Episode 265: The Church Was the Training Ground — Harry Frielink (Part 1)

“I feel the church as much as the seminary was a training ground for me. I didn’t expect the seminary to prepare me in ways that a school can’t—but the church should.” —Harry Frielink

Summary of This Episode

This week on the Messy Reformation, Willy is joined by Rev. Harry Frielink, pastor at Covenant Christian Reformed Church in Barrie, ON. Harry previously served Exeter CRC, also in southern Ontario, though his seminary experience brought him into the U.S. He began his MDiv. Studies at Reformed Theological Seminary (RTS) in Charlotte, NC. He shares a deep appreciation for the systematic theology courses, which were deep but always included a pastoral application, as well as the biblical studies courses. While he grew up in the RCA, “home” for his calling was the desire to serve in a Dutch immigrant community. He attended Calvin Theological Seminary, which broadened his connection to others in our denomination, and he also valued how it prepared him for ministry in the CRC.

One of the themes in Harry’s responses is a strong experience as an elder himself in the past and inviting the elders in his charge to also be involved in ministry. Before becoming a pastor, his service as an elder involved him in leading some worship services and teaching Catechism. He goes on to share that his ministry at Covenant has brought him into relationship with especially new or young Christians, but he can’t do all the work himself. He feels appreciated by the church and their desire has been for teaching and preaching to be his primary focus. He enjoys that as well as helping nurture others, but it takes committed leaders ministering together.

Willy invites Harry to share about his classical experience and involvement. Harry is in Classis Toronto, which has had its fair share of public “controversies” in recent decades. He frames it well, “Some of the challenges would definitely include a reticence to really engaged in the theological issues behind the controversies in the Christian Reformed Church.” He’s seen good conversation shift “political.” While they’ve struggled with that as a classis, he sees that more broadly in the denomination as well. There’s this wrestling with wanting to engage in ministry together but the deliberative aspect of classis and synod has been lacking. Willy and Harry spend some time also talking about recent disaffiliations and the weighty nature of those processes; while often expected, those don’t make anyone happy and Willy points out the necessity of love, charity, and boldness in the process.

The guys also get into what they’ve seen and learned about the CRC. Harry points out a generational shift in home and church. Growing up in the RCA and seeing the CRC, he appreciated the devotion to God’s Word and practicing family devotions. He cites in the past that there seemed to be a greater knowledge of Scripture and the confessions that has decreased over time. He’s hopeful about the direction of the CRC, and the change of course to prioritize those in recent years. Culturally and practically, though, it will take some work to strengthen individual commitments in those areas.

Join us next time as we hear more about struggles and changes in the CRC as well as pastoral ministry.