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A Family Gathering
Tuesday, August 1
GRAND RAPIDS--At the beginning of this evening's worship
service, Pastor Don Piper (Seattle, Wash., RPC) testified
about the blessings of having been a part of RP international
conferences since age 4. He said that he viewed conferees
he had come to know over his lifetime as his brothers and
sisters. Many conferees talk about enjoying the family atmosphere
of the conference--a family over a thousand strong.
Earlier in the day the adults heard Pastor Robert McCollum
from Northern Ireland speak on "Baptism and the Church,"
part of the continuing series on the Great Commission. Pastor
McCollum pointed out that Jesus' directive in Matthew 28 regarding
baptism was strongly tied to God's command to circumcize in
Genesis 17. Both were a sign of the covenant and a sign of
cleansing, with baptism being bloodless because of Christ's
completed and perfect sacrifice. Both signs were to include
Gentiles and to be a witness to them. He said that Jesus'
command to baptize the converts of the nations:
• anticipates church growth,
• recognizes church order,
• symbolizes spiritual renewal, and
• expresses a relationship with God.
Afterward, the RPCNA Synod's Committee on the Revitalization
of Declining Congregations gave a report of its pilot program
for five congregations. Pastor Harry Metzger (North Hills
RPC, Pittsburgh, Pa.) opened the presentation, and Pastor
Wade Mann offered some biblical principles for revitalization
from the Scriptures, focusing on Psalm 87. Both men stressed
the need for continuing personal and corporate revitalization
even in congregations that aren't showing a decline in numbers.
The seeds of growth and decline are planted in all our churches,
they said, and thus Christ's call must be followed in the
present tense.
Meanwhile, children of the various age groups are learning
about serving God around the world (young children can be
seen wearing pith helmets) and about the blessings and responsibilities
of "A Godly Heritage," which is the theme of the
week. A number of the age groups comprise nearly 100 children,
and some include over 100 each.
A new slate of special-interest seminars was offered today.
Choices were Covenanter history, vision and strategy for churches
from the book of Nehemiah, news of the RP church around the
world from people who live in the various countries, and a
presentation and discussion with the Synod committee that
is revising the RPCNA Book of Discipline.Families also enjoyed
recreation in the afternoon, with many options, including
a softball tournament. With over 120 people using the pool
at a time, the conference staff was forced to ration pool
time to an hour.
The warmup time before the evening session for all ages began
with "Harry and Barry" presenting the news from
"WRPC." Pastor Harry Metzger and Pastor Barry York
teamed up to bring the conferees some important--and not so
important--news, and they conscripted several audience members
to read their tongue-twisting script.
To close the evening, Pastor Bill Edgar (Broomall, Pa., RPC)
challenged parents to turn their hearts toward their children.
He emphasized the beauty of both natural children and spiritual
children, and the importance of training them thoroughly.
He also pointedly warned teenagers against bringing shame
on their family through their rebellion. He asked all church
members to nurture and pray for their covenant children.
--Drew Gordon, editor
Covenanter Witness
Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America
www.psalms4u.com
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