The PRC Synod of 2016 concluded its work about 2:30 p.m. Friday, June 17. Below is the final summary of the decisions as provided by Rev. A. Brummel, second clerk.

Synod began the day finishing the work of the FMC by approving the work with Hope PRC-Walker in Myanmar and with Georgetown PRC in India.

The work of the Catechism Book Committee was approved in its work of publishing and distributing the Confessions and Church Order of the PRC in E-pub and Mobi formats.  The committee was instructed to poll the consistories of our churches for suggested improvements to the catechism curriculum and bring a recommendation regarding possible revisions to Synod 2017.  The Stated clerk reported good progress on redesigning the catechism book covers and standardizing the formatting of all the catechism books.

Taking up the matter of Psalter revision, synod declared that the Contact Committee has fulfilled the mandate of Synod 2015 regarding a detailed and grounded proposal about whether to proceed with the work.  Synod instructed the CC to continue its participation in the interdenominational project with the Free Reformed Churches and the Heritage Netherland Reformed Churches and adopted the principles that are guiding the revision, central to which is the accuracy of the text to the Psalms.  Synod expressed the desire to have a song book that is more faithful to the Psalms and will assist us and our children with a greater love and appreciation for the Psalms.  Toward that end the songs will be numbered according to the respective Psalms to encourage learning the Psalms better, and the lyrics revised to be more faithful to the Psalms.  Concern was expressed that the scope of the revision not become too broad in terms of changing tunes and lyrics without compelling reasons.

Synod declared Mr. Wes Koops’ appeal as not legally before synod seeing as it missed the deadline of April 15.  He was thanked for the spirit with which he brought the appeal as well as for its brevity.  His main concerns had been already addressed by synod on Thursday.

Mr. Don Offringa was appointed as Synodical Treasurer.  Mr. Tom Holstege was appointed as Assistant Treasurer.  Mr. Kevin Van Overloop was thanked for his 19 years of service to the churches, and especially his willingness this past year to step up to fill the position of synodical treasurer.

Emeritation requests totaling $346,887, a reduction of $3,200 from 2016, were approved for 2017.  8 subsidy requests totaling $273,910US and $56,000CN were approved.   Total expenses of synod totaled $5,437.59. 

The total budget of synod for 2017 is $2,018,999.  Assessments were increased $25 over 2016 to $815 per family per year making use of the projected family count of 2110.

Synod approved Hudsonville PRC as host to the meeting of synod in 2017 to convene on Tuesday, June 13 at 8:00 a.m.

The PRC 2016 Synod reconvened on Wednesday, June 15, in Hull PRC to begin hearing committee reports and acting on them.

Below is the summary of Synod's actions today, as provided by the second clerk, Rev.A. Brummel:

Synod convened on Wednesday morning at 8:00 and immediately took up the matter of the legality of the appeal of Mr. Neal Meyer.  Synod declared the appeal in its entirety to be legally before synod.  A motion passed to treat the appeal in open session.  Synod plans to take up the appeal around 1:00 p.m. on Thursday afternoon, Lord willing.

Synod treated the Domestic Mission Committee material expressing thanks to Rev. Bruinsma and his wife Mary and Southwest PRC for their faithful work and joy in the Lord’s work of bringing the Pittsburgh Fellowship to the point of being organized as an instituted congregation.  Provisions were made for the financial support of our missionary and the purchase of a house if necessary.  $50,000 of excess funds in the Pittsburgh Fellowship’s General Fund, half of which were contributed by the Fellowship, were given to them as has been done in the past with other churches organized as a result of our mission labors.  All of the matters brought by the DMC passed Synod’s approval, most significant of which was the proposal for calling another home missionary.  Expressing a desire to remain faithful to the Lord of Church by being busy in the work of missions in our land, approval was given to call another home missionary who will develop a field of labor and then preach and teach on that field which the Spirit provides.  Byron Center PRC was approved as the calling church for this missionary.

The Theological School material was treated and approved with the exception of the matter of the examination of next year’s students.  Synod recommitted that matter to Committee 1.  With thanksgiving to God synod approved the admission of Mr. Josiah Tan, a student from our sister-church in Singapore to the seminary next Fall.

Synod took up the matters of the Contact Committee treating the material relating to the Covenant Evangelical Reformed Church of Singapore.  Synod expressed agreement with the changes they are proposing in their church order which brings it closer in agreement with our church order.  Approval was given for Rev. D Kleyn and another PR pastor to travel to Singapore in October to assist the CERC in the examination of Emmanuel Singh with a view to his being called as their missionary to India.   Rev. Andy Lanning, pastor of the CERC, read a letter to the synod expressing the appreciation of the CERCS for the sister- church relationship we enjoy and outlining some of the highlights of their labors.  The chair of synod expressed mutual appreciation for the relationship and gave words of encouragement to the brother.

Rev.A. Lanning of the ERC in Singapore addresses synod.

Synod approved the work of the Contact Committee with the Covenant Protestant Reformed Church in Northern Ireland and their mission work in Limerick.  Opportunity was given to Rev. McGeown to address synod and he spoke of the work being performed in Northern Ireland and Limerick and expressed similar appreciation for the relationship they enjoy with the PRCA and the CERCS.  The chair of synod also addressed gratitude to God for our relationship and the witness of the gospel in that land.

Rev. M.McGeown addresses synod on behalf of the CPRC in N.Ireland.

Synod approved the labors of the Contact Committee in their work with the BERG in Germany, a congregation which sent a representative to be present at synod.  Dr. Klautke addressed synod using the parting works of the president of the synod of Dordt as words of encouragement as now those of Dutch heritage reach out to assist those who find themselves alone in Germany.  Dr Klautke gave a brief summary of the history of the congregation and the seminary and expressed great appreciation for the contact that we enjoy.  Once again the chair of synod expressed mutual appreciation for our contact with this small congregation and our desire to grow together by getting to know them better.

Dr.J. Klautke of the BERG of Giessen, Germany addresses synod.

Synod approved careful guidelines submitted by the CC regarding participation in Ecumenical Councils and approved a lengthy addition in the CC constitution under the heading of their Task.

Synod ended its work around 3:45 on Wednesday afternoon in order to allow for Committee 4 to continue their pre-advice work on the appeals.  Tonight Dr. Kautke gives a lecture at Calvary PRC sponsored by the Contact Committee expanding on the work of the BERG in Germany at 7:30 p.m.   Synod anticipates returning to the work of Committee 2 Thursday morning regarding the rest of the CC material involving NAPARC, Namibia and South Africa, the PRCP, and the Psalter Revision Committee.  If there remains time in the morning we will proceed to the materials of Committee 3 regarding the FMC.  At 1:00 we plan to turn our attention to the appeal of Mr. Meyer, Lord willing.

And to this report we may add the group pictures taken today by our synodical photograper, Elder John Van Baren.

You may notice some additions and subtractions.

And here are a few other photos taken around Synod today - by others too.

Elders Bylsma and Hunter

Elders J. Van Baren and S. Miedema

Dr. J.Klautke and Rev.G. Eriks

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