April 16 and 17, 2009
As we make our preparations for a presentation to Synod 2009, we sense that the pace and expectations of our work is picking up significantly. Four major efforts capture the heart of our progress.
Classis Presentations. Several months ago we sent a letter to each CRC Classis indicating our interest in meeting with them for a presentation about our work. We suggested that up to a two hour session would be valuable. We have been heartened to have received invitations from twenty Classes. To date, we have made nine visits with the rest scheduled in May and September. We have learned so much from these conversations, and have found them very encouraging.
Documents. Because our mandate calls for shepherding the church through a study and discussion of these issues, it is necessary that clear and helpful materials are written. Three major documents are nearing various stages of completion.
• “Affirming Baptism and Forming Faith” will be available next month in draft form. It highlights the integration of our baptism, baptismal identity, life-long affirmation of this identity, making Profession of Faith, and the importance of the Lord’s Supper.
• “Children at the Table: Reflections on I Corinthians 11” will hopefully be available in draft form this summer. Since so much attention focuses on the interpretation of I Corinthians 11, the issues must be clarified.
• “A Practice of Christian Unity” is a five-session Bible Study on I Corinthians 11 that will prove to be very helpful for groups within a congregation. We anticipate this will be available this summer.
Each of these, when available, will be posted on our website ? www.crcna.org/formation.
Time-Line. Now that we are nearly two years into our five-year appointment, we have projected our time-line and it looks like this:
2009 – engage synod in discussions on “Affirming Baptism and Forming Faith”, and post the other documents this summer.
2010 – present “Children at the Table: Reflections on I Corinthians 11” to synod and present recommendations for consideration and adoption. We will also plan other shepherding events throughout the denomination.
2011 -2012 – provide materials, guidelines and resources for the churches to successfully implement the decisions about this matter that have been made.
Synod 2009. We will be meeting with Synod 2009 in June at Trinity Christian College. We ask your prayers for good discussions and continued good insights from the church.
Howard Vanderwell, Secretary
