Does the church still remember “semper reformanda?”
On a hotter than usual day for early June I was running on the Bruce trail in a cool tunnel of green growth. Tiny sun-spots made the dark path resemble a star-studded sky. I was thinking.
Physical exertion always lubricates my brain. My mind was busy with climate change, visualizing Eve and Adam at that tree, full with good fruit. I imagined them absorbing that bitter bite, and experiencing a world-altering event: climate change. They needed clothes not only because their thoughts had taken an erotic twist but also because flies, mosquitoes, bees, formally solely agents of pollination, were stinging them all over.
Climate change is more than temperatures rising. It also causes cancers and withholds wisdom, evident especially in political, ecclesiastical and financial circles. Take Perpetual Growth. Every day we hear economists and politicians, in unison, laud its miraculous merits as if a constant repeat will make it come true, and so lower deficits and create greater prosperity.
But… perpetual growth is impossible. These same people in essence deny Climate Change which necessitates fundamental changes as motor vehicles, all industrialization, generate CO2 , the hot weather maker.
I was there when Climate Change was debated at the Christian Reformed Church synod. It was a fascinating US congress-resembling scenario. In other words I heard a lot of nonsense. The proposal passed with a reluctant majority: one vote on a minor matter went 98-68, a 40 percent disapproval. Earlier I had attended a combined delegate / young adult service. The singing there was interspersed with bible readings and a quote from the Belgic confession: “We know God first by the creation, as the universe is before our eyes like a beautiful book”, based on Romans 1:20 where it says that contemplating our wonderful world alone should convict us of God’s eternal power and divine nature. Believe it or not, creation is God’s holy primary word.
Once the communal part was over, the audience was asked to form small prayer circles. In my group were some important movers of the denomination. When I suggested that, based on what we all just had recited, creation too is God’s holy word, this was met with stony silence. Even though the bible and our songs – This is my Father’s world – state that God made the cosmos which makes it holy, it’s much easier to ignore that part because it entails a drastic reversal of our daily doings, requiring constant forgiveness as driving a car or even switching on a light causes pollution.
Will the church ever make God’s holy primary creation-word an active part of the liturgy? Liturgy literally means “the work of the people.” Has ‘semper reformanda’ become an empty slogan? Is the church still capable of ‘always reforming?” I love the church. I am often moved to tears by the singing and praying (I am an emotional sob). By and large the sermons, based on God’s secondary Word, are mainly monologues of which only 10 percent is retained. Church services would be far more effective if the original meaning of liturgy was implemented, if preachers act as coaches to involve people, elicite testimonies, having them share practical energy-savings, food-growing tips, and walks in the woods to learn about God’s created word. With direct participation the learning index increases to 90 percent.
As a Christian community, in the prelude to the Lord’s return, we must unflinchingly face the current situation, and integrate scriptural insight with cosmic concerns, use the Bible as a lamp for our feet while becoming much more knowledgeable about Creation, God’s ever valid direct Word.
Frankly I don’t think church denominations can still change. At the CRC Synod I noticed that many are still caught up in the Greek philosophy of nature and grace, where the church is in the soul business and has nothing to do with stuff out there. It seems to me that changes are up to clusters of people – “where two or three are together” – or perhaps a “small is beautiful” congregation.
Reforming means a radical departure from the centuries’ old format of church services, which is losing appeal everywhere. Reforming means implementing what 2 Corinthians 5:17 tells us: “When we are in Christ the old has gone, the new has come.” That new is outlined in Revelation 21 which reveals a new creation – God’s holy primary Word – without a temple or church or synagogue or bible. I believe that we slowly must move that way, especially for the sake of the young people, many of whom no longer feel at home with the current set-up. When we dare to worship in an integrated way, they will remain with us and even teach us a thing or two.
Bert Hielema lives in Tweed, Ontario, 200 km from both Toronto and Ottawa.