Canadian CRC Gathering Slated for Alberta in 2019
Christian Reformed churches across Canada are being asked to think about who they can send to an event at The King’s University in Edmonton, Alta., May 24-26 in 2019.
“The Canadian National Gathering is a deliberate pulling together of representatives from all twelve Canadian classes [regional groupings of churches] for three days of listening, celebrating, and discerning together,” said Rev. Darren Roorda, Canadian Ministries Director, one of the conference planners.
He went on to say that churches will be receiving information about this soon because identifying participants early is an essential part of the process. Organizers would like everyone involved to spend intentional time in prayer and discernment before they attend.
“This will be a year-long journey, not just a few days of meetings,” said Roorda. “It is a time for celebration of what is already happening and a time for discernment as we think about the future.”
Springing from a 2013 report to the Board of Trustees of the CRCNA on “Cultivating Binationality in the CRCNA” (see Acts of Synod 2014, pp. 432, 440-42), gatherings of this type are held in Canada every three years as a way to have national conversations about ministry both in local congregations and as a national and binational church.
“As followers of Christ, we are always working to keep in step with the Spirit as he works in the world around us,” said Roorda. “To do this, we need to listen, to follow, and to learn where God is calling us. The Canadian National Gathering is an opportunity to do that together as Canadian Christian Reformed Church members.”
This event will also build upon work that began in Waterloo, Ont., in May 2016 at the previous Canadian National Gathering. It will include sharing ministry stories, identifying priorities, and inspiring local, regional, and denominational ministries to take bold steps into the future that God is calling us to.
“We believe that the CRC in Canada may be on the cusp of a new reformation, one that propels it to greater engagement with local communities and seeking partnerships with other local churches in being God's representatives in local activities and endeavors,” said Roorda.
Canadian churches will be receiving more information about this event soon, and each classis will be asked to identify 12 people who are engaged in ministry and are passionate about exploring what ministry in a Canadian context should look like. A total of about 200 people are expected to attend.
As additional information becomes available, it will be shared on the Ministry in Canada page.
