In The Same Vineyard
Many people who read this blog, and know of my recent migration from Scottish Presbyterianism to Continental Reformed, have asked me why I would make the switch. And further, why the Free Reformed Churches? To which I answer:
When the Apostles Creed confesses “I believe an holy catholic church, the communion of saints”, the confessor ought to think for a moment exactly what this means. We have a tendency in our denominationalized world to compartmentalize our Christian experience into an “us vs. them” mentality. To be sure, denominations are needed in our day, (as a convention of man) to identify like-mindedness in the Gospel. However, we should be willing to put into practice what we confess in the Apostles Creed, and recognize Christ’s Church is greater than our own imediate frame of reference.
Recently, at the 2006 Synod of the FRCNA, as the brethren were determining the results of my Colloquium Doctum in Executive Session, I had the opportunity to visit with Dr. Gerald M. Bilkes PRTS in the library of the Dundas Church. As we chatted, he said something that resonated in my own heart regarding the catholicity of the Church. Referring to his time spent on the Isle of Lewis in Scotland, he opined, “that the people in Stornoway were saying the same things we say, just with different words”. He went on to express his delight in a unity of doctrine and practice that transcended national and denominational bounds, reaching to the very essence of the Gospel. How true this is! As I compare the ethos and doctrine of the Free Reformed Churches with historic Scottish Presbyterianism (ala, the Westminster Divines, the Erskines, Boston, etc) I hear the catholicity of truth expressed in synonymous words. Surely this what is meant by the Apostles Creed?
So why did I switch? I didn’t! I simply moved to another part of the Lord’s Vineyard where the same work is being done. I feel called to the flock in Lacombe. They are dear children of God, and sheep without a shepherd. The Lord has knit our hearts together in Gospel love through the unity that is found only in Christ. It is my desire in the gospel ministry to preach Jesus Christ and Him crucified. He is the only Saviour of guilty sinners, and the only hope for a lost and dying world. It is my prayer that the Lord would allow us in Lacombe to cast a large net, and draw into the kingdom many sinners saved by grace. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast”(Eph 2:8, 9).
To conclude, I moved to this part of Christ’s Vineyard because in the Free Reformed Churches, I see Christ’s bride. Not unblemished, not unspotted, but a desire to be holy and pure. I see them, “Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph 4:3). This is my desire as well. I am humbled to be in the company of the FRCNA. We are at home. May the Lord give us all a desire for a Reformed catholicity, with like-mindedness, for His own glory.
When the Apostles Creed confesses “I believe an holy catholic church, the communion of saints”, the confessor ought to think for a moment exactly what this means. We have a tendency in our denominationalized world to compartmentalize our Christian experience into an “us vs. them” mentality. To be sure, denominations are needed in our day, (as a convention of man) to identify like-mindedness in the Gospel. However, we should be willing to put into practice what we confess in the Apostles Creed, and recognize Christ’s Church is greater than our own imediate frame of reference.
Recently, at the 2006 Synod of the FRCNA, as the brethren were determining the results of my Colloquium Doctum in Executive Session, I had the opportunity to visit with Dr. Gerald M. Bilkes PRTS in the library of the Dundas Church. As we chatted, he said something that resonated in my own heart regarding the catholicity of the Church. Referring to his time spent on the Isle of Lewis in Scotland, he opined, “that the people in Stornoway were saying the same things we say, just with different words”. He went on to express his delight in a unity of doctrine and practice that transcended national and denominational bounds, reaching to the very essence of the Gospel. How true this is! As I compare the ethos and doctrine of the Free Reformed Churches with historic Scottish Presbyterianism (ala, the Westminster Divines, the Erskines, Boston, etc) I hear the catholicity of truth expressed in synonymous words. Surely this what is meant by the Apostles Creed?
So why did I switch? I didn’t! I simply moved to another part of the Lord’s Vineyard where the same work is being done. I feel called to the flock in Lacombe. They are dear children of God, and sheep without a shepherd. The Lord has knit our hearts together in Gospel love through the unity that is found only in Christ. It is my desire in the gospel ministry to preach Jesus Christ and Him crucified. He is the only Saviour of guilty sinners, and the only hope for a lost and dying world. It is my prayer that the Lord would allow us in Lacombe to cast a large net, and draw into the kingdom many sinners saved by grace. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast”(Eph 2:8, 9).
To conclude, I moved to this part of Christ’s Vineyard because in the Free Reformed Churches, I see Christ’s bride. Not unblemished, not unspotted, but a desire to be holy and pure. I see them, “Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph 4:3). This is my desire as well. I am humbled to be in the company of the FRCNA. We are at home. May the Lord give us all a desire for a Reformed catholicity, with like-mindedness, for His own glory.
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