Greg Sinclair

In my experience those credential concerns have led to a number of educational events where a special speaker has come in to talk about a specific topic (say faith formation). The questions have helped change the focus of some classis meetings from business only to education/sharing of ministry concerns. I think it has been helpful.

Thanks for these thoughts Chris. How can we encourage the growth of the missional church in the CRC and with the church order? I think pastors have a role to play in the missional church but we are always working against expectations that they will do the ministry. Clergy will have some of the gifts (5 equipping gifts from Ephesians 4) but not all. This gives other leaders an opportunity to come around and use their gifts in a fuller way. The other complicating factor is the cost of paid staff in a small missional church that is seeking to replicate itself quickly. A stripped down mission oriented church (low budget, no or minimal paid staff and rented facility) seems to go against church order. How can we foster a Reformed missional movement without going the Brethren route?

Thanks Shannon. I look forward to seeing where God takes this new initiative and the CRCNA into the future.

Thanks for your comments to date. I am especially encouraged when people find freedom in Christ. We can only thrive as a church when we have an open healing environment centered on Jesus. I hope this leads to a wider discussion on shame. I suspect there is even shame in talking about shame. It also leads to a fuller gospel more easily shared.

Thanks for your comments. I think in general this has been a productive discussion. I did not intend to imply that we should bridge to the Bible by understanding the Quran better. The Bible stands on its own as God's special revelation - a further one is not needed. However Muslims have a natural curiosity about Jesus. Where does that come from? The Quran. So in that sense the Quran is a bridge. We can also appreciate other aspects of their faith such as their devotion to prayer and to fasting (as it is Ramadan) which can spur us on to live out our own Christian faith more fully. My main point is that respect opens doors to both better relationships and also opportunities to witness to the Gospel. I hope that is clearer.

Salaam: Thank you for clarifying on the "spirit of the Holy." I do recognize the danger of "Christianizing Islam," and realize that there are nuances to these discussions. I do not wish to imply any kind of Logos interpretation to the word of the Quran. Point well made.

I am wondering if Jim Halstead would be willing to do a webinar so more people can benefit from his Go and Tell seminar. With the current process it would need to be voted on.

Thank you for your comments to date. I understand the concerns about Muslim-Christian interaction. Having just read a book I picked up in Egypt, "The Coptic Papacy in Islamic Egypt 641-1517," I am aware of the negative cycles in Muslim-Christian relations there and that we do need to be wise in our interactions. I also want to point out that throughout this period there were saints and sinners on both sides. My point is that we are called to be peace makers first, despite how the other party reacts. Whether they are trustworthy or not or is less of an issue to me and is, in fact, a rather judgmental way to begin a conversation.

Thanks again everyone for posting comments on this important issue. Thanks also to Marie for pointing out the CRC statement on inter-faith dialogue by the ecumenical and inter-faith committee. It is well worth reading. It is important to remember that in these types of dialogues we do not wish to compromise our faith. We remain deeply committed to Jesus Christ and the historic creeds and confessions and seek to share the grace we have experienced as followers of Jesus. I am sure a passionate commitment to their faith would also be true for those we share dialogue with. I would hope so. The goal then becomes increased understanding and peace between our communities.

A real 21st century parable (even though the car comes from the 20th century). Thanks.