Thanks for this comprehensive description of the RCA's struggle to balance unity with theological consistency. The polity's limited provisions for asserting cross-classis accountability were a key factor. Those were exacerbated by the over-representation of shrunken revisionist classes at the expense of larger, theologically orthodox classes. That imbalance put 2/3 classis approval of corrective amendments just out of reach. If BCO provisions for super-majority classis approval of proposed constitutional amendments had been 3/5 instead of 2/3, such amendments could have passed. Hopefully, the new denominations such as the Alliance and Kingdom Networks will prosper. If their amity and cooperation characterize their future relationships with the RCA, perhaps a healthy expression of unity might yet happen.
This is a well written chronology of what happened in the RCA. Thanks for taking time to write this up. I was a delegate at GS in 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017. I left the RCA in 2017 and transferred my ordination to the EFCA. I was weary of a battle that could not be won. The issue indeed was a lack of church discipline and accountability and a polity that didn't allow for a mechanism to hold rogue churches or classes accountable. I hope the churches that left will thrive in the ARC and elsewhere. The RCA itself will become just another dying liberal denomination with a short shelf-life.
You have completely missed the point of the "I'm not what I feel" article. Feelings are not an identity, whether those feelings are depression or sexual attraction. I am opposed to any ideology that would make what we feel into who we are. Please try to understand where your opponent is coming from before you comment.
I've read all your comments and internalized all their venom. All I can discern is someone who is angry and has never met me, has no idea how those words land like punches. I would be happy to have a conversation but not with someone who wants to hurt me.
Another extensive look at what happens to a denomination when it tries to stay united apart from God’s Word. Thank you for your work, Aaron.
Thanks for this comprehensive description of the RCA's struggle to balance unity with theological consistency. The polity's limited provisions for asserting cross-classis accountability were a key factor. Those were exacerbated by the over-representation of shrunken revisionist classes at the expense of larger, theologically orthodox classes. That imbalance put 2/3 classis approval of corrective amendments just out of reach. If BCO provisions for super-majority classis approval of proposed constitutional amendments had been 3/5 instead of 2/3, such amendments could have passed. Hopefully, the new denominations such as the Alliance and Kingdom Networks will prosper. If their amity and cooperation characterize their future relationships with the RCA, perhaps a healthy expression of unity might yet happen.
This is a well written chronology of what happened in the RCA. Thanks for taking time to write this up. I was a delegate at GS in 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017. I left the RCA in 2017 and transferred my ordination to the EFCA. I was weary of a battle that could not be won. The issue indeed was a lack of church discipline and accountability and a polity that didn't allow for a mechanism to hold rogue churches or classes accountable. I hope the churches that left will thrive in the ARC and elsewhere. The RCA itself will become just another dying liberal denomination with a short shelf-life.
Dennis, thanks for sharing. Glad it was useful. I'd love to speak with you sometime about EFCA if you are willing.
Sure. 708.698.1425
You have completely missed the point of the "I'm not what I feel" article. Feelings are not an identity, whether those feelings are depression or sexual attraction. I am opposed to any ideology that would make what we feel into who we are. Please try to understand where your opponent is coming from before you comment.
I've read all your comments and internalized all their venom. All I can discern is someone who is angry and has never met me, has no idea how those words land like punches. I would be happy to have a conversation but not with someone who wants to hurt me.
I'm interested to know what language I myself used "to punch at and kill their identity"?