SYNOD REPORT

A brief report of the Synodical Meeting of the Netherlands Reformed Congregation of the United States and Canada, held in Grand Rapids, Mich., on June 17, 1964.

On the evening before, a prayer meeting was held in the Grand Rapids church at which the Rev. L. Kieboom of Norwich, Ont., preached an English sermon on John 17:3, “And this is life eternal that they might know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ Whom Thou hast sent.”

Because of the sickness of the pastor of the calling church, Sioux Center, Synod was opened by the Rev. J. Van Zweden of Rock Valley, Iowa. Psalter No. 351 was sung after which he read Psalm 80 and led in prayer. After a few opening remarks he welcomed all the delegates and declared Synod to be opened.

When the credentials were examined it was found that of the twenty delegates four were not present, three could be represented by their seconds.

By an open election the Rev. J. Van Zweden was elected president, and the Rev. L. Kieboom clerk. Because the Rev. W. C. Lamain had to conduct a funeral that day, the Rev. M. Romeyn was appointed first assessor and Elder C. T. Boerkoel second assessor, while Elder T. Moerdyk was appointed treasurer.

All the churches had received the minutes of the 1962 Synod, and since none of the delegates had any remarks about them, they were approved as rendered.

The president read a letter from the Rev. C. Hegeman about his illness and stay in the Netherlands. The wish was expressed that he may be spared for his family and congregation and that he may be able to return soon.

In connection with a report on the church yearbook, Synod decided that after this the material for the yearbook should be sent in in December and published in January.

Regarding correspondence with the delegates of foreign churches in the Netherlands, Synod decided that the main contents of this correspondence shall be published in “The Banner of Truth.”

Synod decided that all translation of sermons to be published in our churches must be done under the supervision of the committee appointed thereto. This committee and the committee of the “General Fund” shall seek to find capable translators to hasten the publication of the catechism sermons of the late Rev. G. H. Kersten.

The committee of Classis Mid-West that is charged with the translation of Holland sermons, etc., is commissioned to supervise in the name of Synod the Holland books translated into English and distributed in the United States and Canada.

The classical committee for “The Banner of Truth” which has taken care of the business matters of this paper for some time shall henceforth be considered a Synodical committee. After extensive discussion Synod decided to revert to the former policy of individual subscriptions for the Banner starting January 1, 1965. However, the churches will continue to support the Banner for one year or until funds from subscriptions are sufficient to cover the publication’s expense.

Synod appointed Rev. W. C. Lamain to be editor-in-chief of the paper.

Regarding “Timothy” Synod decided that this organ shall be combined with the “Banner of Truth.” The existing committee of this paper shall continue to function as the editorial committee.

Synod examined Brother A. M. Den Boer of Paterson, concerning his conversion and calling to the ministry, and accepted him. He shall receive his training at the Theology School in Rotterdam with the churches of the United States and Canada paying his expenses. Synod appointed Rev. M. Heerschap, L. Kieboom, and W. C. Lamain as a committee to take care of all things connected with this matter.

Regarding the baptism of an adopted child, Synod decided to await the outcome of a study by a committee of the Particular Synod-West in the Netherlands which has been instructed to study this question.

Regarding Church visitation, Synod is of the opinion that the congregations should hold to that written in Art. 44 of the D.C.O.

Concerning the duties of the delegates appointed according to Art. 49 D.C.O., Synod agrees with that which was adopted last April by the Particular-Synod-West in the Netherlands.

Regarding the attitude of the Reformed Congregations to the LC.C.C., Synod believed the delegates for correspondence with foreign churches should discuss this matter with delegates of the Netherlands. After that the editor of “The Banner of Truth” shall give the necssary information in the paper. Also information and news received from the Netherlands concerning their missionary activity shall be published in “The Banner of Truth.”

In regard to the law forbidding Bible reading and prayer in the public schools of America, Synod decided to protest seriously. Elder C. T. Boerkoel is requested to notify the proper authorities of this decision.

The expenses of this Synod amount to almost $2000. After this Synod will meet every three years.

Chilliwack is designated to be the calling church for the next meeting of Synod, which shall be held, D.V., on the third Tuesday in June, 1967.

In his closing remarks the president noted that we were given a peaceful meeting. He requested the Rev. W. C. Lamain to close with prayer, which he did after Psalm 121:1 had been sung.

clerk.

Deze tekst is geautomatiseerd gemaakt en kan nog fouten bevatten. Digibron werkt voortdurend aan correctie. Klik voor het origineel door naar de pdf. Voor opmerkingen, vragen, informatie: contact.

Op Digibron -en alle daarin opgenomen content- is het databankrecht van toepassing. Gebruiksvoorwaarden. Data protection law applies to Digibron and the content of this database. Terms of use.

Printen