Hearts Exchanged: Report From the Cross-Cultural Ministry Forum (2000)

At the Cross-Cultural Ministry Forum of the Christian Reformed Church in North America, 60 believers explored how to faithfully live, worship, and bring the gospel of Christ in diverse cultural settings. Meeting at The King’s University College in Edmonton, Alberta, June 1 - 4, 2000, the participants brought together the perspectives of various cultures, including Dutch, First Nations, Metis, African, and Korean.

Impetus

The forum was prompted by concerns about the use of Indigenous symbols such as the smudge and the sweat lodge in worship at CRC-supported Native ministry centres located in Edmonton, Winnipeg, and Regina. Following a November 1997 consultation on intercultural ministry, Rocky Mountain House CRC sent overtures voicing those concerns to Classis Alberta North in 1998 and 1999 and to Synod in 1999. At the recommendation of the Canadian Ministries Board, Synod agreed to fund a forum exploring the issue.

Stated Purpose

In a spirit of appreciation and celebration, to explore with the Christian Reformed Church community how to fulfill its calling to love our neighbours, so that lives and communities (and the church itself) are transformed and the gospel engages cultures.