“Coffee Break” is one of the evangelistic programs of the CRC being used in several congregations. It is a Bible study program designed for ladies of the church, but geared toward outreach. Ladies of the church are encouraged to invite non-church friends and neighbors to come along to this Bible study (at which baby-sitting is provided) and thus introduce them to the Scriptures and (hopefully) to the church, in a “non-confrontational” setting.

The intent of the program is good: to reach out to ladies of the community with the gospel of Christ. Such efforts are laudable.

Having seen and listened to the brief slide program intended to acquaint churches with this program, however, (produced by the Home Mission Board) I have some questions. As already said, the program wants to be “non-confrontational” in character. So far so good. But the program goes on to say that “denominational differences are not discussed.” That strikes my Reformed feelers in a wrong way. What is meant by that? Does that mean that Reformed distinctives like infant baptism (the teaching of the covenant), the nature of the kingdom of God, the teaching about total depravity and about God’s electing love , etc. are not discussed? Are these merely “denominational differences” which can conveniently be forgotten or overlooked? Or are they fundamental teachings of the Bible which cannot possibly be avoided? How e.g. could one study Ephesians 1 & 2 and not possibly deal with election and man’s total depravity? How could one study Rom. 4 or Gal. 3 and not get into the whole matter of the covenant and infant baptism?

Granted, when introducing newcomers to the Bible, one does not need to go into the fine points of theology and all the differences between the various Reformed churches. But a statement such as that referred to above surely makes one wonder, and leaves something to be desired. It almost sounds as if doctrinal differences are merely a matter of “pet (denominational) peeves.” Ifthat is the case, we had better repent quickly and get together with Roman Catholics and others. But that is hardly the case! Are we going to hide our distinctives during the Coffee Break discussion, but then later, if some of these ladies express an interest in the church, face them “with all the goods?” Or are we only interested in leading them to Christ and not to His church? (if that were possible) . Imagine a Jehovah’s Witness coming to one of these Bible studies and not being willing to discuss the triune nature of God, because we don’t want to discuss “denominational differences!” Is there, after all , such a thing as a “non-denominational” church? What kind of a church would that be a kind of an “invisible” church which floats above all the variations of the church on earth?

I have some real questions here. I don’t believe for a moment that we have to apologize for our distinctive Reformed teachings. After all, we confess that “they do fully agree with the Word of God” (Form of Subscription). Or are we not so sure of that anymore, particularly when it comes to our evangelism programs?

J. Tuiningo, Lethbridge, Alta.