There is anxiety in the Christian Reformed Church.

Some attach theirs to women in office; others to various speculations on the Calvin campus; still others to boondoggling at synods and Establishment manipulation of the denomination to serve its own hobbies. There is also a general concern that preaching is at low ebb, with commitment to the Forms of Unity steadily eroding.

These anxieties surface in predictable ways. Some few congregations have opted out; others talk of it. A rather large number of members have identified with the Committee of the Concerned, and a number of churches have been represented at meetings in the Lansing, Illinois, Lynwood Church to share frustrations.

But, as other denominational experiences suggest, there is little hope for the restoration of a lost theological unity among us. Between the “Bible prohibits women in church office” interpretation of the Word, and the “Bible does not prohibit women in church office” there is no middle ground. “Did God say?” offers but two exclusive alternatives: Yes or No. While something like, “You take your interpretation and I’ll take mine” opens the way to the loss of biblical authority altogether.

If, however, no way to unity of mind is possible, what then? For many believers the road to ultimate schism portends a forbidding journey.

Some lack the initiative or the energy or sense of the imperative even to contemplate a denominational split. Their more ardent fellows are as frustrated with them as with the Establishment.

Others have an instinctive distaste for rending the Body of Christ so long as it retains some evidence of life. Perhaps the on-going presence of boards and agencies is some assurance that not all is injeopardy. The ecclesiastical machinery functions, and the steadily increasing demands for quota support suggest that at least some things are afoot.

But is there, then, no release of tensions in sight? Especially a release within the denominational framework? Are we to go on the broad and popular way to a reversal of much that was once meant by Christian Reformed? Will church office soon be officially opened to all? the Form of Subscription totally ignored? the Forms of Unity not even honored by the lip? the Scriptures become selectively normative, and preaching but one among several forms of Sunday entertainment?

Is this, realistically, our tomorrow?

Only God knows, of course.

But His foreknowledge relieves no one of responsibility.

There is an option available to those who hold “Christian Reformed” dear for what it really is, and could again mean to themselves and their children. There is a key to renewal, one at least worth taking in hand.

That key is the basic mark of the true church: the pure preaching of the Word of God. Here the Church was built; here the Church is built; here the Church will be built: on the Word purely preached.

But the Establishment mind has maneuvered itself into a throttle-hold on access to the pulpit ministry of the CRC. This mind is willing, indeed eager, to open CR pulpits to women; but it is adamant in closing them to qualified trainees of seminaries other then Calvin Seminary. By way of one seminary, through recommendation by one Board, go all roads to all pulpits in the CRC, including your own.

It is obvious, then, that the basic key to the renewal of the truly Reformed character of the CR C is in the hands of those whose mind is one of the reasons why renewal is urgent. And this mind manipulates synods to do its bidding. The synod just past reaffirmed the monopoly.

Does the Establishment fear open competition? and genuine freedom of choice?

And must this ever be so?

Is detouring the route to your pulpit through the Calvin Board and Seminary a biblical or confessional rule of the road?

Not at all!

It is only a route established by a Church Order which synods more and more manipulate to endorse Establishment projects, and to beat down all others.

What a release of tension within the CRC might come if congregations re-assumed their inherent right to call, examine and ordain qualified graduates of, say, Mid-America Reformed Seminary to their pulpit ministries. Thus could those who believe that the CRC desperately needs renewal seek it where it has always been found: in the pure preaching of God’s Word. Surely a right which now derives urgency from emergency!

But, Establishment repercussions? Threats, even?

Probably.

Especially some who might wink at the Church Order and synodical decisions as suits their own convenience could present themselves as aghast at your “violation” of “God’s” order. Classes and synods may be lined up against you. But faced with the loss of your quota payments, the Establishment will find ways to re-think the matter. Dare them, and if they cut you off, use the money to hire another pastor of your choosing.

But let a few courageous congregations exercise their right-and it indeed is their right!—to fill their pulpits according to conscience, and the denomination will settle into a more amiable atmosphere than has prevailed for a long time. Live and let live! We have found room for all sorts of “congregationalism” under our tent so far; room will appear for this variety too!

But some congregations might follow this lead and at once call and ordain women as their ministers?

Probably so. But is it not entirely predictable that some synod will soon endorse that anyway—and synods there after will be deaf to petitions for correction of the error? Don’t be too surprised if, after the pulpit is synodically opened to women, the Establishment mind looks to making a “team” ministry mandatory. It’s happened in other once-orthodox bodies.

But . . . your delegates might be excluded from classes and thus from synods? Not likely if you hold firm, considering quotas and pensions and all. Establishment projects cost money.

But if push comes to shove, just ask yourself sometime, seriously and with pen and paper in hand, just what benefit your congregation now derives from all the meetings, classical and synodical, from which you might be excluded. It is a safe guess that almost no one in the whole congregation would know the difference whether your delegates attended classis or synod, or were barred, speak or are silent. Who knows it now? And as to the gadding about characteristic of boards, agencies and staffs, who is beneficiary? What concrete benefit filters down to your pew for the funds that filter up and disappear?

It must go into outreach?

You might check that out.

In a word, a heritage worth preserving is worth fighting for. The Establishment long ago learned how to play hardball, as they say. It’s time you learned that too. If you are truly weary of being cuffed about by those whose bills you meekly pay, and more importantly believe that God shares that weariness, there is a way within the denominational fold . . . .

Get the Word purely preached under your steeple.

And with God be the rest.

   

Lester De Koster is a former Calvin College professor and retired editor of The Banner living at Grand Rapids, Michigan.