NOTE: The content below expresses the views of the individual named as the author and does not necessarily reflect the position of the WRF as a whole.
WRF North American Theological Consultation on The Future of Denominationalism in a Post-Christian Context
Twenty Reformed pastors, theologians, professors, seminary presidents, and denominational administrators from across North America gathered in Bethesda, Maryland to discuss denominationalism in our post-Christian context.
Hosted April 1-2 at Fourth Presbyterian Church, the consultation brought together leaders from eight different Reformed bodies, some members of the WRF, some not: the Christian Reformed Church in North America; ECO: A Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians; the Evangelical Presbyterian Church; the Korean American Presbyterian Church; the Orthodox Presbyterian Church; the Presbyterian Church in America; the Presbyterian Church of Brazil; and the Presbyterian Church (USA). As a consultation for a fellowship, the participants were not formal delegates from their denominations, but practitioners and thinkers who were able to provide a range of insight and wisdom to assist one another and their home churches in ministry.
Theological Consulting Across Differences
The WRF facilitates partnerships between Reformed churches, and one of the key areas of focus for our work is ecclesiology. For instance, the 2022 WRF General Assembly saw the approval of a statement on ecclesiology and an affirmation of comity in missions between WRF member churches. This consultation was a continuation of that work, with the following framing:
North America is experiencing rapid secularization and dechurching, with denominations correspondingly shrinking both in real numbers and as a share of the Christian population. Non-denominationalism is now the largest segment of Protestantism in the United States, and growing. Among Reformed churches, Jesus' prayer for unity in John 17 has been understood as something more than spiritual unity. In light of Jesus' prayer for unity and the current American denominational landscape, how should Reformed churches theologically approach the question of Christian unity and denominationalism for the future?
The goal of the consultation was not to rehash all of the same debates that have characterized Reformed churches, resulting in many different denominations, but to spark fresh ways to consider the topic and foster cooperation considering our current cultural moment. The goal was not to resolve our differences, but to speak to Christ’s call for oneness from our differing positions.
The Doctrine of the Church and Denominationalism
There were a series of five presentations, each receiving a response, followed by a roundtable discussion. The first two presentations focused on the larger subject of denominations as they relate to the doctrine of the church.
The first presentation was given by James Wood, Assistant Professor of Religion and Theology at Redeemer University (Ancaster, ON), who with a “qualified ‘yes’” argued that the church has a moral obligation to pursue formal unity, to “cultivate the communion” of the visible church. Jul Medenblik, President of Calvin Theological Seminary (Grand Rapids, MI), provided the response and reminded us that shared mission is more important than merger.
Mark Garcia, President of Greystone Theological Institute and Associate Professor of Systematic Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary (Philadelphia, PA), argued that theologically we should approach denominationalism under the doctrine of providence before the doctrine of the church; God can make dead things live again, but denominations are provisional, not ultimate. Laura Smit, Professor of Religion at Calvin University (Grand Rapids, MI) and Faculty of ECO’s Flourish Institute of Theology, provided the response and held forth to us the beauty of denominational pluriformity for the life of the visible church.
Reformed Denominationalism in a Changing World
The third and fourth presentations approached North American denominationalism from the angle of the changing reality of our culture.
Zachary King, General Secretary of the Christian Reformed Church in North America, spoke to us about how to consider North American denominationalism in light of the global church, particularly the global south, and urged us on to a posture of mutuality wherein we treat one another as partners. Davi Gomes, International Director of the World Reformed Fellowship, provided the response, and adorned King’s presentation, calling for us to avoid confusing cultural forms for the essence of church across global lines.
Gregory Perry, President of ThirdMill Seminary, addressed the emerging demographics (religious, ethnic & racial, economic, educational) of North America as the “end” of denominations: not just a threat, but a goal and missional reality. Chris Vogel, Church Planting and Vitality Coordinator for the Presbyterian Church in America’s Mission to North America, provided the response and gave additional context and insight to that mission. A common plea was to reinvigorate diaconal, service and mercy, ministry.
What Happens Next?
The final talk was given by Tom Gibbs, President and Associate Professor of Applied Theology at Covenant Theological Seminary (St. Louis, MO), who offered up guidance on local church and pastoral cooperation across denominational boundaries. David Renwick, retired pastor from National Presbyterian Church (Washington D.C.), responded and reminded us of Paul’s admonition to be eager to maintain unity in the bond of peace.
Rob Norris, Chairman of the Board for the World Reformed Fellowship, closed our time together by exhorting us to patience in the long work of striving for Christ’s church to be one, knowing that no prayer of our Savior ever goes unanswered. Providentially, that work of unity to which we are called is unlikely to be complete in our lives, but we can rest on God’s faithfulness.
This consultation represents the first North American-specific event for the WRF and is a first step in increasing cooperation among its churches. As an ecclesial-centered fellowship rather than a church council, the WRF’s mission is to foster personal connections across confessional, Reformed bodies. And that certainly occurred at this consultation, and some of the fruit will be borne from the relationships forged and conversations held. The WRF’s next quadrennial General Assembly will be held in fall 2026 in Seoul, South Korea. In the lead-up to that Assembly, and in light of this consultation’s success, the WRF Board of Directors will be considering the most effective and helpful ways to continue increasing Reformed partnerships in North America.
You will find here a link to the PDF pamphlet for the consultation, with the topics and the brief bios of the participants, as well as links at the bottom of this page to the audio files of the talks in mp3.
Stay tuned!
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Here are the Audio Files:
Session 1: Cultivate the Communion': A Reformed Prayer for Visible Church Unity (James Wood)
Session 3: North American Reformed Denominations, Global Christianity, and Global Mission (Zachary King)
Session 5: A Modest Proposal for Church Cooperation (Tom Gibbs)
Cameron Shaffer is the Senior Pastor of Langhorne Presbyterian Church (EPC) in Langhorne, Pennsylvania. Cameron has a M.Div. from Redeemer Seminary, a M.Th. from the University of Glasgow, and is a Ph.D. candidate at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. He sits on the board of directors for the World Reformed Fellowship.