Rev. Andrew Kuyvenhoven (1927–2015) was a pastor in the Christian Reformed church and the editor of The Banner from 1979–1989. During his many years of ministry, he served five Canadian Christian Reformed congregations. Kuyvenhoven also served as theological editor for CRC Publications (Now Faith Alive Publications) from 1971–1976.
Last Updated: September 10, 2025
This series of sermon and song outlines from Acts focuses on the victory of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
The perils that the early church faced are similar to those we face today. Racism, legalism, and all kinds of "exclusivism" threatened to split the church. People were too easily convinced by worldly "wisdom" and were tempted to rely on magic and witchcraft.
Ministers in the Reformed tradition have always been shy about stressing rituals and symbols. We don't kneel as the Anglicans do, and we seldom raise our arms as Pentecostals do. We don't know what gestures we should use in the "presentation" of the offering, and we are unsure if we ought to lift the chalice or goblet in the Lord's Supper. But we do have a fixed tradition in the "breaking of the bread." And here we give the wrong message.
Most (Christian) Reformed congregations cannot get many of their members to attend an Ascension Day service on the Thursday evening ten days before Pentecost Sunday. For that reason—and because they are not quite ready to give up—many congregations have begun worshiping with other congregations on Ascension Day. In some areas the churches have even organized Ascension Day rallies.
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