About us
We're glad you found us! Let us introduce ourselves so that we can begin a five-year (2007-2012) conversation about the role that CRC congregations play in forming and nurturing the faith of all of their members—from the moment they are born into this complicated world or are brought into the church as children, teens, or adults.
We are the Faith Formation Committee, established by Synod 2007 and appointed by the Board of Trustees (Check out our mandate here.). We've been asked to study, to serve as a resource, and to engage congregations and classes in dialogue about current practices of baptism, the Lord's Supper (especially as it relates to children's participation), and profession of faith—with an eye toward deepening, revitalizing, and celebrating in community each of these milestones that mark a person's faith journey and life of discipleship.
Our hope
When we look back on our work after five years, we want to be able to say that we have worked well together as a denomination, we have wrestled with scripture, we have honored and learned from the Reformed Confessions, we have shared with each other the fruits of our local ministries, we have supported each other in prayer, we have strengthened our ministry among children, youth, seekers, and life-long Christians of all ages.
In the meantime, our work as a committee proceeds prayerfully toward a clearer understanding of how faith develops and how it may be nurtured by the family and the congregation, particularly by means of the sacraments of baptism and the Lord's Supper. It's our deepest hope that greater understanding will lead to joyful affirmation of our baptisms, to celebration of the Lord's Supper in all of the richness that 1 Corinthians 11 suggests, and to a revitalization of our practice of profession of faith.
Contact us
We hope you'll support our work with prayer and join us by staying in touch. Contact us by email at faithformation@crcna.org.
Committee members
Dr. John D. Witvliet, chairperson
Dr. Howard Vanderwell, secretary
Ms. Irene Bakker
Ms. Jill Friend
Dr. Syd Hielema
Ms. Pat Nederveld
Dr. H. David Schuringa
Rev. Jerry Dykstra, ex officio
