Report from the Executive Secretary (Rev. Bill Green)

Report from the Executive Secretary (Rev. Bill Green)

Introduction – A Brief History of CLIR 

In 1993 a group of representatives of Reformed churches met, as well as interested individuals, and the Latin American Fellowship of Reformed Churches was formed (CLIR). It was partly a response to AIPRAL's doctrinal deviation, and partly it was a laudable and necessary impetus towards true joint work for our region. The first goal was achieved, in which CLIR provided a means of fraternity with other Reformed churches faithful to confessional history. As for the second goal, the results have been mixed for several reasons.

First of all, the large denominations find it difficult to get out of a bureaucratic framework that has them held back in terms of creativity and a more agile mobilization. Several denominations continue to see CLIR as another "alliance" like the others, hoping that it will finance summits, issue not very usefulstatements, and that it does not disturb the daily life of the church. In fact, the two major denominations of CLIR have practically abandoned their support for CLIR, evidence that they do not understand or do not share their goals.

Secondly, true joint work requires some different elements from the past practice of many of our churches. Starting with funding, we continue to rely on the US to finance the work. In fact, without foreign financing, CLIR would die. Joint work also requires a strong and united vision so that the Reformed faith reaches our continent in a significant way, something that we have not achieved. Proof of this is the weak level of interest in using or disseminating the more than 225 Reformed titles of CLIR, many of which are classic Reformed: John Calvin, BB Warfield, J. Gresham Machen, Geerhardus Vos, Abraham Kuyper. 

Thirdly, it would be worth analyzing to what extent social networks and growing dependence on the Internet are negatively affecting ecclesiastical leadership. Are we perceiving among the Reformed leadership what is happening in the general population - a growing apathy, a desire to live only in a bubble of their fictional virtual world, a numbness of the brain, a lack of critical thinking, a lack of knowledge of history? If this is true, we face a serious situation that cannot be fixed by good intentions but will have to fight and work hard.

CLIR’s EFFORTS

In the 2017 Assembly, Tabasco, MX, five challenging goals were proposed to fulfill the mission of CLIR. They were the following:

 1. Continue printing classic works to channel the Reformed movement

2. Direct the Journal to current topics

3. Provide appropriate and current media: videos, audio, Facebook, blog 

4. Help coordinate conferences and events, being a point of contact for lecturers

5. Produce teaching material for the Church

I want to say that CLIR is meeting these goals in a precise way, and I want to recognize the CLIR team and their efforts, as well as the collaborators in the different countries they are supporting.

Many things have happened since 2017, one of which is the 2020 pandemic and the years that followed. It seemed that the whole world came to a stop, the churches were in what they thought was something new (for not knowing the story). Some good things came out of the chaos and fog - such as the efforts put into the internet and radio, podcast, conferences, etc. But despite magnificent individual efforts, the "Reformed church in Latin America in general was found - or rather NOT found to have an answer, a voice, or a ministry.

I believe that in God’s providence, the lack of having a unified voice in our continent during the pandemic, serves as a calling on God’s part to pay attention. IT IS NOT POSSIBLE that the churches that MOST affirm the sovereignty of God are without a forceful response, some giving in to paralyzing fear, or others fighting alone and even being criticized by the same Reformed members. The vast majority of people, Christians and the sameReformed members, want to forget the last few years and simply focus on "something else." But what is being suggested? Have we not learned anything? I think it is important for the future of CLIR and our churches to meditate on the following.

1) In the pandemic, some settled for a blind faith (in the State) vs. exercising Christian discernment. Today, the most sinister aspects of the pandemic continue to come to light - the abuse of people's money (administered by our governments), coordinated corruption, harmful alliances between pharmaceutical companies and the Ministries of Health, and the manipulation of the news media from the WHO going forward.

2) Paralyzing fear - fear of the State, fear of death. Fear prevented a united Reformed testimony for our continent.

3) Biblical and Reformed Worldview. In several cases, the responses to the measures imposed during the pandemic shed light on a defective biblical understanding of the role of the State, and the relations between Church, Family, Government. Our call as Reformed cannot be fulfilled without more clarity of worldview.

4) The need to strengthen a more united spirit among us. Who facilitated conversations between our churches in different countries? CLIR tried to stimulate conversation through the Journal. We need to recognize that we are not going to have strength at the continental level if we hibernate in soletude.

THE PROMISE OF CLIR

As Executive Secretary and as a member of the CLIR staff, it has been an honor to serve during this period since the last Conference. It is our commitment to continue fulfilling the purposes specified in our By-Laws. We will strive for the mutual collaboration of all parties. We will strive for our strong that members of CLIR to exercise leadership with creativity. We will strive to improve communications, taking a real interest in the other Reformed brothers of our region. It has been difficult to obtain news for our Journal! Isolation is strong right now among the Reformed, and it is not healthy.

In the providence of God our Publishing House has flourished, and the variety of Reformed and confessional literature that CLIR offers is truly amazing. Now there are books for the Reformed family that serve from the cradle to theological seminaries, from Sunday school on Sunday, to teachers of Christian schools and colleges Monday to Friday. Too many Reformed are conceding all levels of education to the internet, but MANY studies are already coming out that show not only how deficient it is, but even how harmful this dependence has becomes. It should be noted that Sweden, the first pioneer country to use the Internet for education, is eliminating computers and phones in its educational programs.

CLIR members could discuss how to take advantage of the wide variety of literature that CLIR now has and will continue to produce with God's help. We could discuss how to connect CLIR with local bookstores, or other ways to make our material available.

CONCLUSION

With gratefulness for the Lord’s providence, we offer this report to the Conference of 2024. It is our firm desire to see the goals of CLIR met, because we believe in them, we believe our churches will benefit, embrace and support them. We continue committed to this calling and are grateful for the trust you have put into this servant and the staff of CLIR. I ask for your prayers for the future. To God be all the glory! 

San José, Costa Rica

September, 2024

Bill Green, Executive Secretary

CLIR

………………..

A QUICK LOOK AT CLIR 2018 TO 2023

SOCIAL NETWORKS

Followers on Facebook 12,473

YouTube Subscribers 2,768

Followers on Twitter 405

VISUAL CONTENT - WEB PAGE

Visitors to our Web page per year 162,008

Visitors to our Web page per day 400

Audio visual content including 511

• Sermons
• Webinars
• Conferences

CONFERENCES and OTHER EVENTS

Countries 14

Costa Rica

El Salvador

Honduras

Nicaragua

‘Ecuador

Guatemala

Dominican Republic

México

Panamá

Colombia

Chile

Bolivia

Perú

Conferences and other events 205

PRODUCTION

Reprints 68 titles

New Books 135 titles

Books printed 182,250

Books distributed 96,693