Report of Monday, June 19, 2006
Synod began the day with devotions. Rev. D. Kleyn read Psalm 90; Synod sang Psalter Number 246; and, Rev. D. Kleyn led synod in opening prayer.
Synod returned to a matter concerning the Philippine mission field. Synod reviewed and treated Doon Council’s and the FMC’s proposals regarding the confessions of faith and baptisms of adults and baptisms of children in the BCGR in Manila, the Philippines, amongst whom Rev. Spriensma labors.
Synod read the final report of the FMC regarding the closure of the mission field in Ghana. Synod thanked the Hull PRC council for their faithful labors while the field was open and for the orderly manner in which the field was closed down. Synod thanked our former missionary, Rev. R. Miersma, for his faithful labors on the mission field and for carrying out the difficult task that he had of overseeing the closing of the field in a stewardly and sensitive manner. Synod thanked Mrs. Miersma for her diligent labors in support of her husband and of the saints in Ghana. Synod thanked Mr. and Mrs. John Bouma, who volunteered their time and labors in assisting the missionary in Ghana during the difficult time of closing the field. Synod designated benevolent funds remaining from the field in Ghana to the Doon PRC for benevolent needs in the Philippines.
Synod treated matters regarding our Theological School Committee (Committee IV of pre-advice). Synod approved for the Fall Semester of 2006 the admission of Mr. Daniel Holstege as a diploma pre-licentiate student (a 4 year course of study), Mr. David Torlach (from the EPC of Australia) as a student on a special three-year program, Mr. Marty McGeown (a member of the Covenant PR Fellowship in Northern Ireland) as a diploma pre-licentiate student (a 4 year course of study), and Rev. Byung Kim (from the Korean Presbyterian Church (Reformed)) as a special student.
Synod approved the emeritation of Prof. R. Decker from our Seminary. Synod expressed hearty thanks to him and his wife for his 41 years of faithful labors and service to our churches and especially in his 33 years of his faithful training of men for the ministry of the Word and Sacraments in our congregations and in other churches.
The Rector of the Seminary, Professor D. Engelsma, reported on the past year of instruction in the Seminary and the good progress of the students in their labors. The Protestant Reformed Theological Journal will now be edited by Prof. R. Cammenga, in place of retiring Prof. Decker. Of note, the churches received a valuable gift of a rare, first edition (1637) of the Dutch Staten Vertalling by Mr. and Mrs. William Thys Feenstra of our Hope-Redlands congregation. This submission joins other rare books in the library of the Seminary. Members of the churches are invited to see this rare Bible.
(Committee V of pre-advice) Synod treated some financial matters: emeritation support requests, subsidy requests from our smaller congregations, student aid, expenses for the meeting (totaled $5,401.08), and the 2007 budget, which was set at $750 per family for 2007 (a decrease of $75 from 2006).
Synod approved a letter to be sent to the CPRF for the blessed occasion of their re-organization as the Covenant Protestant Reformed Church in Northern Ireland on Wednesday, August 2, 2006, the Lord willing.
Synod elected men for its various standing committees (Catechism Book Committee, Contact Committee, Domestic Missions Committee, Emeritus Committee, Foreign Mission Committee, Student Aid Committee, Theological School Committee, Finance Committee, and the Board of Trustees).
A very weary President, Rev. R. Van Overloop, thanks the delegates for their diligent work and good cooperation.
Synod completed its work at about 4:40 p.m. and adjourned with prayer to our Covenant God.
Synod will convene next, the Lord willing, at the Trinity Protestant Reformed Church in Hudsonville, MI, on June 12, 2007, at 8:30 a.m.
May the King of the Church bless the labors of the 2006 synod of the PRCA.
