I have no idea about what went on here, nor do I have a need to know. I trust Synod will do right by Jerry.
I just want to thank Jerry publicly for his support of Chaplaincy ministries. About a year ago Jerry visited the Seattle area. I was assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) Nine in Everett at the time. I invited Jerry to the base on Saturday, after an open meeting at First CRC in Seattle. He graciously agreed, and I gave him a tour of one of the ships. His interest in chaplaincy in general and my personal work in particular was extremely encouraging. I was asking some very hard personal questions at the time, and Jerry listened carefully and gave some honest and valuable feedback.
As Chaplains we often feel left out in the denomination. This is especially true for those of us in the military, who are often stationed far away from the nearest CRC (I think I'm currently a couple of thousand miles from the nearest CRC-- either Hawaii or Guam). We have a very wide perspective, one that is not always appreciated or included. Jerry very much undertood this, and understood the unique opportuities we have as chaplains as well as the unique challenges we face. I am personally very thankful for his support and wish him God's blessing in whatever future ministry God has for Jerry.
I really appreciate Jon Westra's comments. I am very uncomfortable with the idea that I am a "stakeholder" in the Christian Reformed Church. It sounds too much like business or institutional language. What makes me a "stakeholder"? The fact that I contribute money-- i.e I have stock in this orgainization? Or is it the fact that I maintain membership within this institution-- I'm a customer and as such if I don't like things I can move my busness to another church?
When the Heidelberg Catechism deals with the church, it calls her "a community". This is, of course, the Catechism's definition of the "holy catholic church" (q&a 54). But for me it is also true of my relationship with the CRC. I am a member of the US Armed Forces, a Chaplain stationed in Japan-- I seldom worship in CRC churches. Yet she is the communitiy of God's people that has ordained me, and that both offers guidance and support for my ministry. "Of this community I am. . . a living member"
Community is built with such materials as trust and love, and is strengthened by prayer. The trust is not in the institution itself, which is made up of sinful human beings like every other institution. The trust is in the Holy Spirit of God, through whom (along with the word) this community has been gathered (q and a 54). This is God's church. The BOT and the Synod are accountable to God. I don't know much about the BOT, but in my experience Synods have been very aware of their accountability to God. I trust God loves this church more than even I do-- in Christ He died for her. "He who did not spare his own Son,but gave him up for us all-- how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?" (Romans 8:32)
According to the Catechism (q &a 55), my role as a member of the CRC is not to hold the church "accountable" (which I agree is an American democratic idea) but "to use. . . [my] gifts readily and cheerfully for the service and enrichment of the other members."
Posted in: The 'Resignation' of Our Executive Director
I have no idea about what went on here, nor do I have a need to know. I trust Synod will do right by Jerry.
I just want to thank Jerry publicly for his support of Chaplaincy ministries. About a year ago Jerry visited the Seattle area. I was assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) Nine in Everett at the time. I invited Jerry to the base on Saturday, after an open meeting at First CRC in Seattle. He graciously agreed, and I gave him a tour of one of the ships. His interest in chaplaincy in general and my personal work in particular was extremely encouraging. I was asking some very hard personal questions at the time, and Jerry listened carefully and gave some honest and valuable feedback.
As Chaplains we often feel left out in the denomination. This is especially true for those of us in the military, who are often stationed far away from the nearest CRC (I think I'm currently a couple of thousand miles from the nearest CRC-- either Hawaii or Guam). We have a very wide perspective, one that is not always appreciated or included. Jerry very much undertood this, and understood the unique opportuities we have as chaplains as well as the unique challenges we face. I am personally very thankful for his support and wish him God's blessing in whatever future ministry God has for Jerry.
LCDR Douglas Vrieland, CHC, USN
Yokosuka, Japan
Posted in: The 'Resignation' of Our Executive Director
I really appreciate Jon Westra's comments. I am very uncomfortable with the idea that I am a "stakeholder" in the Christian Reformed Church. It sounds too much like business or institutional language. What makes me a "stakeholder"? The fact that I contribute money-- i.e I have stock in this orgainization? Or is it the fact that I maintain membership within this institution-- I'm a customer and as such if I don't like things I can move my busness to another church?
When the Heidelberg Catechism deals with the church, it calls her "a community". This is, of course, the Catechism's definition of the "holy catholic church" (q&a 54). But for me it is also true of my relationship with the CRC. I am a member of the US Armed Forces, a Chaplain stationed in Japan-- I seldom worship in CRC churches. Yet she is the communitiy of God's people that has ordained me, and that both offers guidance and support for my ministry. "Of this community I am. . . a living member"
Community is built with such materials as trust and love, and is strengthened by prayer. The trust is not in the institution itself, which is made up of sinful human beings like every other institution. The trust is in the Holy Spirit of God, through whom (along with the word) this community has been gathered (q and a 54). This is God's church. The BOT and the Synod are accountable to God. I don't know much about the BOT, but in my experience Synods have been very aware of their accountability to God. I trust God loves this church more than even I do-- in Christ He died for her. "He who did not spare his own Son,but gave him up for us all-- how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?" (Romans 8:32)
According to the Catechism (q &a 55), my role as a member of the CRC is not to hold the church "accountable" (which I agree is an American democratic idea) but "to use. . . [my] gifts readily and cheerfully for the service and enrichment of the other members."