Last week at Classis (the regional gathering of RCA elders and ministers) we discussed the topic of what it means to be both missional and Reformed. The delegates were split into small groups to discuss different aspects of this topic. One question for discussion was on how the delegates see a distinctly Reformed approach active in their churches. The other delegates, who were all elders, mentioned how they love the welcoming atmosphere of the congregations. Upon hearing this, I asked myself, “How does this have anything to do with being Reformed?” ”Did these people totally miss the question?” ”Do they even know what Reformed means?” But then I began to think and reflect on what they were saying and a light went on. Of course! Reformed churches should be the most welcoming churches because at the very foundation of our understanding of God is that it is only by His grace that we are invited into His community. God’s very nature is one of welcoming undeserving guests into participating in His Kingdom and subsequently His benefits. Thus, to be Reformed is to be a welcoming community.
(At this point I am close to delving into the hospitality of God at the Table and all sorts of other tangents so it is best to stop here)
Hi Steve,
While I’ll grant the observation about being welcoming as Reformed people, could that not be said of all Christians? Ought we not to be welcoming the sinner and then preach the Gospel of repentance and forgiveness to him? I would want to push the original question further: what makes the Reformed Church reformed, and why ought we defend those destinctives?
Steve,
Nicely said.
Next questions,
What is keeping us from authentically living it out?
Why do Christians and churches often often dish out guilt rather than extending grace?
Paul
I love the talk about being missional in our approach. This is something I have been hearing and thinking about lately. I understand the missional mindset as being Christ to those around us. I think another term we could use is “incarnational.” If we are truly going to be incarnational/missional, I really believe that we are to be Christ followers first, and Reformed, Pentecostal, Baptist, or Presbyterian second. I think the main distinctive that we should focus on as the body of Christ is our salvation. I do not think that those who don’t know Christ really care about our affiliation that much. But they do take notice when we reflect Christ. Trust me…as a Pentecostal there is much talk about our distinctive (anyone want to take a guess?) However, this is secondary if we truly want to be missional.
Great Post!
Jeff
I suppose I will attempt to reply in order. Peter, why does, should, this flow more so from a Reformed perspective and not from others? Well it should permeate other branches of Christianity because it is the essence of the Gospel and the Christian life. But theologically, the concept of grace shifts in other traditions. Looking closely at some theologies, grace is what “gets us in,” but if you listen closely “what we do” keeps us in or gets us more of something. Reformed theology consistently emphasizes grace throughout every aspect of theology. Thus, it should be shown in every aspect of life. I am not crazy about making undo distinctions, but there are distinctions so it is appropriate to discuss them.
(Paul and Jeff, I will need to come back to your thoughts later)
Don’t worry about those other questions Steve. They were mainly rhetorical in this post but they are questions that are real for pastors and congregations.
I love the way that you, in just a couple sentences, with respect granted to other theological traditions, simply state a reformed distinctive – “Reformed theology consistently emphasizes grace throughout every aspect of theology.”
Paul