Icons: The Vision (Final)

TROWEL & SWORD

Resources - Leadership

November 1999

SWORD - DEFENDING

Icons: The Vision (Final)

David Groenenboom

Having read my last two contributions, the reader may have wondered, “What has all this discussion of icons and symbols got to do with defending the faith? After all, that is what this column is for.” My response would be that only in understanding our past and how the Lord has worked through it will we ever understand our calling in the present and the future (see Haggai and Zechariah). The vision referred to in the last issue is significant because it provides a focus to restate some of the classic themes that have become dear to us as reformed churches.

The centrality of the Gospel.

The RCA vision is clearly Gospel focussed. It takes attention from ourselves and places it where it should be: on proclaiming the Gospel of Christ. It is grounded in the truth that the lost only become the saved by grace alone, received by faith alone. This central plank of the reformed platform has lost some of its focus in recent years. It’s there in preaching and teaching, but it needs to be more up front in our everyday lives. The Vision’s emphasis on outreach demands a Gospel focus.

The Sufficiency of Scripture.

The Vision implies and demands faith and confidence in the Spirit’s work through Scripture. Those involved in outreach find their comfort in the truth that the Word proclaimed does not return to the Lord without achieving the purpose for which He sends it (Isaiah 55). True, it is not our purpose which is guaranteed, but His. Even so, the work the Vision calls us to is bigger than ourselves and our churches. It is guaranteed by the Lord Himself. There are many fine resources to be used in outreach and mission, as also there are many gifts within the body, but they all remain secondary to the Word.

The Supremacy of Christ.

The Vision has many different sub themes and some terms which require further definition (eg. vision casting, cross team networking). Without going into all this now, it is obvious that outreach which speaks about grace and is grounded in the Scriptures upholds Christ Jesus as the only way to life eternal. The major focus and application of this vision is not and must not be to perpetuate the RCA – otherwise we would be working for the wrong Kingdom. The central motivation is to call people to know Christ, to find their salvation in Him, and to live to His glory. No doubt, this may well lead to growth in congregations, but that is not the primary focus. Church growth is a by-product of men and women coming to know Christ as Saviour. Churches which turn this order around ensure their own irrelevance and eventual demise.

A Local Church Focus.

The Vision clearly places the theatre of activity and responsibility with the local church. Gilbert Cann in his excellent “Liberating Leadership” rightly reminds us that the local church is God’s primary means of doing His work in His world. The constant refrain of Scripture is that outreach and mission work has its focus in the local Christian community. Thus the Vision calls every congregation to focus on outreach for the next six years. Synods and Classes are called to help congregations do this well (and we may assume) through stimulating, effective resourcing of local effort. Sessions are called to modify their focus somewhat, giving priority to equipping and motivating the Christian community for their outreach task.

No doubt these things require significant changes at the local level, and not the least a change in individual attitudes and priorities. Elements of congregational activity which hinder this work need to be urgently evaluated and where necessary, jettisoned. The reason for this is clear: they work against the very things we hold dear: Grace alone, Scripture alone, Christ alone.

The Vision referred to is in no way binding on the church at present. Currently it is the product of a MACC supervised meeting. It is not, at this point, adopted by any assembly in the RCA. But it should be. And then not merely adopted, but owned and passionately pursued by congregations and individuals within the RCA. It affirms our heritage, it offers challenge (and where we most need it), it is visionary. It may be at least one means for the Lord to grant some focus and much needed forward thinking to our churches. Most of all, it may become the context for us to develop a true desire to see the lost come to Christ. That being said when we promote the Vision, we defend something we have always stood for.

All reports of problems and comments concerning this site: webmaster@trowelandsword.org.au

Privacy