Lent 5 April 6 2025

 

On Sunday I attended a service at a Christian Reformed Church near my home.  I had some pretty strong stereotypes and prejudices about the CRC, mostly based on people who had left the denomination decades ago, finding it too moralistic and fundamentalist. A 2023 statement by the denomination about LGBTQ relationships did not support them, but lamented their failure to offer good pastoral care to the queer community. I note that the denomination includes both USA and Canada, and progress towards inclusion is much slower in the USA. The statement also judges straight folk on premarital sex, extramarital sex, pornography and adultery.

The CRC is what I would consider a mainline church, with roots in Dutch heritage, and is certainly more traditional than fundamentalist. I looked up the website and found myself intrigued: there was a woman in ministry, they named various outreach projects (including indigenous reconciliation), they also had a clear statement and reporting protocol about safe spaces. 

There were about 80-100 people present, not a lot of ethnic diversity, but a multigenerational spread. I recognized most of the music, though some of the words in their hymn book were different. There was no choir, but the congregation really sang, which I love to hear.

The preacher was excellent. She was building on what must be a Lenten series based on the last words of Jesus. The reading was only two verses from John 19 where Jesus was hanging on the cross and said "I am thirsty." However, she began by telling the story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well, and then linked that with a multiplicity of images of thirst and living water and shared cups throughout the Bible. She used the powerpoint very effectively throughout, emphasizing the different scripture verses. At the end of the sermon she approached the communion table and poured water from a jug into a chalice - a very meaningful action in the context of her message. 

Most preachers do a deep dive into one reading, so I found this approach interesting and noticed that the four youth sitting in front of me with their Dad were also paying attention throughout. It does seem to be a good way to build a biblically literate congregation. I hope to watch some more sermons and see if this is her usual style, or something inspired by that Sunday's reading.

All in all a good experience, and a reminder that some congregations are more progressive than the denomination in their name.