The Reformed Parish Mission is the outreach effort of Pr. Michael Ives, minister of the Presbyterian Reformed Church in R.I. A big part of my vision over the years has been to introduce a robust, confessionally Reformed witness to the inner city. Providence, as is typical of all major U.S. cities, contains large numbers of the economically underprivileged, with all that that entails, and a wide spectrum of ethnicities, cultures, and languages. Part of my effort is to Spanish speakers.
As the name also suggests, I target a particular district within Providence. Inspired in part by Scottish theologian, Thomas Chalmers (1780-1847), eight years back I “chalked out” several streets bordering the north and west sides of Roger Williams Park. I also later adopted a smaller district in my own neighborhood, mostly of working class white folks, though minorities are slowly moving in. I go door to door through these districts, introducing myself to them, setting forth the Gospel, and sometimes praying with them. After each year, I would start over at the beginning once again. My chief goal has been to seek and save the lost.
I believe that the city desperately needs the Gospel. Yet tragically, its soundest expression (yes, I’m rather biased!) has little presence there. Instead, one encounters a range of ‘Christianities,’ from well-meaning but misguided forms to downright shameless quackery. What it cries for is the Reformed faith, as expressed masterfully in the Westminster Confession of Faith (1646). It doesn’t need another program or service. It needs rich, expository, doctrinally-sound, and experimental preaching. Preaching that aims for true conversion. It needs regulated worship. It needs Presbyterian church government, starting with a plurality of male elders who are biblically qualified – examples of what a godly man looks like. It needs ministers who are formally accountable to their colleagues. It needs godly discipline, both on the front and on the back ends. It needs tender, faithful pastoral care. It needs deacons who can help without hurting. It needs more Reformed churches to move beyond the comfort of their white, mid
dle-class ghettos. Like the lepers outside the city, it is not right for us to horde our newly discovered riches.
I’m not suggesting that there aren’t faithful Christians in the city, pastors or people. And I am keenly sensitive to any suspicion by some of white paternalism. I believe many saints in the city of varying tongues and tones could put me to shame in one area or another. But the truth is no one’s preserve and everyone’s right. I’m glad someone ‘patronized’ me with the Reformed faith when I was yet a giddy Pentecostal. For that matter, I’m glad that darker toned Christian missionaries once ‘patronized’ my white, savage European ancestors. Yes, some paternalisms are bad. But the Reformed type is not one of them.
So this is RPM. Among my other blog posts, I’ll be writing updates and items related to the outreach here in R.I. for those sympathetic with the above. Feel free to visit the blog I use in the community, which targets unbelievers and evangelicals unfamiliar with the Reformed faith. So keep in mind that it tends to be evangelistic, apologetic, and doctrinally introductory.
Interested in supporting RPM? Sign up to the West Port Experiment to receive updates. I hope to add some now and again, especially when we have special prayer requests. And would you consider regularly praying for our witness?
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“Except the Lord do build the house,
The builders lose their pain.
Except the Lord the city keep,
The watchmen watch in vain.”
Psalm 127:1 (1650 Metrical Version)
