After a full day yesterday, the PRC Synod of 2022 resumes its work this morning at 8 a.m. in Zion PRC. With the examination of Bro. M. Wee completed, synod will dig into its committee work right away.

May the Lord again give wisdom and grace to the delegates as they take up the Lord's work in and through the churches.

Below are a few more pictures from the seminary graduation last evening. Thanks to John Van Baren for all the great photos this week!

Prof. R. Dykstra's final PRTS commencement speech

2022 PRTS Graduate Isaac Peters, with Prof. R. Cammenga (rector, left) and Rev. G. Eriks (TSC President, right)

2022 PRTS Graduate Marcus Wee

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Summary of 2022 PRCA Synod - Day 4 (June 17, 2022)

I begin with a correction from yesterday’s report. In the section regarding the Foreign Mission Committee, I referred to one of the missionaries as Rev. Rodney Kleyn. It should have been Rev. Daniel Kleyn.

Today’s session began with opening devotions led by Rev. Lanning, who read Psalm 91 and opened in prayer.

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.

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. Both Mr. Mingerink and Mr. Westra were thanked for their faithful labors this past year.

Synod treated the report of the treasurer, and expressed gratitude to our treasurer, Mr. Don Offringa, and our bookkeeper, Mrs. Pamela Bos, for their work.

Synod treated the report of the Emeritus Committee, approving 15 emeritation requests. Synod also concurred with the decision of Georgetown PRC, and concurrence of Classis East to grant the emeritation request of Rev. C. Haak effective September 1, 2022. This was followed by a decision to thank Rev. C. Haak for his 43 years of faithful service in the ministry of the Word and Sacraments in the Protestant Reformed denomination.

Synod approved the subsidy requests of six churches.

Using an estimate of 2,160 families, synod adopted a budget that set an assessment of $625 per family for 2023.

After recommitting the advice several times throughout the week to the committee of pre-advice for reformulation, Synod came to a decision on Faith PRC’s overture regarding Article 67 of the Church Order. The overture was to remove “the requirement that the churches hold worship services on ‘Old and New Year’s Day.” Synod’s decision was to “approve the overture of Faith PRC insofar as it speaks of the observance of Old Year’s Day, and thus change Article 67 of The Church Order of the PRCA by removing the words “and Old”, so that the article will then read ‘The churches shall observe, in addition to the Sunday, also Christmas, Good Friday, Easter, Ascension Day, Pentecost, the Day of Prayer, the National Thanksgiving Day, and New Year’s Day’.” The decision included four grounds: “1) The churches’ commemoration of the passing of the old year to the new year can appropriately be held in one service on the first day of the new year. 2) Of all our special services, Old Year’s Day is of most recent origin, having not appeared in The Church Order prior to 1914. 3) Many special services in a short period of time can diminish the value of the Lord’s Day worship services. When the Reformation churches considered the worship on special days, a major concern was the sanctity of the Lord’s Day, which ought to be our concern. 4) Three special church services within eight days can be taxing on both ministers and congregations.”

One of the last orders of business was voting for those who will serve on the denominational standing committees.

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. The facility served Synod well. The caterers were thanked. The delegates of synod ate well throughout the week. We also are thankful for the many members of Zion PRC who were at work to facilitate this years meeting of Synod.

The Vice-Chairman expressed thanks to our capable chairman, Rev. Key. And Rev. Key concluded the meeting expressing thanks to the delegates of synod for being given strength to do the work of Synod throughout the week and the spirit of unity and brotherly love with which it was done.

Psalm 91:1, 2, “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.”

In Christ’s service,
Rev. N. Decker Second Clerk of Synod 2022

Two Van Baren delegates: John (Hudsonville PRC) and Phil (Crete PRC). John was also the synodical photographer - thanks for all the great photos! Look for more in the upcoming July Standard Bearer!

And when synod is over and everyone else departs for home, who is left to finish its work?

The 1st (Rev. J. Engelsma) and 2nd (Rev. N. Decker) clerks - thanks for your special service to the churches!

The PRC Synod of 2022 will reconvene this morning at 8 a.m. After devotions, the examination of Sem. Marcus Wee will continue, with four parts to complete: knowledge of confessions (Prof. D. Kuiper), church history (Prof. R. Dykstra), church polity (Prof. B. Gritters), and practica (Rev. G. Eriks). The exam is being livestreamed through Zion's PRC website.

Sem. M. Wee enjoying a refreshing moment with his young son (held by his father) during yesterday's exam.

Prof. D. Kuiper examining Sem. M. Wee in knowledge of confessions

Prof. R. Dykstra asking Sem. M. Wee questions on Augustine for church history exam

Fellow seminary students present to encourage Sem. M. Wee and his wife

Update: Sem M. Wee sustained his examination and has been approved by synod to be a candidate for the ministry of the Word. We rejoice in the grace given to the brother and pray for him as he returns to Singapore in the next month  to await God's will for him.

This afternoon synod will take up its regular work by considering the advice of its commmittees (Committee I, II, etc.).

Summary of 2022 PRCA Synod - Day 3 (June 16, 2022)

Synod began by singing Psalter 426. Rev. Ibe read Ephesians 4:1-16 and opened in prayer.

The oral examination of Marcus Wee was brought to a conclusion this morning. Prof. Kuiper examined Marcus in the knowledge of confessions, Prof. Dykstra in Church History, Prof. Gritters in Church Order, and Rev. Eriks in Practica. Synod took a decision to approve the synodical examination of Mr. Wee and inform the CERC of Singapore that we judge that Mr. Wee is worthy to be declared eligible for a call for the ministry of the Word and sacraments. After informing Marcus of this decision, the chairman read from 1 Corinthians 4:1, 2 and offered a word of encouragement to Marcus regarding pastors beings stewards of the mysteries God. Synod then sang the doxology, prayed, and congratulated Marcus and his wife.

The remainder of the day was spent treating reports from four committees of pre-advice.

Synod decided to accept the invitation of NAPARC (North American Presbyterian and Reformed Council) to send observers to its 2022 meeting. 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.

Synod treated the protest of an individual against Synod 2021, Article 59. This decision approved the concurrence of the Synodical deputies from the West with the decision of Classis East (January 13-15, 2021) to approve the request of Byron Center Consistory to proceed to the deposition of Mr. A. Lanning. The committee of pre-advice divided his protest into two parts. First, Synod did not sustain the protest regarding the rescinding of Synod 2021 Article 59 on the basis of one ground: the protestant “ignored two of the four decisions which grounded the approval of the deposition of A. Lanning.” This was elaborated upon with two further points of explanation. Second, Synod did not sustain the protest regarding the contention that the protests of five protestants was not fully considered by Synod 2021 on the one ground: “Synod 2021 did adequately consider and answer all the protests of 2021.” This too was elaborated upon with five points of explanation.

Much of the afternoon was spent treating the reports of both the Domestic and Foreign Mission Committees.

Some of the highlights regarding the Domestic Mission Committee are the following:

• Synod approved the appointment of Zion PRC to be the calling church for home missions.
• Synod approved the work of the DMC in carrying out the mandate of Synod 2021 to “expand greatly the use of technology, Internet, and radio to establish a concrete field of labor for a missionary.”
• Synod approved a budget of $55,000 for 2023 for design, maintenance, and webmaster salary for the PRC website.
• Synod adopted a motion to express special thanks to Rev. Slopsema for his many years of faithful and dedicated service on the DMC, in light of him retiring from the DMC due to health issues.

Some of the highlights regarding the Foreign Mission Committee are the following:

• Synod approved the work of Doon PRC’s council and the FMC in the Philippines on behalf of our churches, expressed appreciation to Doon PRC for their faithful oversight, and expressed gratitude to Rev. Dan and Mrs. Holstege, Rev. Daniel and Mrs. Kleyn, and Rev. Richard and Mrs. Smit and their families for their faithful service in the cause of the mission work in the Philippines.
• Synod had the privilege of listening to a report from Rev. Richard Smit, who is here on furlough. Rev. Smit explained some of the more recent developments in the Philippines, expressed thanks for the support he and his family receive from the PRCA, and asked for continued prayers as he presses on in the labors as foreign missionary.
• Synod approved the work of the FMC with Hope PRC regarding their labors in Myanmar and with Georgetown PRC regarding their labors in India.

Synod then turned to the report of the Theological School Committee. 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. Regarding professors, Synod declared both Prof. R. Cammenga and Prof. B. Gritters capable to continue teaching in our seminary for another year. This was done in accord with article 7 of the constitution of the theological school, which requires that after a professor reaches the age of 65, the TSC shall consult with the professor annually “about his capability to continue teaching or possible emeritation.” Lastly, after considering the Seminary Rector’s report, synod expressed appreciation to Professors Cammenga, Dykstra, Griess, Gritters, Huizinga, and Kuiper, as well as to Miss Sharon Kleyn and Mr. Charles Terpstra, for their work.

The last items treated today concerned the Student Aid Committee. Synod both approved disbursements from and a budget for the Student Aid Fund.

Synod will reconvene on Friday morning at 8:00 AM.

Ephesians 4:1-3, “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

In Christ’s service,
Rev. N. Decker Second Clerk of Synod 2022

This evening the PR Theological Seminary commencement took place, as Marcus Wee and Isaac Peters graduated. The program was held in the sanctuary of Zion PRC in Jenison, MI. Prof. R. Dykstra gave the address, speaking from Eph.4 on "The Minister's Calling to Seek Unity.' A nice crowd witnessed the ceremony and heard an edifying (final) commencement speech from Prof. Dykstra, who has retired from the seminary afer 26 years of faithful service. Below are a few pictures taken at this event.

Rev. G. Eriks, president of the Theological School Committee, chairs the program and leads in devotions

Zion PRC's choir provided the special music

Prof. R. Dykstra delivers his commencement message

Isaac Peters of the EPC of Australia receiving his diploma

Marcus Wee of the CERC-Singapore receives his diploma