Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - May/80

Contributor - Arthur Zeilstra

Title - Living In The Eighties: The Church Alive

Topic -

"Faith Today", a Canadian Evangelical magazine, concludes, reflecting on the seventies:

The decade of the seventies would have to be considered a relatively good one for evangelicals. At the same time, it would have to be acknowledged that several sharp challenges emerged that will have to be faced decisively in the eighties - the growth in secularism, the emergence of the new cults, and the entry into Canada of other religions. Within the movement itself, the evangelical community will have to come to grips with the issue of a simpler life style and the need for closer evangelical cooperation. (Jan./Feb. 1980, p. 32)

God, throughout history has sent messengers who have addressed the issues of their day. Oftentimes the words spoken by these prophets were ignored, rejected, and even hated. The prophet Amos spoke for God to the Northern Kingdom around the eighth century, B.C. The people did not want to be reproved for their sinful ways and disliked those who spoke uprightly. "They hate him who reproves in the gate and they abhor him who speaks the truth" (Amos 5:10, RSV).

The religious people who were trampling upon the poor, cheating them, and enriching themselves by their dishonesty would certainly be punished. "Therefore because you trample upon the poor and take from him exactions of wheat, you have built houses of hewn stone, but you shall not dwell in them; you have planted pleasant vineyards, but you shall not drink their wine." (Amos 5:11, RSV).

Therefore, Amos pleaded with the people to seek good and not evil, 11 only they would hate evil and 'Love good and desire justice, then God would continue to be their God. "Seek good, and not evil, that you may live; and so the Lord, the God of hosts, will be with you, as you have said. Hate evil, and love good, and establish justice in the gate; it may be that the Lord, the God of hosts, will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph" (Amos 5:14, 15, RSV).

True faith in God requires changed living. Amos was upset with the Israelites -with their hypocritical show of devotion while they continued in their sins. God wanted changed lives. Their burnt and peace offerings and their ways were not acceptable to Him. "I hate, I despise your feasts, and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies. Even though you offer Me your burnt offerings and cereal offerings, I will not accept them, and the peace offerings of your fatted beasts I will not look upon. Take away from Me the noise of your songs; to the melody of your harps I will not listen. But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an everflowing stream" (Amos 5:21-24, RSV). To love God and neighbour is better than any sacrifice or burnt offering, and justice and righteousness should flow from their lives like a mighty stream.

Living in the Eighties . . . How do we as congregations of the Reformed Church in Canada meet the challenge that is before us? How do we remain faithful to God as well as relevant?

I asked that question of a number of pastors recently, and here are their -responses:

Rev. John Moerman, Pastor of the Grace Reformed Church, Whalley B.C., says that the church in the eignties needs to become

1. A praying church, daily prayer by the entire membership; special prayers by spirit - filled people prior to the worship services; and a repentant church where there are no hindrances to the movement of God.

2. A Holy Spirit empowered church. A waiting on the presence of God and a dependence on the Holy Spirit. Pentecost is to become a full reality.

3. A compassionate church. Love is in action everywhere.

Rev. Paul Nulton, Pastor of the Calgary Reformed Church, Calgary, Alberta says:

"The Church in the 80's must discover a way to relate more intimately to the individual's life. We are in an age of Narcissism where folks evaluate things according to meeting their own needs. In other words .... there will be a large increase of I I selfish religion (What does it do for me?)". In relating to individuals, the Church will also have to discover ways to make selfish people have their needs hopefully met - to look beyond themselves and realize that the purpose behind religion is, foremost, the "glorification of God". This latter point has broken down and increasing narcissism has been related to well by the Charismatic renewal and its intense personal experience. But even this renewal must begin concentrating on God's glorification outwardly because it has already passed its peak. So I would feel that the Church in the 80's must learn to relate well to the individual's needs in such a way that God's glory is proclaimed and His Will done in this world and to realize that individual experience is not a substitute for the doing of God's work in creation."

Rev. John Opmeer, Pastor of the Hope Reformed Church, Vancouver, B.C., says:

"The church in the 80's needs to become more of a community of the Holy Spirit to remain relevant to people in the 80's. I see three focuses:

1. The Church must be a true worship center where worship of God involves all the people, and where there is a balance between freedom and order.

2. The Church must be a healing center. Healing understood as spiritual, emotional and physical, accomplished through worship, Scriptural and competent counseling, prayer, and in small group sessions. Multiple staff will become more essential.

3. The Church must be a community of love, where unconditional love can be experienced, and is given, in practical ways. Calls for small, caring groups.

Unless church emphasizes and provides for these three, people will substitute TV church for local church. Ongoing training is called for, so that Christians are equipped to worship, to be part of in-depth fellowship, etc. Leadership training must be given, both spiritually and in skills."

Rev. Leroy Sandee, Pastor of the Bethel Reformed Church, Abbotsford, B.C., speaks about the church's need for relevance:

"More fully dedicated to the preeminence of Jesus Christ and His Church and the attaining of those goals by spiritual means and that is, to understand what I not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit; saith the Lord" means. This, I think, must reach out into the home and family life so that youth will grow up with a genuine Christian life style where Christ has priority and not materialistic and hedonistic satisfactions.

Rev. Murray Moerman, Pastor of the New Life Community Church in Burnaby, B.C. believes:

1. More awareness of its radical discontinuity with the world. If we do not see the difference between the nature, missions, goals of the church, and those of the world our identity is lost.

2. A true balance of the Word and the Spirit. 100% Word and 100% in the fullness of the Holy Spirit.

3. Lay training and participation in all forms of ministry.

Rev. Peter Gillquist, president of the relatively new Evangelical Orthodox Church says:

"Honestly, it is time for us to get off our pop-evangelicalism, our schemes of spiritual shortcuts, and back into the wholeness of the historic Christian faith. I am calling for community instead of mere individualism, good deeds instead of just good thoughts, care instead of only prayer, and a worship which goes far beyond a personal quiet time or being a congregation of 'spectators'." (The Physical Side of Being Spiritual, Michigan: Zondervan 1979, p. 9)

The Apostle Paul gives us, in this upcoming decade, some strong advice.

I. Stand Firm In the Lord

The Apostle Paul is giving the Philippians specific instructions "to stand firm in the Lord" (Phil. 4:1, RSV). The emphasis is that it is important that each person has a personal Christian experience. The phrase 'in Christ' or 'in the Lord' occurs 164 times in Paul's writings. As congregations we need to encourage a daily walk with God. Paul urges, "Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you stand firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel." (Phil. 1:27, RSV)

The Apostle Paul is speaking about the quality of life which the Christian exemplifies. We in the church are to pursue worthy ideals, be reliable, be steadfast, be of one spirit, and strive as a team. As we exercise our talents and gifts in the interest and cooperation of fellow members in the congregation, the life within the church is Enhanced. As we live in the eighties, the church becomes alive as we have both our feet firmly planted on the ways of God. Some of us have gone through severe wind storms, and unless an item was nailed down it would have surely blown away. In this decade there will be the testing and trying 'winds' on the people of God who rely on the promises of God.

Paul says to the Christians in Ephesus, "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might." (Eph. 6:10, RSV) The race that God has for us in this decade will not be purely won in our strength and through human effort. Instead, "that I with body and soul, both in life and death, am not my own, but belong unto my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ" (Heidelberg Catechism). We belong to our faithful Saviour who gives us the power of the Holy Spirit to live a victorious Christian life.

(To be continued)

Please click the "Back" button of your browser to return to previous page.