The annual meeting of the Reformed Fellowship was held Sept. 25, 1980, at the Kellogsville Christian Reformed Church and Christian school. This is one of the few opportunities for a number of our widely scattered “Fellowship” to meet in larger than local gatherings. Featured in this year’s program as speakers were Professor Norman De Jong of t he Trinity Christian College Education Department and Rev. Henry Vanden Heuvel, pastor of the Bethel Christian Reformed Church of Zeeland, Mich., and long–time board member of the Fellowship.

At the afternoon meeting Professor De Jong spoke on “Christian Education: Concerns and Challenges for the ’80s.” The speaker saw Christian schools opposed and threatened by the political power and activity of the National Education Association, the nation’s second largest labor union. The current drop in birth rates has contributed to a sharp decline in public school enrollments and the corresponding loss of many teachers’ jobs. As the union seeks to protect its jobs, strikes are and will likely continue to be common.

Christian schools, despite the fact that they are also affected by the drop in the birth rate, are in general growing rapidly. Many people from churches and circles which have not in the past been supporting them, as they become increasingly disillusioned with the public schools, are turning to the Christian schools for help. This development provides both opportunities and problems for the Christian schools. The increase of divorce and broken homes in our church circles as well as others, is multiplying the problems of children. As we seek to provide Christian education for others as well as for our own children, we need to be careful to preserve the truths of the Scriptures and “beware of false prophets.” 

In the evening Rev. H. Vanden Heuvel also attempted to outline “The Outlook for the ’80s” guided by the words of Jude 3, 4. That inspired writer urged readers to “contend earnestly for the faith” directing attention to that faith, its challenge and encouragement. That faith “once delivered unto the saints” in the Scriptures is what we mean when we speak of the Reformed Faith. It is faith in Christ. We need to “contend for” it because it is under attack. We must oppose the liberal attack as it denies that the Bible is the Word of God or (especially among us) denies its inerrancy. We must also oppose what is sometimes called “Fundamentalist” attempt to limit its revelation to the salvation of the soul, and insist on preaching “the whole counsel of God.” Our contention for the faith must be “earnest” not flippant or casual. We must not try to dodge our responsibility to contend for the faith in our current church problems by merely becoming individualistic or congregational. And we must not lapse into lethargy or complacency, giving up because of “the frustrations of protest.” We must not forget that the battle is the Lord’s and that He said, “I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail. . . . ” This faith of which we are made stewards is unique, given “once for all.” If we let this (Reformed) faith slip away God will give us no new revelation. The rich man in Jesus’ parable was not given a special messenger to his brothers when they refused to listen to “Moses and the prophets” (Lk. 16). The outlook for the ’80s is one of victory if we remain faithfully “with God” in His cause.