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May 17, 2007

Even in Death, It's All About God

The theology of Bob Webber's memorial service.

David Neff

Last night I attended (and played the organ for) Bob Webber's memorial service. (You can read Bob's Christianity Today obit here.)

The memorial service was wonderful in many ways, but I want to point to one thing in particular. It wasn't about Bob.

Well, yes, it was about Bob, it couldn't help being about Bob, but as someone who has written a multitude of pages and taught innumerable students about worship, Bob insisted that his service focus on the great saving acts of God.

Here is part of what he wrote for the worship leaflet:

As a Christian I have always believed in Christ as the Victor over sin and death. I believe that Christ was the Second Adam, sent to this earth as God Incarnate, suffered death, was buried and rose from the dead to restore the entire creation. I believe that it is God who narrates the entire world and creation, from start to finish. Consequently I have no fear of death although I do fear the process.

Today, there are literally hundreds of different styles one can follow ... for a funeral. However, historic Christian funerals were always about God. I ... truly want [my own funeral] to be about God who created this world, defeated Satan at the cross and rose victorious over death and the grave.

Today we begin with several eulogies, then when those are done, the real funeral begins and it's all about God. I want my funeral to be a testimony to the God who raises us from hopelessness and blesses us with new life in Him. ...

And that is the way it was last night. As a large crowd of mourners packed into Christ Church of Oak Brook, we heard the eulogies first, and then we focused on God, remembering Christ's death and resurrection and looking forward to the marriage supper of the Lamb.

This is the way it should be, because there is no greater comfort than the gospel. Too often funerals play down the reality of death with sentimental poetry such as these lines from Shelley: "he is not dead, he doth not sleep -/ He hath awakened from the dream of life." We don't need romanticism, but redemption - especially at funerals.

posted by David Neff | Comments (3)

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David,
You did a wonderful job at Bob's service. It was a wonderful and very meaningful service. I got the chance to briefly speak to his wife Joanne afterward, to say, "I'm sorry for your loss." Her response spoke volumes about the depth of difficultly time this is for her. Having lost my own mother a mere 2 months ago, while I can't say I know exactly what she's going through, I am familiar with the road she's now travelling. That said, I hope all of the focus on Bob's truly wonderful accomplishments won't blind some people from the need Joanne has for people to come alongside of her as she grieves the loss of the love of her life.The same goes for their children as they grieve the loss of dad. The journey through grief takes a few years and has nothing to do with the amount of faith one has. Faith in Christ reassures us that our loved ones are with the Lord, but grief is a God given way for us to heal from the pain of our loved one's physical absence--it's a statement that we loved someone, as one person has put it.

Posted By: Rev. Carlene | May 18, 2007 12:45 PM

Dear David,

Thank you for the kind comments about Bob's funeral. It was wonderful and thank you for your participation as the organist. Northern Seminary planned it as it relieved me from the details of planning three funerals and I cannot thank them enough either.

It was everything that Bob planned and wanted. You were able to simply state that. Many friends and relatives have also said it was not only different but deeply moving for them.

My grief runs deep but I have much to be thankful for and a great deal to remember. The outpouring of love, prayer, concern and kindness during the eight months of his illness was simply astonishing and also felt deeply by both of us during many difficult times. But, I would not trade those months together for anything.

So, thank you again.

Joanne

Posted By: Joanne L. Webber | May 19, 2007 10:07 PM

Joanne,
You and your family are in my prayers regularly as you grieve.Bob was a very special person.

Posted By: Rev. CArlene | May 22, 2007 2:15 PM