Divide and Conquer? When the culture sets the agenda for the Church




What concerns the culture should concern the church, to a point. Yet judging by the agendas of some Reformed denominations’synods and general assemblies, the popular culture continues to have a dominating influence on what is being discussed, studied and argued over, and it will likely, and perhaps inevitably, divide churches along certain fault lines.

Homosexuality and gender issues are currently the two main matters gaining the attention of denominations such as the Presbyterian Church in America, the Christian Reformed Churches and the Reformed Churches in America.

In the case of the PCA, concerns are over a conference called Revoice. Revoice, according to its web site, is about “supporting, encouraging, and empowering gay, lesbian, same-sex-attracted, and other LGBT Christians so they can flourish while observing the historic, Christian doctrine of marriage and
sexuality.” Athough not officially connected to the PCA, the first Revoice conference was held in a PCA church, and involved several speakers who are office bearers in the PCA. Our next issue will cover the General Assembly and its handling of the matter, which seems to be encouraging.

The CRC has a LGBTQ lobby group, one that has been for a long time working the backrooms of the
denomination in an attempt to lead the CRC to what it considers to be an “LGBTQ friendly” place. Toward that end a meeting in the Sherman Street CRC in Grand Rapids last November drew a full house to talk strategy. The public session, according to a report written by Dan Winiarski, “focused mainly on the best strategy for turning the CRC into a denomination that celebrates the values of the homosexual and transgender ideology.” Personal stories are the key to the hearts and minds that need persuading.

The second strategy is “judicial.” Finding test cases of ministers willing to perform a same sex marriage, for example, that will result in ecclesiastical charges, and a trail all the way to a synodical hearing down the road. Or maybe, the report stated, “a CRC congregation that is willing to elect an elder or deacon who is openly and proudly living in a homosexual partnership. Inevitably, this will cause a firestorm of protest in the CRC. Complaints will be filed. Debate will ensue. The Banner will publish articles both for and against. The great brouhaha will eventually make its way to Synod.” So the sad story goes. We’ve seen this before. We’re seeing it again. The Reformed Church in America is in the midst of a serious crisis that will be faced in 2020, when it will address a report from a committee called Vision 2020. The report presents three scenarios leading to the following options: “staying together” (with some rearranging); “significant reorganization” (with internal divisions); “and grace-filled separation” (an external division). Theological differences are at the root of this crisis.

In this issue we have two reports of denominational meetings. Glenda Mathes covers the OPC General Assembly for 2019 and the CRC’s Synod 2019 is covered. Reports on the PCA GA and possibly the RCA Synod 2019 will be in our next issue in August.

We are in the midst of summer, a time to push the issues aside (after reading this issue, or course) and
enjoy a healthy dose of God’s general revelation – His creation. Take time to revel in it.

John Vandyk, Editor
Christian Renewal Magazine

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