The PRC Synod of 2021 convened Wednesday morning at 8 a.m. in the sanctuary of Georgetown PRC.
On the agenda for the morning session is the oral examination of Sem. Josiah Tan (Covenant ERC, Singapore). He will be examined by Prof. R. Cammenga in all the loci of Dogmatics and then in Church History by Prof. R.Dykstra. The exam is being livestreamed through Georgetown PRC's website.
Prof. R. Cammenga questioning Sem. Tan in all branches of theology.
Prof. R. Dykstra examining Sem. Tan in Reformation church history (his last time doing this!).
In the afternoon Synod took up the reports of its committee that were ready (cf. report below).
Report of Day 2
Synod of the Protestant Reformed Churches in America June 9, 2021
Synod continued its work this morning with the oral examination of senior seminarian, Josiah Tan. Prof. Cammenga examined Mr. Tan in the six loci of Dogmatics (for 20 minutes on each section), and then Prof. Dykstra examined him in Church History (with a focus on Martin Luther and the sixteenth-century Reformation) for 40 minutes. At the end of each section the delegates were given opportunity to ask follow-up questions of the student. The oral examination of Mr. Tan will conclude tomorrow morning, the Lord willing. For those who are interested, the exam is being live-streamed by Georgetown PRC.
After lunch break, Synod dealt with the legality of protests from three individuals of decisions of Synod 2020. The protests have to do with decisions regarding two sermons preached by a former minister (“Dealing Rightly with Our Sins” and “The Reward of Grace”) as well as with the decision to release that minister under Article 12 of the Church Order. These protests were all declared legally before Synod.
Synod also dealt with the legality of nine protests and one letter from a consistory related to the deposition of a minister under Articles 79 and 80 of the Church Order. Synod declared seven of the protests legally before it. Two of the protests were declared not legally before Synod on the ground that the protestants are no longer members of the denomination and therefore no longer have the right of protest. Synod also declared not legally before it the letter from a consistory because it addressed one of the protests that Synod declared not legally before it.
Synod then treated the material from the Foreign Mission Committee. Rev. Daniel Holstege, one of our missionaries to the Philippines, was present at Synod and addressed the delegates and visitors regarding the work on our established field of labor. Synod approved the work done by Doon PRC and the FMC in the Philippines and expressed thanks to our missionaries for their faithful labors. Synod approved the congregations taking one collection in 2022 for foreign missions and one collection for the Philippines Book Fund.
Synod also treated the report from the Domestic Mission Committee. Synod approved the work of Byron Center PRC and the DMC, expressed thanks to Rev. Spriensma and his wife for their labors as home missionary for 3.5 years, and approved the decision of Byron Center council no longer to serve as the calling church for home missions. Synod directed the DMC to expand greatly its use of technology, internet, and radio to establish a concrete field of labor for a missionary, and budgeted $50,000 to carry out this mandate. Synod also approved the DMC proposal for updating the general purpose, form, structure, and development of the prca.org website. Synod directed the DMC to form a new sub-committee of qualified individuals to oversee and maintain the denominational website (prca.org) and all other denominationally related digital technology (social media, podcasts, etc.). The members of this sub-committee would be appointed and supervised by the DMC, and their specific work and compensation determined by the DMC. Synod approving having the churches take one collection in 2022 for the cause of Domestic Missions.
Synod recessed for the day at about 5:00 PM to allow committees of pre-advice to work.
In Christ’s Service,
Rev. Joshua Engelsma, Second Clerk of Synod 2021
It was also photo day at synod and John Van Baren again took a variety of pictures, a sampling of which you find above and below.
Synodical officers: front - Revs. C.Spronk (1st clerk) and J. Engelsma (2nd clerk); back - Revs. R.Kleyn (Pres.) and G.Eriks (VP)
Committee 1 - Revs. R.Kleyn and W. Langerak (front); Elder E. Van Egdom, Prof. R. Dykstra, Elder D.Kregel (back)
Committee 2 - Revs. C.Griess, J.Laning (front); Elder J. Regnerus, Prof. B.Huizinga, Elder J.Holstege (back)
Committee 3 - Revs. G.Eriks, J.Engelsma (front); Elder B.Looyenga, Prof.B. Gritters, Prof. D.Kuiper, Elder D.Terpstra (back)
Committee 4 - Revs. S.Key, C.Spronk (front); Elder K.Bruinsma, Prof. R. Cammenga, Elder J.Lanting (back)
Committee 5 - Revs. A.Brummel, R.Van Overloop (front); Elders N.Kleyn, D.Poortinga (back)
Missionary to the Philippines D.Holstege addressed synod
This year's synod has a Dutch theme - check out the fine art-work the Georgetown PRC children did!
And at lunch it appears chef/griller Deane Wassink has some eager taste-testers
