It’s a question every believer has considered if they’ve lived long enough to ponder the next generation: How can we know that the faith will be passed along effectively to future generations? Related to that, how can we know that our congregation and denomination and the visible church will survive for coming generations?

This year we celebrate the 225th anniversary of the RPCNA. On May 18, 1798, in Philadelphia, Pa., the “Reformed Presbytery of the United States of America” was established. In August the next meeting was held in New York City. (See the July issue for an article by the RPCNA Church History Committee and Nathaniel Pockras.)

And the major anniversaries are piling up. The Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary celebrated 200 years in 2010 and is now the fifth oldest continuing seminary in the US. A number of RP congregations have held 200th anniversary celebrations.

The question still looms, especially as we consider all the denominations and congregations that have strayed from faithfulness to the Lord: How can you be sure you will have lots of anniversaries despite the sin in and among us, and all around us? As a member of a congregation that, probably like yours, has had all too many setbacks and challenges, it’s a sobering question.

God’s Grace: The bad and good news is that it’s not about you. It is not your church or your denomination. The church belongs to God and God alone. The spirit of humility that comes with that realization leads us to gratefulness for what God has already given and a dedication to serve Him come what may.

God’s Word: Learning from books and people’s advice is good, but we tend to get off balance. In each person’s spiritual life as well as in the life of a church, centering on God’s Word with a commitment to the daily reading and meditation on it will change attitudes and protect the flock.

Walk and Talk: This is not fixing your facade or adding a coat of paint; it’s not focused on making sure others see your good works or know how much you know. It is fervently pursuing a Christlike life that internally and externally speaks the gospel to those in Christ and to those coming to Christ.

Trust: The points above compel us to commit the future to our Lord in the sure hope of the fulfillment of His promises for His people. Therefore we invest in people, invest in our congregation, invest in the church, invest in those who might be coming to faith without any concern about how and when God will bring fruit, fully knowing that He will. We invest in our children and, rather than isolate them from the world in a fortress, we prepare them for spiritual battle in the war that is sure to be won, and as spiritual soldiers who are sure to be triumphant.

We do indeed have a lot to celebrate.