In memoriam
Herman van Well has passed away. A few months after he was diagnosed with metastatic cancer, the disease proved fatal. As recently as June, there was a presentation of his major research into the Diaconal ministry in the migrant churches in Rotterdam. It was a piece of research on which he had hoped to write his PhD thesis.
Herman has always been studying and has not stopped doing so even after his retirement. For many years, he worked as a diaconal adviser in our churches. He has equipped many deacons for their ministry. I myself am still grateful to him for the way he briefed me, as a brand-new deacon, on the office of deacon at a classis diaconal meeting. That’s when the ‘diaconal penny dropped’ for me, and it has never left me since. Later on, I had the privilege of succeeding him as a consultant.
He was also very active in the field of theology. He studied, researched and published. He was also one of the driving forces behind the standard work on the diaconate, the book *Mercy and Justice*, and the author of the accessible guide *The Deacon in Practice*. He also ensured that the diaconate was given full consideration in our churches at church meetings. Our churches became known for their keen focus on and vision for the diaconate.
Herman is no longer with us. This brings to mind the Bible passage from Revelation 14:13: “… Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on. ”Yes,” says the Spirit, “so that they may rest from their labours, and their deeds follow them.”’ This brings me comfort.
Ad Heijstek, Chair of the Diaconate Committee
