Twice a year Covenant Reformed Church in Carbondale, PA, opens its doors to help meet physical as well as spiritual needs in a free clothing ministry called Open Closet.

“This free clothing ministry allows us to build bridges between the church and the community,” explains organizer Maryann Wilcox. “The Open Closet is a ministry that the Lord put on our hearts to help meet the physical needs…with clothing and other items and…spiritual needs with the gospel message of freedom and salvation in Christ and everlasting life.”

The church’s Open Closet program began several years ago and has become well known in Carbondale. Church members and a number of volunteers from the greater community provide donations and assist with preparations. Most donations are clothing, although some smaller household items are also accepted. As donations come in to the church throughout the year, organizers sort and wash clothes if necessary prior to storing them in bins. Open Closets are held in the spring and fall, usually one in late May and another in early November. Tables are set up in the church basement and stacked with the sorted clothing.

As people arrive at the Open Closet, volunteers greet them and ask them to sign in. They are then given a bag that contains spiritual literature and information about Covenant Reformed Church. Deacons and elders are available to answer questions or speak with the many visitors.

“All are very thankful for our efforts in having a clean, neat and warm environment to come to,” says Maryann, “and all items are free.”

Rev. Bill Boekestein relates that the Open Closet program functions as only one part of Covenant’s broader plan for congregational outreach.

“One of the reasons we organize the Open Closet is to ‘show ourselves thankful to God for His benefits, and that He may be praised by us’ (H.C. LD 32),” he says. “The Open Closet has been an occasion for us to reflect on how good the Lord has been to us and to show our gratitude in a tangible way. But another reason we host the Open Closet is to help our church develop a positive reputation in the community. We think this is a broader application of 1 Timothy 3:7 where Paul says that an elder ‘must have a good testimony among those who are outside.’ As a church, we hope to be a vital part of our community for years to come. One long-term goal is for people to associate Covenant Reformed Church with such attitudes as generosity, kindness, and love.”

While no human can know how the Spirit works in hearts, organizers can cite many examples of ways interaction with people in the community is increased as the compassion of Christ is demonstrated.

One young woman left her shopping cart outside on the front lawn while she “shopped” inside. When she came back out, the cart had been stolen. Since it belonged to her mother and it was the only means of transportation the two had, she was devastated. Maryann consoled her and assured her that she would speak to the deacons about taking care of her problem. The deacons purchased a new cart for her and delivered it to her home. She asked in surprise, “You would do that for me?”

Maryann also relates that clean clothing is a blessing for people who do not own washers and dryers and cannot afford to go to the laundromat. Other visitors are blessed when volunteers express compassion through greeting them by name or helping them pick out clothes, especially someone like a pregnant 15-year-old who needs to know someone cares about her situation.

Rev. Boekestein gives two examples from the most recent Open Closet: “In the first case, Ed, a recent occasional attender of our church, responded to a request to help promote the Open Closet by posting flyers around the city. Although I had talked with Ed on a few occasions after church, it was wonderful to spend time with him, one on one, in a more casual setting. Second, a gentleman named Raymond spent quite a long time talking with members of our church during the Open Closet and then joined us the next day at church. We were delighted to have him with us and look forward to how the Lord might be working in his life. I could give dozens of other examples of how the Open Closet has given us opportunities to meaningfully interact with folks from our community.”

After an Open Closet event, extra items are sent to the Scranton Rescue Mission. “It’s a win-win situation,” Maryann says. “We are a small church and are limited in space.”

While each Open Closet features a church basement full of free clothing, organizers aim to meet not only the body’s physical need, but also the soul’s eternal need.

“Our goal is the gospel of Jesus Christ,” Maryann affirms. “Christ does tell us that we are to help the poor or downtrodden by ministering the Word of God to them and lifting them up in the Lord. We are planting spiritual seeds and are waiting to see what the great Savior will do with His harvest.”

“I do not think that this is just a church mission, but a Great Commission. We are all told to take the gospel to all men, telling them of God’s great love that we, while yet sinners were guilty of transgressing His Law, He paid our penalty and has now released us from our guilt through the finished work of Jesus Christ and the redemptive blood of His Son. In connection with the Open Closet, we have used tracts that explain that God’s goodness should lead to repentance (Rom. 2:4). We hope and pray that as people experience some of God’s goodness in receiving free clothing that they would repent of their sins and seek God’s mercy.”

The above article by Glenda Mathes appeared on pages 11 & 12 of the July 10, 2013, issue of Christian Renewal. 

Mark Patterson answering questions put to him by Rev. Andrea Ferrari

On May 16, 2013, Chiesa Riformata Filadelfia church leaders examined Mark Patterson for his license to exhort. Having successfully sustained his exam, Patterson exhorted on May 19.

Rev. Andrea Ferrari relates that Mark and Sonia Patterson and their 12-year-old son, Daniel, began attending Chiesa Riformata Filadelfia in Milan about a year and half ago. Both Mark and Sonia graduated in 1998 from the Evangelical Theological College of Wales at Bryntirion in Bridgend, South Wales. Mark subsequently pastored a Calvinistic, Baptist church in Cambridgeshire, England, for about six years. The family moved to Italy in 2005, but Mark was discouraged by his experience with Italian evangelicalism.

“I understand that Mark began to gather information about our church in 2010/2011 and I received a letter from him in January 2012,” says Rev. Ferrari. “Our first conversations focused on the spiritual condition of Italy as well as covenantal theology and Reformed ecclesiology. We had a few meetings and then I met his family. I told Mark and Sonia that in order to be part of our church family they had to embrace our confessional documents and follow the procedure explained in our Church Order.”

Rev. Ferrari adds that Mark was raised in the Presbyterian church in Northern Ireland, where “he had as his mentor the late William Still of Aberdeen, who was used of God to encourage a number of pastors both in the UK and US.”

This background helped Mark assimilate the finer points of covenantal theology, but he also sought counsel from Reformed leaders. “As we were in the process of considering Reformed ecclesiology, Mark wrote to some prominent ministers in the UK he knew to ask for advice: Sinclair Ferguson, Edward Donnelly, Ian Hamilton and others.”

The Pattersons became members of the Milan church and fit well in the life of the congregation. The consistory began discussing ways to utilize Mark’s gifts and experience for the benefit of the church.

“In October 2012, Rev. Michael Brown visited us for Reformation Day and we asked for his advice,” says Rev. Ferrari. “We decided together that the best way to go was the licensure exam following the directives of the Church Order.”

The hope is that Patterson will exhort two times per month beginning in September, once in Italian and once in English. Rev. Ferrari explains that the English exhortation will be for the sake of English speaking visitors as well as providing an “international flavor” to the church in the multiethnic city of Milan.

“We do not know what the future has in store for Mark and for us,” he adds, “but thus far we are much encouraged by the fact that the Pattersons decided to join our church because of its faithfulness to the Reformation.”

The Milan church continues to grow, having welcomed four new members via public professions of faith on Sunday, June 9, 2013.

The above article by Glenda Mathes appeared on page 13 of the July 10, 2013, issue of Christian Renewal.

On June 16, 2013, about 80 people attended the first worship service of Providence Reformed Church at its new location in Des Moines. The beautiful sanctuary was filled with filtered light during a celebratory service emphasizing the lordship of Christ and the blessing of His completely accomplished atonement.

As part of a continuing series on the book of Matthew, Rev. Jody Lucero preached from Matthew 16:13-20 on Peter’s confession, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.”

He began by sharing the “trilemma” of C.S. Lewis—Jesus was either a Liar, Lunatic, or Lord—and noted that many today would add a fourth “L” to consider Jesus merely as Legend. But in His day, Jesus was known to be at least a prophet. Peter’s confession demonstrated that Jesus was more than a prophet; He was truly the Christ, the Son of God, who as true man was anointed by God to be our Savior-King.s part of a continuing series on the book of Matthew, Rev. Jody Lucero preached from Matthew 16:13-20 on Peter’s confession, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.”

Lucero family

“Do you embrace Jesus with a believing heart?” Rev. Lucero asked. “Do you rest in His finished work?” He stressed that living is not merely about Christ or with Christ or anything less than, “To live is Christ.”

Providence Reformed Church previously met for six years in a business park space. Worship is now in a church building in a residential area. “We have a neighborhood,” Rev. Lucero says.

He explains that the previous site had virtually no visibility, only a few separated rooms, and numerous maintenance challenges. That rental was also “barely” affordable for the congregation, making it difficult to save toward a church purchase. A few months ago, the owner notified Providence that the building was likely to be razed in 2014.

“As we begin a new phase in ministry,” he said, “God has been gracious to us. The Lord has also put us here to be an outpost and an embassy. It’s all for Him, to know Him and to make Him known to others. It’s not something for you to think about; it’s something for you to confess.”

Providence’s search for a different worship space resulted in a new rental agreement with an established Lutheran church close to Drake University in Des Moines. Many years ago, Redeemer Lutheran Church had outgrown its original building, constructed in 1955, and built a larger facility on the same property. The older building was converted to classrooms and connected to the newer one by hallways and the site’s original structure, a farmhouse over 100 years old.

Declining membership led the church to rent out the original building about ten years ago. That space had not been used for some time and board inserts still covered the front windows.

When Providence recently acquired the building, it needed a lot of cleaning and painting. Mandy Ives chose a pleasing color scheme to coordinate basement classrooms and fellowship area with the upstairs worship space. She and Amanda Lucero made an interesting discovery while working together.

“The day we painted the front sanctuary wall,” relates Amanda, “we decided to try to take the wood out of the windows to see what it looked like. The wood was really stuck in there and dirty. We were using everything we could to get those wood pieces out.”

L to R, front: Elder Tom Phillips, Rev. Jody Lucero, Elder Tom Deatsch; back: Deacons Tim Ives and Cody Ellens

The women discovered a stunning arched window at the front of the sanctuary. They brainstormed ways to allow its light to enter without too much glare behind the minister. Sheer curtains provided the perfect solution, minimizing backlighting while permitting natural light to filter through the beautiful window.

“We are so excited about our new space,” Amanda says. “It finally feels like a church, and it’s nice that we’ve been able to make it our own. We look forward to reaching out to the community and to the Drake students.”

Providence Reformed Church meets at 9:00 am and 5:00 pm in the smaller section of the Redeemer Lutheran Church complex at 3615 University Ave. Parking is in the back with Providence’s entry on the lower level of the east side. Fellowship meals are held after every evening service. On the first Sunday of each month, the Lord’s Supper is celebrated at the morning worship service, followed by a fellowship meal.

The above article by Glenda Mathes appeared on pages 18 & 19 of the July 10, 2013, issue of Christian Renewal.

Rev. Paul Murphy speaks in a presentation that served as the final one in the Ministers’ Conference and the first for the Missions Conference.

Mid-America Reformed Seminary was the site for back-to-back URCNA conferences in June. The Ministers’ Conference ran from June 24-26 and the Missions Conference was held from June 26-28. This was the second Ministers’ Conference. The first conference two years ago grew from an idea at Synod London.

“Three years ago at Synod London a plan was born for a URCNA ministers conference,” says organizer Rev. Harold Miller. “That plan came from the conviction that our ministers be afforded an opportunity for great teaching directed at the needs unique to the pastor of a local congregation, and specific to our URC ethos and circumstances. The first conference in 2011 was well attended and was very satisfying in meeting our expectations. However, the Lord surprised the organizers by more than doubling the attendance at the conference this year—and richly satisfied all with wonderful teaching and fellowship.”

Although this was the second Ministers’ Conference, it was the first formal URC conference on missions.

“The URCNA Missions Committee is grateful to God for his blessings on our first official mission conference,” says organizer Rev. Michael Brown (Christ URC; Santee, CA). “Nearly fifty people attended from all over the world, mostly URCNA pastors and missionaries, but also many elders and laypeople. Ten seminary students were able to attend by the financial assistance of a private donor. Two ministers from the Reformed Churches of New Zealand were also present, as well as Mr. Mark Bube, the General Secretary of the Committee on Foreign Missions of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church.”

Rev. Nick Smith (URC of Nampa, ID) was impressed with the number of attendees from such widespread locations. “As one speaker noted, this was a sure sign of health among our churches, that so many ministers were eager to learn and fellowship together, and that so many congregations were willing to make it possible.”

Both conferences satisfied Rev. Todd De Rooy (Redeemer URC; Orange City, IA). “My expectations were to be refreshed from a week of encouraging speakers and brotherly fellowship. That’s exactly what I received. Both conferences featured speakers who are not only pastors, but pastors who had long-term ministry experience in the areas of which they spoke.”

Rev. Mitch Ramkissoon traveled from Alberta to attend the conferences. “From the list of speakers, I expected the conference to be exciting, provocative, and stimulating. They did not disappoint. The passion and frankness with which they spoke to us betrayed great love for Christ’s Church and a deep personal knowledge of the struggles of the ministry in low and high moments. It was obvious that their wisdom came from years of study and experience.”

Speakers for the Ministers’ Conference included Dr. J. Mark Beach, Rev. Alan Strange, Dr. Joel Beeke, Dr. Gerhard Visscher, Dr. Joseph Pipa, Dr. David Murray, and Rev. Paul Murphy. They spoke on a variety of topics related to “Ministering in Changing Seasons.”

Rev. Murphy’s final presentation at the Ministers’ Conference served as the first presentation for the Missions Conference. Other Missions Conference speakers were Rev. Michael Brown, Rev. Bill Boekestein, Dr. Brian Lee, Rev. Mitch Persaud, Mr. Mark Bube, Rev. Richard Bout, Rev. Wes Bredenhof, and Rev. Andrea Ferrari.

“Altogether nine speakers presented lectures on everything from the nuts and bolts of church planting in North America to how to establish a confessional Reformed denomination in a country overseas,” says Rev. Brown. “Each session was educational and motivating, making this precisely the kind of conference we, as a federation, need right now as we continue to find our footing in missions.”

Rev. Brown explains that two Q & A panels, one on domestic and the other on foreign missions, were designed as “brain-storming sessions” for attendees. “We also held a luncheon in which ideas for and concerns about funding church plants and foreign missionaries were discussed. The consensus seemed to be that we need to be more organized as a federation and prioritize our giving so that URCNA church plants and foreign missionaries are not underfunded.”

As a representative of the URCNA Missions Committee, Rev. Brown presented a manual on church planting that the Committee hopes to present to Synod 2014 as a suggested “shared strategy” for home missions. He encouraged conference attendees to offer feedback since the Committee desires the work be beneficial to consistories, councils, church-planters, and core groups.

“Overall, the URCNA Missions Committee was happy with how the conference went,” said Rev. Brown.

Rev. Miller added, “Each local congregation who sent their pastor can rejoice in the way the Lord has blessed these humble efforts.”

Alumni of Mid-America Reformed Seminary attending the conferences

The above article by Glenda Mathes appeared on pages 10 & 11 of the July 31/August 21, 2013, issue of Christian Renewal.

Official photo from the OPC GA website

When the 80^th General Assembly (GA) of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC) met from June 5-8 in Moraga, CA, it was the first time in 23 years that the Assembly was held in California and the first time ever in northern California. Voting equipment detained due to a train derailment arrived just in time, but then malfunctioned. Despite that minor problem, business flowed efficiently.

“This GA went smoothly, finishing almost a day early,” says Assistant Clerk John Mahaffy (Trinity OPC; Newberg, OR). “I appreciated the good spirit and the fellowship.”

“Remarkably, ‘Machen’s Warrior Children’ have had three GAs in a row finish early,” says Rev. Jack Sawyer (Pineville OPC; Pineville LA), Administrator of the Committee on Ecumenicity and Interchurch Relations. “This, in part at least, is due to the sweet, brotherly spirit that has prevailed at these assemblies. But most especially the praise for this goes to the author of concord, our gracious God and his grace, mercy, and peace.”

Rev. Jeffery Landis (Covenant OPC; San Jose, CA) was elected as moderator. According to an online report by Rev. Arthur J. Fox (Calvary OPC; Middletown, PA), he had a “gentle manner and a good sense of humor” that kept business “moving along briskly.”

The GA dealt with a variety of matters, mostly in the context of committee reports. Rev. Mahaffy relates how highlights of this Assembly were reports of reconciliation. “Two encouraging highlights were the reports of the two committees set up by the GA, one to visit the Presbytery of New Jersey and the other Presbytery of Northern California and Nevada. The first grew out of a series of appeals of judicial cases, and the GA several years ago recognized that there were issues that went far deeper than technical points of the Book of Discipline. By God’s grace, his blessing was on the work of that committee, though one church abandoned the OPC at the end of the process. The report of the Committee to visit the Presbytery of Northern California and Nevada was similarly encouraging. Both committees were dissolved with thanks.”

An article by Rev. Larry J. Westerveld (Trinity OPC; Hatboro, PA), who chaired the Committee to Visit the Presbytery of New Jersey, in the August-September 2013 issue of New Horizons describes the emotional scene in which the Moderator of the Presbytery repeatedly stepped down from the chair and read statements to six individuals, confessing the Presbytery’s sin and seeking their forgiveness.

Missions and Ecumenicity

The Committee on Home Missions and Church Extension reported that six new church plants have been started in 2013, and more are anticipated in the second half of the year. The Committee on Foreign Missions testified that many believers around the world suffer for their faith. Missionaries are needed in several fields, including Uganda and Haiti. General Secretary Mark Bube reminded commissioners of the importance of prayer.

The Committee on Christian Education supervises the Psalter-Hymnal project, which has now posted online a list of 238 metrical psalms, considered in cooperation with representatives from the URCNA.

“For your readers, [URC minister] Adam Kaloostian was an exemplary fraternal delegate,” shares Rev. Sawyer. “Welcome, in my personal view, was his communication that the URCNA is seriously interested in deepening the ties between the OPC and the URCNA.”

Fraternal delegates from many other fellowships were present and shared how the Lord is working around the world.

Rev. Sawyer says, “As a member of our ecumenicity committee, I was especially pleased by the contribution of our fraternal delegates: ARP, PCA, RPCNA, RCUS, and the URCNA.”

Overseas delegates included the Presbyterian Church of Brazil, Presbyterian Church of Japan, and the Evangelical Reformed Church/Westminster Confession (from Switzerland and Austria), the OPC’s newest church in Ecclesiastical Correspondence.

Diaconal efforts

The Diaconal Committee reported extensive financial response to the Japanese tsunami and Hurricane Sandy. The PCA, RPCNA, the URCNA, and the Reformed Church of Japan have cooperated with the OPC in disaster response.

Chaplains and Military Personnel

It was noted that chaplains remain free to pray in Jesus’ name, although some problems may exist. The Assembly called OPC churches to a day of prayer for the spiritual and physical welfare of Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, a non-communicant member of the church, on June 30, 2013, the fourth anniversary of his capture.

Ministers

The GA approved an amendment to the Form of Government allowing retired ministers from other denominations to transfer their ministerial credentials to the OPC without a call and installation when satisfactory reasons are given and proper procedure is followed.

A problem with ministers who are not adequately compensated or prepared for retirement led to recommendations aimed at encouraging presbyteries to provide adequate financial support. After extensive discussion, the recommendations passed.

Overture

An overture seeking changes in the Form of Government section about licensing candidates was debated extensively and eventually referred to the Committee on Christian Education, which will report to the next Assembly. The 81^st GA will meet at KuyperCollege in Grand Rapids, MI, from June 4-10, 2014.

The above article by Glenda Mathes appeared on pages 16-17 of the July 31/August 21, 2013, issue of Christian Renewal.

After serving Bethel URC in Calgary, AB, for nine years, Rev. Joel Vander Kooi was installed as Minister of the Word and Sacraments in a ceremony on May 16, 2013. Sioux Center URC, led the service and emphasized the preaching of the Word as he spoke on “Fulfilling Your Ministry” from 2 Timothy 4:1-5. Rev. Simon Lievaart, Doon URC, assisted with the congregational vows and presented the charge to the minister and congregation. Council Chairman Korrie Van Maanen read letters of greeting from neighboring churches.

The choir of Rock Valley URC contributed to the service with “Wonderful, Merciful Savior” and “All Ye That Fear Jehovah’s Name.” Caity Laman accompanied some songs on the trumpet.

About 75 people from Iowa, South Dakota, and Minnesota attended the service, including Rev. Spencer Aalsburg from Sioux Falls United Reformed Church Fellowship and Rev. G.I. Williamson, a retired OPC minister associated with the Sanborn URC.

Rock Valley URC is comprised of around 100 members with more people who regularly attend. Services are at 9:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. at the church’s facility, which can be reached by following Main Street north for a mile and crossing the Rock River bridge.

The above article by Glenda Mathes appeared om page 21 of the July 31/August 21, 2013, issue of Christian Renewal.

John Surowiec congratulates Christopher

Divine Hope Reformed Bible Seminary held its second commencement ceremony on June 15, 2013. Nine men, who had completed thirty credit hours in their first year of seminary instruction, received a Certificate in Christian Studies. Graduates were in a celebratory mood.

“It was so good to see my students in high spirits,” says Professor Nathan Brummel. “The last time I saw them was two weeks earlier when they were struggling to complete their final exam in Ancient Church History. They were exhausted after a busy spring semester. Almost shell-shocked after taking five exams. But on graduation day the men were rested and ready to celebrate the goodness of God.”

Many seminary seniors might identify with those feelings, but there is reason for the entire Reformed community to celebrate God’s goodness through this commencement since Divine Hope Seminary is located with the walls of the Danville Correctional Center in Danville, IL. It is a unique institution that on July 7 earned Thabiti Anyabwile’s endorsement on the Gospel Coalition blog as “My New Favorite Seminary”.

At Divine Hope’s second commencement ceremony, Rev. Jacques Roets (Redeemer URC in Dyer, IN) brought a message from 2 Timothy 4:1-2, calling the students to be prepared to “Preach the Word.”

“My soul was stirred by his powerful address,” says Professor Brummel. “He came in like a lamb—but he spoke like a lion. It is so good for my students to hear Reformed, expository preaching.”

Four students shared how God has been transforming their lives through their theological studies. Rev. Manny Mill, an evangelist at College Church in Wheaton, IL, who directs Koinonia National Ministries, was instrumental in leading URC men to visit Danville Correctional Center for a decade prior to the Seminary’s formation. He gave an exhortation to the graduates from the book of Joshua.

Fifteen supporters and friends of the Seminary attended the ceremony. Although instructors and students are not usually permitted to eat together, they were allowed to share a meal for this special occasion.

“Our Heavenly Father first gave us a feast from His Word and then He gave us a feast for lunch,” says Professor Brummel. “Praise God for the good work that He is doing behind bars in Illinois!”

Rev. Brummel relates that students are being “greater blessings” to family members by sharing what they’ve learned. “We are at the point of preparing qualified students to lead Bible studies. This is the step prior to teaching a version of adult Sunday school. In the future, qualified men will deliver sermons—exhort as seminary students do.”

Summer school began on July 10 with 34 men returning to class after a month’s break. In addition to Professor Brummel’s course on the Exilic and Post-Exilic Period, instructor John Surowiec is teaching Old Testament Survey.

“Teaching at Divine Hope and being involved with our students has been a great blessing for me,” Mr. Surowiec says. “It is exciting to watch the work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of the students. The men are coming to understand God’s providence and how all things work together for good of those who love Him and who are called according to His purpose.”

“I don’t want to sound like all of the men have reached some holy, sanctified plateau,” he adds. “They are at different levels of sanctification and certainly not all of them are saved. However, those who are have impacted the relationships with each other in class, and the wardens and chaplain at Danville report that they are able to see small beginnings of an impact on the culture of the prison. Certainly there is far to travel on this road, but the first Seminary class was offered in March 2012 so the Lord has richly blessed these efforts so far.”

Divine Hope is seeking a Reformed pastor (Th.M or PhD preferred) to teach Hebrew and Old Testament courses. Candidates must have five years of pastoral experience and belong to a NAPARC member federation. Rev. Brummel requests prayer that God would give a qualified pastor the desire to engage in theological education within the Illinois Department of Corrections.

The above article by Glenda Mathes appeared on page 13 of the September 11, 2013, issue of Christian Renewal.

A church plant on the far east side of Boise, ID, is moving forward with faith and vision.

Dayspring Reformed Church, a church plant under the supervision of New Covenant United Reformed Church in Twin Falls, ID, may have a rather unusual name, but it is rooted in Scripture. Dayspring comes from the prophecy of Zechariah, when God restored his speech after the birth of his son, John, about whose mission he said: To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins, Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace (Luke 1:77-79, KJV).

Dayspring’s pastor, Rev. Jonathan Van Hoogen, notes how the text proclaims a comprehensive Reformed perspective: “We see justification by faith in the remission of sins through God’s mercy, an evangelical apologetic in bringing light to those that sit in darkness, and sanctification in our feet being guided in the path of peace.”

Rev. Chris Folkerts, Nick Smith, Jonathan Van Hoogen, Joel Van Hoogen, and David Booth

Rev. Van Hoogen was installed as the church planter for the Dayspring group on May 10, 2013. Rev. Christopher Folkerts (New Covenant) gave the charge to the pastor from John 21:15-19, speaking on “The Lord’s Shepherd.” Jonathan’s brother, Rev. Joel Van Hoogen gave the charge to the congregation on “Spoken and Speaking” from John 3:27. He is the pastor of Bread of Life Fellowship, an independent church in Boise. Rev. Nick Smith (URC of Nampa, Nampa, ID) and Rev. David Booth (Cloverdale URC elder and interim pastor for Sovereign Redeemer OPC, Boise, ID) participated in the service with Scripture reading and prayer.

Since the Dayspring group began meeting late last year, three babies have been baptized and three couples have been married. The group also lost a 90-year-old member who “brought a glow of anticipation to every endeavor of the church plant,” according to Rev. Jonathan Van Hoogen. “We have rocked the cradle and prepared the grave in our short time as a church.”

“Our life together as a church is less highlights and more the normal growth and fellowship of believers together,” he adds. “We have enjoyed fellowship meals and church picnics. We are preparing for leadership by an overview study of our confessions and catechism on Sunday evenings. This fall we will begin a ministry to preteen and teen girls called TRUE. We are developing another program…that we will call Semper Fi (Always Faithful), a mentoring ministry to young men and boys. What all this means is that we are looking to disciple true and faithful followers of Christ.”

Boise is the third largest population center in the Pacific Northwest and has more in common with the two larger cities, Seattle and Portland, than with the culture of smaller metropolitan centers. Dayspring Reformed Church embraces an urban vision in its desire to proclaim Christ to the culture in this vastly under-churched area of the nation.

About 50 people regularly attend Dayspring’s services. The group meets at 11:15 a.m. for worship and again at 6:00 p.m. for family discipleship. Meetings are held in the FriendsChurch at 3102 Palouse Street, which is near the Boise airport and convenient to the freeway, only four blocks off the city’s main artery.

Vicki and Pastor Jonathan Van Hoogen

“Church planting to me is really exciting,” Rev. Van Hoogen says. “There’s almost giddiness in seeing how the details of God’s providence play out.” He describes church planting as the “work of the Holy Spirit, opening eyes of people to the gospel. That’s what makes church planting such a joy.”

Although Van Hoogen is obviously a Dutch name, he explains that his grandfather was a Dutch orphan who grew up in predominately Italian and Jewish communities. He says, “Our group is not filled with Dutch people.”

Ethnicity is not even a consideration within the community of diverse heritage, whose focus is on reaching the lost with the gospel. “You can’t preach the law without answering with the gospel…in Christ. As Christians, we need the gospel,” he says. “We’re going out and sharing it in a winsome way. We want what we say to be good news. When I preach, I always ask, ‘Was that good news? Or did it come across as ‘do more, pray more’?”

As the Dayspring group looks to the future with vision, it hopes to organize next spring and become a more active part of Classis Pacific Northwest. In the meantime, the group appreciates prayer and financial support. Dayspring also would be happy to receive approximately 50 Trinity Hymnals or Psalter Hymnals no longer needed by another church. Financial support can be sent to the deacons at Twin Falls URC or directly to the group, which is already registered as a 501c non-profit:

Dayspring Reformed Church
3527 South Federal Way, Suite 103
Boise, ID  83705.

The above article by Glenda Mathes appeared on page 14 of the September 11, 2013, issue of Christian Renewal.

Rev. Van Hoogen reports: “Dayspring will be adding nine new members on November 10th and have its first adult baptisms that same Sunday.  We are thankful for God’s faithfulness in gathering his people together.”

Pastors Sam Perez and Paul Murphy

Grace Reformed Church of Jersey City, a church plant under the supervision of Messiah’s Reformed Fellowship, hoped to begin worship services on September 1, 2013. The group meets at 10:00 a.m. in the Culinary Conference Center of the Hudson County Community College, located at 161 Newkirk Street in Jersey City.

Although Messiah’s Council originally determined a launch date of June 30, it became obvious as the date approached that the prospective space in an office building would not meet the group’s needs. Forced to begin looking for another facility, the starting date for worship was postponed to September 1.

“In the last year,” says church planter Rev. Sam Perez, “we have searched far and wide for an adequate space: movie theaters, banquet halls, office space, community centers, other church buildings. Since June 30, we slowly realized that a space that had been on our short list since August 2012 was quite adequate for worship: the local community college. So we decided to pursue that space, and that is where we’ll begin worship services on September 1.”

Church leaders viewed September 1 as a good start date since it gave them the summer to spread the word within the community and host social events, like barbeques, at the Perez home. It also coincided with most academic calendars, so families are less like to be traveling or on vacation. But setting a date is only one of many decisions in church planting requiring wisdom.

“One of the challenges of church planting is the chicken-and-egg problem,” Rev. Perez says. “If there are 20 things to be done, what do you do first? What do you do second? What should be done last? Addressing these tasks takes the Lord’s wisdom, prayer, counsel in our Council meetings.”

He relates that the group has met weekly on Wednesday evenings since July 17 and will continue to meet at his family’s apartment as they conclude their mid-week study of the Pentateuch and begin studying Genesis 3.

He says, “Apart from the core group of 24, there’s also another group of about 10-15 folks…who are interested in the church plant but not necessarily committed. The Bible study is especially geared towards them. They may not be necessarily Christian or church members, but they’re still welcomed. One of the goals of the study is to encourage Biblical literacy and familiarity with the Old Testament, especially as it calls us, from the very opening of Genesis, to worship God.”

He hopes that both people from the committed core group and people from the Bible study crowd will attend the worship services and recognize the gospel.

“I hope for a few things in this next phase,” he says, “but I think the most important aspiration is that folks who attend, whether core or crowd, would quickly realize that Grace Reformed Church is a place where God’s Good News is proclaimed, that this is a place where God’s grace transforms sinners, and that, through the ministry of the Word, more people would come to know Christ as Savior and Lord. To that end, our time in the Word, beginning September 1, will consider the letter to the Ephesians, and how Christ builds His Church, from His predestining purpose in eternity past to our spiritual resurrection in Christ to the ethical call of Christians as the household of God. I’m thoroughly excited to see what God will do at Grace Reformed Church in the next year.”

More information about the Jersey City church plant can be found on its Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/JerseyCityGrace.

The above article by Glenda Mathes appeared on pages 15 & 16 of the September 11, 2013, issue of Christian Renewal.

Attending the September meeting of Classis Central US of the URCNA was a genuine blast from the past. It reminded many older folks of childhood Sundays, when summer services were made more comfortable with whirling wall fans. But the past was only a memory as office-bearers looked to the future by examining two men as prospective ministers in Christ’s church.

Those two examinations were the primary matters of business when delegates met at First URC in Oak Lawn, IL, on September 9 & 10, 2013. It was the first time Classis Central US met in the historic and beautiful (if not air-conditioned) building.

Although from very different backgrounds, Pablo Landázuri and Robert Van der Woerd are both graduates of Mid-America Reformed Seminary (Robert in 2012 and Pablo in 2013) who share a burden to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Pablo grew up in a nominal Roman Catholic home, but first heard the gospel when he began attending a Presbyterian church. He said, “One particular day I had a huge conviction of sin and I knew my only hope was the Lord Jesus Christ.” He eventually felt compelled to enter the ministry, but it was almost five years before God paved the way for him to attend Mid-America.

Robert was raised in a Reformed home, but his faith didn’t become real to him until late in his teen years. “I came more and more to realize it was time to confess sin and take my faith seriously,” he said. While pursuing a business degree, he felt a strong sense that he would not be content doing anything other than preaching. He entered seminary after his college graduation.

Pablo and Verenisse and their three sons are members of Faith URC in Beecher, IL, but currently live in Pella where he is serving a one-year internship at Covenant Reformed Church (URC). He hopes to return to Ecuador next year to work with his former pastor in preaching the Word and establishing Reformed congregations.

Robert and Rachel and their two sons are members of Lynwood URC in Lynwood, IL, but have been living in Sioux Falls, SD, where he served a summer internship with Rev. Spencer Aalsburg at the Sioux Falls URC Fellowship. Robert hopes for a call to a congregation within the URCNA.

On Monday evening, delegates evaluated sermons of each man during executive session, open only to office-bearers. Then Rev. Paul Ipema examined the men concurrently in the area of Practica, dealing with their Christian commitment and personal life.

The exams continued on Tuesday morning when Rev. Jody Lucero quizzed the men regarding Bible Knowledge. Prior to Rev. Bradd Nymeyer examining them in Biblical Exegesis (translating original languages), a motion was made to suspend classical rules in order to question the men individually. Following that section, Rev. Dan Donovan conducted the portion of the exam on Church Polity, which deals with ecclesiastical rules and procedures.

Before the lunch break, a motion was passed to reduce the length of the Confessional Knowledge and Church History sections from 60 minutes to 45 minutes in order to allow the exams to conclude by approximately 5:30.

After the lunch break, a motion was made to suspend the classical rules in order to schedule the spring meeting in early March rather than in April of 2014. The rationale was that this would allow Classis to table the four overtures on this meeting’s docket and discuss them at the next meeting, which would still be prior to the deadline for Synod 2014. The motion to suspend passed.

The first part of the afternoon was devoted to Confessional Knowledge with Rev. Todd De Rooy and Reformed Doctrine with Rev. Paul Ipema. In the second part of the afternoon, Rev. Spencer Aalsburg questioned the men regarding their knowledge of Church History. The exams concluded with Rev. Matthew Nuiver examining the men on the important subject of Ethics.

All delegates discussed the examinations in executive session, and the consistories of Faith URC in Beecher, IL, and Lynwood URC in Lynwood, IL, met for discussion during the evening break. Again in executive session, the consistories reported their determinations to the entire assembly, which then voted on each area by ballot. Later it was announced that Mr. Landázuri had sustained his examinations in six and Mr. Van der Woerd in two of the eight areas. The men need undergo exams in only the unsustained areas and will have to opportunity to do so at a future Classis meeting.

Late in the evening, delegates provided pastoral advice to three churches seeking counsel and elected several men to serve in various classical and federational roles. The four overtures on the agenda were tabled indefinitely. Redeemer URC of Orange City, IA, will serve as the convening consistory for Classis Central’s March 3 & 4, 2014, meeting.

Although the heat was a key feature of meeting during days of record-breaking temperatures, the members of First URC overcame the high temperature with their warm hospitality. They worked hard to provide delicious food and plenty of cool water to refresh delegates and promote the fellowship that transcends physical discomfort.

The above article by Glenda Mathes appeared on pages 14 & 15 of the October 2, 2013, issue of Christian Renewal.

In August of [2013], Rev. Arthur Besteman gave up preaching. He’d hoped to continue until he was 85, the age at which his wife’s father retired, but he was 80 and felt that it was time. He still goes out on pastoral visits and conducts funerals. In fact, the same week he gave up regular preaching he officiated at two funerals.

Rev. Besteman originally retired almost 15 years ago, at age 66, but he found retirement didn’t suit him. In God’s providence, he was asked to be Stated Supply for the Kalamazoo URC for a year, then at the URC in OliveCenter for 20 months, and then two times each at Eastmanville URC and Walker URC.

Rev. Besteman received his B.D. from Calvin Theological Seminary in 1958 and did one year of graduate study at Westminster Theological Study in Philedelphia. He accepted a call to the CRC in Leota, MN.

“All through seminary I had hoped that somewhere was a small church I could serve,” he says. “I was led to accept the largest church to which I received a call. The church was over a hundred families and had been without a pastor for twenty months. It taught me to depend upon the grace of God. Later on when I had five funerals in ten days, it was the grace of God that carried me through. The first service I conducted after my ordination was that of a 3½ year-old who was killed the day I was examined. It taught me to depend upon the Lord, a lesson which served me throughout my ministry.”

Rev. Besteman served his first five years in Leota as a bachelor, but people were constantly introducing young women to him. When some good friends suggested that the next time he was in Grand Rapids he have coffee with their acquaintance, Audrey Honderd, who worked as a case worker there, he thought, “What would a cup of coffee hurt?”

The two were married in September of 1964 and now have three children and nine grandchildren. One daughter teaches in the Dominican Republic, but her family recently returned to the States when their child was diagnosed with leukemia and subsequently spent 17 days in intensive care. The Bestemans are thankful that retirement allows them to spend more time with their daughter and her family, despite the reason for their return.

Following the Besteman’s marriage in 1964, Rev. Besteman went on to serve several congregations in Michigan: Messiah in Hudsonville from 1964-1972; North Street in Zeeland until 1986, when he accepted a call to the Beverly CRC in Wyoming. That church became an independent congregation affiliated with the ARC in 1992 and part of the URCNA in 1996. He retired in 1999 and began a new avenue of service to the churches.

The joys during his 55 years of ministry have been the “privilege of proclaiming the gospel of salvation” and “seeing that gospel highlighted in the lives of so many who made their profession of faith.”

“Another highlight was the establishment of the United Reformed Church,” he adds. “Having served on two boards of the denomination with which I was formerly affiliated, it was a great privilege to serve several terms on the Board of Mid-America Reformed Seminary and know that the members were of like mind and theology.”

He has found it rewarding to see the Spirit’s work in people’s lives.

“The greatest reward was the faithful attendance of people of all ages and of all backgrounds to the preaching of the Word,” he says. “It was rewarding to see people growing in the faith.”

But ministry is never without its struggles. He says, “The biggest challenge of the ministry was to remain faithful to the gospel. Closely related to that was the challenge of loving the many different kinds of people who made up the church of Jesus Christ.”

Rev. Besteman believes the most crucial issue facing the church today is remaining true to the Word of God: “It is such a temptation to adopt the various methods that the church world adopts to attract members. And it goes from one attempt to another with no one thing working for long.”

When asked what advice he’d give young ministers today, he provides a list that prioritizes preaching.

“Young pastors have to be convinced that the power of the pulpit is in the preaching of the Word.” He adds, “The preaching of the Word alone can satisfy the hungering of the human heart. Young pastors also must be careful whom they marry. A pastor must be sure that his wife is willing to share his time and concern with others. Young pastors must also know when they should end their sermons. They don’t need to say everything they know in a single sermon. They must learn to respect their elders.”

Rev. Besteman also offers some insight for lay people: “The person in the pew must demand from the pulpit that the Word of God is preached. The person in the pew must demand that the sovereignty of God is proclaimed. Nothing less than the Reformed faith.”

After an intense stint of chemotherapy and a heart attack in recent years, Rev. Besteman is thankful to still be able to do the Lord’s work. He says, “It amazes me that the Lord has entrusted me with the responsibility and privilege of proclaiming the gospel for all these years.”

The above article by Glenda Mathes appeared on pages 26 & 27 of the December 11, 2013, issue of Christian Renewal as part of the series “Shared Wisdom: Tapping into the experience of seasoned ministers.” 

Gathering for worship at Phoenix URC

Phoenix, AZ, named after the mythological regenerating bird associated with the sun, consistently tops the charts of the sunniest US cities. The legendary phoenix can symbolize Christian themes of rebirth and resurrection, and it’s those timeless truths that members of Phoenix URC seek to bring to the almost 1.5 million people living in American’s sixth largest city.

Whenever I write a church profile, I begin by gleaning information from the church’s website. The professionalism and appearance of the Phoenix URC site were striking. Via email, I visited with Pastor Phil Grotenhuis about this and the church’s ministerial perspective.

CR: The church website has a fresh look and a professional feel. What led to your website changes and what kinds of things did you want to convey with the upgrade?

Pastor Phil Grotenhuis

Pastor Grotenhuis: Anybody who knows me knows that I’m not web savvy. According to Pastor Bill De Jong, I once tried turning on a computer by pushing the Dell sticker on the desktop hard drive. Nevertheless, I think I can still convey accurately how we came about reconfiguring our website.

We came to a point in our church’s ministry where we believed that we needed to ask a number of key questions that revolved around the matter of ministerial philosophy such as: Who are we? Why are we here in Phoenix – a city that ranks fifth in the nation in population and number one in geographical expanse?  Where are we at in our church’s ministry?  What are our ministry’s strengths?  What are our ministry’s weaknesses?  Where should we be heading as a church? There appeared to be a consensus that we needed more exposure as a church. Our conviction was that if the light of the gospel and our Reformed heritage was so precious, then we were obligated to let our light shine (Matthew 5:14,15). In the course of discussion on these key questions, a member of our church suggested we take a serious look at our website. We understood that our website was an integral part of our witness and so we needed to “freshen it up,” as they say.

We’re extremely glad we did.

There are a number of things that prompted a retooling of our website. First, we did a search of some URC websites and found that a number of them were quite informational but lacked aesthetic appeal. Secondly, we found that a number of websites lacked pictures of the members and life of the church. The standard home page typically showed a picture of the church building but no true face of the church. On a related note, we found no videos that provided an insight into the ministry and life of the church (at least among the websites we viewed). Thirdly, and perhaps most importantly, many websites reflected (in my personal opinion) an imbalance between the church as institute and the church as organism. Many websites were weighted in favor of the church as institute – its leadership, doctrinal position, confessional standards, on-line sermons, worship practices. But few focused on the organic life of the body – its community, relationships, ministries, local outreach efforts, opportunities for service. It’s not as if these things were not there; it’s just that they did not seem emphasized to the degree that we wanted for our own website.

As a result of our findings, we set out to create a website that reflected more of a balance between information, doctrine, community, worship, ministries, mission, etc. – all packaged in a fresh, creative, accessible, and aesthetically pleasing way. This required that we go outside our circles (Tipping Point Media) and invest a significant amount of money in making this happen.  We’re generally happy with the results and we have discovered that a large majority of our visitors decided to visit us due to the appeal of our website, particularly the three videos that we feature. Many people have commented that they have found it extremely helpful in learning about who we are, what we believe, what we practice, and what our calling is in the world.

CR: A video on the website explains that Phoenix URC began meeting in a warehouse in 1996, but soon moved to a school in an industrial area where it met for many years. It implies that in recent years the church purchased an older building and renovated it. If that is correct, when did the renovation occur, and in what ways has the building facilitated your congregation’s witness to the city?

Pastor G. In God’s gracious providence, the door was opened for us to purchase an existing church building centrally located in Phoenix. You are correct in saying that our church began meeting in a warehouse and then soon moved into a public school gymnasium where it worshipped for about 15 years. During that time the church committed itself to giving to a building fund that accrued over time. You can imagine that after 15 years the church was itching to have a place they could call “home.” An existing church building opened up a year and a half ago not far from the school where we were worshipping. We chose to purchase the building primarily because of its geographical proximity. It provided a central meeting place for our congregants – many who must drive many miles from all parts of the city (my commute time is 35-40 minutes).

But our location also provides access to a number of people in the area and we’re currently in the process of figuring out how best to reach them. Recently, our Rooted group (ages 18-25) offered a mammoth garage sale in our church’s parking lot. We sold various items to fund a mission trip to Honduras, cooked burgers and hot dogs, mingled with people from our neighborhood, and took interested people through a tour of our facility. This provided great exposure for our new church and, quite frankly, many in the neighborhood were thrilled that we were there. A few months later our Rooted group sponsored a pancake breakfast to raise further funds and sent out flyers throughout a mile wide radius of our building. At one point in the breakfast, half of the people were from the neighborhood. You can’t underestimate what God is able and willing to do when you “stick your neck out” and “test the waters.”

CR: Phoenix URC is about 350 miles or about five and half hours from its nearest URC neighbor, Christ Reformed Church in Santee, CA. In what ways do you foster fellowship with other URCNA congregations and with local churches?

Pastor G. Great question. Yes, we are on a bit of an island and we are not the only ones [like this] in the URC. In some respects, this is a healthy thing. It allows us to form our own identity in a unique setting apart from what other URCs are doing. In other respects, there is a sense of isolation that is mitigated somewhat by flying in URC pastors upon occasion for preaching and seminars and also keeping in touch with URCs that share a similar ministerial philosophy. Of course, the leadership also finds fellowship at our regular classical and synodical gatherings. But we have also found that we have been greatly blessed by interactions with other churches. Such interaction allows us to see that the church of Jesus Christ is greater than the URC federation (thus keeping us from a sectarian spirit). At the same time it helps us to gain a greater appreciation for the uniqueness of our federation and its confessional heritage.

CR: How would you describe your church’s viewpoint on ministry or leadership and what are you doing to develop it?

Pastor G. One thing that we are increasingly grappling with is our mission identity. Many conservative churches view mission as addendum to their church’s ministry rather than the very heart and identity of their ministry. The reason for this, in my estimation, is because they don’t see the Scripture through the hermeneutical lens of God’s mission to the world. Jesus has not gathered a people for the sake of themselves but for the sake of the world (John 20:21). When you see the church through the hermeneutical lens of mission, it affects everything you do in the church and drives the church’s ministerial philosophy.

The danger of every local church is to fall unconsciously into a maintenance form of ministry. This easily happens when the church (and especially the leadership) fail to regularly ask themselves key questions about identity and purpose. Thus, at PURC we have committed ourselves as elders to meet twice a year to assess our ministry and address such questions as: Who are we?  Why are we here in Phoenix?  What are our current strengths?  What are our current weaknesses?  Where should we be going in our ministerial calling as a church?  Asking these questions is vital and cultivates intentionality in ministry. It prevents the church from navel gazing, stagnation, suspicion, and inevitable infighting. Positively, it keeps the church moving forward and gives the congregation a sense that they are not only important to each other but the world.

One thing I personally find is that it’s easy to lack creativity in ministry. It’s so easy to plod on from year to year without serious analysis of what the church is doing and without providing creative solutions to perceived shortcomings. At PURC, we have initiated some ministries/activities that have attempted to address various weaknesses. This has been good because it has provided opportunities for service among the members.

Here have been some of our endeavors. We have provided a fresh look to our website. We have recently formed and sent a mission group to Honduras. We are seeking closer ties with New City Phoenix, a PCA ministry to impoverished South Phoenix. We have initiated men’s leadership training with special speakers from around the country. We have begun a discussion about a daughter church plant sometime in the future. We have looked at how we worship and how we can, without compromise, make our worship more intelligible and accessible to people with little or no Christian background. We have examined ways to increase fellowship between believers in the church. We are in the process of forming a mentoring program for new believers. We have initiated a yearly post-worship, congregation-wide celebration of new members – some of them who share stories of how God brought them to faith and/or brought them to our PURC. It’s a great time of encouragement for the church. More could be said. But this gives you an insight into how we (in a very imperfect way!) seek to be faithful in our ministerial calling as a church to the city in which God’s has providentially placed us.

Of course, this kind of ministerial philosophy creates immeasurably more work but the fruit, by God’s grace, is extremely sweet. And we still have much more work to do. But we rest in God’s grace and provision … “(He) is able to do far more abundantly that what we ask or think according to His power at work within us. To Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen!” (Ephesians 3:20,21).

The above interview by Glenda Mathes appeared on pages 12-14 of the January 1, 2014, issue of Christian Renewal.

As Walker United Reformed Church celebrated its 100th anniversary, its members remembered the past while looking to the future with thankfulness to God.

The theme verse chosen for the occasion was Psalm 145:4, “One generation shall praise Thy works to another, And shall declare Thy mighty acts” (KJV).

A special centennial celebration took place on Sunday, December 8, 2013. Rev. Arthur Besteman, who assisted the church during two pulpit vacancies, led in congregational prayer. Walker’s current pastor, Rev. Corey Dykstra, preached from Deuteronomy 32:1-9 on “Our Faithful Covenant God.” He encouraged the congregation “to remember the life God gives us through His word by the Spirit, and the love He has particularly shown us in Christ. This was the foundation for the church for the last 100 years and is that which we need to continue to hold fast to.”

Following the service, attendees viewed a centennial display featuring church directories, photos of the church and members, the baptism bowl from the original building, commemorative dishes, a wooden Sunday school chair, and minute books from the Ladies Aid and Young People’s societies. Visitors also viewed a newly-commissioned painting of the original building.

Members and former ministers received a centennial book that included historical information and pictures. Former pastors attending were: Rev. Syburn M. Voortman (1966-71), Rev. Joel A. Vander Kooi (1992-2004), and Rev. David N. Klumpenhower (2004-2008). Rev. Wilmer R. Witte (1954-1958), and Rev. Jay A. Wesseling (1986-1991) were unable to attend.

Lunch was followed by the centennial celebration service at 1:30. Rev. Dykstra opened the service. Rev. David Klumpenhower led in prayer and thanksgiving; he then read from Psalm 145 and spoke briefly on its meaning. Rev. Joel Vander Kooi read Belgic Confession Art. 21 and Isaiah 52:1-15 as the basis of his sermon, in which he urged hearers to “Wake Up and Behold the Beauty of the Savior.”

Organizer Ben Veldkamp explains, “We are actually celebrating our centennial one year late—the church was officially organized on December 18, 1912.” He adds, “Our current minister, Corey Dykstra, was hung up in immigration limbo for over two years, and we wanted him to be with us for the celebration.”

Rev. Dykstra was ordained and installed on February 15, 2013.

In September, the congregation dedicated a centennial rock that was placed in front of the church. “Underneath the rock is buried a cylinder with pennies from the birth years of the members of the congregation,” explains Mr. Veldkamp, “or at least most of them—finding pennies from the 1910s and 1920s was difficult.” The theme verse from Psalm 145 is engraved on the rock.

The church is Walker’s oldest church and the only one to bear the city’s name. The current building stands on the original property, just north of where the first structure stood. The initial building’s construction began in 1911, but the church was not officially organized as a Christian Reformed Church until late in 1912.

The 14 charter families were nearly all first-generation Dutch immigrant farmers. Two current families trace their roots back to two of those charter families. Four current families have had five generations attend Walker.

The first man to serve the congregation was a home missionary, Rev. John R. Brink, who visited Walker on weekends from 1913-1916 to teach catechism and preach. Next was Rev. Peter J. Hoekenga (1917-1918) who served 18 months before resigning due to poor health. Rev. J. Wyngarden (1918-1928) was a veteran minister who provided stability for the young, growing congregation.

Rev. Peter Vos (1928-1947) took several voluntary pay cuts and frequently deferred his pay check to help the church meet pressing financial obligations during the difficult Depression years. The congregation grew numerically during that time, which led to a building addition in 1941.

Mr. Veldkamp said that explosive post-war growth in the Walker area in the late 1940s and early 1950s created the need for a subsequent addition, and changed the geographic dynamics from rural to suburban. But burgeoning membership soon stretched the existing building to its limits, and in 1960 construction began on a new building, dedicated in 1961.

“The original building was demolished, although some of its wood was re-used to build houses in the surrounding neighborhood,” says Mr. Veldkamp. “The old church’s bell was placed in the bell tower of the current church, and the cornerstone was embedded in one of the stairwells of the current building.”

Walker’s highest membership was 516 in 1966. Statistics remained in the upper 400s until denominational controversies took their toll.

“From 1985 to 1995,” says Mr. Veldkamp, “the church lost more than one quarter of her members…. Some members found Walker to be too conservative; others were upset that the church remained in the CRC.”

In September of 1997, 73% of the congregation voted to leave the CRC and affiliate with the newly-formed URCNA.

The above article by Glenda Mathes appeared on pages 14 & 15 of the January 1, 2014, issue of Christian Renewal.

Photo from ARP Magazine’s Facebook page

When the North American Presbyterian and Reformed Council (NAPARC), met on November 19-20, 2013, in Flat Rock, NC, it adopted new by-laws and approved changes to its constitution. The new by-laws are already in effect, but changes in the constitution must be approved by NAPARC member churches.

Those actions arose from a report by the Committee of Review (COR), which several years ago had been given a mandate to evaluate NAPARC’s function, constitution, and by-laws and bring its recommendations to the Council.

The new by-laws will soon appear on the NAPARC website (naparc.org). Beginning in 2014, the Council will meet over the course of three days (instead of two). Time blocks will be scheduled to allow interchurch committees to meet between NAPARC sessions, rather than squeezing in these meeting before the Council convenes or after it adjourns.

The current practice of the host church arranging for an evening meal and speaker will continue, although it will take place on the second evening. The first evening will ordinarily be designated for a devotional service, conducted by a congregation of the hosting member church.

Informational documents produced over the years by NAPARC will be published on its website and in its minutes to be available for use by member churches. Additionally, NAPARC will maintain a cumulative listing of studies completed by member churches.

The Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church (ARPC) hosted this 39^th meeting of NAPARC at its Bonclarken assembly grounds. Delegates were present from it and the rest of the 12 member churches: Canadian Reformed Churches (CanRC), Église réformée du Quebec (ERQ), Free Reformed Churches of North America (FRCNA), Heritage Reformed Congregations (HRC), Korean American Presbyterian Church (KAPC), Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC), Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), Presbyterian Reformed Church (PRC), Reformed Church in the United States (RCUS), Reformed Presbyterian Church in North America (RPCNA), and United Reformed Churches of North America (URCNA). The Korean Presbyterian Church in America (Kosin) is applying for NAPARC membership and its observers were present as well as visitors and members of interchurch relations committees.

The Council elected Rev. Peter Holtvlüwer (CanRC) as chairman and Rev. Ben Westerveld (ERQ) as vice-chairman. Delegates re-elected Rev. Maynard Koerner (RCUS) as treasurer and Rev. Ron Potter (RCUS) as secretary.

Each member church presented a report, followed by a delegate offering prayer for the reporting church.

“It was plainly evident to all in attendance that the Kingdom of our LORD is advancing,” wrote Rev. Potter in a NAPARC press release. “What was evident in these reports is scriptural and creedal fidelity among the member churches of NAPARC, the distinguishing characteristics of the three marks of the true church, the active missionary efforts of the churches at home and abroad, the evident working of Christ and conversely, the attempts of the Devil, in some cases, to cause disruption.”

Following the evening meal, Dr. Mark Ross of Erskine Theological Seminary spoke on church unity from John 17. “Dr. Ross demonstrated from John 17:21 that the apologetic before the world for the glorious existence of the Triune God is the church, and specifically, the visible unity of the church,” wrote Rev. John Bouwers in a pastoral report to his congregation. “One challenge we must also continue to face, is that though we speak well of our commitment to unity in contexts like NAPARC, and very much enjoy the tastes of it we experience there, the actual fruit of such unity needs to come to expression in and between our local churches.”

In addition to the member church reports, NAPARC received a report from the observing church as well as reports from the treasurer, auditor, Interim Committee, and the Foreign Missions Consultation committee, before taking up the COR recommendations.

The 40^th meeting of NAPARC is scheduled for November 11-13, 2014, and will be hosted by the Canadian Reformed Churches near Hamilton, ON. An invitation to observe the meeting was extended to the Bible Presbyterian Church, the Korean Presbyterian Church in America (Kosin), and the Protestant Reformed Churches of North America.

One of the interchurch relations meetings that occurred within the context of NAPARC was between representatives of the URCNA and the CanRC, who focused on efforts toward merger.

A joint press release from the URNCA’s CERCU and the CanRC’s CCU committees stated, “In an effort to understand one another better, we discussed covenant views in the CanRC and the URCNA. The discussion then moved on to why the CanRC dislike extra-confessional statements. We also discussed the status of the doctrinal statements adopted by recent URCNA synods.”

The press release additionally stated, “We discussed CERCU’s intention to move the relationship to Phase 3A, which would mean a commitment to making concrete preparations for an eventual merger. It is CERCU’s intention to present Synod Visalia 2014 with a preliminary outline of such a plan leading up to a finalized proposal to Synod 2016. Part of this plan would be to encourage URCNA churches to interact with those issues that need resolution before merger. Furthermore, to enhance understanding of the issues involved, the hope is that a colloquium can be held at Synod Visalia 2014 in which two representatives from the URCNA and two from the CanRC will address covenant views and perhaps other theological issues.”

Rev. John Bouwers reported that CERCU held additional meetings with representatives of the ARP, ERQ, FRC, HRC, OPC, RCUS and the RPCNA. CERCU also met on its own to discuss its work related to each of the NAPARC churches, but particularly regarding merger with the CanRC.

“In our discussions together as CERCU,” wrote Rev. Bouwers, “we observe that three types of concerns remain regarding the unity process. One is theological; we need to be convinced as churches that the doctrine of the covenant taught in our respective churches can live healthily side by side in one federation within the bounds of our Confessions.  The second is church political; given our negative past experiences, there are continued fears concerning perceived hierarchical tendencies in the Proposed Joint Church Order.  The third has to do with the will to ecumenism generally; some are not convinced that churches that share a confession are required to seek organizational unity. As a committee we are of a mind that if the first two types of objections can be addressed to our mutual satisfaction, the hesitations with regards to the third will also be alleviated.”

The above article by Glenda Mathes appeared on pages 17 & 18 of the January 22, 2014, issue of Christian Renewal.

Rev. Robert W. DeVries

While Rev. Robert W. DeVries has officially retired twice, he continues to be active in the ministry. He served for several years as the Clerk of Classis Eastern US of the URCNA, and still fills the vacant pulpit of the New Haven URC in Vermont a few times per month.

Christian Renewal recently interviewed him via email about the highlights and challenges of his ministry.

CR: Rev. De Vries, you graduated from Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia in 1955 and first served the CRC as a home missionary in Franklin Lakes, NJ, then as the congregation’s called minister. In 1963, you accepted a call to Framingham, MA, where you served until 1970, when the Lord brought you to Rochester, NY, for nine years. You then served the Northside congregation in Clifton, NJ, from 1979 until your first retirement in 1993. You became a member of the URCNA, associating with the New Haven congregation, and retired again in 1997. What were you doing during the period between and subsequent to these two retirement dates?

Rev. De Vries: In 1993, my wife and I retired to our New Hampshire vacation home, which we had winterized. It had been our plan to ultimately move to Vermont where we had a Reformed church, and in 1999 that move was realized.

I had learned in 1998 that I had colon cancer, and following surgery and radiation treatments, we made the move to Middlebury, VT. Here I received all my chemotherapy treatments, and God was gracious in conquering my cancer.

Sadly, in 2001, we learned that my dear wife of 53 years had pancreatic cancer. She suffered for about nine months before the Lord mercifully took her home. Although I had conducted countless funeral services during my ministry, it was at this time that I truly learned experientially the meaning of grief and loss. The Lord wonderfully brought me and my children through it all, learning to lean upon His mercy.

CR:What were some of the highlights of your ministry?

RDV: This is really not an easy question; I could go in many directions. I think that I would answer it by saying that the highlight of my ministry is the ever-growing humbling awareness that God has called me to serve various congregations as His mouthpiece!

For me this is a huge challenge. For many years of my ministry I had a small plaque hanging by the doorway of my study that reminded me, each time I left my study, of the staggering responsibility of what I was to do. The plaque was a prayer of J.H. Moulton, which reads, “Oh, if mine own words should on Thy Word falling mar the great message, and men hear not Thee!” Whenever I was required to take God’s Word and explain it to a congregation, to a class, or to an individual in need, this prayer gripped me.

I confess that I have not always felt this formidable aspect of my calling, but as maturity grew on me, both physically and spiritually, I was increasingly struck by this challenge. In fact, as I was reading the Puritan, Richard Baxter, I came across similar thoughts that stirred me as well. Baxter is quoted as saying, “I preached as never sure to preach again, and a dying man to dying men.” What an awesome calling—to preach the very Word of God!

CR:What have been other challenges?

RDV: Your questions don’t get any easier.

Well, of course, there were many—challenges with congregational difficulties, challenges identifying with the struggles of fellow members, and challenges with understanding difficult texts from the Word. Were I to bundle these together in a general challenge, I would say that it was most frustrating for me to witness the hardening of the hearts of those covenant people who knew better.

It was the painful combination of watching a professing believer surrender to the subtle enticing of Satan, as well as my own acknowledged weakness in turning them around. My personal frustration fluctuated from pleading to scolding to impatience, and even to annoyance! I guess that my frustration was mostly with my own degrading reaction. But God’s grace, age and experience have brought with it a more biblical approach immersed in prayer and in the patience of the Lord who hounded me for so many years.

CR:What do you mean by the Lord hounding you for so many years?

RDV: Bear in mind I said this in the context of my frustrations in dealing with those who were drifting away from the faith they once claimed.

I say “the Lord hounded me” because this is how I see God’s persistent grace in bringing me to himself. My birth mother died when I was ten years old, and my immigrant father was severely tested—without church support. We drifted from the church and from the Lord for some six years. My father remarried an unbelieving wife, which initially made things worse as far as our drifting was concerned.

While we were drifting, God was working! An unbelieving young man had moved from Juno, Alaska, to the Los Angeles area. He was converted, went to the Bible Institute of Los Angela, Wheaton College in Illinois, and to Princeton Seminary in New Jersey. A small Presbyterian church in New Jersey was searching for pulpit supply, and the Seminary provided this young man. He was an evangelical who brought the gospel to this village church. My drifting father learned of this, and brought my step-mother and me there.

We heard the gospel. Thanks to God’s “hounding” Spirit, my father was revived and became an elder, my step-mother was converted, I was converted, and I met the woman of my life, who had also been converted under this young man’s ministry. Such is the relentless, “hounding” of our sovereign God, who unfailingly brings that lost sheep to himself!

And this I needed to remember when dealing with others who were drifting away.

CR:What have been the greatest rewards of your ministry?

RDV: This is quite simple—the greatest reward would be the opposite of “my biggest challenge.”

I’m not sure that there is a greater reward this side of glory than seeing God’s Spirit work in another’s heart to finally “see” the amazing grace of God in Jesus.

CR:What do you view as the crucial issues facing the church today?

RDV: The church always struggles with a balanced managing of doctrinal purity and compassionate living.From my little corner in Vermont, I cannot be expected to sense the issues of the URC or of Reformed churches in general; but one issue that surfaces in my context is the limited perspective that we often have of our church. Too often we have parochial view of the church that is limited to our own federation, or even to our own congregation.

This gives the impression that we don’t care about what God is doing in other Reformed assemblies. Tragically, this parochial attitude can sometimes be focused on our own believing community, to the exclusion of the broader community in which we function. Sometimes our preaching is only to the believing congregation that we serve, to the neglect of the lost in our broader community.

One way to broaden our perspective of the Lord’s work is more intensive reading. We are blessed with good Reformed scholarship that can challenge our minds and views so that our concerns are broadened. We have the opportunity to deepen our own biblical understanding; and to broaden our outlook on God’s work by reading the work of missionaries and other theologians.

CR:What advice would you give to young pastors?

RDV: Whatever advice I’d give them would hopefully be in the spirit of humility. Quite simply, I would suggest that they preach the Word faithfully; that they love the Word. I would suggest that as pastors we not only master the Scriptures, but have the Scriptures master us.

I would also suggest to know the members of your congregation and to tailor your message to their level. Too often sermons go above the heads of the membership. And, also remember the unbelievers tucked away in the pews! Worshipers experience varying levels of spiritual maturity. Not all have Christ in their hearts, and we pastors need to make God’s Word clear to the simplest mind. Theological terms, terms in foreign languages (Latin, Greek, Hebrew, or even Dutch) don’t always resonate with every worshiper.

CR:What advice might you give to any believer?

RDV: Here my answer can also go in any number of directions, from devotionally reading the Bible to cultivating a more intense prayer life, from analyzing the gifts that God has given them to using them for the honor of God in the congregation and in the community. But, under all of this, my prayer for every believer is that they not lose the sense of amazement at the marvelous grace of God for them. Of course, amazement at God’s grace only comes about with a corresponding sense of the heaviness of our personal sin. Only when a believer is astonished at God’s love and mercy will their service of God move from duty to delight!

The above interview by Glenda Mathes appeared on pages 22 & 23 of the February 12, 2014, issue of Christian Renewal, as part of the “Shared Wisdom: Tapping into the experience of seasoned ministers” series.

Newly-ordained Rev. Mark Vander Pol administers the Lord’s Supper

Mark Vander Pol was ordained to the gospel ministry during morning worship on February 2, 2014, at Christ United Reformed Church in Santee, CA.

Christ URC’s pastor, Rev. Michael Brown preached from Ephesians 4:1-6 on Christ’s gift of pastors to his church. Dr. Michael Horton, Associate Pastor, gave the charge to the minister from 2 Timothy 4:1-5 and officiated as Mr. Vander Pol took his vows. Rev. Christopher Gordon, Escondido URC, led the congregation in prayer. Christ URC practices weekly communion and newly-ordained Rev. Vander Pol administered the sacrament.

Rev. Michael Brown

Asked to share his reflections on this ordination milestone, Rev. Vander Pol says, “My initial thoughts, especially as I have administered the sacraments, are ‘Am I really doing this?’”

He adds, “For the past decade I have had the internal call to be a minister of the gospel and for the last five years I had been candidating towards that end.”

A 2009 graduate of Westminster Seminary California, Mark sustained his candidate exam in June that same year. The intervening years have been packed with exhorting in a variety of locales.

“During this time I candidated at some point in the process for a number of churches across the U.S. and Canada,” he says. “I was also privileged to ‘simply’ fill a number of pulpits from coast to coast, and I was able to meet and fellowship with many brothers and sisters.”

Dr. Michael Horton

“Many people have asked if I was discouraged during this time when it seemed that church after church called other men to serve their congregations,” he adds. “I always responded that first of all, one cannot be discouraged when the Lord’s will is done. In all these situations, I believe that the right man was called and it just happened to not be me. Of course there were times when I was disappointed, but yet the Lord was faithful and he had his reasons for keeping me where I was.”

Mark worked between 25-30 hours per week for the White Horse Inn while attending seminary, and he was hired full-time following his graduation. The flexibility of that position allowed him to travel as a candidate or fill pulpits for more extended periods. He also was able to do some mountain camping and backpacking during recent years.

He spent most of 2010 working with the Bellingham URC to plant a church in the Tacoma/Gig Harbor area of Washington, that effort ending in September. In November of 2011, he was ordained and installed as an elder of Christ URC and subsequently elected as Clerk of Consistory.

Rev. Chris Gordon

“I am extremely grateful to have been able to serve Christ’s church as an elder for over two years,” he notes. “I really would have been content serving in that office had the Lord so led. Serving as an elder is a very tough job and I believe having that experience will serve me well in the future as a minister.”

In January of 2013, Mark was elected as Clerk of Classis Southwest U.S. and served as a delegate to Synod Nyack in June of 2012. Attendees will remember his expertise as Synod’s tech wizard.

From December 2012 through January 2013, he served as Stated Pulpit Supply for Hills URC in Minnesota.

“In March 2013, candidating was put on hold as my wife and I became foster parents and unable to move from San Diego County,” he explains.

As Associate Pastor, Rev. Vander Pol will fulfill the duties listed in the church order and assist Pastor Brown as necessary. His Associate Pastor position is unpaid for now. He recently resigned from White Horse Inn and is currently employed in the chemistry field.

“Throughout the rest of the year, we will determine what other duties I will be given and whether or not it would be in the best interests of our congregation to have the position be paid in some capacity,” he relates. “The Council of CURC made it very clear that their calling me was dependant on my willingness to remain the Clerk of Consistory/Council.”

Mark Vander Pol was baptized and raised in the CRC until the Escondido church joined the URC in 1997. He graduated from Trinity Christian College in 1999 with a chemistry degree and worked in that field in the Chicago area.

His father, Keith Vander Pol, served as vice-president of Westminster Seminary California and as an elder of the Escondido council until his death in 2000.

Laying on of hands

“When my father died I lost my ‘theological answer man,’ which meant that I needed to begin finding answers on my own,” Mark says. “I had always known about the Three Forms of Unity, of course, but really took them for granted. I began with earnest to dig into the Confessions and, with the help of the White Horse Inn and Modern Reformation, I really began to have a love for studying God’s Word. After a few years, the internal call to the ministry was confirmed by my friends and my pastor, who encouraged me greatly to pursue the ministry by going to Seminary.”

Because he’d grown up on the campus of Westminster Seminary California from the age of six, there was no question about his seminary destination. He and his wife, Michelle, moved to Escondido in 2005.

Rev. Vander Pol encourages believers to pray for those waiting a call to ministry or graduates who will soon be in that position: “It can be very troubling when it takes awhile for the external call to confirm the internal call. Being able to serve the church as an elder is a very worthy and important office and it is a calling from the Lord as well. A seminary graduate has training and insight that the eldership needs and that might be the Lord’s will too. It was for a season in my life.”

As he begins his work as Associate Minister, his hope and goal is “to serve the sheep of Christ URC and to be a faithful pastor-shepherd however I can. The encouragement that I have received from my congregation is very humbling and I am blessed to be able to serve them.”

“I have no idea where the Lord will lead me and my family in the years to come,” he says. But he eagerly anticipates the Lord’s leading, believing that “this is only the beginning.”

The above article by Glenda Mathes appeared on pages 9 & 10 of the March 5, 2014, issue of Christian Renewal. (Photos by Dexter Lo.)

Rev. Edward J. Knott

Members of the United Reformed Churches owe Rev. Edward J. Knott a debt far greater than most realize. He provided biblical servant leadership at crucial points in the federation’s history, but this humble hero would be the first to downplay his role and redirect all glory to God.

Few ministers have accomplished more during their retirement to promote Reformed community and education. Rev. Knott provided direction during years of denominational turmoil. He and others were instrumental in the forming of the Concerned Members of the CRC, the Alliance of Reformed Churches, and eventually the United Reformed Churches of North America. He chaired the meeting organizing the URCNA, presided over its first synod, and chaired its first general classis. He provided counsel and pulpit supply for many churches during the URC’s early days. He served multiple terms on the boards of Mid-America Reformed Seminary and Reformed Fellowship.

Rev. Knott turned 92 on March 5, 2014. An Associate Minister (Emeritus) at Bethany URC in Wyoming, MI, he still lives in his own home and drives a car. But pain in his legs and back led him to give up preaching at the end of September, 2013.

“I told Pastor Freswick I was finished with preaching,” he says. “It was just too difficult for me to stand that long.”

For over nine years, Rev. Knott had led worship services at a local retirement home every other month. The committee that arranges those services agreed that last September, with its five Sundays, would be his final month. He continues to lead a Bible study for women on the first and third Wednesdays of each month. He also currently serves on the Board of Reformed Fellowship.

Asked how he felt about finally relinquishing preaching, he said, “I’m okay with it. But I always enjoyed preaching.”

Preaching instruction, however, was his least favorite subject at the Seminary of the Protestant Reformed Churches. That class was extremely demanding with sermons extensively critiqued. But it became easier when Rev. Herman Hoeksema took an interest in him, and his classmate and close friend—Rev. Hoeksema’s son, Homer.

Edward Knott married Harriet Doezema in 1946, and he was ordained in the Protestant Reformed Churches of America in 1947. The couple lived in various locations during his three years as a home missionary. In 1950, he accepted a call to the Kalamazoo PRC, which he served for nine years. He ministered to the Second PRC in Grand Rapids from 1959-1961.

He entered the most difficult period of his ministerial career when the De Wolf segment of the Protestant Reformed Churches merged with the Christian Reformed Church—a merger he opposed.

“I was dyed-in-the-wool Protestant Reformed,” he says. “But a number of the older ministers felt we had more of a future in the CRC.”

His strong commitment to the PRC and his close relationship with Rev. Herman Hoeksema led to a summer-long struggle, trying to decide if his should leave the PRC behind to join the CRC.

“It was necessary for the PR ministers to go through a colloquium doctum to be received into the CR ministerial ranks,” he says. “The decision to apply for such an examination was difficult for me, as was the exam itself.”

When he finally submitted to a CRC colloquium doctum, he told examiners that he still had differences with the denomination.

“I felt this might be the end of my ministry,” he says.

After a break in the meeting, however, a committee presented three questions in a brief re-examination. When he was able to answer their questions affirmatively, he sustained the exam. Shortly thereafter he accepted a call to Beverly CRC, where he served ten years, from 1961-1971.

He next spent seven years at West Leonard CRC in Grand Rapids before serving five years at Calvin CRC in Rock Valley, IA. During this time, Rev. Knott was diagnosed with melanoma and underwent chemo therapy for six months. The Knotts returned to Michigan in 1983, when he accepted a call to Forest Grove CRC.

He initially retired in January 1988, but continued to serve the Forest Grove congregation as counselor and one Sunday per month pulpit supply. In 1992, he and Harriet became members of the Beverly congregation they’d previously served.

Rev. Knot conducted the morning worship service at Beverly URC on October 21, 2007, as part of a celebration marking his 60 years in ministry. The Lord unexpectedly took Harriett to her heavenly home on July 3, 2011. She had gone with Rev. Knott as he preached at the retirement home that morning, and when they returned she complained of a headache. Only a few hours later, she was gone.

The biggest challenge of Rev. Knott’s ministry was balancing congregational and denominational requirements with personal commitments to wife and family. It was also difficult to find time for personal growth through reading and reflection.

He views his largest reward as “a good conscience that the work accomplished was done to God’s glory and the welfare of the church.” Other rewards of his work included times of peace and harmony within a congregation, when good relationships among the members nourished the ministry. He enjoyed witnessing young people profess their faith, and was touched when members expressed appreciation for the proclamation of the Word. He found personal satisfaction in doing what he was called to do and rejoiced to see evidences of God’s blessing.

Highlights of his ministerial career were the meeting at which Mid-America Reformed Seminary was formed (April 22, 1981), the meeting at which the United Reformed Churches came into being (Lynwood Independent Reformed Church in November, 1995), and the first synod of the URCNA (also at Lynwood in October of 1996).

Rev. Knott believes the URCNA faces some crucial issues, the most pressing a danger of doctrinal drift. He’s concerned about the indifference to and a lack of understanding about the antithesis and the resultant worldliness. He thinks ecumenicity is being overemphasized during this initial stage of the URCNA, when it should focus on growing in its own identity. He also sees remaining elements of individualism and independentism that prohibit unity.

He quotes the White Horse Inn theme in encouraging United Reformed members to “know what you believe, and why you believe it.”

Rev. Knott shares these words of advice for pastors: “Ministry is a full-time occupation; regard it as such.” He adds, “Love God’s people!”

The above is a slightly edited version of an article by Glenda Mathes that appeared on pages 22 & 23 of the March 5, 2014, issue of Christian Renewal.

Pablo and Verenisse receive congratulations.

In contrast to the September meeting of Classis Central US of the URCNA—which ran out of time to discuss the four overtures on its agenda—the March 3 & 4, 2014, meeting was the shortest in most delegates’ memory. A contributing factor was an abbreviated exam with a prompt decision. Another reason was that discussion on five overtures was not protracted. But the primary factor was the unusual absence of credential requests for advice, which can be a time-consuming activity conducted in executive session.

Delegates voted to revise the agenda in order to accommodate the candidacy examination of  Pablo Landázuri on Monday evening. Because he’d already sustained the other six portions at the September Classis meeting, this exam consisted of only two sections. Rev. Jacques Roets (Redeemer URC in Dyer, IN) examined Pablo on Bible Knowledge and Rev. Simon Lievaart (Doon URC in Doon, IA) questioned him regarding Confessional Knowledge.

The consistory of Faith URC in Beecher, IL, supervises Pablo. Following the time of questioning, the Faith URC consistory determined, and Classis concurred, that he had sustained the areas of biblical and confessional knowledge.

Pablo later reflected, “My main thought is that God, once again, has shown me how his fatherly hand works in all situations. I have had the great privilege to have the time to study the Scriptures and the Three Forms of Unity in a detail that I wouldn’t have had in any other situation, for which I am thankful. Also, I have learned that the result of a Classis examination is not only an intellectual exercise, but a spiritual one by which God has molded me and shown his will for the future. This is a very comforting feeling.”

Since June of 2013, Pablo has been serving an internship at Covenant Reformed Church in Pella, IA. He has assisted Rev. Doug Barnes in a variety of pastoral duties, regularly taught fifth grade catechism, provided Spanish instruction at a local Christian school, led Bible studies in Spanish for some area families, and frequently preached at Covenant or other churches. His wife, Verenisse, volunteered in the Spanish language immersion program at Pella Christian Grade School.

Classis decided to waive Pablo’s ordination exam, should he accept a call within Classis Central US. That is likely, given that Covenant Reformed Church has been working to develop a Joint Venture Committee to support his work when he returns to Ecuador.

Rev. Barnes said, “We’re delighted at how well our brother did on his examination. Our Council plans to meet within the next few days, in part to finish laying the groundwork for holding a congregational meeting to extend a call to Pablo. Lord willing, we hope to ordain him before his return to Ecuador in June. There’s a lot to do between now and when the Landázuri family leaves, but we know that God is entirely able to ensure that it all gets done well. We urge the churches to keep Pablo and his family, along with our Consistory, in prayer as we seek God’s help in bringing a strong Reformed witness to Quito, Ecuador.”

Classis met earlier than its regularly scheduled date in order to vote on five overtures prior to the deadline for synodical materials. Three came from Covenant Reformed Church in Pella, one from Covenant Reformed Church in Kansas City, and one from Grace URC in Waupun, WI.

Revs. Spencer Aalsburg, Bradd Nymeyer, and Keith Davis enjoy a break.

The first overture from Pella would request Synod Visalia 2014 to editorially revise Classis credentials. URCNA Church Order stipulates that Consistories delegate two of its members to attend Classis and Synod meetings, but the approved classical credential uses the word “council” rather than “Consistory.” This overture requests editorial revision of the current classical credential to replace “council” with “Consistory” throughout the form. After little discussion, the overture passed.

A second overture from Pella and the one from Kansas City both suggested the appointment of a synodical committee to study the matter of resignation. Brothers from the churches made clear that neither had been aware of the other’s work on the overtures. Classis delegates considered the two overtures separately because each had its own nuances.

In discussion regarding the Pella overture, concerns were expressed regarding adopting a blanket approach that failed to consider each unique situation of individuals. After some discussion, the overture passed with only a few dissenting votes.

The Kansas City overture generated more discussion, related primarily to terminology. Several brothers felt uncomfortable with the word “desertion,” which was used in this overture. Rev. John Vermeer said, “It sounds like the word already is presuming culpability.”

Although Rev. Harold Miller expressed the belief that the overture primarily spoke to the issue of a person already under discipline, Rev. Bradd Nymeyer felt that was not clear. After another concern was expressed relating to possible legal ramifications, the delegates amended the overture with a question relating to that matter. The revised overture passed, but with many dissenting votes.

The third overture from Pella requested clarification of the status of the Three Forms of Unity and consisted of two affirmations that delegates considered separately. The first called for Synod to affirm the Three Forms of Unity as they appear in the 1976 version of the Psalter Hymnal. The second called for Synod to affirm the “substitute statement,” which appeared as a footnote in the 1958 version of Belgic Confession Article 36, “as part of its confessional binding.” Rev. Barnes explained that the footnote had been approved by the CRCNA Synod of 1958, but the temporary footnote was used while awaiting feedback from other Reformed churches.

The first affirmation passed with a few negative votes, while the second passed without dissent. The above four overtures will now be forwarded to the federation’s Stated Clerk for inclusion on the agenda for Synod Visalia 2014.

The overture from Grace URC in Waupun requested revisions to Classis Rules of Procedure and consisted of three requests, considered separately. The first would allow the Clerk to update the Rules of Procedure when changes are made to the Church Order that require revision of corresponding citations in the Rules, as long as he reports such changes to Classis. The motion was adopted. The second suggested the Clerk remind consistories that seminarians under their care be encouraged to attend Classis meetings at which candidacy exams are scheduled. That motion was defeated. The third suggested changing the word “delegate” to “member” at two points in the Classis Rules of Procedure, and it passed unanimously.

While a total absence of request for advice is extremely rare, this doesn’t mean that the churches are not dealing with many pastoral concerns. It simply means that no consistory felt the need to request advice at this time. Some have recently moved beyond that point and others have not quite reached that point with discipline problems.

Before lunch, delegates finished their business: re-electing Rev. Jody Lucero to serve on the Missions Committee, continuing the Clerk’s current $1,200 annual remuneration, appointing the consistory of Sioux Center United Reformed Church to supervise the Classical Treasurer, and electing elder Martin Nuiver (Faith URC in Beecher, IL) to serve on CECCA.

Redeemer URC in Orange City, IA, convened this meeting, but had asked Covenant Reformed Church in Pella to host it. Rev. Todd De Rooy served as chairman, Rev. Doug Barnes served as vice-chairman, and Rev. Talman Wagenmaker is currently Classical Clerk.

The date for the next meeting of Classis Central US was set for September 15 & 16, 2014. Covenant Reformed Church of Pella, IA, is next in rotation to host and convene.

A slightly edited version of this article by Glenda Mathes appeared on pages 13 & 14 of the March 26, 2014, issue of Christian Renewal.

Jordan Huff was ordained to the gospel ministry and installed as Minister of the Word and Sacraments at the United Reformed Church of Sunnyside, WA, on Friday, April 11, 2014.

About 50 people attended the service, officiated by Rev. Chuck Tedrick (Calvary URC in Loveland, CO). Rev. Craig Davis (Grace URC in Kennewick, WA) read Old and New Testament passages, and Rev. Mark Collingridge (Covenant OPC in Kennewick, WA) offered a pastoral prayer.

Jordan Huff was raised by Christian parents who, he says, taught him “to know and treasure the Scriptures at an early age.” Although he initially intended a musical career in piano performance, God led him to major in pre-seminary studies at a Baptist college in northeast Pennsylvania.

“During these college years, I transitioned from my baptistic convictions to a confessionally robust, Reformed understanding of theology and the worship which said theology necessitates and structures,” he says. “Additionally, as I came to understand the absolute priority of the Gospel in church life, I was personally troubled by the sore lack of Gospel proclamation in my evangelical college circle and the detriment such a lack was reaping upon the souls of God’s people.”

While attending Westminster Seminary California, Jordan was a member of Christ URC in Santee and served as an intern there for almost two years. Subsequent to his graduation in June of 2013, he served as an intern at the Escondido URC.

“From June until September, I balanced (with varied success) being a stay-at-home dad with three kids and studying for my Candidacy examination [sustained at Classis Southwest in September, 2013]. In November I received a call to the URC of Sunnyside, and in December, my family and I made the move. I began full-time pastoral work at the church immediately.”

When Classis Pacific Northwest met on February 25, 1014, Jordan sustained his ordination exam.

“To be honest,” he says, “my favorite part of the experience was being able to meet the other brothers who are serving in this Classis; they are wonderful men of God who are faithfully suffering in the ministry, and I look forward to serving alongside them for years to come, Lord-willing.”

Rev. Huff and his wife, Jana, have three children.

According to elder, Rick Haak, the URC of Sunnyside has two elders and 13 families, with four additional families currently attending membership classes. The congregation meets for Sunday worship at 10:00 am and 6:00 pm at 1750 Sheller Road in Sunnyside, Washington.

The above article by Glenda Mathes appeared on pages 11 & 12 of the May 28, 2014, issue of Christian Renewal.

Family night at Trinity Reformed Church in Cape Coral, Florida

The emergence and popularity of megachurches in recent years has led many church-goers to think of success in terms of numerical growth, but small congregations often surpass larger counterparts in important elements like fellowship and unity. Bigger isn’t necessarily better.

The ultimate indicator of success is faithfulness. Any true church—no matter it’s size—is one that faithfully does three things: preaches the Word, administers the sacraments, and exercises church discipline.

But what aspects of congregational life go beyond that basic three-fold criteria to identify a church functioning effectively with a viable future? Both large and small churches face challenges. In a large congregation, government may become unwieldy and members may become invisible. A small congregation may struggle to pay the pastor, assist needy members, or find qualified teachers and office-bearers.

The popular tide appears to be turning when it comes to perceptions of small churches. Over a year ago on outreachmagazine.com, Ed Stetzer urged readers to begin “Rethinking Small.” He asked questions to help churches assess if they are a small, unhealthy church (“Is your church staying small even when the community around you is growing? … because you refuse to engage the culture around you? … because you love your fellowship but not the lost?) or a small, healthy church (Is your church staying small because you are in a small community but you are still faithfully engaging those around you? … because you gather in a transient community but you are reaching new people? … because of your facility so you are using your resources for other things?).

Fellowship at the United Reformed Church of Wellsburg, Iowa

Stetzer wrote that small churches “are and have always been the norm” and the “rise of megachurches is a unique feature of late twentieth century American Christianity.” Because megachurches will not disappear for some time, Stetzer believes it’s necessary to remind ourselves of the value of smaller congregations. He concluded: “Faithfulness and fruitfulness are more biblical measurements for church health, not church size.”

More recent online essays explore the possibilities small churches offer. Karl Vaters (founder of NewSmallChurch.com) describes “Why Small Churches Are the Next Big Thing” (qideas.org) and asks, “What if we paved the way in showing the world what loving one another really looks like?”

He continues, “There’s no better place to express or sense that kind of love-leadership than in a small church. For this reason, I believe small churches are uniquely poised to meet the needs of Millenials and perhaps turn the tide on the trend of the unchurched.”

While Vaters hopes churches of any size that preach Christ’s gospel of grace continue, he sees “a growing hunger for healthy, high-quality, innovative small churches to meet the needs of upcoming generations.”

“The main reason I’m convinced small churches will be the next big thing is because they’ve always been a big thing. Since the day of Pentecost, innovative small churches have been the way the majority of Christians have done church.”

Children singing at New Covenant United Reformed Church in Twin Falls, Idaho

He says, “If healthy small churches can provide opportunities for genuine relationships with God and each other—with practical ministry to the surrounding community—we can be the vanguard of a new church movement. Of course, it really won’t be a new movement—it will be the oldest one of all.”

Vaters’ September 8, 2014, post on NewSmallChurch.com urges: “Don’t try to be successful. Try to do good work.” He defines good work as being God-honoring rather than people-pleasing, Christ-magnifying rather than self-promoting, and Spirit-led rather than numbers-driven.

“When I try to do good work,” he writes, “I may or may not see numerical success. But the effort will always be nourishing to my soul. And to the souls of others.”

Jonathan Schindler, a nonfiction editor at Tyndale House Publishers, recently wrote in Christianity Today’s online Leadership Journal about “Four Unexpected Benefits of a Small Church.” He described how becoming a member of a small church had forced him to be in community, to serve, to reckon with diversity, and had offered opportunities he might not otherwise have had.

While small churches have definite benefits, there’s no denying they face their share of challenges. Small congregations and church plants share certain characteristics, especially financial and leadership struggles, but established churches have a different dynamic. And each congregation is unique.

In ensuing issues, Christian Renewal will explore the challenges and joys of some small congregations in an effort to raise an awareness of the issues they face, to foster an appreciation for their unique situations, and to strengthen the bonds of Christian fellowship between large and small church families in the universal family of Christ.

The above article, written by Glenda Mathes, introduced a series featuring small churches and appeared on pages 14 & 15 of the September 24, 2014, issue of Christian Renewal.