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Pastor-elect Josh Engelsma Sustains Classis West Exam

On Wednesday, September 24, 2014, Pastor-elect Joshua Engelsma was examined by the delegates of Classis West meeting in Peace PRC, Lansing, IL. Part of the exam included preaching a specimen sermon before the delegates of Classis and the congregation of Peace PRC at a special worship service the evening before, held in Crete PRC.

Following a thorough examination in all areas of theology and practical theology (pastoral care), pastor-elect J.Engelsma was unanimously approved for ordination as a minister of the Word and sacraments in the PRCA. Doon PRC's Council, from whom Josh had received his call into the ministry, was instructed to proceed with his ordination and installation into the ministry.

This is planned for Friday evening, Oct.3, at 7:00 p.m. in the Doon PRC with Prof. David Engelsma conducting the service. Pastor-elect Engelsma's inaugural sermon will take place on Sunday, Oct.5, during the evening service (6:00 p.m.).

The picture below is of Pastor-elect J.Engelsma and his wife Courtney, as he receives his Classical diploma from the president of Classis, Rev.Erik Guichelaar (compliments of Rev.R.Van Overloop, one of the delegates ad examina representing Classis East).

Josh  Courtney E -ClWest - Sept2014-2

We give thanks to Jesus Christ, the King of the church, for giving pastor-elect J.Engelsma the grace to sustain his exam before Classis, and for providing us as churches with another herald of the gospel. May He now give him additional grace to enter into the ministry and to fulfill its glorious labors in faithfulness to the charge given him. Let us pray for this brother as he prepares to take up his labors.

*Note: For a full report of the meeting of Classis West and the Officebearers' Conference, see the pdf attached to this post.

Classis West Officebearers' Conference - Sept.23, 2014

The special committee of Classis West announces that a special Officebearers' Conference on preaching will be held September 23, 2014 in Peace PRC, Lansing, IL, the day before the next meeting of Classis West (See note below about links to the audio versions of these speeches.)

The public is invited, but especially area officebearers - elders, deacons, and pastors are encouraged to attend. Lunch will be provided. Please contact the church or Rev.C.Spronk for more information.

The special flyer prepared for this event is posted below, as well as a pdf version of it for your own publication and posting.

OBConf-Preaching-CLWest-Sept2014 Page 1

*Note: The four speeches of this conference are now available in audio form on Peace PRC's Sermonaudio page. The links are provided here:

  1. Developing Your Preaching Beyond Seminary - Missionary-pastor W.Bruinsma
  2. The Important Place of Application in Reformed Preaching - Prof.B.Gritters
  3. The Art of Making Christ-Centered Sermons, with Biblical Illustrations - Prof.R.Dykstra
  4. The Elders' Supervision of the Preaching - Prof.R.Cammenga

Additional Resources on PRC Synod 2014

Acts of Synod 2014-coverThough the PRC Synod of 2014 completed its work over a month ago (June 10-13), two new resources are available on its work and decisions.

First, the 2014 Acts of Synod & Yearbook has been published and distributed to the churches for our members. This publication is the official, public record of the decisions of this year's Synod, as well as the annual, updated directory of churches, ministers, committees, and officers of the PRC.

If you have not yet received it, you should be shortly. If you did not receive a copy and are interested in receiving one, contact our Stated Clerk, Don Doezema, at the PRC Seminary (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.). 

 

Second, the July 2014 issue of The Standard Bearer is the annual "Synod" issue, with a report on Synod's actions by Prof.B.Gritters in the editorial ("Synod 2014: The PRC Working Together") and many pictures featured in the center as well as on the cover of this Reformed magazine (see image below).

If you would like to receive a copy of this issue, or subscribe to this periodical, contact the "SB" through its website.

SB cover-July 2014-Synod

Synod 2014 - Report on Day 4 (Closing Sessions)

Once more 2nd clerk of Synod, Rev.Clay Spronk, provides a summary report of the decisions of the Friday June 13 session of Synod (also attached in pdf form). And Don Doezema provides us with some candid photos of all the delegates as they fellowshiped together and interacted concerning the work of the Lord's church. The public Acts of Synod 2014 will be published and distributed in due time.

Day 4 Report of Synod 2014 Page 1

Day 4 Report of Synod 2014 Page 2

The 2014 Synodical delegates in fellowship (can you identify them all?):

Delegates-1Delegates-2

Delegates-3Delegates-4
Delegates-5Delegates-6
Delegates-7Delegates-8
Delegates-9Delegates-10
Delegates-11Delegates-12

Synod 2014 - Report on Day 3

Synod Singing-2014

Synod rising to sing as part of its devotions to start the day.

The following is the summary report of the second clerk of Synod this year, Rev. Clay Spronk. We thank him for his faithful end-of-the-day contribution. This report is also attached here in pdf form

The pictures added here were taken by Mr.Don Doezema, Stated Clerk of Synod. We also thank him for this faithful labor.

Day 3 Report of Synod 2014 Page 1

Synodical Examiners:

ProfRDykstra-Examiner
Prof.R.Dykstra

ProfBGritters-Examiner
Prof.B.Gritters

RevCHaak - Examiner in Practica
Rev.C.Haak

Two special missionaries: D.Kleyn (the Philippines) and M.McGeown (Limerick, Ireland):

Missionaries Kleyn  McGeown

Sem. Joshua Engelsma Sustains Synodical Exam

JoshCourtney-Synod 2014With humble thanks to God, early this afternoon the 2014 PRC Synod unanimously approved the examination of Joshua D. Engelsma and declared him a candidate for the ministry of the Word and Sacraments in the PRCA, eligible for call on or after July 12, 2014. 

We heartily congratulate Josh and his wife Courtney and children, along with their families, in this wonderful milestone in his training for and call to the ministry.

The Seminary graduation ceremony for Josh will take place this evening in Hope PRC, Walker, MI, at 7:30 p.m. with the openhouse planned next door at Hope PR Christian School afterward. The graduation will also be live-streamed this evening. Visit Hope PRC's Sermonaudio page to join in if you are unable to attend.

As a denomination we have many reasons to give thanks – for the truths of God’s Word and our Reformed confessions, for the gifts and grace God has given to this young man enabling him to confess the truth so clearly and confidently, and for a Seminary which faithfully teaches these truths so the churches receive the truth each Lord's Day. May God be praised with reverence deep!

Synod congrats JCE-1
Delegates offer congratulations to Josh and Courtney.

Synod Congrats JCE-2
Prof.R.Cammenga offering his congratulations.

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