Why I Stepped Away from Boniface Fellowship (For Now)
A while back, I floated the idea of Boniface Fellowship, a regional network of like-minded Reformed churches. We had a few interest Zoom calls and started working on a website. I still think the idea has merit. I still think it could happen someday. But for now, I’ve decided to step away.
The reason is straightforward: I ran out of bandwidth.
Over the past year, I’ve been helping a few churches deal with serious issues in their sessions. It was the right thing to do. I care about those men and their congregations. But the deeper I got into it, the more I realized how much time and energy it was pulling from my own family, and from East River Church. And the more I imagined scaling that involvement across 30, 50, or 100 churches, the more obvious it became: if Boniface had launched at full speed, I couldn’t have pastored East River the way it needs to be pastored. And that’s a hard no.
Some might say, “Why not just share the load?” Fair question. But that only works if two things are in place:
A shared and serious commitment to the same kind of polity.
Long-term trust between pastors and churches.
If you don’t have both, you’re not just tired—you’re walking into fights you didn’t sign up for. That’s when I knew it was time to hit the brakes. Better to step back than get entangled in something unstable.
Instead, I’ve focused on the relationships I already have—men I trust, who’ve proven themselves over time. Men who can disagree without posturing. That kind of brotherhood is rare, and it’s worth protecting.
I’ve also said openly that I’m personally interested in a possible return to the PCA. That’s not just my decision—it would be something our elders and congregation would vote on. But I’m drawn to the idea because not much would need to change here at East River. And I’ve grown to appreciate the value of existing structures—committees, commissions, the whole lot. They’re not perfect, but they beat reinventing the wheel every time you want to get something done.
Still, that’s all secondary.
Our church is growing. We’re starting Sunday schools, creating space for real fellowship, walking with people through hard seasons. That’s where I need to be. That’s what God has put in front of me.
So for now, and for the near future, my focus is simple:
East River First.
Consider Evangel Presbytery too.
Starting a new organization requires one person with drive, ability to work with diverse people, and organizational ability to make everything go. People like that who don't have too many other projects are hard to find. I've been trying to find someone to start a conservative Indiana University alum organization, so I know.