Australia – Mission Accomplished?

George Van Groningen. Trowel & Sword. Jan/Feb 1987

Preamble: The author, Dr. George Van Groningen served the R.C.A. (now C.R.C.A) and R.T.C. from 1958-1971, after which he and his family returned to the U.S. During 1986 he returned to Australia to lecture in Old Testament at the R.T.C. The following article was written by Dr. Van Groningen for an American readership, but was reprinted in T&S with the expectation that readers would be interested to read it, as an insight into how Americans viewed the progress of the Reformed Churches in Australia. He also gave an insight to the challenges still facing the Reformed Churches at that time; in particular the development of Christian tertiary education, a subject that was close to his heart. Another forty years down the track, how many of these challenges still remain, and what new challenges have arisen in the interim?

Australia – Mission Accomplished?

Forty years ago the first immigrants from The Netherlands arrived in Australia. For ten years there was a steady stream of new arrivals; since then it has become a trickle. Among these immigrants were a number of people who held to their Reformed convictions; they had difficulty worshipping and identifying with the various churches in Australia. They began to gather and worship separately. Thus the Reformed churches, a sister denomination of the Christian Reformed church, was begun.

The first congregations formed called pastors from the Netherlands. An appeal in 1957 to the Christian Reformed churches (in the USA) for ministerial help was fruitful. Three ministers and an evangelist arrived in Australia by 1960. We, the Van Groningens, were the first of these to arrive in 1958; we lived, worked and worshipped with the Reformed churches for thirteen years.

When we arrived there were fourteen congregations, some of these worshipped in two or three separate places; in time, most of these became separate congregations. Today there are forty congregations; some of these are sponsoring an outreach program with the hope of establishing more independent congregations.

During the year 1986, we assisted as a part-time volunteer lecturer in Old Testament studies in the Reformed Theological College – an institution we had helped to develop. Our lengthy visit gave us an opportunity to make some observations.

There have been changes. The Australian population increased from 13,000,000 to 16,500,000. But the general religious attitudes have not. A recent study by professors at Monash University reported the following results after surveying people from all walks of life. 87% of the people identify with some denomination and say they believe in God; but 57% consider themselves religious. While 67% said they pray or contemplate at times less than 30% attend worship services, some of these only once or twice a month. Mainline city churches were found to be almost empty on a given Sunday morning while middle-class suburban churches, often of an “ethnic” or “non mainline” type were filled. The greatest percentage of atheists, some of whom were outspokenly antagonistic to any religion, were members of the political Labor Party. The present prime minister, of the Labor Party, claims to be an agnostic atheist.

Changes in society and culture are evident. As in other countries the church has to face issues such as abortion, adulterous life styles, biological/genetic technological experimentation, divorce, euthanasia, homosexuality, use of nuclear power and weapons, radical feminism and radical socialistic and communistic ideologies.

The tremendous increase in affluence in the past fifteen years is obvious. New homes, late model cars and 4-wheel drive vehicles; new supermarkets and huge department stores; four lane highways and extended freeways; long vacation periods and numerous holiday houses.

Church life has changed. Efforts in ecumenicity resulted in the Congregational, Methodist and some Presbyterians forming the Uniting church. Presbyterian bodies increased in number; formerly there were three, now there are the Continuing Presbyterian, Evangelical Presbyterian, Free Presbyterian, Presbyterian Reformed, Reformed Presbyterian and Westminster Presbyterian. The Reformed Churches’ relationship to these is varied.

Worship services in the Reformed churches were quite uniform originally; now a great degree of variety and casualness has been introduced. Most of the ministers are young compared to the older migrant pastors of former decades. Of the fifty active pastors, professors, missionaries, forty have received their training at the Reformed Theological College.

It was a blessed experience to listen to former catechumens preach; to have former students as professorial colleagues and to see 12 year old cadets of years ago serve as office bearers in the church.

An increased awareness to reach out by means of evangelism, diaconal work/assisted by care groups and church planting is evident. Some folk of non-Dutch origins are active in the churches and some new ones affiliate each year.

One of the greatest changes has taken place in Christian youth work and education. Youth organisations, including Cadets and Calvinettes introduced from the CRC, have developed and their facilities improved. In the 1960s there were four or five Christian day schools, now the NUCS – CSI related number over forty. The acquiring of enough Christian teachers adhering to Reformed views is very difficult.

The Reformed churches are confronted by great challenges. Each area of change mentioned above presents ongoing challenges. The penetration of Australian society and culture at all levels of life with the gospel is very necessary. The uniting of forces by those adhering to Reformed confessions and principles of life should be a high priority.

The development of tertiary education is a prime requirement; ministers, missionaries and teachers for Christian schools must be trained but also people entering other vocations and professions should be prepared to serve as Christ’s representatives in their respective areas. There is a great need to foster a deep and abiding loyalty to the Reformed confessions and the working out of the meaning of these for all of life in terms of contemporary issues and by ways that meet the unique pressures of modern social life. Constant efforts must be made to remove the sources of tension within the Reformed Churches so that an effective and united witness will go out.

During the course of the school year we heard repeated expressions of gratitude for what the Christian Reformed Church has done in helping the Reformed Churches during their first forty years. Assistance was provided by supplying pastors, evangelists, teachers and funds for the Theological Student Aid Fund. With aid from the home office in Chicago, the Back to God Hour began to be broadcast. The Cadet and Calvinette organisations and materials were adopted and adapted. Christian schools and the World Home Bible league here received much encouragement.

The time for giving direct assistance has gone. An exception could be made in regard to an occasional guest lecturer at the Theological College. Other causes such as the Back to God Hour might need a boost. The Reformed churches are “coming of age”. Young vigorous leadership has been prepared and is taking shape. It is for the Christian Reformed Church now to demonstrate its readiness to be a model in Reformed believing, communication, life and service. It is for us to be a faithful supporting and encouraging sister church and to continue to share in mutual blessings.

Finally, to sum up our observations: the Christian Reformed Church’s mission to Australia is accomplished. Now is the time to stand shoulder to shoulder to carry out the mandate Christ has given His Church in the world of the 1980s and 1990s.

George Van Groningen

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