Fifty Years Christian Reformed Churches Of Australia

TROWEL & SWORD

Rev. John Westendorp

Confession and Thanksgiving

Confession and thanksgiving were the dominant themes of a special celebratory Sunday afternoon commemorating the fiftieth anniversary of the denomination. The afternoon provided a stimulating break between two conferences. The program consisted of reflections on the past followed by a special commemorative worship service arranged by the Christian Reformed Church of Geelong.

For the ‘Reflections’ three people, representing three generations, had been asked to reflect on their past involvement in the life of the church and to share their dream for the future.

Blacktown elder, Keith Dickson, introduced the speakers. He commented that there is a new generation of Christian Reformed Church members for whom the church has always been there. For them especially it is good to know a little of the struggles of the early years.

An apostolic ministry

Retired Minister, Rev. Bill Deenick, was able to speak from first hand experience of the actual founding of Reformed Churches in Australia and in New Zealand. He pointed out that the migrant situation was originally idealised and the Minister seen as a monarchical priest over his people. Reality was often very different with recalcitrant migrants who could thump the Session-room table and question whether the minister was worth his money.

With a touch of humour Bill Deenick commented that the first-generation migrant minister never ever talked about himself, leaving that to the Wesleyans and mystics. He was always expected to be available to his people 24 hours a day, seven days a week. He was paid no salary but an honorarium. As ‘leader of the synagogue’ he had sovereignty over readings and songs and the only area where he had no say was with regard to the organ.

Highlighting some of the changes that have taken place in the denomination he mentioned that he was one of the last two preachers in our churches who still wore a Genevan gown in the pulpit. A little ruefully he examined the name change from ‘Dominee’ to ‘Pastor Bill’ and suggested (tongue-in cheek?!) that we consider ‘Rabbi’ as an alternative instead, to highlight the teaching function of our preachers. His desire was expressed that at any rate theological education equip a third generation of Reformed Ministers for teaching as they cope with the globalisation of human life that is leading increasingly to a multicultural ‘koinonia’ (fellowship).

With regard to the future he looked ahead with hope. The Lord’s commission of an apostolic ministry of Word and Sacrament means that we do not labour in vain.

A warm heart for God

Adelaide pastor, Rev. Fred Vanderbom, spoke as one who grew up in a manse. He was one of only two migrant kids at his local primary school – a reflection of what was then a very mono-cultural, and somewhat British, society.

His father faced many difficulties in that he was not only the ‘Dominee’ but also often a kind of social worker to the migrants, as he helped families settle into employment and accommodation. For the children there was not only the adjustment to an unfamiliar place but also a loss of grandparents and other relatives. On the positive side there were many new “uncles” and “aunts”.

In a poignant way Fred pointed out that we have learned from godly Aussie spirituality a warm heart for God and the meaning of Christian fellowship. We in turn made our contribution with our ‘world and life’ view. Sadly, the relationship with the Presbyterians who sponsored our early pastors did not work out – we wanted to sing the Lord’s songs in an alien land with an organ. Appreciation was also expressed for the support of Sydney Anglicans. The pain of separation was keenly felt.

Fred also spoke of other pain. Physically – eyes stung with tears and a runny nose at early Session meetings, where elders and deacons insisted on smoking in a small, enclosed space. A deeper pain: over those who have gone their own way... away from God. On the positive side is the joy that many others continue to serve, and have served, on the front line of the church we love.

In terms of looking to the future, Fred expressed the desire that we work together for renewal by fellowshipping with God through His Word.

Peppermints and Gospel preaching

The third generation of ministers was appropriately represented by Rev. David Groenenboom, pastor of one of our newest congregations, Redlands Bay (Qld). David came into the Reformed church as an outsider. He mentioned that what first attracted him as a young lad was the handing out of lollies in church at half-time (the peppermints were great... the salted liquorice was a different story).

In a more serious vein he related how the family had been attracted by the denomination’s seriousness about the Word of God and by the warmth of Christian fellowship. It was in the Reformed Churches that he came to know the Lord and it was there that godly leaders challenged him to enter the ministry.

David, as the youngest of the three speakers spent a little more time reflecting on the future. He shared his dream of a church that remained focused on gospel-centred preaching as basic for revival and renewal. His desire was for a church reforming to reach the lost for Christ – out of our heritage of the doctrines of grace. The same fire that burned in Luther’s belly and that transformed the world then, needs to burn in us – without that gospel we have no equilibrium.

But a caution was also sounded. Our gospel witness will not lead to the growth of the Kingdom of Christ if our lifestyle is divorced from the gospel. The life of the church is an overflow of what we are in Christ.

Be strong and courageous...!

The afternoon celebratory worship service saw a packed out auditorium of the Reformed Theological College with some overflow into the audio-visual room. Folk from some of the Melbourne churches had joined those at the conference and local church members to give thanks for fifty years of Christian Reformed Churches.

A beautiful ‘Litany of Thanksgiving’ had been prepared by Professor Henk De Waard – one that other churches and Classes could profitably use if local anniversary celebrations are held elsewhere.

Prayers for the past, the present and the future were led by Rev. Bill Deenick, Rev Geoff Van Schie and theological student Jack Kapinga respectively. Here, as elsewhere in the service, there was no note of triumphalism. On the contrary, a moving introduction to the time of prayer by Bill Deenick, spelled out that amidst all the difficulties of the early years we didn’t always get it right, that we had much to learn and that we lost many along the way. Yet in all that, thanksgiving to God dominated.

In an encouraging message, based on Joshua 1:1-9, Dr Henk De Waard then spoke of a “Church on the Threshold” and encouraged us to be strong and courageous. That was possible for Joshua and for us only in the knowledge of the Lord’s presence and as we obey the Word of God.

The service included a wide variety of praise, beginning and ending with a Genevan Psalm accompanied by the organ – a strong reminder of our roots, but also hymns and contemporary songs in which the local church music team accompanied our voices.

After the service there was a delightful time of mingling over a light meal and a cuppa. For many it was an opportunity to renew friendships.

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