We've Only Just Begun . . .

It's been a long time coming. God has been speaking to me about this for some time now, so I finally listen and reached out to a number of Pastors and church leaders in the area to get a sense of the interest level here in Alberta Canada.

I am very happy to say we are now in the birthing stages of forming the very first Reformation Society in Canada - beginning here in Alberta.

For those of you not familiar with Reformation Societies, we are a ministry of the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals. Our mission is to encourage, embolden, and equip ministers and other church leaders for the work of Biblical reformation in the churches. Our purpose is to create societies of Christian pastors and leaders who will meet and labour together for the sake of the Gospel of Grace in the churches of local and regional areas. We seek to be of one mind in the Lord beyond our individual church and denominational affiliations. To this end we envision informal, voluntary Reformation Societies, where church leaders will meet for the joining of hearts and minds in pursuit of actual and practical reformation in their churches. We rely fully upon the Gospel as the particular means given by the Triune God for the building of Christ's Church. By "the Gospel" we mean the scriptural teachings necessary for salvation. These teachings brought forth the Protestant Reformation of the 16th century and have been articulated by the "Solas" in the Cambridge Declaration of 1996. Local Reformation Societies will aim to strengthen those already committed to the Gospel of God in its content, authority, and sufficiency for all the work of the Church. They will also provide a reformation presence to which other church leaders may come to learn of the "Solas", and to discuss various issues and challenges coming to bear on evangelical churches today. The biblical theme for the Reformation Societies is: "Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all of you, for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which He obtained with His own blood." (Acts 20:26-28, ESV) It must be emphasized that the cause to which we are rallying is that of the Gospel itself, and not particular denominational concerns or disputes that we might be of the same mind, in the Lord.

If you are a pastor or church leader here in Alberta and would like more information or to join us in the work, please do not hesitate to contact us at: lesmarchands@xplornet.com. We would love to hear from you.

Soli Deo Gloria