President's Report to the 263rd Synod of the RCUS

Esteemed Brethren:

Making use of the reports of the Presidents of the Executive Committees of the Classes (The Constitution of the RCUS, Art. 111), what can be said concerning the state of the Reformed Church in the United States? The presidents' reports are based upon the parochial reports of the individual pastors in the four Classes. The pastors report that the marks of the true church (the preaching of the pure doctrine of the Gospel, the pure administration of the sacraments as instituted by Christ, the exercise of church discipline in the chastening of sin, cf. The Belgic Confession of Faith, Article 29), are present in the churches. As a true church, the RCUS confesses the "One Holy Catholic Church" which is defined as follows: "That, out of the whole human race, from the beginning to the end of the world, the Son of God, by His Spirit and Word, gathers, defends and preserves for Himself unto everlasting life a chosen communion in the unity of true faith" (Heidelberg Catechism, Q54). The Foreign Ministries Reports concerning Kenya and Uganda, the Congo, the Philippines, the outreach of the Reformed Faith and Life Radio Broadcast to the French-speaking world, and the Interchurch Relations Committee Report concerning fraternal churches (NAPARC and the ICRC) reinforce that confession.

The presidents' reports further indicate that the state of the RCUS is not unlike the state of the New Testament Church. Reading the epistles to the churches in the New Testament, we are given a greater understanding of the wisdom of Ecclesiastes 1:9, "There is nothing new under the sun."

The seven churches of Revelation, for example, had different strengths as well as weaknesses. They all faced threats and dangers from many sides, all instigated by Satan, who seeks to destroy the church. The dangers manifested in the first century continue and are repeated in every age of the church. In every generation the same dangers that Jesus rebuked in the seven churches of Revelation threaten the church today. These include lack of love, compromising the truth, adopting the ways of the world, lukewarmness, daring not to stand, ashamed of the Gospel, just to name a few. That is why the inspired Scriptures are always "profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" (2 Tim. 3:16).

Quoting from the Presidents' Reports, we recognize the similarities of the state of the church then and now.

Northern Plains Classis: "In almost every report, it was obvious that serious thought was given to various methods of outreach to the community. . . . Our Classis now has five radio broadcasts. . . . 2008 also saw an investigation . . . into the possibility of establishing a mission work in Jamestown, ND. . . . Our mission church in Watertown is constantly . . . seeking and finding new ways to spread the Gospel." Jesus' words to the church at Philadelphia come to mind: "I know thy works; behold I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it; for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name" (Rev. 3:8).

Covenant East Classis: "The reports highlight the fact that our Lord is diversely working in the lives of the sheep . . . . They are being challenged by the Word of God to pursue holiness, to live godly lives, to be faithful in the worship and service of our Lord, and they are rising to the challenge. Though the culture militates against them and attempts to submerge them in a sea of relativism, they strive to shine as lights and to live for Christ regardless of the cost."

"On the other hand the reports reveal that many of the saints are being winnowed and sifted under the preaching of the Word to see who are faithfully holding fast, to see who will stand. Many are responding positively to this. Others have grown disobedient, apathetic, and indifferent. Regrettably some of these pockets of disobedience, apathy and indifference are found among 3rd and 4th generation saints from whom younger saints ought to expect more." Hear the words of Jesus to the church at Ephesus: "Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent" (Rev. 2:4-5).

The report concludes: "With all the diversity of God's working among us, there is great unity and that unity is grounded in the truth of the Word of God we hold dear and which is summarized in our confessional standards. It is incumbent upon us . . . to continue to do what we have done in the past, to hold fast the word of truth, to shepherd the flock of God and to seek to proclaim the gospel faithfully and to pray fervently for the Lord's blessings on our mutual labors." Unity was also a concern in the next President's Report:

South Central Classis: "‘Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head, running down on the beard, the beard of Aaron, running down on the edge of his garments. It is like the dew of Hermon, descending upon the mountains of Zion; for there the LORD commanded the blessing-life forevermore' (Ps. 133). It is a good thing when we can experience unity. But unity is not something that simply happens. It is something for which we must work. As Christians we sometimes have to determine to love our brothers and sisters in Christ, even if we vehemently disagree with them regarding some matter."

"This is not some idea or concept in the abstract. It is something that we as Christians face every day. We have had some division in our Classis in the past. We have had our disagreements. But in the midst of our disagreements, I would like to believe that we have maintained a love for each other. This is not because we are such good people; it is because God is a gracious and merciful God. He deserves all the credit for any unity we have today and any unity that we will have in the future. Nevertheless, we must labor for this unity and always determine to love one another."

Again we see how relevant the New Testament epistles are to the state of the church then and now: The apostle Paul exhorts the church at Ephesus: "Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. ... And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ" (Eph. 4:3-6, 11-13). The apostle John writes in his first epistle: "Beloved, let us love one another; for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love . . . Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought to love one another" (1 Jn. 4:7-8, 10-11).

The final President's Report is another reminder of how the RCUS portrays the "One Holy Catholic Church":

Western Classis: "Let me begin my President's Report with Proverbs 4:18, which reads ‘But the path of the just is as the shining light that shines more and more unto the perfect day.' Among other lessons, this verse teaches what should be true for every Christian, that in spite of the sins that do so easily beset us and the opposition of Satan to our testimony, that God's grace in Christ is always working more and more and brighter and brighter. For us this means that even death itself is "perfect day" because death brings us closer to Christ and Christ closer to us. But the verse also impacts our morale and outlook for the present, too, especially in our churches. The great question is: Is the candlestick shining brighter than the previous year? Is the effulgence of the Gospel shining brighter and brighter as the Word of God is preached, the sacraments dispensed, and church discipline meted out? After reading your reports, I am convinced it is. By God's grace, we are a city set on a hill and a city on a hill cannot be hid (cf. Matt. 5:14). Your reports brought to mind Acts 9:31: ‘Then had all the churches rest throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified: and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, were multiplied.'"

Two of the Presidents' Reports make reference to the current shortage of pastors in the RCUS, certainly a concern with regard to the state of the church. That the church is to produce pastors from among its own sons is a necessary inference from the apostle Paul's exhortation to Timothy: "And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also" (2 Tim. 2:2). Are we encouraging our sons to consider and seek the ministry?

There were rebukes and encouragements given to the seven churches in Revelation by our Lord, as well as instructions and admonitions by the apostles in their epistles, that every church in every age must take to heart. Let us examine ourselves to make sure that we do not fail to "hear what the Spirit says to the churches." Let us be vigilant and valiant to maintain sound doctrine and a faithful witness in our day. Let us also remember how the epistles of the New Testament begin and end. The apostle Paul addresses saints that he loves. He begins and ends his letters with love as does the book of Revelation, the purpose of which is to remind them and us of our first calling-to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. This is the state of the RCUS as part of the "One Holy Catholic Church." But there remains a future state, a glorious state. Jesus our Savior has not only redeemed us, but He also, by His Word and Spirit, purifies us: ". . . Christ also loved the church and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish"

(Eph. 5:25-27). The process can be slow and painful, but it has a glorious end. What comfort to know "that I am and forever shall remain a living member of the same" (HC Q54).

In conclusion, the President's Report of the Western Classis makes mention of the fact that the Western Classis (all the Classes) will celebrate its 25th anniversary next year. Although 25 years is insignificant in the history of the "One Holy Catholic Church," it is a testimony to God's blessing the RCUS with continued existence as well as expansion and growth.

I would be remiss if I did not mention that at this 263rd Synod we "acknowledge with gratitude to God the influence and contributions of John Calvin by commemorating the 500th Anniversary of his birth" (‘08 Abstract). This, too, speaks to the state of the RCUS and its continued commitment to the doctrines of Sovereign Grace. Great is God's faithfulness!

Respectfully submitted,
Vernon Pollema