The first time I heard the phrase “Ad Hoc” was when the Presbyterian Church in Ireland appointed an “Ad Hoc committee on Special Fellowships.” of which our ‘Youth Fellowship” in Gilnahirk Presbyterian church was deemed to be one.
The outpouring of the Holy Spirit known as the charismatic movement’ in the 60’s and 70s had given rise to phenomena unfamiliar to Irish Presbyterianism such as the raising of hands in praise, praying for the sick, and street ‘witnessing’ about Jesus.
Arthur Blessit, who died just a few weeks ago, had come to town carrying his big cross and creating quite a stir
‘It might be in the Bible but it is not in the Presbyterian Blue Book’
This was the concern of our local elders as they were charged to meet with us and get to the bottom of this awkward turn of events that was threatening the ‘status quo’
Subsequently our fellowship was ‘put out’ of the Presbyterian church.
10 years later the Presbyterian church in Ireland called an extraordinary assembly to assess the ‘spiritual condition’ of the church. They concluded that the very things we had been expelled for 10 years previously were in fact what the church needed!
Such is the role of a prophetic people.
The phrase “Ad Hoc’ came to me again the other night when Father gave me the title for this blog.
It is a Latin term that simply means, ‘for this’
It stands over and against that which is ‘in general.’
I recalled having written a song once (I can’t remember much of it now except for the opening phrase …..
“For this, we were created……..”
I understand now the truth contained in the Presbyterian catechism I learned as a boy is to know, not just academically but in an ongoing experiential way what it means ‘to glorify God and enjoy Him for ever.”
This is God’s purpose in the outpouring of the Spirit.
The kingdom of God is…… righteousness, joy and peace in the Holy Spirit’ (Rm.14:17)
This ‘kingdom’ is the little boy pictured above, captured by the Holy Spirit as he watches Ben sing at ‘the cocktail hour’ at the wedding last weekend.
‘Hallelujah! Hallelujah!, Hallelujah!………..”
‘Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! had rung out at the church from somewhere behind and above. It was from Ben’s. MASSA DEUX liturgy.
https://mercyseat.bandcamp.com/album/massa-deux
The buzz of conversation had dissipated. A holy hush had descended. All sat still in ‘the presence’
The bride was delayed, but time seemed to stand still as all remained silent in the ‘for this’
It eventually came my turn to pick up my guitar at the front to lead the responsorial psalm.
I fumbling began to play and sing. Faltering further I just stopped!
‘I’m sorry’ I said “My mind is still filled with Ben’s Hallelujah! I’m going to have to put the guitar down. Let’s just speak the psalm together.”
At the reception a lady sidled up to me.”Sometimes you just have to punt.” She muttered kindly before fading back into the crowd.
But that punt had made way for what others described as a perfect entering together into ‘the kingdom……..in the Holy Spirit.”
Whether by forced humiliation or chosen humility it is only the children who can enter.
Ben had picked up his guitar and the same Spirit that had fallen in the ‘Our Lady of the Mountain Catholic Church’ fell again at the ‘cocktail hour’ as he strummed and sang out Leonard Cohen’s ‘secular’ anthem.
Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah!
A reminder again that ‘for this’ is not limited to any ‘general’ category be it a place a time or a form
……..for I AM who I AM
And we are all invited to participate in the marriage supper of the lamb as part of His ‘Ad Hoc committee of special fellowship’
