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Great Start to PR Seminary's Heidelberg Catechism Conference!

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The PR Seminary had a great start last evening to its conference celebrating the 450th anniversary of the Heidelberg Catechism (1563-2013). And tonight we anticipate a great continuation of the conference!

Thursday night we had a fabulous crowd of people - it even over-flowed the sanctuary of Hudsonville PRC - and we learned that there were over 230 people who tuned in to the live-stream broadcast - amazing! We here at the Seminary and the committee of Hudsonville PRC were greatly encouraged by the turnout.

Dr.J.Klautke, professor at the Academy for Reformed Theology in Hannover, Germany and pastor of the Confessing Evangelical-Reformed congregation in Giessen, Germany, and Prof.R.Cammenga of our Seminary both gave stirring messages, covering respectively the history and purpose of the HC and its grand theme of comfort. These two speeches have already been posted on Hudsonville's Sermonaudio page, so click on the link to download and listen to these.

Dr.J.Klautke delivering his speech on the history and purpose of the HC

Afterward the audience mingled freely in the spacious fellowship room of Hudsonville PRC, enjoying tasty refreshments, good fellowship, edifying displays, and plenty of good books and literature.

Tonight the Conference continues with a special pre-conference music (piano) program by Bryan Westra, a member of our SW PRC (6:45 p.m.). Then Prof.B.Gritters of our Seminary will deliver a speech on systematic HC preaching and Rev.C.Haak of Georgetown PRC on the HC's view of the Christian life as gratitude. In addition, tonight the winners of the HC Writing Contest will be announced and awarded - 15 total from 5 different categories. Once, again, a special night is planned and we hope that you are able to join us at this significant and stimulating event.

But in case you cannot be there, tonight's session will also be live-streamed through Hudsonville's website. Make use of this tool too to join us in marking this historic anniversary!

Below are a few more pictures taken at last night's event.

Prof.R.Cammenga delivering his speech on the HC's theme of comfort

Prof.R.Cammenga delivering his speech on the HC's theme of comfort

Attendees of the HC Conference fellowshiping after Thursday's meeting

Attendees of the HC Conference fellowshiping after Thursday's meeting

Visitors to the Seminary display tables

Visitors to the Seminary display tables

Seminary students Brian Feenstra and Nathan Price help at the Seminary display tables

Seminary students Brian Feenstra and Nathan Price help at the Seminary display tables

Special display of the HC in different languages

Special display of the HC in different languages

 

Report of Classis West - Pastor-elect E.Guichelaar Sustains Exam!

ErikG-ClassisWestExam-Oct2013Below is the official public report - along with a few pictures - courtesy of Rev.Doug Kuiper, Stated Clerk of Classis West, - of the meeting of Classis West which met and concluded yesterday, Wednesday, October 9 in Loveland, CO.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Report of Classis West
October 9, 2013
 
    Classis West held its fall meeting in Loveland, CO on October 9.  The meeting date had been postponed from the usual September date, so that Classis could examine Candidate Erik Guichelaar, who had accepted the call to be the pastor of the Randolph, WI PRC.
    Rev. Allen Brummel chaired the session.  In addition to the thirty delegates from the churches in Classis West, Classis was attended by the synodical deputies from Classis East (Revs. Haak, Koole, and VanOverloop), and by Seminarian Joshua Engelsma, who is doing his internship in Peace PRC.  Many members from Loveland PRC, as well as students from Loveland’s grade school and high school, were found sitting in the pews during the examination.  No doubt their interest in this particular exam was heightened by the fact that Mr. Guichelaar had served his internship in Loveland, CO last year, and several of the students had Mr. Guichelaar as their catechism teacher.
    As part of his examination, Mr. Guichelaar led a worship service on Tuesday evening, preaching from John 12:26 under the theme “For Him Who Would Serve Christ.”  Classis judged Mr. Guichelaar’s exposition to be sound, Christ centered, and edifying.  The text gave Mr. Guichelaar opportunity to witness of his own commitment to serve Christ, and reminded all the delegates that the way to serve Christ is the way of following Him.
    Mr. Guichelaar’s oral examination took all of Wednesday morning.  Various ministers examined him in the six areas of Reformed doctrine, the knowledge of Scripture, the knowledge of confessions, controversy, and practica.  After lunch, Classis unanimously approved his exam, and advised Randolph PRC to proceed with his ordination into the ministry of the Word and sacraments.  The synodical deputies from Classis East concurred with this decision.  Mr. Guichelaar will be ordained and installed in Randolph PRC this coming Sunday, October 13, D.V.
    God be thanked, again, for the gift of ministers - and of this minister in particular!  And, God be thanked, again, for the gift we have in a denominational seminary, and for professors who are diligent in preparing men for the ministry of the gospel!
    In other business, Classis received reports from its stated clerk, classical committee, and reading sermon committee.  It also approved a classical examination schedule for Doon PRC, the only vacant church in the Classis.
    Crete PRC had requested Classis to designate the fourth Wednesday of September as the date for the regular fall meeting, in part to avoid travel the week of Labor Day.  Classis did agree to try to avoid meeting the week of Labor Day in the future, but still denied Crete’s request, giving Classis more freedom to schedule future meetings on a date which works best for that particular year.
    The expenses of Classis totaled $10,090.84.
    The next meeting of Classis is scheduled for March 5, 2014 - the first to be hosted by Heritage PRC in Sioux Falls, SD, God willing.
RevABrummelErikandCherithG-ClWest-Oct2013
 
Rev.A.Brummel, Chair of Classis, addresses Pastor-elect E.Guichelaar and family following the decision to approve his examination.

Classis West Meeting in Loveland, CO

LovelandPRC2012CLASSIS WEST is scheduled to meet this Wednesday, October 9 hosted by Loveland (CO) PR Church. The main item on the agenda is the classical examination of Randolph PRC's pastor-elect, Erik Guichelaar. For this purpose a special worship service is planned for Tuesday evening, the 8th, at 7 PM (MT). Synod is to be represented at this meeting by three ministers (delegates ad examina) from the East: Revs. C. Haak, K. Koole and R.VanOverloop. 

Let us remember in prayer the delegates as they travel and carry out the work of the churches in the West and for pastor-elect E.Guichelaar as he is examined. May the Lord be pleased to bless all the labors conducted and the decisions reached.

Classis East Meeting - Byron Center (MI) PRC

byroncentrePRCClassis East is meeting today for its regular session in the Grand Rapids area at Byron Center PRC. The agenda is light. Rev.James Slopsema, pastor of First PRC, Grand Rapids, will lead the meeting according to the scheduled rotation. May the Lord bless this church work of our pastors and elders and the decisions reached for the good of the churches.

The stated clerk's public report is also now available (see below). It is also attached as a pdf.

 

Report of Classis East

September 11, 2013

Byron Center PRC

 

Classis East met in regular session on Wednesday, September 11, 2013 at the Byron Center PRC.  Each church was represented by two delegates.  Rev. J. Slopsema was the chairman for this session.

 

The business was routine and classis was finished early.  As the chairman noted, this is a sign that the churches have peace and unity in their midst. 

 

Classical appointments were given to Faith PRC.  There were no expenses for this session.

 

Classis will meet next on Wednesday, January 8, 2014 at Southeast PRC.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Jon J. Huisken

Stated Clerk

2013 Seminary Convocation - Faith PRC

RDykstra1The 2013 PR Seminary Convocation, marking the beginning of the new school year, will be held this week Wednesday, September 11, in Faith PRC at 7:30 P.M.  Prof.Russell Dykstra will speak on the topic “Pray for Us.”  The male quartet, "Voices of Victory", will provide special music. The seminarians (10, maybe 11 of them!) will also be introduced as part of the program.  You are welcome to join the seminary in this convocation for the new year and to fellowship with professors and students alike.

If you cannot attend, the evening will also be live-streamed through Faith PRC's website, starting at 7:30 p.m. Visit their website and follow the link at the top of the page.

To view a copy of the program for the evening, see the attached pdf below.

 An audio recording of this speech may now be heard on Faith PRC's Sermonaudio page.

2013-14 Faculty and Student Body

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The 2013-14 PRC Seminary season of instruction has begun, with full classes having started this week Tuesday, Sept.3. Mr. Don Doezema, our recently retired registrar (with the help of his new camera), took this picture of the entire student body and faculty on opening day (with the exception of Senior Josh Engelsma, who is presently doing his internship in Peace PRC, Lansing, IL under pastor Clayton Spronk.). Remember to pray for the professors and students this year as they instruct and as they learn, that God's Word may be faithfully and fruitfully brought to these young men as they prepare for the gospel ministry.

Key: Back row (l-r): Justin Smidstra (Hudsonville PRC), Matt DeBoer (Hudsonville PRC), David Noorman (Faith PRC), Nathan Price (Trinity PRC), Jon Langerak (SW PRC), Stephan Regnerus (Doon, IA PRC), Prof.B.Gritters

Front row (l-r): Prof.R.Dykstra, Prof.R.Cammenga, Joe Holstege (SE PRC), Ryan Barnhill (Hudsonville PRC), Brian Feenstra (Hope PRC, Grand Rapids), Aaron Lim (Covenant ERC, Singapore)

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