Tuesday, July 12, 2005
REC 2
I just had a conversation with Gert Verhout, who is representing the Baptist World Alliance at the Council this week. He attends a Baptist church here in Utrecht, and I asked him about the state of the church in the Netherlands.
We spent significant time talking about worship. The worship wars that have plagued the North American church have happened here to some extent as well. Much of the debate centers around aesthetics - the “new” worship leaders are untrained, both as musicians and church leaders. Gert estimated that only two or three people in the Netherlands have received proper training in leading congregations in worship. Many are lay leaders or church organists.
We conversed about the definition of worship. He said that for the sake of communication, the English worship is often used, but the closest Dutch translation was aanbidding. He felt, however, that this term connotes praise and adoration, not lament or confession. We both agreed that this problem transcends Dutch culture. In America, too, we have the most difficult time confessing and lamenting in worship; worship is not often thought of as the place to ask difficult questions.
We talked about church growth. Protestant churches are having a difficult time in the Netherlands. Many churches are shrinking because they divide and often several churches can be found in one community. It reminded me of the situation in North America.
We both agreed to pray for each other’s churches and parted ways. I somehow comprehended the Body of Christ just a little more after our conversation.