is a definite need for it and until it is viable for us to do so. In the meantime, we will continue to work towards it, one step at a time, and in full cooperation with both Classes as well as the PSM and PSW. In practical terms this means that we will need to have some fifty to sixty RCA Churches across Canada divided into three or four Classes.

The day, however, is coming when we will have sixty or more RCA Churches in Canada, and when that day arrives, a Synod of Canada will not only be viable, it will be a necessity. In order that there may be a smooth transition period and so that all the RCA Churches be allowed to work together, a council is absolutely essential. It is not our desire to have a costly national identity; it is our desire to see the RCA Churches work together and grow together in Canada. It is not our desire to cut ties with the PSM and PSW, rather, it is our desire to work in co-operation with them to strengthen the work of the RCA in Canada. For these reasons we request your continued financial and prayerful support.

Further questions may be directed to myself, the Rev. S. Wilts, 55 Green Valley Bay, Winnipeg, Manitoba R2K 3V8 (telephone 204-667-8192) or to the Rev. C. Bons, Field Secretary for the Emerging Synod of Canada.

In Christ's Service,

(Rev.) Siebrand Wilts

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