Jim Laning (Hull PRC). C.Spronk (1st clerk) and J. Engelsma (2nd clerk); back - Revs. Photos are compliments of elder John Van Baren. This article is available toChristian Centurymagazine subscribers only. In their Vision 2020 Report, that team suggested a path involving all three avenues. Let us remember to pray for the body in all its work, asking for the guidance of the Holy Spirit and faithfulness to the Word of the Head of the church, Jesus Christ. Today synod will begin its official sessions. As the Reformed Church in America grapples with conflict over how to deal with the topic of LGBTQ+ inclusion, congregations in the nations oldest Protestant J. Engelsma as 1st clerk; and Rev. He will be examined by Prof. R. Cammenga in all the loci of Dogmatics and then in Church History by Prof. R.Dykstra. HOLLAND, Mich. As the Reformed Church in America grapples with conflict over how to deal with the topic of LGBTQ+ inclusion, congregations in the nations oldest Protestant denomination are facing a choice: stay or go. City to City The Protestant Reformed Churches have a discipline problem. The delegates and visitors are back meeting back in the fellowship room of the church. All except five of the 44 churches listed as LGBTQ-affirming by Room for Allan LGBTQ-affirming network in the RCAare in the Northeast. Synod concurred with the decision of Bethel PRC to declare Rev. Wee will be examined in the main branches of his studies - dogmatics, knowledge of Scripture, knowledge of the confessions, church history, church polity, and practica. The final item treated this afternoon is one for which we give humble thanks to God, namely, the report of the 100th Anniversary Committee. Meaning, does a blessing from God preceed or proceeds an act of man. The committee of pre-advice divided his protest into two parts. This email address is being protected from spambots. The exam is being livestreamed through Zion's PRC website. Synod did not sustain the individuals protest. Synod adopted the overtures of two congregations to schedule a denominational commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the PRC for the summer of A.D. 2025, and appointed a steering committee to present concrete proposals for implementing these overtures. Synod also declared that Profs. If its a really big split, thats pretty rare. Synod declared the letter legally before it because the letter addresses several slanderous allegations made against the consistory by a protest included in the agenda. After opening devotions, Synod treated reformulated advice on a protest of an individual who objected to Synod 2020s decision regarding a sermon (entitled Dealing Rightly With Our Sins) preached by a former minister in the denomination. Nathan Decker (Grandville PRC), Prof. Russ Dykstra (Byron Center PRC), Rev. The Stated Clerk was instructed in his letter to the churches to include a notice of the urgent need for seminary students. Synod worked until around 8:30 tonight, and will meet again tomorrow morning at 8:00 AM, the Lord willing. Synod voted not to sustain the protest. The 1st (Rev. W Langerak, and Shelly VanderKolk. We sing from The Psalter, a version of the 1912 Psalter of the United Presbyterian Church that has been modified for the Protestant Reformed Churches. M. Wee enjoying a refreshing moment with his young son (held by his father) during yesterday's exam. 9:37-28). John was also the synodical photographer - thanks for all the great photos! The remainder of the day was spent treating reports from four committees of pre-advice. Kleyn reading Psalm 48 and opening with prayer. The reasons for doing so is that attending NAPARC gives opportunity to discuss doctrines and practices that divide as well as those we have in common with other churches, discuss the possibility of closer relationships with other denominations, discuss current heresies and practices that threaten Reformed and Presbyterian churches, and give answers to any questions that may arise over the recent schism in the PRCA. Its a case study in how a church can or cannot navigate questions of identity, questions that are tense, matters of conflict, said Matthew van Maastricht, pastor at Altamont Reformed Church in Altamont, New York. But while many churches that have held votes to leave are seeing overwhelming support like the Fellowship Reformed Church congregation in Hudsonville voting 604 to 9 to leave some RCA church leaders see that as more the exception than the rule. Synod also approved the financial support of Rev. Synod adopted a motion to express special thanks to Rev. After opening devotions, Rev. But Driscoll is a bad actor. Regarding students, we rejoice that synod approved admitting Mr. Bruce Feenstra to the seminary as a pre-licentiate student beginning in the fall semester 2022. A unique panoramic view of the delegates seated in the basement of Zion PRC, Pastor Vernon Ibe, delegate from the PRC of the Philippines (sister church to the PRC). The brother gave a very good account of himself, and synod unanimously approved his examination. The PRCA also has a corresponding relationship with the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Australia (EPCA). The General Synod has repeatedly made statements that are more traditional in orientation about sexuality, but those are just statements. Prof. R. Dykstra examining Sem. Dan and Mrs. Holstege, Rev. A. Brummel, Elder P. Van Baren, Prof. B. Huizinga, Elder J. Lanting, Prof. R. Dykstra, Committee III: Prof. D. Kuiper, Elder L. Gritters, Prof. C. Griess, Rev. Exiting churches can retain control of their churches and church property even if they go. All rights reserved. Synod treated the report of the Psalter Revision Review Committee. A committee of three men reported on the work they did in the past year reviewing the doxologies and spiritual songs in the back of our Psalter, and sent this on to our denominational Review Committee for a final review. N. Decker Second Clerk of Synod 2022. Commmittee 5 material was also to be dealt with. Today, the RCA has fewer than 200,000 members and 1,000 churches. In addition to approving the work of the BOT, Synod reappointed Mr. Tom Holstege to a three-year term as Assistant Treasurer, appointed Mr. Doug Mingerink, Sr. to a two-year term as Stated Clerk of Synod, and reappointed Mr. Dirk Westra to a three-year term as Assistant Stated Clerk. for less than $4.25/month. addy862cfb19c345bfdb79a929249260313f = addy862cfb19c345bfdb79a929249260313f + 'prca' + '.' + 'org'; Steve Key (Loveland PRC) and Rev. Synod approved sending letters of encouragement to the Covenant Evangelical Reformed Church of Singapore and the Protestant Reformed Churches in the Philippines in light of the fact that the schism and troubles in the PRCA have also spread to them. The second clerk has drawn up his report of the first day: Summary of 2022 PRCA Synod - Day 1 (June 14, 2022), On Monday evening the pre-synodical service was held at Zion Protestant Reformed Church. Synod appointed Southwest PRC as the host of Synod 2023 to convene Tuesday, June 13, 2023 at 8:00 A.M. Zion PRC was thanked as the host church. For more news from "seminary hill", visit the news section. It should have been Rev. M. Wee in Dogmatics. When you sort Christians by denomination, mainline Protestants are continuing to show significant decline. Richard and Mrs. Smit and their families for their faithful service in the cause of the mission work in the Philippines. N. Decker with the PRC stated clerk, Doug Mingerink, Sr. Sem. In Christs Service, Rev. The RCA isnt the only Protestant denomination facing division over views on sexuality. From our point of view, the house is burning. S. Key, Elder P. Smit. Rev. Synod approved the subsidy requests of six churches. Consistories of the Protestant Reformed Churches, Synod 2021 adopted an open letter to those who have recently left the PRCA calling them to repentance with the goal of biblical reconciliation. It is below. M. Wee completed, synod will dig into its committee work right away. J. Tan completed, she could dig into her regular business and begin trearting committee report recommendations right away. The Lord willing, Sem. Synod approved the financial support of fifteen emeritus ministers and their wives for 2022. The RCA has a localized structure that gives classesregional church groupsauthority over matters such as discipline and ordination. Some very conservative people are sad about the conflict in the RCA and the departure of some of their friends from the RCA, continued Griswold. The delegates of Synod gathered tonight with the seminary faculty, members of the TSC, and supporters of our seminary to celebrate the graduation of Josiah Tan. Jan 14, Here is the public report for this day: Report of Day 3 Synod of the Protestant Reformed Churches in America June 10, 2021. Five decisions were taken in this regard: 1) That synod approve holding the 100th anniversary celebration of our churches at Calvin University on June 23-27, 2025. They discipline the righteous. Every writer is solely responsible for the content of his own writing. Rodney Kleyn. and G.Eriks (VP), Committee 1 - Revs. May the Lord continue to bless the instruction Prof. Dykstra gives, and strengthen him for his work as pastor of Byron Center PRC. His overture amounts to an appeal to synod, without having first protested to Classis. WebThe Protestant Reformation was a religious reform movement that swept through Europe in the 1500s. Lee. Decker. Richard Smit, who is here on furlough. James Laning, then pastor of Hull PRC in Northwest Iowa. Information was presented at synod on the CCs work with the Confessing Protestant-Reformed Congregation (BERG) of Giessen, Germany, along with churches and believers in Namibia, South Africa, South Korea, and Mexico. Last evening the pre-synodical service was held in the sanctuary of Zion PRC, the host of this year's PRC Synod. The decisions of this body are published in the annual "Acts of Synod". The announcement on Sunday morning regarding the Another important member of synod's "team": Jay A. Kuiper, Georgetown PRC's facility coordinator, janitor, livestream-controller, etc. S. Key will serve as president; Prof. R. Dykstra as vice-president; Rev. The oral examination of Marcus Wee was brought to a conclusion this morning. We pray for them as they hope to complete their work today. The exam will begin Tuesday morning with the delivery of his specimen sermon. In addition, although synod granted some points made by those who protested, synod did not sustain the protests against the work of the synodical deputies. Prof. R. Cammenga questioning Sem. N. Decker Second Clerk of Synod 202. First, the report recommends appointing a team for reorganizing classes by affinity rather than geography; churches would opt into classes and group themselves by shared values. The matter was recommitted to the committee of pre-advice for reformulation. The comfortable accommodations, the good food, the warm hospitality, and the colorful posters made by the children were greatly appreciated! J.Tan will take place this evening at 7:30 p.m. in the church. I think thats the case on both sides. R.Kleyn (Pres.) After the denomination cleared the way for churches to amicably part with the RCA at their annual meeting in Arizona, churches around the country are voting on potentially leaving for another denomination altogether. G.Eriks, J.Engelsma (front); Elder B.Looyenga, Prof.B. Synod adopted the budget for 2022 of $2,534,463, which is adjusted to $1,415,729 because of surplus funds, collections, and monies from the endowment funds. And at lunch it appears chef/griller Deane Wassink has some eager taste-testers. Griess examining Sem. Vernon Ibe addressed synod with a letter from the PRCP [photo below]. The first order of business was to accept the credentials of Classis East and Classis West. The RCA was originally formed by several waves of Dutch immigrants. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Its a fundamental difference in approach to the Christian faith thats the source of all this. The churchs stance on sexuality had varied over the decades. Sign up for our newsletter: Covenant Evangelical Reformed Church of Singapore, Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Australia, Missions, Sister Churches, Christian Schools. Dennis Lee temporarily emeritus since, by this coming July, through no fault of his own, he will have been left without a fixed charge due to the disbanding of the congregation. Synod will reconvene on Friday morning at 8:00 AM. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way, Excellence in Education Award Nominations. M. Wee and his wife. I wonder how Pamela Colman Smith worked it out in reverse, led by her own creativity straight to the Catholic Churchthe place Ive tried to leave. C. Haak for his 43 years of faithful service in the ministry of the Word and Sacraments in the Protestant Reformed denomination. Good job on calling him out. They just claim to be more consistent Last edited: Nov 29, 2021. cmiersma Puritan Board Freshman. Synod did not sustain the protest, but judged that Synod 2020 had acted within its rules by not including in the printed Acts a report regarding a mandate that synod gave to a committee in closed session and that synod treated in closed session. Synod dealt with a protest of a decision of Synod 2020 related to the release of that former minister from the ministry under Article 12 of the Church Order. WebAfter issuing several calls for home missionary, on November 20, 2022 Zion PRC received an acceptance of a call to Rev. Those separations were supposed to be finalized at the churchs general conference in 2020, but the pandemic delayed that event twice. The Reformed Church in America, one of those small denominations that usually get little ink despite rich history and accomplishments, is set to celebrate its 400th anniversary in 2028. Next year, the United Methodist Church is expected to vote on a proposal to split the denomination over the inclusion of LGBTQ members, and the RCAs sister Synod did not sustain the protest. (OPINION) The Reformed Church in America, one of those small denominations that usually get little ink despite rich history and accomplishments, is set Key. Todays session began with opening devotions led by Rev. Tan in practica. In the section regarding the Foreign Mission Committee, I referred to one of the missionaries as Rev. Joshua Engelsma Second Clerk of Synod 2021. The 2021 PRC Synod gathered for a new day and a new session in Georgetown PRC on Friday June 11. Prof. Kuiper examined Marcus in the knowledge of confessions, Prof. Dykstra in Church History, Prof. Gritters in Church Order, and Rev. This evening the PR Theological Seminary commencementtook place, as Marcus Wee and Isaac Peters graduated. It approved the work with our sister church in the Philippines, and approved letters of encouragement to our sister church and our missionaries in light of recent struggles they have experienced. Mr. Wee preached on Jeremiah 33:15,16 under the theme The Branch of Righteousness, an edifying sermon delivered with conviction. Tan in Church Polity and NT History. Vernon Ibe from the Protestant Reformed Church in the Philippines and Elder Wee Gim Theng from the Covenant Evangelical Reformed Church in Singapore. Can noncelibate gay people be elected as elders and deacons and ordained as ministers? With the examination of Bro. Much of the work today involves treating protests and appeals. Synod has appointed its officers and committees (cf. A.Brummel, R.Van Overloop (front); Elders N.Kleyn, D.Poortinga (back), Missionary to the Philippines D.Holstege addressed synod. Synod approved the work of the Board of Trustees during the past year, including its work with the Investment Subcommittee concerning the synodical investments. Sem. After approving the work of the CC with the EPCA, Synod had a letter read from the Presbytery of the EPCA on the floor of synod. Synod took a decision to express the churches deep gratitude to God for the work that Prof. R. Dykstra has performed on our behalf over the past 25 years in faithfully training our pastors in the seminary. Dan Ackerman, director of spiritual leadership for the newly formed Alliance of Reformed Churches, told FOX 17 that 45 churches have already indicated they will leave the RCA for the ARC.
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