A week in the Life...It has been twenty years that the ministry of the MFCA has been much of my life… On March 7th in 1991 I flew to Chicago from Buffalo to interview with a committee of the board of the Theological Education Agency (TEA). The next day I received a call offering me the position as director of the agency. I won’t go into details other than that the hand of God was in all of this and later in March the Kors family of Dunnville, Ontario, Canada was visiting California so as to find housing, schooling and a church home. By April the five of us had a good idea where we would be living, what schools we would be attending, and where we would be worshipping as a family. Twenty years, three college graduations, and soon to be three grandchildren later have created many memories. The past week has included two major trips and many memories, causing me to reflect on what my life and vocation is truly about. Allow me to share some snippets from what I have done this week and what has introspectively been conjured up from deep within me. • A trip to Ontario always triggers memories and reflection. The minute I cross the border at Buffalo / Fort Erie, numerous childhood memories arise; some creating images in my mind so real that it seems they were created just moments previous. • Passing the cemetery where my father was laid to rest in July of 2000 reminded me of how blessed I was to have had a dad who modeled unconditional love for his children and who faithfully served as an elder at the First Reformed Church of Hamilton. Being an elder did not come without sacrifice on his part since he worked long shifts at the Steel Company of Canada and until being on consistory had never been asked to pray in public. • As I met candidates at Ebenezer Reformed Church in Mississauga, I could not help but remember being dragged to this same church as a kid and sit through the choir festival in which my mom sang faithfully as part of the RCA all Ontario choir festival. • I was able to review ministry opportunities with Marijke as she prayerfully considers life after earning her M.Div. at McMaster Divinity College. I find it difficult not to think about Marijke as the little wiggle worm that sat with Christine and Bart, her parents, in the pew in front of us when we were members of First Reformed Church. • I had the opportunity to be told by John that he and Ruth were again expecting in a coffee shop in the neighborhood where I grew up. John serves a church that stands on the property of Camp Shalom. The camp is where I met Jane, the love of my life and to whom I have been married 34 years as of next week. • I was back in California only three days before I was again at LAX airport on my way to New Jersey. I was able to show my new membership card to the people at the desk of the Red Carpet Club for the first time… the card recognized that I was now a member of the “two million mile club” with United Airlines. I can’t begin to figure out how many hours I have sat in an airplane seat or slept in a hotel bed. • At the desk was Bruce, someone I have gotten to know over the years.For the last few months I have had the opportunity to ask Bruce how his mom in Michigan was doing with her battle with cancer and if there had been any progress with his 31 year old son, Marco, who was struggling with a drug habit. I was able to assure him that he and his family were in my prayers and I left an invitation card with him for Easter services at Emmanuel Reformed Church. This year we are having seven services and I quietly prayed that Bruce and his family would somehow make it to one of those services on Easter Sunday. • A trip to New Brunswick Theological Seminary is always filled with memories and even though they have remodeled the buildings significantly, I can vouch that the floors that Jane and I mopped, and the bookshelves of Gardner Sage Library we dusted, are the same. The only jobs we were able to hold as Canadians were work-study jobs at the school. Thus, we did whatever was asked of us. • What was not the same were the people who walked the halls at NBTS. Few of them looked like me. Almost all the folks I encountered this past week were either African American or Korean. Walking past a classroom with Gregg Mast and Renee House (president and dean of the seminary), I could not help but ask about the commotion in the room? They explained that a class on the Holy Spirit was in session and that there was always a significant portion of time dedicated to prayer in this class. The sounds I was hearing was people speaking in tongues. I can honestly say that this was not my experience when I was at NBTS in the late 70’s. • On Wednesday evening I was able to make it back to NBTS after meeting candidates at Princeton Theological Seminary and be part of vespers. It was a Lenten service and I was touched by the liturgy and the message shared. Good and meaningful worship was happening that evening in the chapel, more affectionately known as the “Dixie Cup.” I was also well aware that the Dixie Cup might well not exist much longer since there is a good chance that NBTS will sell part of the buildings and property. The plan is to create a new facility as well as a future for the seminary through the sale of the property. • While at Princeton I met with Karen in the cafeteria. While Karen was telling me about the many amazing things going on at her supervised ministry site, Highland Park Reformed Church, they were setting up for the “senior banquet” later that evening. I could not help but wonder how many times that had been done in the past and how many individuals had been part of this activity and who were now impacting the world for Christ. • Later, in the same cafeteria, I met with Luke and discussed with him his future, as he was one of the seniors who would be attending the banquet that evening. We talked about many opportunities, including one at City Church San Francisco. Who would have thought, back when I was taking courses at PTS in the 70’s that we would have ministries such as CCSF and Newbigin House of Studies charting new directions for the RCA in 2011. I could go on but will refrain. I am grateful to God that I have been given the opportunity to serve in this ministry called MFCA and in sharing just one week, I hope you have a glimpse of how richly I have been blessed. Cor

 Princeton Theological Seminary

It has been twenty years that the ministry of the MFCA has been much of my life… On March 7^th in 1991 I flew to Chicago from Buffalo to interview with a committee of the board of the Theological Education Agency (TEA). The next day I received a call offering me the position as director of the agency. I won’t go into details other than that the hand of God was in all of this and later in March the Kors family of Dunnville, Ontario, Canada was visiting California so as to find housing, schooling and a church home. By April the five of us had a good idea  where we would be living, what schools we would be attending, and where we would be worshipping as a family.

Twenty years, three college graduations, and soon to be three grandchildren later have created many memories. The past week has included two major trips and many memories, causing me to reflect on what my life and vocation is truly about. Allow me to share some snippets from what I have done this week and what has introspectively been conjured up from deep within me.

·       A trip to Ontario always triggers memories and reflection. The minute I cross the border at Buffalo / Fort Erie, numerous childhood memories arise; some creating images in my mind so real that it seems they were created just moments previous.

·       Passing the cemetery where my father was laid to rest in July of 2000 reminded me of how blessed I was to have had a dad who modeled unconditional love for his children and who faithfully served as an elder at the First Reformed Church of Hamilton. Being an elder did not come without sacrifice on his part since he worked long shifts at the Steel Company of Canada and until being on consistory had never been asked to pray in public.

·       As I met candidates at Ebenezer Reformed Church in Mississauga, I could not help but remember being dragged to this same church as a kid and sit through the choir festival in which my mom sang faithfully as part of the RCA all Ontario choir festival.

·       I was able to review ministry opportunities with Marijke as she prayerfully considers life after earning her M.Div. at McMaster Divinity College. I find it difficult not to think about Marijke as the little wiggle worm that sat with Christine and Bart, her parents, in the pew in front of us when we were members of First Reformed Church.

·       I had the opportunity to be told by John that he and Ruth were again expecting in a coffee shop in the neighborhood where I grew up. John serves a church that stands on the property of Camp Shalom. The camp is where I met Jane, the love of my life and to whom I have been married 34 years as of next week.

·       I was back in California only three days before I was again at LAX airport on my way to New Jersey. I was able to show my new membership card to the people at the desk of the Red Carpet Club for the first time… the card recognized that I was now a member of the “two million mile club” with United Airlines. I can’t begin to figure out how many hours I have sat in an airplane seat or slept in a hotel bed.

·       At the desk was Bruce, someone I have gotten to know over the years.For the last few months I have had the opportunity to ask Bruce how his mom in Michigan was doing with her battle with cancer and if there had been any progress with his 31 year old son, Marco, who was struggling with a drug habit. I was able to assure him that he and his family were in my prayers and I left an invitation card with him for Easter services at Emmanuel Reformed Church. This year we are having seven services and I quietly prayed that Bruce and his family would somehow make it to one of those services on Easter Sunday.

·       A trip to New Brunswick Theological Seminary is always filled with memories and even though they have remodeled the buildings significantly, I can vouch that the floors that Jane and I mopped, and the bookshelves of Gardner Sage Library we dusted, are the same. The only jobs we were able to hold as Canadians were work-study jobs at the school. Thus, we did whatever was asked of us.

·       What was not the same were the people who walked the halls at NBTS. Few of them looked like me. Almost all the folks I encountered this past week were either African American or Korean. Walking past a classroom with Gregg Mast and Renee House (president and dean of the seminary), I could not help but ask about the commotion in the room? They explained that a class on the Holy Spirit was in session and that there was always a significant portion of time dedicated to prayer in this class. The sounds I was hearing was people speaking in tongues. I can honestly say that this was not my experience when I was at NBTS in the late 70’s.

·       On Wednesday evening I was able to make it back to NBTS after meeting candidates at Princeton Theological Seminary and be part of vespers. It was a Lenten service and I was touched by the liturgy and the message shared. Good and meaningful worship was happening that evening in the chapel, more affectionately known as the “Dixie Cup.” I was also well aware that the Dixie Cup might well not exist much longer since there is a good chance that NBTS will sell part of the buildings and property. The plan is to create a new facility as well as a future for the seminary through the sale of the property.

·       While at Princeton I met with Karen in the cafeteria.  While Karen was telling me about the many amazing things going on at her supervised ministry site, Highland Park Reformed Church, they were setting up for the “senior banquet” later that evening. I could not help but wonder how many times that had been done in the past and how many individuals had been part of this activity and who were now impacting the world for Christ.

·       Later, in the same cafeteria, I met with Luke and discussed with him his future, as he was one of the seniors who would be attending the banquet that evening. We talked about many opportunities, including one at City Church San Francisco. Who would have thought, back when I was taking courses at PTS in the 70’s that we would have ministries such as CCSF and Newbigin House of Studies charting new directions for the RCA in 2011.

I could go on but will refrain. I am grateful to God that I have been given the opportunity to serve in this ministry called MFCA and in sharing just one week, I hope you have a glimpse of how richly I have been blessed.

Cor

Confessions Are Good For The Soul

The discussions around the room were not only stimulating; they evoked emotion and passion from the participants. Although not unusual for an RCA Standards class, it appeared the course in San Francisco last week had an extra measure of intensity. There were debates on the formulation of the Trinity and whether or not people today had encounters with angels as portrayed in the New Testament. The need for the confessions and the addition of the Belhar Confession were all part of the discussion and it made for a lively encounter.

Dr. Paul Fries, the instructor of the class, brought some wonderful insights to the dialogue. The addition of Dr. Scot Sherman on Friday morning also contributed to the learning of the group. Given the small class, (eight students) there was opportunity for everyone to participate and have questions answered. When all was said and done there was consensus that much was learned and all gained an appreciation for the RCA’s confessional statements. It was agreed that our lens is unique to us and defines the ministry of the church at large. Taking the rich tradition of the RCA and inviting to the conversation students from California, Iowa and New York, reveals the common understanding we have in the RCA and the distinctions that make us, us.

It is not uncommon for candidates to question the need for taking the RCA Standards course. In particular they ask “What makes the RCA perspective so uniquely different that they must take a whole course on this?” Many consider themselves “reformed” and before taking the course perceive the time and energy asked of them as being redundant and a waste. Once individuals complete the course, many admit much was learned and that the RCA lens does have unique traits and perspectives.  They also realize how important it is that RCA leaders share similar points of view. I believe this is one of the reasons why the recent dialogue about “Reformed and Missional” is receiving attention and emphasis.

Interestingly, the Christian Reformed Church (CRC) is not only debating the adoption of the Belhar Confession this year, but the CRC is also in dialogue about what their perspective (lens) actually looks like today. Two Calvin College religion professors have “published scholarly articles asserting that strong evidence from both biblical studies and science creates conflicts with parts of the historic Reformed confessions.” (The Banner, February 2011, pg. 10) According to the Bannerarticle, the professors may have “violated the Form of Subscription, which requires Calvin College faculty to teach and write in accordance with Reformed confessions.” Obviously, the CRC has created its own “lens” and though it is similar to the RCA, it is none the less uniquely theirs. There are no debates such as what is taking place at Calvin College in RCA circles that I am aware of.

What does seem to be a debate for the RCA is the way a number of our candidates and pastors have adopted the perspectives of the New Calvinism. Our certification committees have encountered individuals who claim teachers such as Mark Driscoll, John Piper and Wayne Grudem as having the most significant impact on their perspective. Labeled as “conservative,” “reformed,” and “evangelical,” much of what these modern day gurus teach is valuable, but does not accurately reflect the RCA perspective (lens). The MFCA is thus confronted with the tensions created when candidates have positions around scripture, baptism and women in ministry that do not line up with positions adopted by the RCA.  Extreme positions held by candidates may even result in situations where the candidate is deemed a poor “fit” for RCA ministry.

The RCA Standards course is partially designed to assist individuals in determining whether or not they are a good fit for RCA ministry. The course is also a building block for the final declaration asked of all RCA candidates who intend to become ordained Ministers of Word and sacrament — the completion of the credo. All this is done with the hope that when we gather to do ministry, we will have certain fundamental understandings about our mission that will allow us to serve effectively and in harmony.

A candidate once wrote the following to Dr. Fries after taking the RCA Standards class and the credo course… “Just a note to say thanks... The opportunities were a gift – to walk through what I believe with other students and theologians was helpful in further discovering and articulating my own theology, especially helpful as I come near to graduation, ordination, and discernment of the next steps of my call.” I hope and pray many more candidates write similar notes in the future.

Cor

Church Unique

I am currently one person of many in the RCA who is reading the book “Church Unique: How missional leaders cast vision, capture culture, and create movement” by Will Mancini. I have not yet finished the book and I realize that I may discover things I do not necessarily agree with but I am willing to go on record saying that I appreciate much of what I have read so far. It has challenged me to think about some of the observations about local congregations and church life and whether or not some of the information could apply to an agency such as MFCA. Take for example “strategic planning.” The MFCA has spent much energy over a number of years on strategic planning only to be left, from my perspective, with as many questions as answers. Mancini has the “firm conviction that every prevailing church is an original.” (Pg. 99) This observation has him suggesting that churches need to discover who they are and that if strategic planning does not include a thorough discovery process, the strategic plan may well fail in what it proposes to do. He also encourages that MOTIVES be “clearly defined and adequately aligned.” (Pg. 130)

I am especially intrigued by the emphasis on the unique CULTURE of each church – an intangible that is not necessarily defined by programs, preaching, or worship style. Mancini states that “Culture is the combined effect of the interaction, values, thoughts, attitudes and actions that define the life of your church.” (Pg. 7) I am intrigued because I wonder about the “culture” of the RCA and the role of the MFCA in aligning future leaders with the motives and values of the denomination. 

Taking Mancini’s advice to churches and applying it to the MFCA process may have merit. Let me utilize his list of possible benefits when values and motives are clearly defined and adapted to what is discovered about who we uniquely are…

Ø  Define good decision making that releases leaders on the front line of [RCA] ministry.

Ø  Demonstrate a God honoring unity

Ø  Attract more staff, leaders, and members who share your values

Ø  Free the church [denomination] to not do a lot of things that other churches [denominations} may do

Ø  Increase commitment because people know clearly what we stand for

Ø  Enhance leadership credibility because everyone knows what’s important to the church [denomination] as a whole

Ø  Navigate change more easily because people are emotionally connected to the values that never change

I think we may have something here…