Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - June/90

Contributor - Jonathan Gerstner

Title - Reforming Canada: The Synod of Canada As a Dream and Reality

Topic - Reformed Church In Canada

I am delighted to have the opportunity to speak to leaders of the Reformed Church in Canada about the issue of the need for a Synod of Canada. I would like to say at the outset, that I am aware that those of us assembled today are not an official judicatory of the Reformed Church. We do not have the authority to make official decisions. Anything that we decide today needs to be referred to the appropriate Classis committees for further study.

However, none of us can miss the historic scope of this conference. Only two congregations have declined to participate. We have had a time to fellowship, pray and dream together. If there is a spirit of unity among this group on this important topic, it becomes a clear mandate for us to spearhead the effort to get the appropriate channels moving.

I myself am a relatively new convert to seeing a synod of Canada on the near horizon. Even six months ago when I embarked on this ministry, setting a concrete goal for forming the synod seemed far removed. The remarkable turns of our Lord's providence has convinced me that we are closer than we ever dreamed even months ago.

In the dream of a synod of Canada, I would like to start by presenting several misconceptions which I have frequently encountered.

MISCONCEPTION 1

We have more in common with our current Particular Synod than we have in common with:

a. The Wild, Wild West

b. The Bland, Boring East

I hope if there is nothing else we have learned in this time together, it is how much we have in common. Certainly there are differences in worship styles, but that is true of different congregations in the same geographical areas, too. As I have been visiting with delegates, I am again impressed by how much we have in common. We stand together in trying to be reformed by God's Word, and seeking His Spirit's guidance. We all want to go into the future on three legs (See Dr. Meeter's article), provided those legs are based in and constantly checked by Scripture, and we are willing to be led along the path by God's Spirit, without which, form becomes formalism. (In other words we are committed to reformation, and continuing reformation, or Nadere Refonnatie for those of you familiar with the phrase). We agree on the role of Scripture in the church, and on issues like homosexuality and abortion. We all have a burning desire to reach Canada with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Let us stop stereotyping each other, and go after our real enemy.

I might add that the tension between East and West is one of the strongest reasons for a synod of Canada. I was recently talking to a Mennonite friend. He was sharing how the Western Mennonite Churches were so wild, while Ontario was so committed to the Anabaptist tradition. I soon learned that all Canadian denominations have similar tensions. Our East/West tensions prove we really have become a Canadian church force, with all the blessings, and all the problems. Thanks be to the Lord that we are not just a Western church or an Eastern church.

MISCONCEPTION 2

It will never work we tried before.

This misconception is closely related to its sister misconception;

MISCONCEPTION 2A

It's new. It can't work.

Of course, neither of these hold water. We have continually worked on this path, but we have never had all the elements working together the way they are today. Similarly there is nothing new about this dream. It is as old as when average believers took on the church hierarchy and cried out for the need of a Reformed Church in Canada. The idea is an old one, renewed. It can work.

MISCONCEPTION 3

We would be disloyal to our current Particular Synod, which has done so much for us.

None of us would in any way want to be ungrateful to our current Particular Synods. Without Synod of Michigan, humanly speaking, the dream of Reformed Churches in Canada would have died. Without Particular Synod of the Far West, including stateside churches in Classis Cascades, our newly transferred congregations would probably never have joined our denomination. But these Synods themselves are the very ones who took these steps because they shared the dream of a synod of Canada. Now that we have grown up, they more than anyone else want us to make it as a synod.

MISCONCEPTION 4

Synod of Canada is only a desire born of nationalism.

This misconception is particularly common among some of our new immigrants from a certain country south of the border. But the Scripture made clear that we are called to witness to our town (Jerusalem), and our nation (Judea) as well as our world (Acts 1:8). It is not blind patriotism to have a special burden to reach our land with the Gospel. Denominational structure on the national basis would be a great aid in that task.

MISCONCEPTION 5

We would be forced out of the RCA.

This is the flip side of misconception four. if we become a synod of Canada, some fear that we would somehow be forced to become a Canadian denomination and thrown out of the Reformed Church of America. We have just confessed that we are also called to witness to the world. Division of Protestant churches into national entities was the result of the national governments not the church. Now that we can hold together a little more of the international character of the church, we are called to be faithful to it. Indeed, I am confident that the synod of Canada will become one of the most stalwart defenders of the truths of Scripture in the RCA.

MISCONCEPTION 6

Synod of Canada could not support itself.

MISCONCEPTION 7

Assessments would go through the roof.

In response to these two misconceptions, I will be the first to admit that I will appreciate it, if committees involving those gifted in financial management will work on these details. However, I can make a lay observation. Already we are supporting an executive secretary, a business manger, and a denominational periodical. Those in the East are also supporting a camp and a Classical youth worker. Assessments for the Synod of the Far West are already $10 per communicant member. Synod of Michigan has traditionally had low assessments and raised program money by askings. Most of our loyal parishioners paid these askings, just as most of those out West pay their Emerging Synod of Canada askings, which are assessments in the East. However, Synod of Michigan is now needing to follow the lead of the other synods and start assessing for program-,. By 1995 this is estimated at $15 per communicant member. As you can see, assessments will go through the roof if we do not form a particular synod of Canada, and instead all keep paying assessments to two Synods. Similarly we could certainly support ourselves with even part of the money that would otherwise be going to the older Particular Synods.

MISCONCEPTION 8

I would never see Howard Schipper or Glenn De Master again.

This misconception may cause a few chuckles, but it is quite serious for many. These servants of the Lord mean a lot to us all. However, they have already seen how much responsibility is involved in covering their current areas, and are both encouraging us to go ahead. I am sure that these brothers will still be glad to visit our new synod that their labours helped produce.

In contrast to the misconceptions, there are many true conceptions that need to be heard.

CONCEPTION 1

We are called to witness to Canada. Dr. DiGangi's lectures have pointed out so clearly the time of spiritual crisis in our land. Pastor M. Moerman has so clearly shown how our land is crying out for new congregations. Didn't each one of our heart's burn when we heard these challenges?

CONCEPTION 2

Canada is crying out for a Reformed denomination.

Our spiritual refugees have made very clear that the old myth that some other denomination will fill this role is dead. God has especially equipped us for this ministry, and now he is especially equipped us.

CONCEPTION 3

We cannot afford to support two Particular Synods.

This is explained in response to misconceptions 7 and 8 above. We all want to use as much of our resources as possible directly in ministry.

CONCEPTION 4

Synod of Canada is a faithful call to minister to God alone, not merely a response to new churches joining.

This is an important point. It is a little like which comes first the chicken or the egg. In this case clearly the chicken. Our vision to be a Canadian church force was part of what drew new congregations. Continuing on that path in faith will continue to draw more, the Lord willing. But to wait reactively for new churches, and then look at moving ahead, attracts no one. If we faithfully move ahead, others will come, but our goal is always the glory of God.

CONCEPTION 5

Our youth and our new churches are even more aware of the need for a Canadian synod than we am We have heard from our new churches about how this is a crucial time of opportunity. We have also learned by many of our young people voting with their feet by joining 'Canadian' denominations. We need to make clear that we are committed in faith to be a Canadian church force.

CONCEPTION 6

Synod of Canada will be a great evangelical force in our denomination.

Our church has a wonderful heritage of love for the gospel and mission. Yet we can at times be naive and copy the latest winds of doctrine, as Dr. Hesselink so clearly discussed. Our unique combination of outspoken love of the truth and spiritual refugees who know first hand what a dead end a denomination hits when drifting from the Word of God gives us a special opportunity to contend for the truth in love following Word and Spirit.

CONCEPTION 7

Synod of Canada has always been our dream, but God in his providence Is presenting the great day of opportunity.

We need to publicize the story of how long this dream has been kept alive against all odds by faithful sisters and brothers, through the power of our God. The fact that this conference is taking place at a camp that one would never expect to have come into existence is ample testimony to this dream. Now God is presenting a great day of opportunity which none of us could have anticipated coming so quickly upon us. We need to spread that news to prepare our congregations for the exciting future the Lord is giving us a taste of at this conference.

CONCEPTION 8

The 1993 General Synod in Vancouver should be our goal for the birth of the synod of Canada.

If there ever were a case of a dream whose time has come, this is it. Even the providential placing of a General Synod in Vancouver--only the second ever in Canada--points to it. By 1993 we will have at least three classes, the 'Lord willing.

EPILOGUE:

At this point in my presentation, many exciting words of encouragement came from the delegates present. I found myself almost trying to hold back the dream which I had prayed for so long. By this I mean that I wanted to make clear that classis committees needed to affirm this goat too, and work for it. I also had asked two pastors whom I respect greatly, the Rev. Henry Van Essen and the Rev. John Opmeer to say a few words. Rev. Van Essen's moving presentation is included in this issue. After Rev. Van Essen's presentation, the whole assembly rejoiced. Rev. Opmeer remarked that all he could add was "Amen,' and the two brothers embraced--a beautiful picture of all that God had done in our midst during this conference. East and West united in a dream of reforming Canada, and changing our land through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The attitude of the gathering toward the 1993 goal was best expressed by the words of one of the small groups at the goal setting session. On their planning sheet they wrote in bold letters, "GO FOR IT!!!" The conference has given a clear mandate to both Classes to do exactly that.

We concluded our day with a time of fellowship, communion and prayer that was as close to heaven as we will be, until the Lord calls us. The prayers and dreams for the conference lifted up by so many had been so beautifully answered. Indeed the prayers and dreams of those who strove for the Reformed Church in Canada for decades came so much closer to fulfilment. We all left confident of our need to keep striking forward at this time appointed by the Lord to claim the victory He offers to us.

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