It has become a tradition that the executive director of the Christian Reformed Church delivers a “state of the church” address at synod, and the annual leadership meeting of the CRC. Synod 2012 continued that tradition.
Rev. Joel Boot delivered his address at a combined meeting of the delegates of synod and the delegates of the first ever young adult leadership summit, called re:Kindle 2012.
“The condition [of the church] is critical,” Boot said. “There are new people, new things happening, new organizations taking shape and the ground is shaking beneath our feet.”
Boot noted the many changes in leadership at the ministry agencies and educational institutions of the CRC that have taken place. He pointed out the shifting ecumenical relationships for the CRC, especially the closer relationship developing with the Reformed Church in America.
Noting the slow but steady decline of the CRC’s membership, Boot said that this could be the start of the worst of times or it could be among the best of times, and suggested it is the latter.
“Just maybe,” he said, “the ground shaking beneath our feet is the dramatic movement of the Spirit of God. And what we do about it makes all the difference in the world.”
Boot said that the creation stewardship report coming to synod is the product of a church that believes the earth is the Lord’s and everything in it. The report from the Faith Formation committee reflects a church seeking to be obedient to God’s expectation that we train up our children in the way they should go.
“Thirty-five plus overtures about the Belhar is not about a church at odds with itself,” he said, “but a glimpse of a church that takes confession of faith very seriously.”
Boot closed by saying the church’s condition is critical because the time is critical. “What we let God do to us and through us this week, even tonight, is critical.”
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