February 2025 New Horizons

Why Interchurch Relations?

by L. Anthony Curto

Why does the Orthodox Presbyterian Church put such time and energy into interchurch relations? People frequently ask me that question, and I answer by pointing out the usefulness and importance of fraternal relations within the universal visible church. Westminster Confession of Faith 25.2 defines this universal visible church as that church which “consists of all those throughout the world that profess the true religion; and of their children: and is the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ.” This universal visible church is composed of particular, visible churches (WCF 25.4). The Orthodox Presbyterian Church is one such particular church. It is a part of the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ, along with all those denominations and federations that profess the true religion. Christ, who is the head of the universal visible church, gives his church everything necessary “for the gathering and perfecting of the saints, in this life, to the end of the world” (WCF 25.3). Jesus in the Great Commission ... Read more

Ecumenicity in the OPC

by Mark T. Bube

Over the decades, both foreign missions and interchurch relations have been a precious part of the life of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church. At our very first general assembly, when our fathers (and now grandfathers) in the faith were feeling very much alone and still reeling from the events that had led to our founding, the Christian Reformed Church of North America sent a telegram of greeting to us, inviting us to send a fraternal delegate to the meeting of their synod—and we were delighted to appoint the Rev. Dr. Cornelius Van Til to that task. The CEIR In 1965 the general assembly renamed its committee dealing with ecumenical matters the Committee on Ecumenicity and Interchurch Relations (CEIR) and assigned it new responsibilities. It is currently composed of nine ministers or elders elected by the general assembly, plus the following ex officio members, without vote: the stated clerk of the general assembly, the general secretaries of the Committee on Foreign Missions and the Committee on ... Read more

If You Want to Go Far, Go Together

by Judith M. Dinsmore

The list of acronyms for small to mid-sized Reformed and Presbyterian denominations worldwide can be eye-watering. In ecclesiastical fellowship on this continent alone are the OPC, the PCA, the ARP, the URCNA, the RPCNA, the ERQ, and more. For the uninitiated scanning a church website, the acronyms may feel like a code to crack. But for anyone in the aftermath of flood, earthquake, or war who is helped by one of these churches, the acronyms may go unnoticed altogether. Pressed by need, the unity among like-minded denominations becomes more apparent. The OPC’s ecumenical relationships often include such offering—and receiving—diaconal aid. As David Nakhla, administrator for the Committee on Diaconal Ministries, looks at his travel calendar, much of it revolves around ecumenical relations. “This excites me,” he said. When churches assist each other in this way, Nakhla said, they’re living out what they affirm. “Don’t just tell me you love me, show me you love me.” Responding to ... Read more