Encourage Each Other With Worship
Bob VerBurg (with help from Ron Kool)
Worship is very important and vital to Christians. Worship is done both privately and in a community. In the Old Testament, David appointed worship leaders to be in charge of worship – in other words, it was a full-time job. (I Chron 16 – 18).
In Acts 16, we read how Paul and Silas were wrongly beaten and then jailed in an inner dungeon with their feet clamped into stocks. You can easily imagine a place so isolated and dark that it may have seemed the darkness was so heavy that it could crush them. The natural response of any person would be to feel overwhelming abandonment and fear. But in verse 25, we read that Paul and Silas were actually praying and singing, that is, worshiping God. And they were doing it so loudly and joyfully that the other prisoners listened and were no doubt challenged to examine their own relationship with God.
The CRC takes the ministry of worship very seriously. First, worship is an ascription of worth, adoration, and praise to God; it includes confession of sin and surrender to the true God. Second, worship is a God-initiated engagement of God and the worshiper, as well as a corporate engagement among the worshipers; Third, worship strengthens and is strengthened by the Christian community and its shared memory. Fourth, worship reflects the mighty redemptive acts of God.
When God's people worship with pure hearts and in authentic community, effective evangelism is a natural result. The basic pattern for Christian worship includes gathering as a covenant community, proclamation of the Word, celebrating the Lord's Supper, and serving in the world. Authentic worship has an intrinsically sacramental character and is enriched by the diverse backgrounds of participating believers. - from Acts of Synod 1964 and several Synods following.
COMMISSIONED PASTOR
Last February, our worship leader, Morné, was ordained as a commissioned pastor. In my more than 65 years in the CRC, I had never heard of that. The Synod intended for the commissioned pastor office “to provide limited but real ecclesiastical authority for a specific ministry role … for a particular area of ministry in God’s kingdom,” whether that be “the local church, mission field, educational institution, etc.” (Agenda for Synod 2016, p. 243; see Agenda for Synod 2015, p. 434).
Morné can do the sacraments, but at this time, he does not have a license to preach. A commissioned pastor is different from the pastoral offices Ron and Arek have; they are ministers of the Word. The office of Commissioned Pastor was originally established by Synod in 1978.
Ron worked with Morne’ to put together a “learning plan” that would prepare Morne’ for ministry in the CRC. Topics included denominational history and structure, Synodical reports on worship, what it’s like to be a pastor, and other topics. Morné did have to sit for a Classis examination. I never knew what that was until I had lunch with Pastor Daniel (Bud) in October of 2017. Daniel mentioned that if I didn’t have anything to do tomorrow night, to swing by InSpirit Church on Clyde Park for Arek’s exam.
I was so blown away by Arek’s testimony and interview that I was moved to a whole different appreciation and respect for the CRC and its leaders. After the examination, classis went into an executive session to approve Arek’s qualifications. In the lobby, Daniel explained the process and purpose, which I found amazing and incredible.
I asked Daniel, “So did you go through the same process too?”
“We all do,” answered Daniel. “Ron did it, George did it, we all have to do it.”
Then we got called back in for Classis’ decision. I was moved to tears when they congratulated Arek. I couldn’t imagine the years of study and dedication Arek went through; the commitment to God’s Church was worth it, and still is and always will be! Of course, as compelling a night as that was for me, I can’t imagine what Arek and Jaime were feeling.
FROM MORNÉ
Proverbs 16:9 is a foundational scripture showing that God directs the steps of man, and wow, what a journey it has been for our family. We are still so grateful for the people we have met, friends we have made, and ultimately the joy we have found in making Hillside our home. God has knit our hearts to this family.
Part of this journey has been the privilege of becoming a commissioned pastor, a process filled with laughter, tears, nervousness, excitement, and ultimately a reverence for God and His church. The goal of any commissioned pastor is to serve Christ’s church, and so I hope to do this to the best of my ability, to the glory of God.
Thank you again for all your prayers, encouragement, and love as I continue to serve at Hillside.
-Morne Marais
In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps. - Proverbs 16:9