Grace, Mercy, and Peace from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord!

Dear and Esteemed Brother:

The Consistory of the Protestant Reformed Church at ___________________________ herewith has the honor and the pleasure to inform you that, from a previously made nomination of _____________________________, you, Rev. _______________________________, have been chosen by __________________ vote at a legal congregational meeting, held on the day of _______________, 20____, to be their minister of the Word and of the sacraments.

On behalf of said congregation we therefore extend to you the call and come to you with the urgent request: “Come over and help us.”

The labors that we expect of you — should it please God to send you to us — are: preaching twice on the Lord’s Day, attending to catechetical instruction, to family visiting and calling on the sick, and furthermore to all things that pertain to the work of a faithful and diligent servant of the Lord — all these agreeably to the Word of God, as interpreted by our Forms of Unity and the Church Order of Dordrecht as amended by the rules of our churches.

Convinced that the laborer is worthy of his hire, to encourage you in the discharge of your duties, and to free you from all worldly cares and avocations while you are dispensing spiritual blessings to us, we, the elders and deacons of the ____________________ Protestant Reformed Church, do promise and oblige ourselves to pay you the sum of ________________ dollars, in __________________ payments, yearly, and every year as long as you continue the minister of this church, together with free use of parsonage, free use of a telephone, and: __________________________.

Moreover, we promise free transportation of yourself, your family, and your belongings (under provisions as stipulated in Articles 5, 10, and 11 of our Church Order).

Now, dear Reverend Brother, may the King of His church so impress this call upon your heart and give you light, that you may arrive at a decision that is pleasing to Him, and, if possible, for us mutually gratifying.

Done in consistory, this ____________________ day of ___________, 20____, and subscribed with our names.

The Consistory of the Protestant Reformed Church of __________________________________,

____________________________, Counselor

(Cf. Acts of Synod, 1945, Arts. 40, 51; Acts of Synod, 1946, Arts. 17, 19.)

Of all the marks by which the true church distinguishes itself from all human societies, the confession of the truth must be mentioned in the first place. The Savior therefore said, John 8:31: “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed.” And again: “Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven” (Matt. 10:32). In obedience to the Lord and for the instruction of all, the assembly of elders, delegated by the congregations of the Protestant Reformed Churches, deem it proper that they publicly declare what the confession is of the churches here mentioned and of every one of these churches.

All the congregations of these churches believe all the books of the Old and of the New Testaments to be the Word of God and confess as the true expression of their faith the Thirty-seven Articles of the Confession of the Reformed Churches of the Netherlands, formulated by the Synod of 1618-’19, together with the Heidelberg Catechism and the Canons of the Dordrecht Synod against the Remonstrants (Arminians).

In conformity with the belief of all these congregations, we, as members of their synod, declare that from the heart we feel and believe that all articles and expressions of doctrine contained in the three above-named confessions, jointly called the Three Forms of Unity, in all respects agree with the Word of God, whence we reject all doctrines repugnant thereto; that we desire to conform all our actions to them, agreeably to the accepted Church Order of Dordrecht, 1618-’19, and desire to receive into our church communion everyone that agrees to our confession.

May the King of the church work this faith in the hearts of many and increase it, and those that have received a like-precious faith with us show the grace shown them in fellowship to the glory of Him who prayed that all His own shall be one in Him.

1. While the synod itself shall care for all matters that pertain to the proper administration of our theological school, there shall be a Theological School Committee whose duty it is to supervise the school in the interim between synodical meetings, and to advise synod on matters pertaining to the welfare thereof.
2. The Theological School Committee shall consist of no fewer than ten members. There shall be an equal representation of elders or ex-elders and of ministers on this committee at all times. They shall be elected by synod for a term of three years and are eligible for reelection.

   Because their duty is the proper administration of the school in the interim between synodical gatherings, the brethren appointed shall be chosen from the midst of those that live within a reasonably short distance from the school.

3. This committee shall choose from its own midst a president, vice-president, secretary, and assistant secretary. This election shall take place annually, although retiring officers are eligible for reelection.
4. The duties of this Theological School Committee shall be as follows:
   1. To appoint delegations of two brethren each to visit the classes, so that the school receives a monthly visit from the committee. The object of these visits is:
      1. To observe whether the instruction given is in full accord with Scripture and the Three Forms of Unity and in harmony with the constitution of the school.
      2. To bring written reports to the committee of these visits, which reports shall contain suggestions for the improvement of the school that the visiting delegation thinks necessary and advisable.
   2. To meet with the faculty and students together or separately, in case of difficulties among the students themselves, among the faculty, or between the students and the faculty. In such instances, such a meeting shall only take place at the request of the faculty or the students, or both.
   3. To cooperate with the faculty, in case the latter deems this necessary, in the exercise of discipline. No students shall be expelled permanently from the school without the approval of the committee.
   4. To make the necessary arrangements and preparations for the final examination of the student or students, which takes place before the synod.
   5. To approve all extra financial disbursements during the course of the school year. The committee shall appoint a delegation of two, residing near the school, to approve such disbursements.
   6. To submit to synod any recommendations it may have for the improvement of our school administration.
   7. To submit an annual, written report of its work to synod.
   8. To interview aspirants to our school, and to advise synod as to their admission to the school.
5. The Theological School Committee may meet as often as circumstances require, but it shall meet prior to synod to adopt its report and at the beginning of the school year.
6. This constitution as ratified by the Synod of 1941 can be altered by synod.

(Cf. Acts of Synod, 1941, Arts. 68, 71, Suppl. XXIX; Acts of Synod, 1966, Arts. 45-47, Suppl. III, IV.)

1. Name The name of the committee governed by this constitution shall be the “Student Aid Committee of the Protestant Reformed Churches.”
2. Purpose The purpose of this committee shall be to care for the distribution of funds from the Student Aid Fund of the Protestant Reformed Churches in accord with Article 19 of the Church Order.
3. Constituency

   The committee shall consist of five members appointed by the synod from the eastern branch of our churches.

   1. The length of each term shall be three years.
   2. The appointments shall be made to staggered terms.
   3. A president and secretary shall be chosen annually from the constituency of the committee.
4. Functions
   1. The committee shall interview all applicants to the Student Aid Fund so as to determine the reality and extent of the students‘ needs.
   2. The committee shall have the power to decide on all applications for aid. Granting of aid and the determination of the amount shall be only by the affirmative vote of four of the five members of the committee. In case the committee cannot gain a four-fifths vote, the advice of the Theological School Committee shall be sought; and only if the Theological School Committee concurs shall aid then be granted.
   3. The committee shall make an annual report to synod of its activities, including a statement of the grants-in-aid allowed and its expected need for the coming year.
   4. The committee shall be empowered to investigate any possible misuse of the Student Aid Fund.
   5. The committee, after consultation with the Theological School Committee, shall have power to terminate the distribution of these funds should it be determined that any applicant is no longer conforming to the conditions of application cited under Article V below. This action shall be subject to the final determination of synod.
   6. The committee shall meet at least once a year. This meeting, together with the time and place and a notice that aid is available to qualified seminary students, shall be publicly announced.
5. Applications (Limitations and Regulations)
   1. All applicants for aid from the Student Aid Fund must be enrolled in the Theological School of the Protestant Reformed Churches in America.
   2. Each applicant must give an estimated statement of his needs for the coming school year.
   3. Each applicant must agree to furnish to the committee and to synod all requested information concerning his financial needs and assets so long as he is receiving assistance from the fund.
   4. Each applicant shall sign an agreement:
      1. That he will repay in full whatever money he has received from the Student Aid Fund should he refuse to enter the service of our churches or transfer to another school or church prior to his installation as a minister.
      2. That he will submit himself to the decision of synod in case he must discontinue his studies for reason of illness or crippling disability.
   5. The maximum aid which may be granted to any student shall be determined annually by the synod upon the recommendation of the Student Aid Committee.
6. Distribution from the Student Aid Fund is to be made directly by the synodical treasurer under the authorization and control of this committee.
7. The activities of this committee are at all times to be kept confidential, and synodical treatment of particular cases is to be handled only in executive session.

Agreement Between Our Synod and Student Aid Fund Beneficiary

The undersigned hereby declares that, since synod has acted favorably upon his request for assistance from its Student Aid Fund so that he may continue his studies for the gospel ministry in our church, he agrees and solemnly promises:

1. That he will repay in full whatever money he has received from the Student Aid Fund should he refuse to enter the service of our churches or transfer to another school or church prior to his installation as a minister.
2. That he stands ready to explain to the committee any irregularities that may develop in his conduct, belief, or academic status.
3. That he will submit himself to the decision of synod in case he must discontinue his studies for reasons of illness or crippling disability.
4. That he will keep this agreement confidential.

Witnesses:

Signature: ______________________________________

Date: _________________________

(Original to be retained by the committee.)
(Duplicate to be retained by student receiving aid.)

(Cf. Acts of Synod, 1959, Art. 121, Suppl. XXX, XXX-A; Acts of Synod, 1964, Arts. 98-105; Acts of Synod, 1974, Arts. 155-157, Suppl. XXX; Acts of Synod, 1980, Art. 44; Acts of Synod, 1984, Art. 38; Acts of Synod, 1991, Art. 40; Acts of Synod, 1993, Art. 31; Acts of Synod, 2002, Art. 49.)