The closing of the Kincardine Christian Reformed Church

Last night Classis Huron, the ecclesiastical assembly of the Christian Reformed Churches in this part of Ontario, gathered in special session. We were called together to consider the Kincardine CRC's request to disband. I voted against the motion. Not becasue I don't empathize with the Kincardine council - they have worked hard and faithfully for their church. And the last thing I wanted to see happen was for classis to simply send them back home with instructions to try harder. I voted "no" to the closing because I fear that we, the neighbouring churches, have failed this congregation. There is among us an ever increasing move toward congregationalism - each church gets caught up in her own ministries and causes; we fail to accept any responsibility for the church down the road. The church order article cited to bring us to this place states that if a congregation's membership falls below 45 members, or finances are a problem, if there is no leadership, or if there is no prospect for growth, "a classis should consider if these are sufficient indicators for it to begin discussing with such a congregation whether it is still appropriate for it to retain organized status" [emphasis added]. Classis should initiate the discussion. That's not what happened. And now it's too late. Oh, I know that God can still breathe life into dead bones, and he probably will. But to say that the closing of this church was God's will is far too simplistic. God weeps with these Christians who will attend their final service as a congregation on Nov 1. We have a long way to go before we attain the complete unity for which Jesus prayed (John 17:23).