Aspects of Congregational Life (3): Catechetical Instruction, Pastoral Care, and Societies

Catechetical Instruction

A significant aspect of congregational life is the instruction of our children. The knowledge of God’s truth must also be preserved and perpetuated in our generation. Catechism instruction also belongs to the official labors of the church. Catechism instruction is not the same as Christian training in the family, at school, or at the youth group. There must, however, be a relationship between them. There may be no contrast between what is learned at home or at catechism.

Catechism is the official instruction given to the young congregation, thereby to train and preserve her in the doctrines of Holy Writ. For indeed, the well-being of the future church is contingent upon this.

In catechism instruction the emphasis must not only be on becoming a professing member, but also one’s personal life must receive full attention. That was indeed the view of many office-bearers throughout the preceding years of our ecclesiastical history. In the reality of ecclesiastical life it was, however, not always possible to give the necessary attention to catechism instruction. The shortage of ministers was also noticeable in this respect. Many elders in the vacant congregations were called upon weekly to fulfil this task. It was not always even possible that an elder from the local congregation would instruct the youth. An elder from a neighboring congregation would then perform these labors. Some of them had a very special place among us, since they gave catechetical instruction at several locations in our land. I think particularly of elder B. Roest of Scherpenzeel. He gave catechetical instruction in no less than twenty-one localities — this in addition to his own congregation, Scherpenzeel. Hundreds were trained by elder Roest in the doctrines of the faith.

Sometimes these elders labored in the service of the Lord until a very old age, and they are still spoken of with much respect among our older members. These elders spoke about the way in which the Lord leads His people — in all its variety. Also today catechism instruction may still function in this way. One needs to be on guard against imbalance in catechetical instruction. It may not be so that our personal life receives all the attention —as if doctrine would be of less importance. We may no less proceed with the assumption that all is well if everything is well doctrinally, while forgetting that we must personally be partakers of the truth we are acquainted with.

The Convent of Wezel (1584) expressed itself as follows: “With all diligence one must strive that children who have reached the appropriate age would not only learn to repeat the words of the catechism verbatim, but would also learn to understand the contents, and not only assimilate this into their memories, but into the very depth of their hearts.”

The intellect may not be disengaged — and no less the heart. During our catechism lesson we must explain, clarify, defend, and apply. Along with this we must impress upon our young people the responsibility of being not only hearers but also doers of the Word. Catechism is the ministry of Word and doctrine to the young congregation.

It is not a discussion hour. It is a placing of the two-edged sharp sword in the hands of young recruits. Catechism instruction needs to be given in a loving, concerned, and conscientious manner. These young hands must be trained for battle. When that is kept in mind, we shall not so readily succumb to the dangers of intellectualism, mysticism, and pragmatism.

The church must be on guard against permitting the introduction of false doctrine into the church. Since the Reformation, the necessity of official instruction for the youth has repeatedly been stressed. If this were to be neglected or be done in a casual manner, it would most certainly be detrimental to the congregation. When the church fails to feed her lambs, there will be soon be no sheep to shepherd. Also in the execution of this task, prayer and work go together. However difficult catechism instruction may be, we may never grow lax in pursuing it.

During the catechism lesson it also becomes visible that sin is active within our young people. They are the bearers of our image and likeness. The world lives in the heart of our children, the seed of the church. Also during the catechism lesson a coarser type of behavior is noticeable. A lack of interest is the cause that an increasing number of boys and girls do their utmost to learn as little as possible. Thus, there are indeed no reasons that we should pat ourselves on the back as congregations, thinking in self-complacency that we have arrived.

Sad to say, many young people know more about sports, dancing, and rock music than the questions and answers in their catechism booklet. And that is precisely the reason why we must sow with tears, for they that sow with tears shall reap with rejoicing.

Pastoral Care

Also pastoral care belongs to congregational life. Family visitation is conducted in every congregation. The announcement of both time and day of family visitation is made on Sunday in either the bulletin or from the pulpit. Family visitation is conducted by the minister and either an elder or deacon, or by two elders, or by an elder and deacon. An office-bearer will never conduct family visitation by himself — this in distinction from other forms of pastoral care, such as visiting the sick, elderly, the parents of newborn children, etc.

There is a close relationship between family visitation and the message received through the preaching of the Word. Family visitation is requesting an answer upon that message. What effect has the preaching had? No one will be able to say that he or she (whether old or young) has no answer, for to have no answer is to give an answer nonetheless. No one can ever sit under the preaching of God’s Word neutrally. Family visitation is the application of that preaching within the family circle.

At one time the Lord Jesus commissioned His disciples to enter the houses to ascertain whether there was a son of peace present. Furthermore, Jesus calls Himself the Good Shepherd in John 10. The Lord Jesus contrasts Himself with the so-called pastors of His time: the Pharisees and scribes. Pastoral care had been committed to them, but they failed in this task. They had no understanding of what it meant to be a shepherd. Their legalistic theology was the obstacle. Pastoral care then becomes an impossibility.

When the law is divorced from the gospel, or when the law has taken the place of the gospel, pastoral care will be no more than a promoting of law upon law and precept upon precept. Thereby souls will restlessly be driven on; nothing will be shared with them of the message of God’s grace, mercy, and forgiveness. This extinguishes every spark of the fire of love in him to whom the care of souls has been entrusted.

Within families this often does irreparable damage. Therefore, in such cases we cannot speak of “spiritual custodians,” but rather of “spiritual spoilers.” The souls entrusted to us will then be beaten down, rather than be lifted up by us. Pastoral care, and thus family visitation, is a ministry — just as Christ once said, “I am among you as One that serveth.” He is the only One who performs family visitation well.

The office-bearer who may follow in His footsteps can also today perform his labors in a fruitful manner. This will only be when the labor bestowed upon souls is one of compassion and understanding — then the instruction one feels obliged to give is preceded by listening. It serves no purpose when, while conducting house visitation, office-bearers only speak about the nature and manner of their experience. They ought to view the congregation as a flock entrusted to their care.

Rev. H. Roelofsen has been called the “sheep minister.” As a shepherd of his sheep, Rev. Roelofsen was privileged to lead and instruct his flock with love and integrity. Among this flock were many of God’s people. In an unobtrusive way Rev. Roelofsen knew how to get the little ones in grace to speak about the ways in which the Lord led them.

Experience teaches that young people have a considerable aversion to family visitation. I believe the causes are a measure of timidity as far as speaking about their own spiritual life, and an excessive focusing upon the office-bearers.

Obviously, office-bearers are people who do not always perform well. However, if as office-bearers we are honest and open about our relationship to the Lord and His service, the visit will transpire better and be of a more intimate nature. We are all mutually obliged to lay the groundwork for such a visit.

If in our heart we berate the office-bearers, we are at least the second one to do so. The office-bearer also berates himself.

For us family visitation is perhaps concluded when the office-bearers have left. The door has been closed behind them. However, for the office-bearer the visit does not end here. For him this family visitation ends on his knees upon his return home. He lays our answers before Him who has sent him. “Lord, there was a boy, a girl, a man, a woman who does not fear Thee. Lord, convert him or her. Lord, there was a mother or a boy who was privileged to bow before Thy Word, and in this we rejoice. Lord, enter not into judgment with office-bearers and family regarding this family visitation. For Jesus’ sake, Amen.”

Societies

The pastoral ministry of the congregation also includes its supervision of the societies. In earlier days the opinions within our denomination varied concerning this issue. Some did not sufficiently take into consideration that idleness is the pillow upon which Satan rests his head. This responsibility toward the youth was relegated to the family or to a variety of organizations external to the church. Fortunately this has changed. Rev. A. Verhagen was a minister who has performed many labors in this area.

When efforts were made in 1931 to organize an association of young people’s societies, he contributed to this cause. For many years Rev. Verhagen gave leadership to societal life as president of the National Association of Young Men’s Societies, as editor of “Daniel,” and as honorary president of the National Association of Young Ladies’ Societies. Presently there are flourishing young people’s societies in many congregations — for young people above and below the age of sixteen.

Within the realm of ecclesiastical life we also have ladies’ societies, men’s societies, choral societies, and Sunday schools. Our annual directory gives a comprehensive overview of all our societies. [In the Netherlands] the young people’s societies, the ladies’ societies, the choral societies, the Sunday schools, and the organists of our congregations each have their own denominational organizations.

It is a good thing that all these societies function under the supervision of the local consistories. This preserves the tie with the congregation. God’s Word must have a central place in these young people’s and study societies. When we are familiar with the Scriptures, we shall be able to respond to the world and those of different persuasion.

In order to deal with the many problems and questions which confront our young people, we must know the Scriptures. We must be on our guard not to be swept away by the tide of our times and embrace an approach which favors coffee bars, etc. No less must we engage in discussions at our societal gatherings such as, “What do you think of this...,” or “It is my opinion that...” It is particularly here that we must be on our guard. In our societal gatherings we must let the light of God’s Word shine upon all questions. That Word alone clearly and uninterruptedly gives light. Then we will be on target. For even if we know everything about sects and religions while remaining ignorant of God’s Word, in reality we know nothing. Societal life may serve as a means to strengthen the mutual tie between the congregation and her members.

Much effort is put forth to give guidance to the youth of the congregations in order to acquaint them with and ground them in the Word of God — and also to bind them to the congregation of the Lord. Therefore, when young people turn away from the way to which they have been directed, we grieve over this. It makes it all the more urgent for us to point to and look unto the King of the church. It is He who once said, “Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world,” and “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” In the battle for our youth, the King has promised to protect them if we continue to teach them what He has commanded.

The Keeping of the Good Thing Committed to Us

All the labors we perform in the midst of the congregation are nothing more than a planting and watering. When this is realized, we will not expect fruit from our activities, for “neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth.” When we shall have done all those things which are commanded us, then we are no more than unprofitable servants. Only the Holy Spirit quickens. To that end He uses simple means — the simple word of a father or mother in the family, the sincere word spoken in church, the words spoken in school, at catechism, or at a societal gathering. The Word of God is as yet heard among us. Christ is preached among us and in this I rejoice.

What a blessed Sovereign He is! Are you already privileged to serve under His banner? If that may be so, then we in particular are obligated to keep that which has been committed to us. Then we shall focus upon those fundamental principles which delivered Paul from his former life; by which our forefathers lived and in which they rejoiced; with which many in former generations thoroughly acquainted themselves unto their eternal salvation; for which our forefathers have done battle; and upon which our Netherlands Reformed Congregations are founded.

These fundamental principles are a source of indestructible strength. Our Netherlands Reformed Congregations only then will be safe if together we surrender to God’s Word as our guide and are thus driven out to Christ, the Head of His church, in whose hands the unity of His church upon earth is secured.

The past will then be instructive.
The present will then be secure.
The future will then be safeguarded.

Rev. H. Hofman is pastor of the Netherlands Reformed congregation of Chilliwack, British Columbia.

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