What started as a discussion about sagging church attendance has culminated in the combining of two churches, and a resurrection of life for the Community Reformed Church in Newton.
Pastor John White has been serving as interim pastor at Community Reformed in Newton since Pastor Eric Johnson left for the chaplain program at Lutheran Hospital in Des Moines. Talking with Pastor Steve Heerema at the Third Reformed Church in Pella, they decided to “plant” a new church at the Community Reformed Church.
“This is the first time in Reformed Church of America history where a church was decommissioned and a new one was commissioned in the same service,” said Community Reformed Church office manager Betty Samson. That service was Aug. 9. Now, The Way is the rebirth of Community Reformed Church. Heerema said the name comes from a verse in the Bible, John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth and the life.” Heerema said The Way is not to be confused with The Way International.
“We want to be more culturally relevant,” Heerema said.
Sunday, Sept. 6 is the launch date for new services at The Way, 2306 S. 3rd Ave. E. Two services will be held: The Classic service at 9 a.m., for more traditional hymns and worship; and The Way Ignite service at 10:30 a.m. Heerema said The Way Ignite has a more modern feel.
“Anyone can feel free to walk in,” he said. “Ignite is more open and free to worship God.”
Children’s services begin at 9:30 a.m. and The Way Cafe, a chance for worshippers to have coffee and fellowship will be open from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. Heerema said The Way is a very exciting endeavor and praised the members of Community Reformed Church for taking the bold step.
“The thing that’s neat about this is a lot of churches are dying, and the members of Community Reformed took a leap of faith,” Heerema said. “Praise God in all of this.”
For more information on The Way, visit the Web site www.theway146.com.