Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - Mar/86

Contributor - Rev. Will Kroon

Title - To Be or Not To Be Involved

Topic - Reformed Church In Canada

Last October the Rev. Arie Blok wrote an interesting article about the involvement of the Reformed Church in National and International church bodies like the World Council and the Canadian Council of Churches. He wrote at length about the stand which the Reformed Church has taken in the past and he wondered what stand our denomination ought to take today. The Church bodies which he mentioned in his article are of interest to me, for I have represented our denomination to some international gatherings and since the untimely death of the Rev. Peter Yff in 1981, I have represented Classis Ontario on the Canadian Council of Churches. My participation in the work of these organizations and my person-to person contact with the leaders of the Canadian Council have broadened my vision and increased my appreciation for what its member denominations and representatives seek to accomplish.

Why did our denomination choose be involved in the work of the WCC. and CCC.?

Long before these above mentioned bodies came into being our denomination or at least our mother church in Holland chose to be involved in the major events that affected the Church of Jesus Christ. When there were major problems on the mission fields we met with other denominations to overcome these problems; when Christians of one nation fought and killed Christians of another nation we Supported the mediation role of the Church to bring about peace between the parties at war; when a flood killed thousands of people we wanted to join others and come to the aid of the survivors and even though we knew that it is often difficult to speak prophetically on issues like Apartheid and that one will often be misunderstood when one follows the example of the Good Samaritan and helps people in need, yet we chose to get involved. This involvement has taught us something. It has enabled us to get a better understanding about the teaching and concerns of our Lord. Let me explain what I mean.

1. When a person has prayed with Christians belonging to different religious persuasions from different parts of the globe he is bound to get a better understanding what the Lord meant when He prayed: "Father ... I do not pray for those only but also for those who are to believe in me through their word, that they may be one . . . so that the world may believe that thou has sent me." (John 17:20 - 21).

2. We work toward a greater unity, for we believe this to be the aim of the Body of Christ, the Church. The Bible uses this figure of speech for the Church in order to point out the need for all parts to function in harmony with each other.

3. When major conflicts arose in the N.T. church, representatives from the whole church were invited to help settle the matter. That N.T. example has been a model for the great Ecumenical Councils that gave us the Apostles' and the Nicean Creeds, which we use at our Sunday worship services.

4. We have also been inspired by the example of John Calvin, the principle founder of the Reformed Church. After he was cast into a leadership role, he moved heaven and earth to seek the unity of the Church in his day. Year after year he wrote letters to people in authority kings, queens, church leaders, etc. - in order to get their support for unity and truth in the Church. He said that "if it does not please God to open a door we are still obligated to climb through a window in order not to miss a chance to reach an agreement".

Long before the World Council of Churches was organized the Churches from across the world sensed a need to come together in order to deal with mutual concerns on the mission field and in order to speak with a united voice when dealing with forces that threatened the well-being of the Church in a particular area. out of this concern for mission and for dealing with other issues, the World Council of Churches was born. People of Reformed persuasion ha e, v from the very beginning, been a driving force behind this move. It is not for nothing that the World Council of Churches was born in the Netherlands and that its first General Secretary was a Dutchman: Dr. Visser 't Hooft. What I want to point out is that we joined this body, for there was basically no comparable religious body that was able to bring so many denominations together and that would deal with such a variety of concerns. At the moment the WCC. has a membership of 310 denominations world-wide of which 7 denominations joined last year.

There are a few smaller religious bodies which are much more limited in scope such as the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (of which we are also a member) and the Reformed Ecumenical Synod. These are often limited to members of one persuasion and lack the variety of denominations found in the WCC.

Spiritual Enrichment

When I was pastor in Stoney Creek many of our men or women would attend ecumenical gatherings in the community and come home enriched. Often I feel enriched when I return from worshiping with Christians from other denominations. It is not that I don't appreciate the doctrines and worship of the Reformed Church. I do. At times I appreciate them even more after having worshiped with others. We can be proud of what we have to offer to the Church at large, for I know that our doctrines and our liturgy are appreciated by others. When we visited the Mainland of China in 198 1, I noticed that the library of the newly opened seminary in Nanking had stocked many Reformed Classics, books which I had to read while in training. Yet, I have to admit that we don't have the whole truth and that others miss something in our worship. Some miss periods of silence, others the free flowing of the Spirit, and again others a sense of holiness and dignity in worship. If you worship with Quakers, our native Indians or att@nd an Easter service in a Russian or Greek Orthodox Church, you will know what I mean. Through worship we are enriched by each other.

The worship and interaction with representatives of other denominations has been a blessing to me. it has enabled me to see that some love the Lord greatly even though they express that love in a different way than I do. This experience helps me daily as I seek to minister to the patients in the hospital where I serve.

On the Canadian Scene: The Canadian Council of Churches and the Evangelical Fellowship

The Canadian Council is made up of the following denominations: Anglican Church, Armenian Holy Apostolic Church, Baptist Church, Christian Church, Coptic Orthodox Church, Lutheran Church, Polish National Catholic Church, Reformed Church in America, Quakers, Salvation Army and the United Church of Canada. Several of the above are the size of the Reformed Church in Canada or smaller. In addition to those above the Christian Reformed Church and the Mennonite Church participate in the committee work of the Council. The Roman Catholic Church is in the process of becoming an associate member. What this means is that 80% or more of all Christians in Canada will belong to denominations that belong to this body.

The Canadian Council of Churches has won respect at home and abroad. It was the first Christian Council from the West to be invited by the Church of China after the revolution. It is frequently consulted by the government, for our members of parliament know that some Church leaders know more about a situation in some countries (through the work of missionaries) than they do.

On the one hand it is difficult for our Classis to fully participate in the work of the Council. We lack the man powers and the resources. Yet, we are kept informed, and are being listened to and have a voice in the decisions of the Council. Its present leadership is very much aware of the needs of small denominations like ours and the representatives of the small churches are invited to meet with the General Secretary for a sharing of ideas and concerns.

During the last four years I have traveled, worked and worshiped with leaders of denominations that serve on the Council. Many of them are former missionaries and the last two presidents have been of the Evangelical wing of the Church. Its present President is the well-known Anglican, Bishop Ted Scott, a man of great wisdom and spiritual depth.

The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada is much smaller in size and does not have the contacts which the Canadian Council has established or provide the services which the Council has to offer. However, it speaks to the spiritual needs of the "middle of the road" Evangelicals and this is the reason why some denominations want to be a member of both organizations.

Conclusion

There is a need to find a better way to break through the deadlock that prevents so many from recognizing the need for and strength of Church bodies as mentioned above. I know that a wrong mental attitude has kept the Roman Catholic Church from recognizing the spiritual zeal and concern of Martin Luther. This is changing. A different attitude begins to surface. Now Roman Catholic leaders begin to recognize him as a Christian leader with a legitimate concern. Such a change in mentality is also necessary with many Protestants, for their vision is blocked by negative thinking. But how to change this? More is needed than reading reports from newspapers. Only a real sharing in common worship will do. It is only by praying together and worshiping together that a spirit of Unity in Christ breaks through. That happened at the last meeting of the WCC. in Vancouver; it is bound to happen again when two or three (or more) gather together in the Name of the Lord.

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