ACTS OF SYNOD 2009 Free Reformed Churches Of North America Free Reformed Publications P.O. Box 1094 Mitchell, ON Canada N0K 1N0 Email: [email protected] Tel./Fax: (519) 348-0020 website: www.frcna.org TABLE OF CONTENTS Subject Article Page Report Acts of Synod 2008 7 6 Proposed Agenda 8 7 44 COMMITTEE REPORTS Church Order 25,41 19,32 46 Re-marriage of guilty party 25 19 50 Special worship services 25 19 81 Withdrawal of membership 25 20 102 Consistorial delegation at synod 25 21 144 Submission of reports to synod 25 21 145 Church Order Changes from Legal Affairs 25 22 149 Combined consistory meetings (49) (38) 155 Ethical Public Affairs 17 12 159 Evangelism / Radio 20 16 166 Interchurch Relations 11,24,32,33,38 8,18,27,29,30 171 Rev. Aicken 34,35,36 29,30 187 Finance 26 23 202 Foreign Missions 44 33 218 Home Missions 47 36 232 Publication Committee 19,31 14,27 251 Refugee Committee 27 25 261 Theological Education 9,14,15,23 7,9,11,17 264 Student Baars 10,12,13,31 8,9,27 Theological Student Fund Support 16,24 12,18 275 Youth and Education Committee 18 13 280 OTHER REPORTS: Treasurer of Synod 42 32 290 Classis Contracta 24 18 OVERTURES: Brantford – Church Order Article 11 29 26 295 LETTER: Grand Rapids – consistory relations 41 32 297 AD-HOC COMMITTEES FRCNA Retirement Fund 21 16 286 OTHER List of Synodical Committees 40 List of Church Visitors/Counsellors 50 38 ACTS OF SYNOD of the FREE REFORMED CHURCHES OF NORTH AMERICA In Session at Dundas Ontario June 1-5, 2009 ************** Monday June 1, 2009 Article 1 - Opening Synod is opened with a worship service commencing at 7:30 p.m. Rev G.R Procee, pastor of the convening church of Hamilton, leads the service. He preaches from John 13:34-35: “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” The theme for the sermon is “The Commandment of Love: 1. The Novelty of this Command; 2. The Source of this Command; 3.The Impact of this Command.” After the service and a recess for coffee, Rev. Procee calls the delegates to order at 9:20 p.m. We sing Psalter 281:1,4 after which Pastor Procee reads Ephesians 3:14-21 and leads in prayer. He welcomes all present noting that since last Synod, Rev. H. Overduin has accepted a call to Calgary and Rev. C.A. Schouls has become married. He invites Brother J. Hamstra to present various logistical arrangements on behalf of the hosting church of Dundas. Article 2 – Presentation of Credentials The credentials are presented and found to be in good order. The roll call indicates that the following delegates have been sent by the churches: Abbotsford Rev. E. Moerdyk Bellevue Rev. K. Gangar Bornholm Rev. D. H. Kranendonk Elder A. Zekveld Brantford Rev. C.A. Schouls Elder J. Groen Calgary Elder H. Slingerland Elder D. Fraser* Chatham Elder P. Luth Elder P. Noordam Chilliwack Rev. H. Overduin Elder J. VanMuyen Dundas Rev. L. J. Bilkes Elder P. Procee Fenwick Elder E. DeKorte Elder F. Fousert Grand Rapids Dr. L.W. Bilkes Elder P. VanKempen Hamilton Rev. G.R. Procee Elder C. Keuning Lacombe Rev. J. Lewis Elder C. deGroot 4 Acts of Synod 2009 Langley Elder J. VanderZwan Elder J. denDekker London Rev. H.A. Bergsma Elder R. Koopman Mitchell Rev. J. Overduin Elder S. Otten Monarch Rev. J. Schoeman Elder H VanRhee Pompton Plains Elder E. Nieuwenhuis Jr. Deacon E. Densel St. George Rev. C. Pronk Elder W. Droogendyk St. Thomas Rev. J. Koopman Elder J. Otten Vineland Rev. P. Vander Meyden Elder B. DeJong *Elder Fraser is not present at the opening session of Synod, but is expected to arrive later in the week. A motion is made and carried to grant Deacon Densel full voting rights as a delegate. Article 3 – Election of the Executive Synod being legally constituted, the officers of Synod are elected by open ballot. The following brothers are elected as officers of synod: President Rev. C.A. Schouls Vice-President Rev. J. Koopman First Clerk Rev. D. Kranendonk Second Clerk Rev. J. Schoeman The executive is seated and Rev. Schouls thanks the delegates on behalf of the executive for the confidence expressed through the voting. He thanks Rev. Procee for leading the worship service, the Hamilton consistory for their work as convening church and the Dundas consistory for the hosting arrangements. Article 4 - Agreement with Three Forms of Unity Rev. Schouls reads the Public Declaration of Agreement and the delegates stand to express their agreement. After the brothers sing Psalter 428:1,2, Rev. Schouls leads in a closing prayer. At 10:40 p.m., the meeting stands adjourned til 8:30 a.m. ********** Tuesday June 3, 2007 SESSION II At 8:30 a.m., Rev. Schouls calls the meeting to order. We sing Psalter 251 all stanzas. Dr. G.M. Bilkes leads in prayer and opening devotions focusing on Leviticus 19:32. “Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man, and fear thy God: I am the Lord your God.” He focuses on how the church owes honour to those of older age, something that deserves attention in our times in which this duty is neglected. Age in Scripture not only indicates chronology, but also authority. Dr. Bilkes concludes his meditation with a focus on the generation of founders of the Free Reformed Churches, who we should acknowledge for their commitment to scriptural truth and their dedication and duty to the things of God. Rev. Schouls welcomes all present, noting the presence of emeritus pastors Hamstra and VanEssen as well as Brother J. D. Tamminga who serves as Treasurer of Synod. He welcomes Rev. J. Neels, who is attending as a fraternal delegate from the Heritage Reformed Congregations (HRC), as well as Free Reformed students Tim Bergsma and Seth Huckstead, and the HRC student, Marty Slingerland. Pastor Alan Camarigg and Elders Brent Smith and Chuck Dewaard from Covenant Grace Reformed Church in Lynden Washington are acknowledged as they are attending the synod as observers. Article 5 – Roll Call The roll is called with all present as the previous session. The chair notes that a congregation sending a single delegate is procedurally unusual and urges congregations to make every effort to ensure that each consistory sends two delegates. Article 6 - Appointments The executive recommends the following appointments: a. As Assistant Clerk –Ray Pennings Moved/seconded/carried b. As Advisors to Synod – Rev. G. Hamstra, Rev. H. VanEssen, Rev. L. Roth, Dr. G. M. Bilkes, Rev. K. Herfst Moved/seconded/carried c. As Treasurer of Synod – Brother J.D. Tamminga d. To prepare the Press Release and to prepare a report for the Messenger – Rev. Schoeman and Rev. Kranendonk Moved/seconded/carried The following schedule is recommended for meeting times: i. 8:30 a.m. Opening v. 3:00 coffee ii. 10:10 coffee vi. 5:30 dinner iii. 12:30 lunch vii. 6:30 evening iv. 1:30 afternoon viii. 9:00 adjourn 6 Acts of Synod 2009 Article 7 - Adoption of Public Acts A motion is made to adopt the 2008 Acts of Synod as published. A note is made that Rev. Schouls should be listed as pastor of Brantford rather than Chatham (p 38). Moved/seconded/carried Article 8 – Adoption of Agenda A motion is made to adopt the agenda as presented. Agenda point 10 is clarified as follows: 10. Overtures i. Brantford re Art 11 iii Brantford re Pennings iv Monarch re calling pastors A discussion is held regarding the admissibility of an overture submitted by the Hamilton consistory and distributed to the churches approximately two weeks before synod. A motion is made to rule the Hamilton overture inadmissible. Discussion on this motion took place in executive session. Moved/seconded/carried The agenda is adopted as amended. Article 9 – Theological Education Committee Rev. Procee introduces the report. The committee recommends that the reports included in the Synodical Agenda (pages 207-269) dealing with Student Baars’ personal situation and the revised handbook not be included in the published Acts of Synod. By common consent, this is agreed to. A discussion follows regarding the comments in the report relating to the calling of Dr. G.M. Bilkes as a Professor of Theology. Dr. Bilkes is invited to address Synod to provide background regarding his position regarding a possible call and how this has developed since this matter was dealt with by Synod 2002. Dr. Bilkes indicates that he has received clarity in his own mind regarding his calling in this matter and is now open to being installed in this office and preaching in the churches. A discussion follows regarding the procedure to be followed in this regard. The form for installation of Professor of Theology presumes the person being installed into this office is an ordained minister. It is agreed that an ad-hoc committee comprised of the executive of the Theological Education Committee together with Rev. Pronk and Rev. Vander Meyden consider this matter and come back to a later session of this synod with a recommendation on the appropriate process to follow. (See Article 15.) Free Reformed Churches 7 A coffee break is held. Article 10 – Examination of Student Baars The second recommendation of the theological education committee is moved and seconded: 2.