Identity Development

TROWEL & SWORD

Resources - Leadership

March 2000

SWORD - DEFENDING

Identity Development

David Groenenboom

This months Forum 2000 lift-out exposes some of the factors that are relevant to the question of identity in the RCA. It will serve us well to realise that questions of identity are really quite complex. They are different to the questions of “what do you believe?”, “what are your interests?”, and “what are you hoping to achieve?” The identity question really asks us “Who are you, really?”

We know enough about life to understand that identity formation takes time. Children, for example, go through several stages in forming their own identity, and it may take many years for identity to reach full maturity – if it does. True, how identity is formed in an individual will be a little different to how it might happen in a group of people like the RCA. Even so, it may be helpful for us to think about which of the following might apply to us as a body of Churches.

Identity diffusion: The group lacks clear direction and are not committed to mutually owned values and goals. Alternatives have not really been explored, and where this has been attempted the experience has been too threatening or overwhelming. This would tend to come to expression in a church which is internally focussed, withdrawn, and sees ‘the world out there’ as a threat to ‘what we have here’.

Identity foreclosure: There is a commitment to goals, but alternatives have not been explored. Ready-made identity is provided through authoritarian models. This can often be seen in fundamentalist groups, where people are subject to the perspective of a strong and dominant leader. Often, such leaders will be perceived either as channels of truth, or they demand obedience under threat of shame and rejection for non-compliance.

Identity moratorium: ie. “delay, holding pattern.” This would indicate a group who have put things on hold, not out of apathy, but in an effort to explore what values they should be holding. Such a group will be trying various approaches in their valued activities. Their short-term goal is to adopt values and goals that will guide them into the future. For example: a church changing some of its traditionally recognised ways of doing things in an effort to work through larger issues.

Identity achievement: Alternatives have been explored and commitment to a clearly defined set of self chosen values is unmistakable. There is a positive sense of well being and self concept. These people know where they are going and how they are going to get there. Find a church that is positive without being triumphalistic, engaging without being manipulative, and where members seek to realise goals without compulsion and you’ll see a group that has probably attained “identity achievement”.

That a church has achieved identity does not mean they’ve got everything right, of course. But it does indicate that people have direction and that they believe that what they are doing is working towards a valid purpose.

Clearly, identity consists in more than faith acceptance of a particular theological outlook. This means having and knowing our confessional perspective will not of itself give us a sense of identity. Identity will come as churches begin to own the goals and vision for reformed churches in Australia. This will only happen when people believe that these goals and vision will assist them to fulfil their calling as Christians in the third millennium.

And it all begs one absolutely huge and inescapable question: what is our shared vision? What are our mutually agreed goals?

My view is that many people have asked that question over the last ten years and have not been able to answer it. Nor has anybody else been able to answer it for them. We do not have a clearly articulated vision. We do not have mutually agreed, clearly defined, and attainable goals. For this reason, many have moved on, seeking a church which does have these things. You see, people want and need vision and goals. They need a sense of identity. They need to know what they are aiming for.

This next Synod – just two and a half months away – will be an important opportunity for our churches to say what their vision and goals will be. Let’s get it straight: articulating a vision achieves nothing in itself. We need prayerfully and humbly to develop these goals, pray for the Lord’s blessing upon them, and then – in God’s grace – apply ourselves to realising them.

Let’s also remember that there will be people who will pick holes in anything that’s developed. It won’t be perfect and it will need to be honed. And yet the churches will benefit much from leaders who return and say “this is what we’re hoping to achieve. Let’s give our support, and see what we can do to apply it in our own local context.”

It may just be God’s tool to help some congregations move ahead. It may be a means to develop more cohesion through the denomination. And it may just lead us into the achievement of the identity we are all seeking.

A VISION STATEMENT
“A Church Reforming to Reach the Lost for Christ”

The following vision statement for mission work in the RCA was developed over a period of time by the ROAD (Resources for Outreach, Aid and Development) Committee. The process of coming to this statement included a “think tank” held 6th & 7th August 1999, which included Johan Poppenbeck (Vic), John Sikkcma and Brian Vaatsra (Tas), Jack Nyhouse (Qld), Wim Burggraaf (WA), Phil Larkin (ACT) and Ray Hoekzema (NSW). The ROAD Committee is thankful to these men for their input.

The Reformed Churches of Australia
Vision: “A Church Reforming to reach the lost for Christ.”

Explanation of vision terms:

By “Church” is meant both the RCA denomination and local congregations.
By “Reforming” is meant a continual and increasing renewal of our Reformed heritage towards a Biblically functioning community.
“Reaching out” means intentionally building relationships with non-believers in order to reach them for Christ.

Strategy:

For the next six years the congregations commit themselves to focus on outreach.
The priority of Synod and Classes is to promote outreach, and help local churches do this well.
The priority of the Sessions is to equip and activate the whole church community for outreach.

Implementation:

The key route to implementation is via the leadership of the local church which empowers the whole church community. To be effective these leaders will:

Work in and develop team leadership.
Be involved in vision casting (promoting a kingdom vision – evangelism specific)
Seek accountability for outreach.
Be intentional about outreach.
Nurture and mentor developing leaders.
Seek cross-team networking.
Facilitate people to use their gifts to evangelise.

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

Privacy