Achieve, Preserve, Avoid

This section focuses primarily on the results of the APA exercise held at the various "Conversations Among Churches." A selection of the best practices is available here. The APA exercise was based on the following question:

In light of our mission and vision as a Christian Reformed Church, our history as churches together in this Classis, and the mission opportunities in this region, what would we, by God’s grace, hope to ACHIEVE, PRESERVE, or AVOID?

Material from each of the "Conversations among the Churches" was summarized into a report from each classis. Subsequently, a team of eight people from across Canada spent a day together reviewing the reports and creating another summary. This report is based primarily on the reports received from the classes and the review session. However, the reviewers and writers worked hard to remain true to the spirit of the original "Conversations."

To make best use of this report, it is helpful to recognize the nature of the information produced at these events.

• Any exercise such as APA is a snapshot of a group’s perspective at a given time. Little discussion took place at the events and there was no attempt to evaluate each point. Nevertheless, the comments provide a composite picture of a group’s response to the questions asked.
• The report represents a cross-section of thinking about ministry in Christian Reformed churches across Canada, and helps to indicate the direction in which the churches are looking to fulfill their mission. Because participants are actively involved in ministry, it is likely that they are, to some degree at least, already implementing their ideas in their own churches. This assumption is reflected in the practicality of the ideas generated, as well as in the best practices shared.

While many themes were repeated from classis to classis, each "Conversation" contributed its own nuance. All classes sought some combination of unity and diversity, tradition and change, programs and personal ministry, but the emphases varied. Although the themes will apply in different ways to individual congregations or classes, it is to be hoped that they will resonate with CRC members across Canada, and will stimulate individual members and churches to find their own responses to our Lord’s calling to be busily engaged in his work.

Each of the three components of the APA exercise (achieve, preserve and avoid) elicited long lists of responses. The review committee combined the results of each component and identified 10 themes reflecting key areas. Some of the themes reflect areas of ministry, while others address the approach the church should take in order to implement suggested changes. The themes often overlap, but isolating the dominant ones helps to clarify the priorities that participants attached to components or issues within the church’s ministry.

Each of the following themes begins with a theme statement expressing a summary of the key vision or goal, followed by a more detailed summary of the main ideas expressed. The themes are listed according to the frequency with which each was raised, thus reflecting the approximate order of their importance to participants.

Community Outreach
A desire to significantly increase community outreach was evident in all classes. For many the theme combines evangelism, church planting, diaconal and social justice work, and even Christian day school education in a wholistic outreach. Despite a long tradition of integrated ministry, however, participants expressed differing perceptions of both the CRC’s capacity to engage in verbal witness for Christ, and its ability to engage in "deed" ministries such as diaconal work. We have significant confidence and experience in providing a cup of cold water, but need to overcome our discomfort with personal sharing of faith.

This sense of inadequacy was reflected repeatedly reflected in the comments of participants. Some reports mentioned a desire for a more "natural" sharing of faith. Another said congregations need to become "mission-shaped churches" rather than "church-shaped missions." Words such as "zeal," "boldness," and "passion" were used frequently.

One reason why Community Outreach appears to be the dominant theme to come out of the "Conversations" may be that it involves a transformation of who we are as people and churches. Many participants called on churches to avoid isolationism, cliques and "Dutch-ness" because these are barriers to reaching out. It also may be linked to the desire to gain spiritual depth and to be more relational. There is a desire to relate more fully as believers to the world around us. At its core, Community Outreach is not about creating programs, but about believers developing relationships through which the Gospel may be shared.

Many participants also commented about strategies for becoming more intentional about community ministry. These strategies included planting new churches and drawing people into existing congregations. They said they want ministries that reach out to all youth, adult and the elderly alike, as well as to immigrant and ethnic communities. They want to build on the success of ministries such as The Alpha Course, Coffee Break, Friendship, Men’s Life, GEMS and Cadets programs, catechism and Vacation Bible School to draw others to faith in Jesus.

While people expressed a desire for the church to grow numerically, there were also words of caution against sacrificing quality by "focussing too much on numbers" or "trying to be all things to all people."

Comments about diaconal or social justice ministry tended to focus on the program and strategy of outreach rather than on the core spiritual qualities of the ministry. Most affirmed the CRC’s experience with "deed" ministry and our belief that we must "witness faithfully for Jesus in every area of life." One report stated: "Our concern for the community draws on the strengths of our tradition" of diaconal and social justice work. Another, however, said that we need to "get rid of feelings of superiority."

Participants frequently recommended taking an ecumenical approach to community outreach, partnering with other churches and agencies. The church also needs to be sure that its ministry is culturally relevant to the communities it serves.

Worship
Worship was a dominant theme at all of the "Conversations." Ten of 12 classes identified it as a major theme, and several divided it into two headings: the nature of worship, and worship style. Worship in the Canadian CRC is alive with passionate conviction and innovation, and the desire for a more diverse, participatory, dynamic and enthusiastic worship experience exists across the country.

Despite the enthusiasm for diversity, participants also frequently expressed the desire to remain grounded in a style of worship that is Reformed, biblical, and focused on the preaching of the Word. Worship should be "Spirit-led" and avoid "a wrong focus on people." Aspects of worship such as the second service, the "faithful administration of the sacraments," traditional hymns, preaching of the Catechism and reading of the Law should be preserved. We should not reject tradition for the sake of change, nor allow worship to become an entertainment or a performance rather than a communion with God.

While there is no doubt that tensions exist, the dominant sentiment was for an inclusive approach to worship that engages the mind and the senses by including a thoughtful explanation of Scripture and the Reformed confessions as well as expressive, enthusias-tic and dynamic music. Worship should not follow a formula, but should include a range of elements. The differences between the "preserve" and "achieve" responses were not simply tradition versus change. Words such as "balance" and "blended" were used frequently.

Most participants recognized that no single style meets the needs of all worshippers. They advocated a tolerance and respect for styles that reflect the needs of a broad range of worshippers. The importance of involving youth was mentioned frequently. Worship is not just about "me" but about "us," and should be consistent with the broadening sense of who "we" are. We strive for a worship experience that meets the needs of all.

Spiritual Growth and Prayer
Participants expressed a strong desire to grow in their ability to pray and to focus on prayer as a chief means to commune with and be led by God. In one classis, the need for "all churches to become focused on prayer" was listed as the most important priority of all, with twice as many mentions as the next item on the list. Most comments about prayer were in the "Achieve" rather than "Preserve" category, which suggests a dissatisfaction with the quality of individual and collective prayer lives and a desire for growth. Prayer was frequently paired with worship, suggesting that many people may believe that prayer needs to play a greater role in worship. While most comments reflected a desire to more fully integrate prayer into worship, individual lives and other ministries, some also expressed a desire for congregations to begin ministries focused on prayer.

Congregational Life
Congregational life was a major theme in 10 of 12 classes. "A caring community" was the key definition of congregational life. At the heart of each program and interpersonal relationship is a desire to share the love of Jesus. The expansion of small-group ministries was cited as a major theme among classes and a key means to creating a caring community. Words such as "embracing," "safe places," "trust," "enfolding," and "acceptance" were commonly used to describe the desirable qualities of congregational life, including the relationships among members of different generations. Some participants said we should retain the tradition of pastoral visits. Others said that we must not forget the lost among ourselves.

While wanting to preserve many of the traditions that have defined the CRC, participants did not want these to become a barrier, suggesting that we should focus on a shared faith and the call to reach out to others in love. We need to avoid "judgmentalism," insensitivity and self-reliance. Participants said that the qualities of caring and embracing that define relationships among church members should also to apply to those outside the fellowship whom we seek to reach. These are essential qualities of a Christian character.

Participants also raised issues of stewardship in our lifestyles and finances. We need to share our blessings with God’s people everywhere, learn the joy of giving, and ensure that we do not spread our resources, especially our ministry workers, too thinly.

Youth Ministry
A need to focus on youth as a priority was expressed throughout many of the other themes. Several classes reported that this area received more attention than any other. Youth should be fully integrated into the church to reduce the gap between them and older members, while retaining and developing ministries specifically focussed on their needs. Participants said strongly that involvement in worship, especially in music and a blended worship style, is an effective way to bring young people into a full and active place in the church. Other areas for youth involvement and training include service opportunities locally and further afield, evangelism, mentoring programs, Christian day schools and interdenominational youth activities.

Several reports suggested that the fear of losing our youth is related to a membership decline in many churches. Some comments suggested that the church has let down its youth and that we have not given them a sense of belonging. Others said that our youth are a test for the future of our Reformed perspective and doctrine, and raised the question of how we can appeal to the interests of youth while maintaining our traditions.

Equipping Disciples
Equipping of disciples was identified as the most important theme dealing with the "how to" of ministry. There is a general conviction that Christian Reformed people are often unaware of their gifts, and much ministry potential remains underdeveloped and perhaps misdirected. The identification and development of members’ gifts is essential for increasing ministry involvement. Many comments about the need to train leaders also showed up under this theme.

Participants called for "gift-based ministry," matching people’s gifts with the ministries to which the church commits itself. The church needs to provide appropriate training opportunities. Some participants mentioned the need to more fully use the Christian Reformed tradition of education to equip church members for ministry.

While the desire for gift development grows out of a commitment to expanding ministry, participants also reflected concern about the impact of heavy workloads on people involved in ministry. We need to "stop burning out leaders" and to "avoid overextending people and resources." Many of the calls for gift identification also expressed the need to get more people involved so as to offset the heavy demands on a few. We want the workload to be shared. Some suggested that we need to increase our expectations for involvement, perhaps setting a goal of having every member involved in at least one ministry.

Developing Leaders
Although leadership development is an essential aspect of equipping disciples, many participants felt it was sufficiently important to be highlighted as a separate theme. This theme reflects a desire for the church to devote more resources and efforts to expanding the number and capacity of its ministry leaders. We need to become more intentional about leadership, identifying those with leadership gifts, developing their skills, providing mentors for all leaders, and leadership training for all elders and deacons. We should focus on developing both paid and volunteer leaders. This effort is "critical to the success" of the church’s mission.The local church, the classes and the denomination should all be involved in developing leaders. Without this involvement, ministry will not be sustainable and will not transfer from one generation to another. A consequence of failing to do leadership planning is burnt-out leaders. One classis expressed concern that youth, who are "tomorrow’s church leaders," are not being encouraged to develop their gifts within the church.

Other comments focused on leadership styles. Team-based leadership was suggested through "flexible leadership structures." Leaders need to be careful not to control everything, but to nurture participation and "take seriously the priesthood of all believers.

"Change and Retention of Beliefs: Unity with Diversity
The "achieve" and "preserve" questions elicited many comments that may create an image of tension between tradition (preserve) and change (achieve). The CRC’s strong intellectual and doctrinal tradition was seen as a given, as well as a continuing source of inspiration for innovation in ministry. In many cases it was unclear to what degree comments reflected a desire to hold on to tradition as opposed to producing a more dynamic Reformed vision.

Many participants emphasized that change must be faithful to Scripture and the Reformed perspective. Many wanted to avoid change for its own sake or in an attempt to be "all things to all people," "trendy," or to "keep people happy." Fears were expressed about the church becoming "anti-intellectual" and "shallow." Although new ideas and ministry should be culturally relevant, there should be an "appropriate and helpful balance that leads to meaningful change." Change should be guided by intentionality and effective strategies, grounded in Scripture and Reformed beliefs.

Comments under "Preserve" focused on preserving the essence of what it means to be Reformed. For most, "Reformed" has to do with "the centrality of Scripture," "doctrinal integrity" and a broad "Kingdom" perspective on the church and its ministry, derived from the belief that our faith needs to inform "all areas of life." These lead to "wholistic ministry" and should not be "watered down." A number of references were made to preserving denominational structure, agencies and ministries, especially in the face of a growing focus on local ministry. However, tradition should not "stifle biblical obedience." "Heritage and tradition" should be "balanced with a greater sense of ecumenicity."

Much of the change versus tradition issue focused on the relationship between Dutch ethnicity and Reformed beliefs. Participants want the church to change in order to respond to the needs of its communities. The CRC needs to outgrow its Dutch roots in order to effectively enfold people of different ethnic, racial and socio-economic backgrounds. Participants did not want their faith, beliefs or practice to be a reflection of a Dutch cultural heritage. They made it clear that they want a diverse church, rooted in Jesus, Scripture and a Reformed worldview. As one report stated, "Our kingdom perspective and desire to serve Christ move us from exclusion to embrace."

We also want to avoid exclusivity of any kind. We want to celebrate unity across generations, include singles and married and enfold the disabled. We want to "develop a greater appreciation for the differences among us which enhance our mission." The growing focus on witness at the local level should also be balanced with ministries that are shared by the entire denomination.

In addition to opening ourselves to our communities, we need to open ourselves to each other in order to avoid the controversies of the past few decades. Some participants expressed a wish to avoid confrontation and negativity, and hoped for healing within congregations, classes and the denomination. This theme is consistent with the often-expressed desire for a church focused on love, compassion and mutual caring, rather than criticism and judgment. One report said bluntly, "Don’t focus on issues." We need to find "ways to disagree amicably while continuing to live together."

The Church’s Vision
The theme of vision emphasized the need to be more intentional, to focus on the core purposes of the body of Christ in this world, responsive to our place and culture and reflecting the gifts of God’s people. All of the desires and ideas expressed previously require a clear focus and thoughtful planning and implementation. We must be "purpose-driven" and decisive in action. Our mission requires a vision to motivate it, leadership to get us there, and well-equipped members to carry out the ongoing ministry.

Classical and Denominational Resources
New ministry approaches likely will lead to changes in the relationship among churches and between churches and the denomination. A need to share experiences and ministries with other churches is growing. We want to know "what is working well in other local CRCs." The local congregation, or several congregations, wants to play a much more significant role in motivating and planning the ministry of the church. The classis needs to become more actively involved in developing ministries and in equipping churches and members for ministry.

Yet, amid the desire for change, participants wanted to ensure that our ties and commitments to denominational ministries remain strong. Some reports also reflected a fear of spreading resources too thinly and maintained that the ministries we currently have are as much a priority as moving into new areas of ministry.

For more information, contact Henry Hess 905-336-2920 or via fax at 905-336-834.