After preaching last week I felt a little harsh in my assessment of Riverside, the church in our classis who submitted a petition to withdraw to another denomination. I did vote to deny their petition, but I will admit that some of the issues they brought up about our denomination are troubling, and it would be good for ARC members to educate themselves on these issues. This article will give you a brief overview of what is going on and a comment or two from me. These are the four main reasons Riverside wants to leave:
- The removal of the “conscience clause”- After women were first ordained as Ministers in 1979 in the RCA, a provision was made for other ministers and elders to refuse to participate in their ordination. This clause was lifted in 2013, and now it is expected that all other ordained people in the classis would participate when a woman is ordained in the RCA.
Cory’s opinion: RCA churches are not required to hire women as pastors unless they want to. They are free to approach this issue according to their collective conscience. Therefore, I believe this issue shouldn’t divide us.
- “Acceptance of Human Sexual Sin”- Riverside makes the case that as a denomination we are soft on homosexuality, because we fail to enforce our stated beliefs and some respected voices in the RCA are supportive of the movement to affirm LGBTQ people in their sexuality.
Cory’s opinion: This is the biggest issue of the four and could lead to a major divide in the RCA. Currently our official stance is that “homosexuality is a sin”, but that will be debated in April at the so-called “RCA Jerusalem Council.” After that time we will have a better idea of the future of the RCA. Until then churches have been urged to embrace a “season of restraint” concerning this issue. I.E. don’t petition to leave just yet!
- Concerns about the Belhar Confession– This document was adopted by the RCA in 2010, and it speaks on behalf of oppressed and minority peoples, suggesting that churches must take a role in embracing “the least of these” in order to be faithful to Christ. Riverside feels this shouldn’t be an official confession of the RCA and could be used to force us to see homosexuals as an oppressed group.
Cory’s opinion: I hate that this issue is lumped in with the others, because I love the ideas in the Belhar Confession and believe they are biblical. I strongly disagree with Riverside on this issue.
- Formula of Agreement– Since 1997 the RCA has been in “full communion” with the ELCA, PCUSA, and the UCC. We are allowed to exchange ministers with these denominations. Again, this goes back to the homosexuality issue as these other groups all ordain homosexual pastors, etc… Riverside argues that we will be led in the same direction by partnering with these denominations.
Cory’s opinion: This is a worthwhile argument to consider. However, like #1 above no RCA church is forced to hire any certain pastor they don’t want. The bigger issue to me is the general influence of these groups on us.
Summary: I encourage everyone to pray about these concerns and educate yourself from Scripture about the truth of the matter. Also, I believe we have to treat “withdrawal” from the fellowship as a last resort, only necessary if we absolutely believe God is leading us in that direction. Above all, when people are engaging in these debates with hatred and anger, may it not be so with us. ARC will engage hard issues with love!
Cory Grimm