Synod

The PRC Synod is the broadest church assembly or gathering, made up of 20 delegates, 5 ministers and 5 elders from each Classis (of which there are two in the PRC). It meets annually during the second week of June to treat the ecclesiastical matters of the denomination (Missions, Seminary, etc.) and whatever matters have been brought from the narrower assemblies, viz., the Consistories and the Classes. The decisions of this body are published in the annual "Acts of Synod".

15 Jun

PRC Synod 2018 - Day 4 (Friday) at Adams Christian School

AdamsCS 1

The PRC Synod 2018 took up its work Friday morning, June 15, at 8 AM at Adams Christian School.

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Group picture inside the gym of Adams CS

Second clerk Rev. G. Eriks again provides a detailed summary of synod's work today (also attached in pdf):

After Rev. R. Kleyn led us in opening devotions, synod returned to two recommitted matters from
Committee 2. The first matter was a mandate given to the observers to NAPARC 2018. The
mandate was approved. The second matter was Psalter revision. The pre-advice committee
recommended “that synod inform the interdenominational Psalter revision committee that we will not
continue our official involvement in the work of their committee.” This matter was recommitted
because the recommendation and ground did not take into consideration the decisions of past
synods.

Synod then treated the recommendations of Committee 5. The following are some of the highlights:
• Synod reappointed Mr. Don Offringa to a three-year term as synodical treasurer and Rev. R. Van
Overloop to a three-year term as stated clerk. Synod also thanked these men, and our synodical
bookkeeper, Mrs. Pamela Bos, for all of their work.
• Synod noted the following in regard to the finances of the denomination, for which we give thanks
to our God, Who faithfully provides:
1. As of Dec. 31, 2017 the assets of the PRCA totaled $11,880,853, an increase of 11.7% from a
year ago.
2. Revenues exceeded expenses in 2017 by $1,228,289 due entirely to investment earnings of
$1,307,979 during an exceptional year of stock market growth.
3. The Emeritus Fund totaled $3,893,803 by Dec. 31, 2017. The current balance is ahead of the
goal of 4,000,000 in the fund by 2023.
• Synod approved the emeritation request of Rev. Koole effective on July 31, 2018. Synod
expressed its thanks to Rev. Koole for his almost 41 years of faithful service and capable
leadership in the denomination as a minister of the Word and sacraments
• Synod approve 17 requests for emeritation support for 2019 in the amount, $486,195. This is for
the support of our emeritus ministers and minister’s widows. What a blessing that we can support
these men financially as churches. Let us remember these men and their wives in our prayers.
• Synod also approved subsidy requests for eight of our churches, which provides financial support
for these smaller churches so that the gospel can be preached by them.
• The stated clerk, Rev. Van Overloop, called our attention to a couple of things in his report: he
expressed appreciation for the labors of Don Doezema in helping to prepare the substantial
agenda for synod 2018. He also noted that as of January 2018 the PRCA is made up of 33
congregations comprised of 2,144 families and 8,716 souls.
• Finally, Synod 2019 will be held at First PRC (GR) beginning on June 11, 2019.

Synod finished its work today around noon, giving three of the committees of pre-advice time to
work. Synod decided to reconvene Monday afternoon at 1:00pm, the Lord willing.

And here are some candid photos of the delegates and representatives at Synod 2018. See how well you can identify them by now.

Delegates candid 1
Looks like Elder Adams has some pointed advice for Rev. A. Stewart

Delegates candid 2

Delegates candid 3
For some reason, gatherings under the east basketball hoop are common.

Delegates candid 4

DK LT candid

And lunch time - how would synod ever be able to work without the wonderful lunches provided by the faithful ladies?! Thank you, too, for your service to synod!

lunch 1

lunch 2

14 Jun

PRC Synod 2018 - Day 3 (Thursday) at Adams Christian School

AdamsCS 1

The PRC Synod 2018 continued its work Thursday morning, June 14, at 8 AM at Adams Christian School.

officers 1
Officers of Synod 2018: Rev. C. Spronk (1st clerk), Rev. R. Van Overloop (president), Rev. J. Laning (vice-president), Rev. G. Eriks (2nd clerk)

The second clerk (Rev. G. Eriks) has provided a summary of the business covered and the decisions reached (also attached in pdf form). They are as follows:

After opening devotions, synod considered the report of the Contact Committee. One of the highlights of the day was the speeches from the representatives of our sister churches.

CERC Leong
Elder Leong Fai Chong from Covenant ERC in Singapore (sister church) addressed synod (cf. report above).

Elder Leong Fai Chong from the Covenant Evangelical Church in Singapore expressed gratitude for the many benefits of the sister church relationship: the ministry of Rev. Lanning and his family, pulpit supply while they are without a pastor, and faithful seminary instruction for their students. Rev. Van Overloop assured them also of the great blessing the relationship is for us.
Rev. Angus Stewart, representing the Covenant PRC in N. Ireland extended the greetings of the CPRCNI to synod, the PRCA, and the our sister churches. He expressed their hearty thanks for the literature, faithful pulpit supply, church visitors, and financial support from the PRCA.
When we came to the material concerning our contact with the PRC in the Philippines, Rev. Leovino Trinidad addressed synod. He expressed thanks for the gracious work of the Lord in forming the PRCP. He also expressed great thanks for the missionaries from the PRCA and the sister church relationship.
Also letters were read from two other contacts we have. A letter was read from the BERG, the congregation in Giessen, Germany, with whom the PRCA has contact. And a letter was read from the Evangelical Presbyterian Churches in Australia.

RevAStewart
Rev. A. Stewart, pastor of Covenant PRC in N. Ireland, also addressed syod as a representative of a sister church to the PRCA.

Here are some other highlights of the work of synod regarding the Contact Committee report.

Synod approved the calling of a minister-on-loan to provide a pastor for our sister church in Singapore. Grandville PRC was again appointed the calling church for the calling of the MOL.
With much thanksgiving synod approved the implementation of sister-church relations with the Protestant Reformed Churches in the Philippines after our other sisters in Singapore and N. Ireland expressed they have no objections to establishing the sister-church relationship. After this was approved, Rev. Van Overloop addressed Rev. Trinidad and Rev. Holstege expressing our thanks at what God has given to us in the sister church relationship. Synod sang Ps. #371 and Prof. Gritters offered a prayer of thanksgiving.

One of the main issues this synod must consider is Psalter revision. Two things to note here:

Synod considered the protest of Mr. Peter Vander Schaaf who protested the decision of Synod 2017, Article 82, in which synod instructed the Contact Committee “to poll our consistories in order to gauge denominational support for the project of Psalter revision…” After careful consideration and a lengthy discussion, the brother’s protest was not sustained.
Then synod discussed a recommendation of the pre-advice committee regarding the work of Psalter revision. After a lengthy discussion, synod decided to recommit the matter to the committee for reformulation. Synod anticipates treating this matter Friday morning.

Synod dealt with a few other matters this afternoon:

Synod considered matters dealing with domestic missions. Synod approved the budget and expressed its thanks to Rev. and Alva Spriensma and to Byron Center PRC for for their faithful work and assured them of our prayers for God’s blessing upon their labors.
Synod expressed its thanks to Chuck Terpstra for his work of overseeing our denominational website, and thanked Luke Bomers, Brad Kamminga, and Alex Postma for their help with the website and the denominational app.
Finally, synod treated a few recommendations from the catechism book committee. Synod appointed Prof. Cammenga and Rev. den Hartog jointly to compile a different memory work schedule for the Juniors and Seniors curriculum and approved the work of the catechism book committee.

LTrinidad 3

Rev. Leovy Trinidad also gave greetings to synod, in this case, on behalf of the PRC in the Philippines, the newest "sister" of the PRCA.

13 Jun

PRC Synod 2018 - Day 2 (Wednesday) at Adams Christian School

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The PRC Synod 2018 resumed its work Wednesday morning, June 13, at 8 AM at Adams Christian School.

delegates wed am 1

The second clerk (Rev. G. Eriks) has provided a summary of the business covered and the decisions reached (also attached in pdf form). They are as follows:

Synod treated the recommendations of Committee 1 through the morning. The following are
some of the decisions made regarding our seminary.
• It was noted that Matt Kortus and Jacob Maatman are in their third year of study at the
seminary and will begin their internships this summer. Josiah Tan, a student from
Singapore, finished his second year of study.
• Synod admitted another student into our seminary, Mr. Marcus Wee, a young man from
Singapore, beginning with the fall semester in 2018.
• Synod approved an addition and remodel to the seminary at an estimated cost of $451,600.
• Our seminary has never been authorized to grant a degree to those who graduate. Synod
approved the activity of the Theological School Committee to seek approval from the state
of Michigan to be recognized as a degree-granting institution.
• Synod also noted that Mr. Jon Huisken has served as our archivist for over 30 years and
gave thanks for his work now that he is retiring from this position.
• Synod expressed appreciation to Professors Cammenga, Dykstra, Gritters, and Kuiper, and
to Charles Terpstra and Judi Doezema for all their work in our seminary.
• Noting the urgent need for pastors and missionaries in our churches, synod decided to
“urge the churches and the pastors in particular in their public prayers to pray the Lord of
the harvest for able, faithful, devoted pastors and teachers for us and our children, as well
as for the gathering of the elect out of the nations (Matt. 28:19).”

Synod made the following decisions regarding Foreign Missions:
• Rev. Holstege, one of missionaries in the Philippines, addressed synod today, expressing
the his joy and gratitude laboring as the Lord’s servant in the work of missions in the
Philippines. He highlighted some of the recent developments on the field and thanked the
synod and churches for their generous and willing support of the missionaries and their
families.
• Synod expressed appreciation for the work of the Foreign Mission Committee, the Doon
Council, and to the missionaries, Rev. Holstege, Rev. Kleyn, Rev. Smit and their families, for
their work in the Philippines.
• Synod approved financial support for the Protestant Reformed Churches in the Philippines
for 2019 in the amount of about $15,000. Synod also approved a budget of about $406,000
for mission work in the Philippines.
• At the request of the FMC, synod approved going Rev. and Sharon Kleyn a 4-6 month
furlough in 2019, for the main purpose of missionary development, which would include
taking a missions class, if possible, and reading in missions.
• Because of the many issues that have arisen with providing financial assistance in foreign
lands, synod mandated the Foreign Mission Committee to come to Synod 2019 with
guidelines for giving financial assistance in foreign lands.

Synod treated the legality of the protests and appeal in the agenda. The appeal and all of the
protests were declared legally before synod.

Synod decided to recess for the rest of the day so that committees of pre-advice may
continue to work. Synod will begin again at 8:00am Thursday morning.

DHolstege address 2b
Missionary-pastor to the Philippines Daniel Holstege, here on furlough, addressed Synod on behalf of the Foreign Mission Committee and Doon PRC, the calling church.

A valuable service to synod that can easily be overlooked is the sound system set up and run by Joel Van Oostenbrugge of our Grace PRC. Thanks for your work, Joel!

JoelVO 2

12 Jun

PRC Synod 2018 - Day 1 (Tuesday) at Adams Christian School *(Updated)

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The PRC Synod of 2018 began its work on Tuesday, June 12 at 8 AM. Though Byron Center PRC is the calling church for this year's body, the delegates are meeting at Adams Christian School in Wyoming (main meetings are in the gym).

SKey devotions

This morning Rev. S. Key, last year's president, opened the meeting with devotions and led synod in its initial task of electing new officers.

RVO new pres addresses 1

Rev. Ronald Van Overloop (pastor of Grace PRC in Grand Rapids, MI) was elected president, with Rev. James Laning (Hull IA PRC) elected as vice-president, and Revs. Clay Spronk and Gary Eriks chosen as first and second clerks respectively. The new president addressed synod, thanking them for appointing him, asking them for their cooperation, and desiring their prayers as synod conducts her work.

delegates assent

The delegates then arose while the president read the "Public Declaration of Agreement with the Three Forms of Unity," to which all the men expressed agreement.

Synod adopted the report of her Committee on committees as follows:

Committtee layout

Synod then recessed for the day, as the five committees went to work on their assigned business.

Synod will reconvene Wednesday morning, June 13, at 8 AM at Adams Christian School, taking up the report of Committee One first.

Comm1
Committee One: Elder P. Vander Schaaf, Rev. J. Laning, Prof. D. Kuiper, Elder H. Ferguson, and Rev. G. Eriks

Comm2
Committee Two: Rev. S. Key, Elder J. Regnerus, Rev. C. Haak, (with special guests Rev. L. Trinidad from the PRC in the Philippines and Elder Leong Fai Chong from Covenant ERC in Singapore), Elder H. Pastoor, Prof. R. Cammenga

Comm3
Committee Three: Elder A. Meuer, Rev. W. Langerak, Rev. R. Kleyn, Prof. B. Gritters, Elder G. Kaptein

Comm4
Committee Four: Prof. R. Dykstra, Rev. C. Spronk, Elder J. Lanting, Elder H. Goosen, Rev. B. Huizinga

Comm5
Committee Five: Rev. R. Van Overloop, Rev. N. Langerak, Elder G. Feenstra, Elder P. Adams

11 Jun

PRC Synod 2018 - Pre-Synodical Service - Monday, June 11 *(Updated)

byroncentrePRC

Synod 2018 announcement: Synod 2017 appointed Byron Center PRC the calling church for the 2018 Synod. Synod will convene, D.V., THIS Tuesday, June 12, 2018 at 8:00 a.m., in the gymnasium of Adams Christian School (please note the change of venue from the announcement in the May 1 Standard Bearer).

StevenKey

The Pre-synodical Service will be held on Monday evening, June 11, at 7:00 p.m. at Byron Center PRC (please note that the pre-synodical service and the meetings of synod will be held in different venues), with Rev. S. Key leading the service and ministering the Word (president of last year's synod).

The service will be live-streamed on Byron Center PRC's Sermonaudio channel.

UPDATE: *You may now find the sermon in the audio sermon section of the PRC website.

Let us remember to pray for the delegates as they take up the work of the churches this week. May the Spirit of Jesus Christ guide all the discussions and deliberations, so that the decisions reached are according to His Word and bring honor to the Head of the church.

21 Jun

PRC Synod 2017 - Day Six Report

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A large crowd gathered for the discussion of several protests and appeals relating to the doctrine of salvation by grace alone in Christ alone.

The following report from day six of the PRC Synod 2017 (Wednesday, June 21, 2017) is furnished by Rev. C. Spronk, second clerk. We take this opportunity to thank him for the daily reports.

Early in today’s session Rev. Doug Kuiper read a letter acknowledging the call to serve as professor of Church History and New Testament Theology and expressed his intention to answer the call no later than July 16, 2017.

Synod then turned to the advice of Committee II regarding the report of the Psalter Revision Committee. Synod instructed the Contact Committee (which is overseeing the work of the Psalter Revision Committee on behalf of synod) to poll the consistories in order to gauge denominational support for the project of Psalter revision and report back to Synod 2018.

Synod treated an appeal that contended that a consistory violated a members right to protest and appeal according to Article 31 of the Church Order when it placed that member under discipline after he filed a protest. Synod rejected this appeal and ruled that Article 31 of the church order was not violated.

Synod voted for synodical committee members with the following results (3 year terms unless otherwise stipulated):

A. Catechism Book Committee: Rev. R. Barnhill, Bob Vermeer.
B. Contact Committee Prof. R. Dykstra, Rev. Eriks, Sid Miedema.
C. Domestic Mission Committee: Revs. A. Spriensma, R. Van Overloop, Doug Dykstra (Faith), Doug Pastoor.
D. Emeritus Committee: Chester Hunter (primus), Gaylen Te Slaa (secundus).
E. Foreign Mission Committee: Revs. C.Griess and D.Kuiper, Leon Uitenbogaard, Perry Van Egdom.
F. Student Aid Committee: Jeremy Meulenberg, Steve Bylsma.
G. Theological School Committee: Revs. R. Van Overloop and W. Langerak and Cal Kalsbeek, Greg Van Overloop.
H. Finance Committee: Revs. G. Eriks and C. Haak.
I. Board of Trustees: Rev. G. Eriks (3 year term), Nick Kleyn (3 year term), Rev. R. Smit (2 year term), Sid Miedema (2 year term).

Synod treated the advice of Committee IV regarding five protests. This committee started last week by bringing recommendations regarding the legality of six protests. One protest was declared illegal on the ground that the protestant is not a member of the PRCA. So today Committee IV brought advice about the substance of the other five protests.

All of the protests had to do with decisions of synod 2016 regarding a sermon on John 14:6. Synod 2016 decided not to sustain an appeal that contended that the sermon in question teaches a conditional covenant. Synod 2017 sustained three protests against that decision declaring that the sermon did make “our good works part of the “way” of the text.” Synod also declared that another protest did not need to be treated since it asked for a clarification of a decision that synod has now overturned. Synod also rejected the protest of the consistory (of the pastor who preached the sermon) that defended the sermon on John 14:6. Synod made some decisions to try to help the consistory and the pastor work through and implement these decisions, and appointed a committee to help them in all matters pertaining to this case.

Synod 2016 also took a decision not to sustain the decisions of a consistory and Classis East to charge a man with antinomianism. Synod 2017 decided not to sustain a protest against that decision today. However, it did note that some of the statements made by the individual in question “taken at face value, are contrary to Scripture and the Reformed Confessions.”

Sometime around 8:00 p.m. the minutes of the day were read and approved. The Vice-President, Rev. Bruinsma thanked Rev. Key for his capable leadership as chairman of Synod 2017. Rev. Key thanked the delegates for their cooperation. Prof. Russell Dykstra Closed with prayer.

Synod 2017 is adjourned.

19 Jun

PRC Synod 2017 - Day Five Report

Delegates visitors Mon 1

The following report from day five of the PRC Synod 2017 (Monday, June 19, 2017) is furnished by Rev. C. Spronk, second clerk.

Synod began the day by treating the recommendations of Committee II regarding an appeal against the decision of Classis East to uphold a consistory’s decision to grant permission to members of the BERG (Confessing Protestant-Reformed Congregation of Giessen, Germany) to partake of the Lord’s Supper. Synod rejected this appeal.

The Catechism Book Committee (CBC) reported that it polled the consistories of our churches with regard to suggested improvements in the catechism books and workbooks used for the Bible History and Heidelberg Catechism classes. The CBC plans to evaluate the results of the poll and bring appropriate recommendations to Synod 2018. Synod approved the actions of the CBC.

The Contact Committee reported good news today about a potential seminary student, Dr. Ronald Carey. Dr. Carey is a physician in Vellore, India. Georgetown PRC is working with the group to which Dr. Carey belongs and recommends him for seminary. He, his wife, and their one child plan to move to the US in the fall of 2017. The Theological School Committee is in the process of admitting Dr. Carey as a special student. Because of Dr. Carey’s need for support synod decided to ask the congregations to take three collections in 2018 for the Foreign Student Assistance Fund.

Synod approved of the work of the synodical deputies from Classis West in their concurring with the decision of Classis East to approve of the organization of Zion PRC.

The following motions where moved, supported, and carried regarding our mission work in the Philippines:

1. That synod approve the work performed by Doon PRC’s Council and the FMC in the Philippines on behalf of the churches.
2. That synod express its appreciation to Doon PRC for their faithful oversight of the mission work in the Philippines.
3. That synod express its gratitude to Rev. and Mrs. Holstege and to Rev. and Mrs. Kleyn for their faithful service in the cause of the mission work in the Philippines.
4. That synod adopt a 2018 budget of $457,000 for the mission work in the Philippines (note: This amount is for three missionaries).
5. That synod grant financial assistance to the PRCP Classis in the amount of P671,952.44 (about $13,439) for 2018 to be taken from the FMC Special Mission Fund.

The FMC reported that it is working closely with Georgetown PRC in evaluating the work in India. The India Committee of the FMC is growing in its conviction that the time to call missionaries to India might be sooner rather than later. Another reason to pray that God will
provide us with more ministers!

Synod took a decision to request that our congregations designate four offerings for foreign missions and one offering for the Philippine book fund in 2018.

This afternoon synod began by treating the recommendations of Committee II regarding the Psalter Revision Committee. Synod declared that the proposed revisions of Psalms 73- 89 are in harmony with the principles of the text, music, and format approved in 2016. This decision is not a final approval of the section but is simply a statement that synod judges that the committee has faithfully followed the adopted principles. Synod also approved the distribution of Psalms 73-79 to the congregations for usage and feedback. Hopefully these booklets will be available in your church soon. Until then you can find the revisions at psalter.net. Committee Two made one more motion regarding Psalter revision that was recommitted for reformulation. More on that another day.

Synod welcomed Revs. Carl Haak and Andy Lanning to its session today. Rev. Haak did not attend the sessions of synod last week to attend to a pastoral need in the congregation he serves. Rev. Bill Langerak filled in for him, and we are thankful for his willing service to synod last week. Rev. Lanning, pastor of the Covenant Evangelical Reformed Church of Singapore, was not able to attend last week’s sessions because he was a speaker at the CERC’s church camp. He arrived today in time for the afternoon session of Synod.

Finally, synod took a decision to recess until Wednesday in order to give Committee IV more time to formulate its advice regarding six protests.

Mon visitors 1

16 Jun

PRC Synod 2017 - Day Four Report

Group pic 1

The following report from day four of the PRC Synod 2017 is furnished by Rev. C. Spronk, second clerk.

SISTER-CHURCH RELATIONSHIP APPROVED!
The highlight of today’s work was the approval of a sister-church relationship between the Protestant Reformed Churches in America and the Protestant Reformed Churches in the Philippines! We give thanks to God for the mutual love that our denominations have for the
truth of God as confessed in our churches. We look forward to the rich blessings we will enjoy in a our mutual encouragement and oversight of each other.

Synod began the day considering the report of the Student Aid Committee. The committee reports that the student assistance fund has a balance of $163,649.29. Synod approved the recommendation to request each congregation take one collection for this fund.

Synod then turned to the report of the Contact Committee (CC). We give thanks to God for all the opportunities that He has given our denomination to interact with other churches through the CC. Synod approved the CC’s work with the following congregations and denominations:

• The Covenant Evangelical Church in Singapore
• The Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Australia
• The Covenant Protestant Reformed Church in Northern Ireland
• The Bekennende Evangelisch-Reformierte Gemeinde of Giessen, Germany
• The Protestant Reformed Churches in the Philippines
• The Korean Presbyterian Church (Koshin)
• Gereformeerde Kerke in Nord Afrika (a newly formed denomination consisting of five
congregations that left the GKSA).
• There are also some individuals with whom the CC has contact in South Africa.

Last year’s synod adopted a policy for the CC to use in evaluating the possibility of participating in or joining ecumenical councils. The CC applied this policy to the North American Presbyterian and Reformed Council (NAPARC) and recommended that our denomination not apply for membership in this council. Synod approved this recommendation and mandated that the CC send observers to the November 2017 meeting of NAPARC with the following mandate:

• Express thanks for the invitation and greetings from the PRCA.
• Give a brief introduction of the PRCA.
• Convey synod’s decision that we will not be applying for membership in NAPARC at this time. The grounds for not applying for membership are:

a. Although NAPARC shows a level of commitment to the confessions, which is evident from their actions of removing the Christian Reformed Church, yet the council does not manifest a sufficient commitment to the confessions. This is evident from their allowance of member denominations who have exonerated those who embrace the teaching of the Federal Vision and their allowance as member denominations those who teach a doctrine of creation that does not interpret literally the Genesis creation account.
b.Although NAPARC does address some of the matters that divide its member denominations, according to our observers, there has been little to no discussion during plenary sessions of the threat of the teachings of Federal Vision, especially in the denominations in which officebearers have been accused of teaching this heresy.

We are thankful to God for all of the people who serve our denomination. Today Synod expressed its appreciation for the work of:

•The Stated Clerk, Rev. Ron Van Overloop
• The Assistant Stated Clerk, Don Doezema
• The Denominational Treasurer, Don Offringa
• The Denominational Bookkeeper, Pamela Bos
• The Board of Trustees

Synod took a decision to reject a protest against the decision of Synod 2016 to “Instruct the [Contact Committee] and its Psalter Revision Committee to continue their participation in the interdenominational project of Psalter revision” (Acts of Synod 2016, Article 49, B, 3, p. 61-62). This does not conclude synod’s treatment of Psalter Revision. Sometime next week synod will treat the report of the Psalter Revision Committee which is working under the auspices of our Contact Committee.

Synod approved the emeritation request of Rev. Tom Miersma. The chairman noted that Rev. Miersma spent many years serving as a missionary for our denomination as well as a pastor in our churches in Classis West.

Subsidy requests were approved in the amount of $350,055. The Denominational Budget for 2018 was approved in the amount of $2,112,432. Due to the wise management of funds over the past several years the per-family synodical assessment was able to be reduced by $40 so that the assessment of each family will be $775 in 2018.

During the Contact Committee Report regarding the Covenant Protestant Reformed Church of Northern Ireland (CPRCNI) synod received a report from the CPRCNI’s Elder Brian Crossett. Brother Crosset reported on the spiritual health of the congregation in Ballymena and of the mission group in Limerick, Ireland. At the end of our session today synod bid farewell to brother Crossett, wishing him safe travels home and God’s blessings on the saints in Northern Ireland and Ireland. Brother Crossett also told the joke of the day: “There are three kinds of people: people who can count, and people who can’t.” This helped get the otherwise sober delegates to smile during the synodical photo session.

Synod accepted the invitation of Byron Center PRC to host Synod 2018 that is to convene on June 12 at 8:00 AM.

Synod 2017 will not meet in session tomorrow [Saturday]. But you can be sure that some of the committees of pre-advice will be working away to finish their advice. Synod will reconvene as a body Monday morning at 8:00 AM.

Have a blessed weekend and a blessed Lord’s Day!

Below are pictures of this year's synodical officers and committees:

Synod 2017 officers
Officers: Rev. C. Spronk, 1st clerk; Rev. D. Kuiper, 1st clerk; Rev. S. Key, President; Rev. W. Bruinsma, Vice-president

Comm 1
Committee 1 - Rev. R. Van Overloop, Elder Bob Brands, Elder Sid Miedema, Rev. J. Laning, Prof. B. Gritters

Comm 2
Committee 2 - Rev. W. Bruinsma, Rev. R. Kleyn, Elder Al Muerer, Elder Pete Adams, Prof. R. Cammenga

Comm 3
Committee 3 - Elder John Van Baren, Rev. C. Spronk, Rev. B. Huizinga, Elder Henry Ferguson

Comm 4
Committee 4 - Elder Skip Hunter, Rev. Doug Kuiper, Rev. Gary Erils, Elder James Lanting, Prof. R. Dykstra

Comm 5
Committee 5 - Rev. S. Key, Elder Gary Boverhof, Rev. W. Langerak, Elder K. Bruinsma

15 Jun

PRC Synod 2017 - Day Three Report

Sem exam practica

The following report from day three (Thursday) of the PRC Synod 2017 is provided in part by Rev. C. Spronk, second clerk.

Today Synod heard the final portions of the examination of the seven senior seminarians, with the men being examined in the final loci of Dogmatics, Church Polity, NT History, and then in Practica.

Following that, Synod approved the examinations of Matt DeBoer, Brian Feenstra, Joe Holstege, Jon Langerak, David Noorman, Stephan Regnerus and Justin Smidstra. They are no longer seminarians! Synod has declared them candidates for the ministry of the word and sacraments in the Protestant Reformed Churches. They will be eligible for calls on July 15.

Faith PRC Choir sings at Seminary graduation.

The graduation ceremony took place tonight in Hudsonville PRC. Prof. B. Gritters spoke on “The Ministry: An Existence, Not An Occupation.” (picture below)

BG speech sem grad

RD KK diplomas
Prof. R. Dykstra (Seminary rector) and Rev. K. Koole, president of the Theological School Committee prepare to hand out diplomas.

JLangerak diploma

Candidate J. Langerak receives his diploma.

There is nothing more to report today. After the examinations finished synod adjourned for the day to allow the committees of pre-advice to do their work.

14 Jun

PRC Synod 2017 - Day Two Report

The following report from day two of the PRC Synod 2017 is furnished by Rev. C. Spronk, second clerk.

Synod voted today to extend a call to Rev. Doug Kuiper to replace Prof. Dykstra as professor of Church History and New Testament Theology. Rev. Andy Lanning was elected as the alternate and will receive the call should Rev. Kuiper decline. Our prayers are with Rev. Kuiper as he considers this call.

The oral examination of the seven senior seminary students began today. Once again the delegates and the students divided into two groups. Professor R. Cammenga examined the students in Introduction to Dogmatics, Theology, Anthropology, and Christology. Professor R. Dykstra examined the students in Church History. Professor B. Gritters conducted the examination in Old Testament History. Prof. Gritters also examined one of the groups of students in Church Polity. Hopefully the students will get a good night of rest and be ready to conclude the examination tomorrow.

Synod had time today to treat the advice of Committee 1. Here are some of the important decisions:
• Synod noted that Southwest PRC’s work as the calling church for our home missionary has ceased after 18 years and expressed appreciation to the congregation for its faithful labors.
• A budget of $137,000 for a home missionary was adopted. Let us pray that God will provide our churches with a home missionary soon!
• Professor Barry Gritters was appointed to a three-year term as Rector of our seminary beginning on July 1 of this year.
• Thanks was expressed to Profs. Cammenga, Dykstra, and Gritters, and to Judi Doezema and Charles Terpstra for their faithful labors in the seminary. They do a tremendous job!
• The stated clerk was instructed to inform the churches of the urgent need for seminary students! Let us heed the words of Jesus in Luke 10:2 “The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.”
• It was noted that Matt Kortus, Jacob Maatman, and Darren Vink have finished their second year at the seminary, and Josiah Tan (from Singapore) has finished his first year. May the Lord sustain these men in their preparation for the ministry of the gospel.

Synod also treated the advice of Committee 4 concerning the legality of 7 protests that have to do with the decisions of Synod 2016 in regard to the Hope PRC (Walker, MI) and Neil Meyer case. Five of the protests were declared legal. One part of a three-part protest was declared legal (the other parts were declared illegal). One protest was declared illegal. Committee 4 will now craft advice concerning the substance of the legal protests.

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