Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Greetings in Christ’s name. In my prayers for you I find myself echoing the Apostle Paul, “I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in him you have been enriched in every way” (1 Cor. 1:4). Though these are challenging times, there is much to be thankful for. The Holy Spirit is at work in our churches and members. This fall I’ve heard many stories of churches growing through outreach, of faithfulness in difficult conversations, and of community engagement in Christ’s name.

I admit, however, that one task in which I have felt the considerable weight of my responsibility is the decision of Synod 2022, directing me “to instruct the churches and classes to seek and to keep the unity of the church and the denomination in ways that are consistent with biblical principles, our Reformed confessions, and our Ecumenical Charter” (Acts of Synod 2022, p. 858). I cherish what the Spirit has accomplished through the single mindedness of our congregations on matters of mission, acts of mercy, education, and many others. I also grieve because I see so many examples of brokenness between and within our congregations and classes. There have been conflicts between councils and pastors, disagreements about ministry, and frustration regarding our denomination’s position on human sexuality. Denominations are fracturing around us, and most poignant are the experiences of our sister denomination, the Reformed Church in America. How can those who value the unity of the Christian Reformed Church respond to this reality?

Borrowing from synod’s direction (Acts of Synod 2022, p. 858), I would like to make three pastoral observations to guide our response:

  • First, we know that our unity is both commanded by and secured through Jesus Christ himself. We have one Savior, one Spirit, one hope, one God, and one faith (Eph. 4:1-6). Christ died for all of us and, therefore, all of us have died in Christ. Regardless of how we feel about the positions and practices of others, if they claim Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, then our calling is “to be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” Therefore, at a core level, our Christian faith calls us to be Christ with those we disagree with--listening, loving, respecting, engaging. This unity is not something we can achieve simply based on our own fallible efforts. Instead, we are called to the spiritual discipline of working towards unity. This is something we can do only if we let Christ, through his Spirit, live through us.
  • Second, our unity is “grounded in biblical principles and shaped by our Reformed confessions.” As a person who joined the CRCNA as an adult, I admit to being enthralled and a bit overwhelmed by the profundity of our Reformed confessions and the biblical principles they summarize. They provide a deep and rich foundation for ministry and mission at a time when both personal and congregational individualism holds sway in our North American societies. While these are time-bound human summaries of inspired Scripture, I found (and continue to find) comfort in submitting to our Reformed confessions, surrendering the driver’s seat of my faith to the Holy Spirit and trusting in the Spirit’s guidance of the church. I realize that today there are some who feel beset by the confessions, particularly with our denomination’s interpretation of Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 108 regarding same-sex sexual relationships. In this life, faith exists alongside doubt and difficulties, and sometimes those are deeply personal. Yet, our unity depends on our submission to the biblical and confessional principles we share. I am concerned about a future in which our denomination remains organizationally connected, but in which churches and leaders moving in opposite directions attack one another, withhold mutual support and care for ministry, and damage our witness to the world. God calls us to a better covenant where we are bound together by one baptism and fellowship together at one table.
  • Finally, I want to observe that you, members and leaders of the CRCNA, are already stewards of spiritual wisdom that will lead us forward together. Why? Because Christ is in you and you are in Christ. I know that many of you, like Paul in 2 Corinthians 11:28, are deeply concerned for the well-being of all the churches. You are praying and pleading that God would make your congregation and the denomination one for the sake of our witness and mission. Synod 2022 directed me “to gather best practices on pursuing unity from the various classes [and congregations] and share these with the broader church.” Please share the lessons you have learned about unity in this fraught time with me by emailing your reflections (including any effective practices you’re doing) to [email protected]. Also, give special attention to our unity around God’s big mission as congregations and as a denomination. God calls us to holy living and right teaching so that we, through the Spirit, might offer his gospel humbly and graciously to the world for which Christ died.

One final note: I know for some of you, even broaching a conversation about unity could lead to further disunity. I leave this matter to your wisdom and will be thankful for whatever responses you are willing and able to share.

Now may he who is able to do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine according to his power that is at work within us, bless you with every good thing needed for doing his will together, and may you sense his presence this Advent.

Zachary King, General Secretary of the CRCNA