Lament

Like the psalmists of old, I have been lamenting lately, honestly sharing my griefs, fears, and frustrations with God. Allow me to share some of them with you.

I have served God as faithfully as I can. All these years I have tried to be fair to different views, as a journalistic ministry is supposed to do. I am not perfect. Forgive me my past failures. Now it is mid-March, and I am tired. I feel caught in the messes of national and denominational splits.

I am watching the trade war between Canada and the U.S. escalate. It feels as if Canada, my country, is under attack, which means my family and I feel like we are under attack. The amount of swirling misinformation does not make it easier. I pray to God both to protect Canada and help Americans.

Our spiritual unity in Christ is not dependent on our politics. However, while our spiritual unity is God’s gift to us, our institutional unity is something we need to cultivate by caring for and supporting one another. I pray that our binational church can be one in solidarity.

This denomination, like any other, can be a powerful tool in God’s mission. But I mourn the divisions among us. Many Christian Reformed members on both sides of the border, for various reasons, are currently asking why the CRCNA should be their denomination. Some have already made the decision to leave.

I lament that 33 pastors have recently left the CRC, with more expected to leave across various regions of our binational denomination. At least 33 churches have started the disaffiliation process. More will likely do the same. I am saddened when members, clergy, or churches leave—for any reason.

May God forgive us for our divisions and conflicts. I hoped that we could disagree in gracious and Spirit-filled ways. Instead, I see people digging in with their tribes, choosing to silence any dissent with all-or-nothing mindsets.

I worry when I see people afraid to question synodical decisions, let alone disagree with them, for fear of repercussions. But I understand. Over the years, I too have been attacked for my opinions, and I might be again. Yet I hope the “sound of silence” does not grow like a cancer in our denomination’s soul.

Even those who believe that homosexual sex is sinful are silenced if for various reasons they disagree with Synod 2024’s decisions on church order and discipline. I see them silenced by those who interpret disagreement with the latter as disagreement with the former. Have we crossed the line between shepherding people into holy conviction and intimidating them into institutional compliance?

God knows I am tired of all this. But I thank God that Easter is coming.

In the midst of all these uncertainties, I cling to Christ’s resurrection hope. Countries and denominations rise and fall, but God is our unfailing rock. I trust that God will work in all things for the good of those who love him (Rom. 8:28). Not even the gates of hell can overcome God’s church (Matt. 16:18).

Revive your church, Lord, and unite your people in your mission of reconciliation. Remove the dividing walls of hostility (Eph. 2:14). Come, Lord Jesus. Amen.