The Next First Step

As I Was Saying is a forum for a variety of perspectives to foster faith-related conversations among our readers with the goal of mutual learning, even in disagreement. Apart from articles written by editorial staff, these perspectives do not necessarily reflect the views of The Banner.

When I was growing up on the farm, my brother and I were taught systematic theology—in the cowbarn, at lunch breaks, and at the supper table. And when Grandpa, Dad, and the uncles discussed The Banner, we didn’t know it at the time, but they were teaching us doctrine. My dad, an eighth-grade graduate, questioned what we knew before we headed off to catechism class, and he questioned us on what we were learning after. Dad showed us that to preserve and grow faith and doctrine takes hard work. In the phrase “Dutch Christian Reformed,” Dad insisted the overwhelming focus had to be on “Christian.” That lesson confronts us today.

I am a lifelong member of the Christian Reformed Church in North America, delegate to the Council of Delegates, and elder-delegate of my classis to five Synods (most recently 2023 and 2024). Through these years and conversations, I have come to believe that the Christian Reformed Church is at an inflection point.

What does change look like? I believe change should look like renewed and increased prayer, study, meditation, and discussion. The crisis of identity we are in is not rooted in strategy or resources, but it’s a reflection of deeper spiritual failure: we have not named, confessed, and turned from sin that has hurt our witness, discipleship, and future.

Renewal depends on repentance.

Jesus’ first sermon was direct: “Repent and believe the gospel” (Mark 1:15). Before we can believe and live like believers, we must repent. John reminds us that if we deny sin, we deceive ourselves. “But if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:8-10).

There have been many mistakes made in the past century of CRCNA church history. Our problems didn’t start in the 1990s. They became impossible to ignore in the 1990s and again in the 2020s. Varying understandings of the Bible and its impact on our lives caused division, separation, and mistrust. We jumped on the two kids, two jobs, self-actualized “American Dream” without critique, and lost kitchen-table discipleship. We focused on lattes, vacations, careers, and retirement more than helping the hungry, thirsty, strangers, naked, sick, and prisoners among us. We outsourced ministry to professionals—to people we’ve hired to be compassionate for us.

We have been lovers of corporate attitudes and corporate programs, especially ‘growth through selling the gospel.’ We have not shared the gospel. We’ve been guilty of satisfying consumers rather than calling other sinners like us to Jesus. We’ve taken discipleship out of our homes, council rooms, and worship times—giving up the second service and regular elder home visiting. Even our denominational financial struggles reflect deciding what leftovers we can spare for God.

We do what’s easier, then wonder why the next generation has drifted.

These decisions were not just mistakes. These failures were, and are, sin. Until we are willing to say that plainly, out loud—in prayer closets, councils and congregations—change won’t come.

One thing I learned from the Multiply Conference of Classis South East United States is we must get discipleship and the downstream aspects of church health right. “(Our) objective should not be church growth, but church health, because growth must proceed from health,” writes Harry Reeder, in his book about church revitalization. As Multiply put it, “Every true renewal begins not with strategies, but with a fresh encounter with the Gospel of Jesus Christ” (The Disciple Standard Podcast, season 3, episode 32).

True renewal begins with the gospel, and the gospel begins with repentance.

Jesus encouraged the church in Ephesus (Rev. 2:1-7) for their “good deeds,” but he also pointed out their sin. They had lost their “first love.” They appeared healthy, but they were not. They were no longer driven by love for Jesus Christ and, from that love, a desire to glorify God in their love and concern for others.

Likewise the CRCNA needs to examine itself. We need to identify our sin—in ourselves, first and foremost. And identify denominational sin—an arrogant idolatry of ethnic identities, practices like having a big fight every 20-30 years, and apathy about discipleship, among others. Our lampstand can be removed (Rev. 2:5).

Christ will build his church, because his world desperately needs to hear the gospel. “Christ Jesus came into this world for us and our salvation.” Nothing clever, nothing cute. Just the how and why of “Jesus Christ saves sinners.”

We might not have barns anymore, but we still have tables. My parents shut off the radio to talk. These days, we need to shut off our devices and talk. The thing we need to talk about is the next first step.

Our next first step is to confess our sin and return to our first love. Only then will healing and renewal come.