NEWS
Former RCA Churches Launch ‘Kingdom Network’ Five churches that had been part of the Reformed Church in America’s New Thing classis in Indiana and Illinois launched a new collective Sept. 9. The founders say the Kingdom Network is focused on multiplying disciples, training leaders, and planting churches. Calvary Church of Oak Lawn, Ill., and Faith Church–Highland, Ind., are campus congregations of two of the founding churches. Each had dual affiliation with the RCA and the Christian Reformed Church before the dissolution of New Thing classis in early September. They have petitioned the Christian Reformed classes to which they belong (Chicago South and Illiana) to be recognized as union churches with the new Network. Ron Citlau, pastor of Calvary Church of Orland Park, Ill., said the Kingdom Network fits the definition of a denomination—”a collection of churches that have shared values and beliefs, a polity that holds them together, and an authority structure of some kind”—but “we decided to call it a network because, in the same way that some Christians are burnt out by church, there are some churches that are burnt out by denominations.” Citlau serves on the Network’s executive team.
Looking for Orthodoxy Citlau said the pastors and elders now part of the Kingdom Network have been thoroughly involved in RCA polity for a decade. “We made a commitment with other large churches in the RCA about 7-10 years ago that we were going to do all that we could to help the RCA stay orthodox” in its “view of homosexuality, but more importantly hermeneutics, the gospel, and church planting and discipleship.” Tim Huizenga, campus pastor at Faith Church–Highland, said, “We desired to move forward with the hopes of
Kingdom Network participants at its inaugural gathering Sept. 9, 2021. continuing our existing partnerships.” The conclusion, though, was that the RCA was moving in a different direction. “We see what is happening in the RCA as unsolvable, and that’s after a real commitment on our part to see what could be solved,” Citlau said. The RCA’s Vision 2020 report released last June acknowledged that some RCA congregations would inevitably separate from the denomination because of diverse opinions about biblical interpretation and practices. The RCA’s General Synod was to discuss the report Oct. 14-19. But the creation of the Network was not reactionary, Citlau said. “We sought to do all that we could that was good (in the RCA), and we want to leave in ways that are good.” He said the dissolution of the classis was about a 12-month process. “First and foremost,” Huizenga said, “the Network is about the proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost and broken world. We are also about growing and multiplying ministries and movements which do that well. This happens through relationships in the network where churches and pastors are challenged, held accountable, and supported in these efforts.”
NOVEMBER 2021
New Affiliation? At its Sept. 21 meeting, Classis Illiana approved the intent of Faith Church– Highland’s request to be recognized as a union church with the new network. Classis is consulting with the CRC’s Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations Committee and will come back to the matter at its spring meeting. Classis Chicago South at its Sept. 21 meeting determined that Calvary Church–Oak Lawn still will be delegated to and welcome at classis through next year. Classis also tasked its interim committee with “charting a way forward with establishing ecumenical relations with the Kingdom Network.” Pastor Laryn Zoerhof, stated clerk for Classis Illiana, said approving the concept of the request in the meantime “will encourage Faith Church–Highland Campus to remain an active part of Classis Illiana and the CRC.” First CRC of Highland, which became Faith Church-Highland in 2013, has been in the Illiana Classis and CRC since its inception in 1908. Huizenga said he hopes the congregation will continue that long relationship of trust. —Callie Feyen
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