Learning from Our Denominational Sibling — the RCA

At Synod 2024, we all know that the CRCNA will have to continue to make decisions in relation to human sexuality. Two Synods in a row have clearly declared what the denomination believes. The questions that remain are: Exactly how we will uphold our standards, and how will we handle officebearers or congregations that refuse to comply?



As this question lingers on, there remain some voices within our denomination who are still arguing for a big tent approach. They say that there is no reason to hold standards on this issue, and that the denomination would be better if we just let each do their own thing. But, in response to such claims, one of the wisest things we can consider is how the big tent approach has worked for other denominations. In this latest piece by CRCNA pastor and regular author in the "As I Was Saying" column of The Banner, Rev. Aaron Vriesman provides a detailed history of how our historically closest sister denomination, the Reformed Church in America, has navigated this same conflict. May we learn the lesson from their errors, without repeating them ourselves!