PRC Synod 2015: Day 1 - Sermon & Examination of Sem.R. Barnhill

Last night the pre-synodical worship service was held at Faith PRC, the calling church for this year's synod. Rev.Ken Koole, last year's synodical president, led the service and preached from Genesis 6:8 under the theme, "Noah, One Who Found Grace in the Eyes of the Lord." When the sermon is posted, you will find it here on Faith PRC's Sermonaudio page.

Today (Tuesday, June 9) the examination of Sem.Ryan Barnhill begins, with his specimen sermon delivered first. Following the approval of his sermon and exegesis, his examination will continue later today. Prof.B.Gritters will examine him first in the area of church polity and then in the area of OT history (cf. pictures below).

With synod's approval, this part of the exam will also be live-streamed - beginning at 2:30 ET. To watch this part of the examination, check in at this page of Faith PRC's website. If there is nothing on the video, the exam is not taking place yet, or there is a break.

It is our prayer that the Lord will uphold and strengthen Sem. Barnhill as he undergoes this examination.

Daily summary of synod's activities:

The second clerk of Synod provides the following summary of the activities and decisions of Synod for its first day. Even though some of this is covered already above, we include his full summary report here.

Synod convened Tuesday morning at Faith PRC in Jenison, MI. The first order of business was to elect officers with the following results: Rev.Steven Key, President; Rev. Carl Haak, Vice President; Rev. Doug Kuiper Clerk; Rev. Allen Brummel, Second Clerk (cf. picture below).

Synod seated delegates from our sister churches: Deacon Tang Yoon Chuan from the Covenant Evangelical Reformed Church in Singapore and Deacon Philip Hall from the Covenant Protestant Reformed Church in Northern Ireland.

The examination schedule proposed by the Theological School Committee for Seminarian Ryan Barnhill was approved with the specimen sermon scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Seminarian Barnhill addressed the delegates and a good number of visitors with the theme: "Fear Not, Israel" based on Isaiah 43:1,2. Synod declared the sermon Reformed and edifying and approved proceeding to the rest of the exam, with the sections conducted by Prof.B.Gritters on Church Polity and Old Testament History beginning at 2:30 p.m.

Prof. Gritters, who accepted an invitation to speak for a summer conference of the CERC in Singapore, found out later that the travel arrangements required him to leave for Singapore on Wednesday. The rest of the examination will continue Wednesday morning at 10:00 a.m. with Prof.R.Cammenga examining Mr. Barnhill in the area of Dogmatics. Synod approved the live streaming of the sermon and the examination from Faith PRC’s website.

Synod recessed for the day and opportunity was given to the committees to begin their pre-advice work. Lord willing, Synod will convene at 8 a.m. Wednesday to begin treatment of Committee 1's pre-advice regarding the work of the Domestic Mission Committee.
Rev. Allen Brummel, Second Clerk

Sem.Ryan Barnhill delivering his sermon before synod.

Sem.R.Barnhill being examined by Prof.B.Gritters in church polity and OT history.

Synod 2015 Officers: Rev.C.Haak, Rev.A.Brummel, Rev.D.Kuiper, Rev.S.Key