Pioneer Christian Monthly - October, 1997

Yes, We Have A Web Site!
John Kapteyn

As a group of churches, the Regional Synod of Canada is in the business of communication. John says in his first letter "We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ." (1 John 1:3) Communication builds up fellowship and invites others to join in our fellowship through Christ.

The Regional Synod Of Canada's new web site is a tool for God's glory which seeks to facilitate communication within our fellowship and to communicate the good news to others seeking fellowship with God and other believers.

Our site is new and in its infancy. For those who are on "the net' and for those who are not, we hope this overview will help you see how our site can be used to increase and extend our fellowship.

To visit our site, simply type www.reformed-church.ca in the location box of your web browser (e.g. Netscape). Our main page shows our name and logo and invitation to a number of other locations. Under our name you'll find "quick links" to a schedule of upcoming events and to THE FORUM, in which we discuss current issues (see below). Other locations you can visit are listed:

THE VISITOR'S CENTRE

This is for visitors to discover the Regional Synod of Canada. A menu allows them to learn about the history of the RCA (Our History), what we believe-including full versions of our standards of faith (Our Faith), the Vision of the Regional Synod of Canada (Our Vision), and the position the RCA has taken on current social issues (our Perspective). Also, a listing of churches (including pastors and addresses) is available (Our Classes and Churches). We tell about our ministries (Our Ministries), Camp Shalom (Our Camp), and we introduce our Executive Secretary (Exec. Secretary) and invite people to Come Grow With Us. Some of this information is on the Regional Synod's web site, and some is on the RCA's site, to which we invite visitors (Our Denomination).

OUR CHURCHES

This area allows visitors to check out our churches. Each church has its own page and includes information about its ministries, services, upcoming events, locations, staff, and whatever information the local church wants to post. Pictures of the church and staff are included when submitted to us, and if there is an e-mail address, visitor's can contact the pastor and contact person directly. People can look at Pioneer articles written about the church and/or by its pastor. If a church already has a homepage, a link to that site is provided. Pastors can even submit sermons or outlines to be available on the net. (We do not have audio for now.) One pastor is currently doing this.

THE PIONEER

This area allows visitors to read the current issue of The Pioneer. They can communicate with the Editor through e-mail. Of special interest are the archives of over 1,700 articles from past issues all the way back to 1953. Articles can be found by year, by author, or by topic. We may include archives of "congregational news" in the future.

PRAYER ROOM

This is the place where we can submit (by e-mail) prayer requests and, usually within hours, mobilize the prayer resources of the Saints. Use this page as part of your prayer list as we lift up one another before the Throne of Grace.

THE FORUM

The Forum is the place for dialogue on matters of faith and the church. Simply present a view on an issue or matter and wait for a response. E-mail you comments and they will be online within days. A number of topics or issues can be discussed. Currently we have received comments on the Formula of Agreement, and we invite you to respond. This area can create dialogue and help us as we seek God's guidance and leading and the unity of His church.

ADMINISTRATION

This area is to facilitate the working of the Synod, the Classes, and the local church. Features include a church profile form that can be copied and completed by churches without a pastor. Completed profiles can be sent back for listing. Prospective candidates from anywhere in the world can read your profile. Also included at this time is a Schedule of Events, the Book of Church Order, Classis of Ontario Rules of Order, and a listing of Regional Synod Officers and Committees and Classis Officers (Ontario only at this time). Issues of the Glory To Glory newsletter can also be found.

LINKS

This area is just beginning. It lists sites of interest to the Reformed Christian community, and we invite anyone to send suggestions for links to be added.

THIS IS OUR SITE

As we indicated, this web site is in its infancy. In order for it to be a tool for God's Kingdom, we all need to take ownership. What do we ask you to do?

1.Churches - send in your pictures and information. Update your page to keep it current.

2. Send in your suggestions for improving the site. Soon we will put a Regional Synod e-mail directory online, and there will always be other things that we can do.

3. If you find any mistakes on the site or something you think does not belong on it, contact US.

4. Classes send in names and addresses of committee members, rules of order, and dates, etc. of upcoming events.

5. Use the Prayer Room and Forum.

May this tool be used for God's glory and the fellowship of the Regional Synod of Canada.

Rev. John Kapteyn is the president of the Regional Synod of Canada, RCA and the developer of

the Synod web site.

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