by 
As we begin this voyage of the Reformation Canada Network, the Apostle John wrote something that sounds a little like our situation:
Dear friends, now we are children of God,
and what we shall be
has not yet been made known!
(1 John 3:2)
Of course, John was referring to the Christian’s full development; that sinless display of God-given glory when we are fully conformed to the image of Christ.
But the well-known phrase “what we shall be has not yet been made known” has particular relevance to our understanding of the Reformation Canada Network as a “Holding Tank”.
That’s an important concept at this early stage. The critical thing at this point in time is to have a place where we can go, safely exiting a woke-hungry denomination that seems determined to crash against the rocks and sink to a watery grave.
For a number of congregations, the establishment of the RCN has been a Godsend because now there is a safe place for those who can’t tolerate the idea of belonging to a denomination that no longer accepts the authority of Scripture and who are eager to take advantage of the “gracious separation” provision – a provision that is certain to be a “time limited offer.”
That’s important to keep in mind. Today it is possible to exit the denomination with buildings and assets in-tact. Tomorrow, who knows.
How long will it be until the denomination asserts that it is no longer in their best interests to allow a gracious separation provision? Currently, the expiration date is set for 2026, but that could change at any upcoming General Synod. What we know for certain is that with a 42% loss of membership in the RCA, there are very few conversative voices or votes remaining. In other words, nothing stands in the way of a complete revocation of the gracious separation concept.
The risk of taking a “wait and see” approach is very great. That risk is reminiscent of Lot’s family (Genesis 19) where the rescuing angel tells the relatives of Abraham, “Hurry! Don’t look back and don’t stop!” That kind of urgency should be considered by those who are waiting for the Re-Structuring Team … waiting for the General Synod of 2024 … or waiting for some new clarifying statement.
As you know, not only did Lot’s wife turn into a pillar of salt, but she was unable to take her buildings or assets with her.
It appears that every denomination worldwide is – or soon will be – experiencing the same earthquake over the boundaries of Biblical authority and exegesis as they pertain to human sexuality, interfaith practice, universalism and the uniqueness of Jesus Christ. It just doesn’t seem prudent to jump from the frying pan of one denomination into the fire of another that has yet to determine where they stand. On the other hand, the Reformation Canada Network has been through the earthquake and we are firm on what we believe concerning the authority and interpretation of Scripture, the uniqueness of Christ Jesus as Lord and Savior, about Marriage and morality and about human sexuality.
These fundamentals are entrenched in the RCN’s Covenant Statement on Belief and Practice.
