Vernon Ibe from the Protestant Reformed Church in the Philippines and Elder Wee Gim Theng from the Covenant Evangelical Reformed Church in Singapore. This year's synod has a Dutch theme - check out the fine art-work the Georgetown PRC children did! S. Key will serve as president; Prof. R. Dykstra as vice-president; 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. Webfrom BCPRC consistory, church visitors, Trinity Protestant Reformed Church consistory (TPRC) or Classis East January 2021 as approved by the Synodical Deputiesengaged with the definition of schism to prove its existence as a result of Reu Lanning's preaching. Synod took the decision also to seat and give advisory vote to both Rev. Synod did not sustain the protest. var addyf358f888039c8ee7d40a715fa622885c = 'jdengelsma' + '@'; document.getElementById('cloak862cfb19c345bfdb79a929249260313f').innerHTML = ''; Today, the RCA has fewer than 200,000 members and 1,000 churches. Much of the afternoon was spent treating the reports of both the Domestic and Foreign Mission Committees. Synod also concurred with the decision of Georgetown PRC, and concurrence of Classis East to grant the emeritation request of Rev. Marcus gave a good account of what he both knows and believes concerning these subjects. Staff is available by phone or email if you have any special needs. The General Synod, the RCAs governing This was followed by Prof. Gritters examining Marcus on the knowledge of Scripture. While these questions are often framed as political, they are also theological. The announcement on Sunday morning regarding the Part of his application to synod and its work included these words:"With regard to synod and its work, the application is this, that God will answer our prayer for His presence and the work of His Spirit in our deliberations, first, by giving to us as delegates the attitudes and behaviors of love, here described in 1 Corinthians 13. Bill Langerak (Trinity PRC). Our prayers will be with our brothers and sisters as they walk together through this significant moment in the RCAs history.. Griess examining Sem. If its a really big split, thats pretty rare. Synod will reconvene Thursday morning at 8:00 AM to finish the examination of Marcus Wee. Good job on calling him out. 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 Matt Koerner and elder Wee Gim Theng (CERCS), Some of the support Sem. Having served his initial four-year term, Prof. Kuiper was reappointed to another three-year term as professor of Church History and New Testament in our seminary. Mr. Wee will be examined in the six loci of dogmatics, knowledge of Scripture, knowledge of the confessions, church history, church polity, and practica. Key. Yesterday afternoon (following the specimen sermon delivered by Sem. At General Synod, delegates come from across the RCA to discern the mind of Christ together, said Christina Tazelaar, RCA director of communications. The overture was to remove the requirement that the churches hold worship services on Old and New Years Day. Synods decision was to approve the overture of Faith PRC insofar as it speaks of the observance of Old Years 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 Years 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. Commmittee 5 material was also to be dealt with. After a busy night of committtee work, the delegates of the PRC Synod convened on Thursday morning at 8 a.m. in the sanctuary of Georgetown PRC. These three proposals are scheduled to be debated on Saturday and require a simple majority of votes to passbut the measures could be radically amended before then, and other overtures could be adopted as well. The individuals main contention is that Synods decision contradicts Scripture and the confessions and brings Synod 2020 into contradiction with decisions of Synods 2018 and 2019. C. Haak effective September 1, 2022. Nov 29, 2021 #103 the Reformed Church in America split. 18 Christian Colleges Closed Since the Start of COVID-19, Died: Charles Stanley, In Touch Preacher Who Led with Stubborn Faith, What Are Evangelical Voters in Iowa Focusing On: Everything, United Methodists Lose 1,800 Churches in Split Over LGBT Stance. Get the most recent headlines and stories from Christianity Today delivered to your inbox daily. Synod declared not legally before it two pieces of correspondence. Decker. The rest of the day was taken up with deliberation on synod's committee reports. Josiah Tan (Covenant ERC, Singapore). Steve Key (Loveland PRC) and Rev. Those separations were supposed to be finalized at the churchs general conference in 2020, but the pandemic delayed that event twice. Synod approved sending observers to NAPARC in 2021. W Langerak, and Shelly VanderKolk. The protestant contended that Articles 79 and 80 of the Church Order ought to have been applied instead. The congregational Ibe read Ephesians 4:1-16 and opened in prayer. Rev. A special word of appreciation to Georgetown PRC for the outstanding job they did in hosting the delegates for nearly two weeks. Rodney Kleyn (First PRC, GR) and Rev. James Laning, then pastor of Hull PRC in Northwest Iowa. By. We sing hymns in special programs a few times per year as a congregation. Sem. 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.. R.Kleyn (Pres.) Key; Vice-President, Prof. Dykstra; First Clerk, Rev. Points of contention include questions over whether LGBTQ weddings can be held in Reformed churches, whether Reformed pastors can officiate LGBTQ weddings, and whether or not LGBTQ individuals can be ordained in the church. The advice presented to synod regarding the North America Presbyterian and Reformed Council (NAPARC) and Faith PRCs overture to amend Article 67 of the Church were recommitted to committee one for reformulation. We also are thankful for the many members of Zion PRC who were at work to facilitate this years meeting of Synod. 3) Many special services in a short period of time can diminish the value of the Lords Day worship services. He also writes: However, I believe that this Special Committee of Classis Eastmust also be held accountable for what they wrote and that it is Classis Easts responsibility to hold them accountable as they are a committee of Classis (Agenda p. 75). 2) His course of action should have been to protest the decision of Classis East to reject his overture, and then if not satisfied to appeal to Synod. This email address is being protected from spambots. The delegates from Classis East are Mike Gritters (Zion PRC), Jim Lanting (Cornerstone PRC), Sid Miedema (Unity PRC), John VanBaren (Hudsonville PRC), Dan VanUffelen (Hope PRC, GR), Rev. Regarding professors, Synod declared both Prof. R. Cammenga and Prof. B. Gritters capable to continue teaching in our seminary for another year. Nathan Decker officiating. The PRC is too wicked for us. As they do at the beginning of every meeting of synod, the delegate stood and gave assent to the Public Declaration of Agreement with the Forms of Unity, which was read by Rev. May the Lord bless the decisions of Synod and cause them to serve for the good of our churches. Having completed all the matters on its agenda, Synod adjourned at about 4:00 PM. Synod approved the work of the CC with our contacts in Australia, Germany, and Namibia/South Africa, and received information regarding other contacts in South Korea and Mexico. The PRC Synod is the broadest church assembly or gathering, made up of 20 delegates, 5 ministers and 5 elders from each Classis (of which there are two in the PRC). A picture of their report (along with other pictures) as adopted can be found under the news tab of our denominational website. Prof. R. Dykstra's final PRTS commencement speech, 2022 PRTS Graduate Isaac Peters, with Prof. R. Cammenga (rector, left) and Rev. Delegates to the synod, which starts Thursday and will continue through Tuesday, will determine how the denomination might restructure to entice congregations to stay, if the church will establish an external mission organization and whether departing congregations can plan on taking their church buildings with them. 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. addy68b89dbd7e087419d74f7eb8a4e9f3f5 = addy68b89dbd7e087419d74f7eb8a4e9f3f5 + 'sbcglobal' + '.' + 'net'; Jesus Brought Relief. The matter was recommitted to the committee of pre-advice for reformulation. Votes cast in Tucson at the Reformed Church in Americas General Synoddelayed 16 months due to the pandemicwill chart the course for the already-splintering denomination. R.Kleyn and W. Langerak (front); Elder E. Van Egdom, Prof. R. Dykstra, Elder D.Kregel (back), Committee 2 - Revs. This evening the PR Theological Seminary commencementtook place, as Marcus Wee and Isaac Peters graduated. 5) That synod send an invitation to those churches with whom we have official relationships (sister churches and the churches with whom we have a corresponding relationship) to attend our 100th anniversary celebration. Its a fundamental difference in approach to the Christian faith thats the source of all this. He said none of the churches in the Holland classis have indicated they will leave the denomination, although he acknowledged that could always change. Allen Brummel (Calvary PRC), 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. Synod approved the work of the committee and expressed gratitude to its members for their faithful and selfless labor on behalf of the churches. Synod adopted the report of the sermon critics to approve Mr. Wees sermon and proceed to his oral examination, which will begin Wednesday morning. The decisions of this body are published in the annual "Acts of Synod". After recommitting the advice several times throughout the week to the committee of pre-advice for reformulation, Synod came to a decision on Faith PRCs overture regarding Article 67 of the Church Order. Synod had before it an appeal of an individual whose objections to a sermon were not upheld by his consistory or Classis. The meeting began with devotions, the delegates of Synod singing Psalter 134 and Rev. PR Churches; Missions, Sister Churches, Christian Schools; PRC-Related: RFPA, Standard Bearer, Reformed Witness Hour, Etc. 2) That synod request the Young Peoples Federation to hold the Young Peoples Convention at the same place and time. Synod approved the work of the synodical deputies from Classis West in their concurrence with the decision of Classis East to proceed with the deposition of that minister according to Articles 79 and 80 of the Church Order. Synod then dealt with reformulated advice on 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. The Stated Clerk was instructed in his letter to the churches to include a notice of the urgent need for seminary students. An ongoing question is whether the General Synod ought to be able to make dictates it can enforce. Today synod will begin its official sessions. C. Haak for his 43 years of faithful service in the ministry of the Word and Sacraments in the Protestant Reformed denomination. Synod treated another protest that objected on procedural grounds to Classis Easts concurrence to depose a minister according to Articles 79 and 80 of the Church Order. The exam is being livestreamed through Georgetown PRC's website. Synod voted not to sustain his protest, judging that the individual had failed to prove his contention that the sermon militated against Synod 2018 by making repentance an instrument to obtain blessings of salvation. Tazelaar told FOX17 the issues were based in differences of opinion about biblical interpretation, polity, and human sexuality and lack of alignment around the RCA's strategic goal of 'transformed and transforming. 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. Synod also treated the protest of an individual who objected on procedural grounds to Classis Easts concurrence to depose this minister. Rodney Kleyn. 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. The committee of pre-advice divided his protest into two parts. You must possess a username and a contrite heart to access. 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. 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. Prof. Kuiper examined Mr. Tan in Knowledge of Confessions (for 30 minutes), Prof. Gritters examined him in Church Order (for 30 minutes) and Knowledge of Scripture (for 30 minutes), and then Rev. The PRC Synod of 2022 will reconvene this morning at 8 a.m. After devotions, the examination of Sem. 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. Josiah Tan. Synod appointed Zion PRC as the host church of Synod 2022 to convene Tuesday, June 14, 2022, at 8:00 AM. Synod treated the report of the Emeritus Committee, approving 15 emeritation requests. Richard and Mrs. Smit and their families for their faithful service in the cause of the mission work in the Philippines. According to their website, more than 125 churches have expressed interest in joining the alliance. Synod then sang the doxology, prayed, and congratulated Marcus and his wife. Synod has appointed its officers and committees (cf. All weve ever wanted is for any LGBTQIA person to have a church that they can go to that will affirm and celebrate them., There seems to be this conflict between understanding the image of God and the affirmation of God in queer identities as being a distraction to mission in some way, and that gets really disappointing, Van Kooten Laughead continued. The three synodical-appointed advisors are Prof. D. Kuiper, Josh Hoekstra, and Prof. B. Gritters. One of the delegates did some drone pictures of Georgetown PRC today. 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. (OPINION) The Reformed Church in America, one of those small denominations that usually get little ink despite rich history and accomplishments, is set While all RCA churches follow the Book of Church Order, they dont have to follow the General Synods recommendations. Synod did not sustain the protest. N. Decker) clerks - thanks for your special service to the churches! Prof. R. Cammenga questioning Sem. On the agenda for the morning session is the oral examination of Sem. G. Eriks, R. Barnhill; Elders K. Bruinsma, J. Tan in all branches of theology. These parts of the exam are open to the public and will also be livestreamed through Zion PRC's website - in part for the benefit of his family, friends, and fellow saints in Singapore. The Vice-Chairman expressed thanks to our capable chairman, Rev. 9:37-28). It did so believing that seeking reconciliation is the solemn duty of the church with those who have left because reconciliation is the very heart of the gospel (2 Cor. Nov 13, 2021 #1 Has anyone heard about the split from the Protestant Reformed Church this year and the resulting formation of the Reformed Protestant For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you., In Christs Service, Rev. If any are interested, this declaration can be found in the little green Church Order book. Our stated goal from the beginning has never been this universal capitulation. May the Lord again give wisdom and grace to the delegates as they take up the Lord's work in and through the churches. While in theory RCA churches are united by their polity, history, and Reformed convictions, they hold a range of political and theological The delegates of the 2021 PRC Synod gathered again this morning in Georgetown PRC (Hudsonville, MI) for their seventh day of discussion and deliberation. Next year, the United Methodist Church is expected to vote on a proposal to But Driscoll is a bad actor. Synod also declared that Profs. J. Engelsma) and 2nd (Rev. Two sets of grounds provided various definitions but never were these used to prove Synod both approved disbursements from and a budget for the Student Aid Fund. The Psalter Revision Review Committee provided synod with a helpful summary of their work from this past year. document.getElementById('cloak68b89dbd7e087419d74f7eb8a4e9f3f5').innerHTML = ''; 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. C.Griess, under whom Sem. Synod began by treating the work of the CC regarding those with whom we have a sister church relationship: the Covenant Evangelical Reformed Church of Singapore (CERCS), the Covenant Protestant Reformed Church Northern Ireland (CPRCNI), and the Protestant Reformed Churches in the Philippines (PRCP). Kleyn reading Psalm 48 and opening with prayer. May the Lord give wisdom to the delegates as they discuss and decide on these matters. The body returned to some recommitted advice from Committee 2 this morning. Komline says historically, denominations typically lose around 10%20% of congregations when schisms arise. Synod decided to accept the invitation of NAPARC (North American Presbyterian and Reformed Council) to send observers to its 2022 meeting. People on different sides of the spectrum have been fighting for about 40 years, and theyre sick of it, said Komline. Rev. Marcus Wee, a member of Zion, will be examined by that Synod. Carl Haak and Rev. Reverends Herman Hoeksema, George Ophoff, and Henry Danhof rejected these three points and maintained them to be contrary to the Reformed confessions of faith. Starting Wednesday morning (and again Thursday morning), Sem. The liberals want to go pursue justice, as they define it, and the evangelicals want to share the gospel as they define that.. Preparing to start the work this morning. Synod adopted a motion to express special thanks to Rev. Synod recessed for the day around 11:00 AM to allow the pre-advice committees to do their work, and will begin again Wednesday morning at 8:00 AM. Synod did not sustain either of the protests, judging that the individuals failed to prove that the former minister militated against the decision of Synod 2018 in the sermon. Synod treated 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. Rev. Today, the RCA has fewer than 200,000 members and 1,000 churches. The exam will begin Tuesday morning with the delivery of his specimen sermon. The letter from the EPCA contained a heartfelt expression of thanks to the PRCA for the care and training of their student, Mr. Isaac Peters. All except five of the 44 churches listed as LGBTQ-affirming by Room for Allan LGBTQ-affirming network in the RCAare in the Northeast. 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 Two individuals protested another decision of Synod 2020 related to another sermon of that former minister (a sermon entitled The Reward of Grace). Synod took up reformulated advice regarding a protest of a decision of Synod 2020 not to publish a report from a special committee appointed to assist a congregation. Synod approved the subsidy requests of six churches. document.getElementById('cloak29f3df05ca820e3cbfe3fb63fb8dd694').innerHTML = ''; Richard Smit, who is here on furlough. G.Eriks, J.Engelsma (front); Elder B.Looyenga, Prof.B. Both Mr. Mingerink and Mr. Westra were thanked for their faithful labors this past year. R. Kleyn, Sem. Joshua Engelsma, Second Clerk of Synod 2021. Reformed Church in America splits by Kathryn Post January 24, 2022 (Courtesy image) Want to Keep Reading? Prof. R. Cammenga examines Sem. In May 2021, the Alliance of Reformed Churches was formed as an alternative to the RCA for conservative churches questioning their place in the denomination. The PRC's assistant stated clerk, Mr. Dirk Westra, has made himself available with his digital resources for synod and her committees. Jan 14, Synod voted not to sustain the protest. 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. This matter was recommitted to the committee of pre-advice for reformulation. Synod treated the protest of an individual against Synod 2021, Article 59. PRC Synod 2022 - Day 3 - Thursday, June 16 (with report), PRC Synod 2022 - Day 2 - Wednesday, June 15 (with report), PRC Synod 2022 - Day 1 - Tuesday, June 14 (with report), PRC Synod 2021 - Day 7 - Thursday June 17 *(Updated with Report), PRC Synod 2021 - Day 6 - Wednesday, June 16, PRC Synod 2021 - Day 5 - Tuesday June 15 *(Updated with Report), PRC Synod 2021 - Day 3 - Thursday June 10 (Updated with Report), PRC Synod 2021 - Day 2 - Wednesday June 9 (Updated with Report and Photos), PRC Synod 2021 - Day 1 - Tuesday June 8 (Updated with Report), PRC Synod 2020 - Day 3 (Thursday, June 11), PRC Synod 2020 - Day 2 (Wednesday, June 10), PRC Confessions and Church Order (mobi ed 2015), PRC Confessions and Church Order (epub ed 2015), 2023 Clerks & Treasurers - Classis East & West, Church Order of the Protestant Reformed Churches (2020). His overture amounts to an appeal to synod, without having first protested to Classis. Synod declared illegal an overture from an individual who asked that "Classis require each of the men of the Special Committee of Classis East (Jan 2018) to assist Hope PRC to explain in writing their doctrinal position regarding the doctrinal statement which they authored. The one ground for declaring the overture illegal was that requirement of Article 30 had not been met, namely, that in major assemblies only such matters shall be dealt with as could not be finished in minor assemblies. Two points of explanation were given to explain the ground: 1) The overture was a request for action on the part of Classis East and not Synod. The Kingdom Network, an alliance currently composed of five churches in Indiana and Illinois, officially left the RCA on September 9. 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. Synod spent most of the day treating the substance of five protests that objected to the concurrence of the synodical deputies of Classis West with the decision of Classis East in the deposition of a minister. WebSinging. N. Decker with the PRC stated clerk, Doug Mingerink, Sr. Sem. 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. Kathryn Post. 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. Wee. 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. C. Spronk - busy at his post. He will be examined by Prof. R. Cammenga in all the loci of Dogmatics and then in Church History by Prof. R.Dykstra. C.Griess, J.Laning (front); Elder J. Regnerus, Prof. B.Huizinga, Elder J.Holstege (back), Committee 3 - Revs. Eriks in Practica. N. Decker Second Clerk of Synod 202. Its already a bloody mess, and until youre willing to get in there and make some choices, theres no way through. Those dont happen very often.. Lee in our churches. With dozens of congregations already on their way out, the Reformed Church in America anticipates difficult decisions at its postponed General Synod this week. This email address is being protected from spambots. In 2016, the General Synod voted to amend the Book of Church Order to define marriage as between a woman and a man. basis of reimbursement determination codes,