Mark VanDyke

The Bible (first) and Heidelberg Catechism (second) are totally sufficient for fighting racism in all forms.

One other omission from this discussion is the centrality of the Gospel. The HC spells it out clearly throughout but most explicitly in Lord's Days 1 & 7. The Belgic Confession tells the Gospel in Articles 20 & 21.   The Canons of Dort articulates it very clearly in Article 7. The Gospel is nowhere to be found in the Belhar. There is some language about the Triune God and corporate reconciliation, but not a word about sinners saved by grace through faith in Jesus. The Belhar Confession is a fine document, but it doesn't address Gospel issues. It troubles me that this has not been discussed more often when dealing with the Belhar's confessional status.

The ultimate irony of this conversation is that the purpose of the Belhar Confession is UNITY. Whether or not Synod 2012 approves the Belhar it will lead to greater DISunity in the CRCNA. That one thing is for sure!

See above comments for proof.

A fair warning, James.

In your case, Paul, it sounds like a good decision to plant with a youth leader on staff. This confirms my belief that if God wills something it comes about naturally and the path he desires us to take is obvious.

On the flip side, your experience should serve as a lesson (if not warning) for churches who are considering a new direction or the addition of a new staff position. If a ministry just isn't clicking with the community or if church leadership is forcing an agenda upon the congregation, that might be God's way of saying, "not yet" or "no" to a course of action. I'm not suggesting we appease the status quo, but we need to be willing to admit something didn't work and then set our thoughts on what God has gifted our churches to do.

It's good to hear a story about something that "just works." I hope that continues in all areas of your church plant.

Mark VanDyke, Sumas CRC, Sumas WA

Tremendous post, brother! Thanks for sharing!