Robert P. Swierenga (author of Dutch Chicago and many other historical titles and articles) gave a lecture in 2000 that resulted in an article posted on his personal web-site entitled, "Burn the Wooden Shoes: Modernity and Division in the Christian Reformed Church in North America." It provides an good overview and critical analysis of events in our beloved denomination. Check it out at this link: http://www.swierenga.com/Africa_pap.html.
ADDITION: One of the comments mentions the future of the CRCNA with reference to Rev. Sam Hamstra's March 2007 The Banner article entitled "A Modest Proposal." Rev. Hamstra has also set up a blog for discussion on this at http://www.xanga.com/ACRC. We aren't necessarily endorsing his "proposal," but think it is good for discussion.
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Fascinating account of the CRC's history. Regarding its future, I recently read an intriguing article in the Banner. I wonder, how widespread in the CRC is the desire for radical dismantaling and de-centralization expressed by Rev. Hamstra in his March 2007 Banner Article, "A Modest Proposal"?
I thought Rev. Hamstra's Banner article was provocative and a good discussion starter. Congregationalism has been coming into the CRC rapidly in the past several years. Part of it is cultural and part of it we've brought on our selves.
In a post-modern society the idea of denominations just doesn't fit. We're seeing that in our church with many of our young adults - they wonder why they should join any particular church at all, much less a denomination. On the other hand, since we've officially started to say some churches may interpret Scripture this way and others may interpret it that way, we only sewed the seeds (or fertilized) of congregationalism in the CRC.
I don't like the idea of congregationalism. I think the accountability we have to one another is vital and a denomination can help us see the church as broader than the four wall within which we worship. But there are some realities we have to deal with.
I'm not a fan of congregatinalism either. And I also agree with Chad in that some of the recent decisions of Synod have led to the place where we currently are.
However, change does seem to be inevitable and I believe certain changes are needed in the CRC. But the benefits that come with denominationalism cannot be done away with. My fear is that the current structure has created an environment where few churches feel the freedom to adequately customize their ministry to fit their context.
Likewise, with the denomination taking on the majority of the responsibility for missions and the like, congregations loose their sense of urgency to be personally involved in such things, assuming the denomination will do it for them.
So in that sense, a more congregational set-up, may actually be just the catalyst the CRC needs to turn things around and begin its upswing. IMHO...
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