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Monday 7th July 2003 - Evening Session
Article 1 - Opening by the Convening Church
Rev A VanDelden on behalf of the convening church of Rockingham requests all present to Sing Psalm 19:3 and then reads Proverbs 2-3:1-6
He then speaks the following opening address:
Fellow delegates, brothers and sisters in the audience:
I think you will all agree that each Synod of the churches has a profound impact upon church life. Each Synod makes important decisions-decisions that affect us as federation, as individual churches and decisions that affect some of the members personally. So I'm sure that all of us delegates feel the weight of responsibility that has been placed on our shoulders.
I think you will also agree that in order to make good decisions, great wisdom is required. Solomon understood this when he ascended to Israel's throne, and we acknowledge this as we soon take up our places around the tables here in the front. Wisdom is required to make good decisions-decisions that serve for the glory of God and the well-being of God's people.
This shouldn't be a problem, should it, brothers? After all, you elders have been chosen out of quite a number of elders. You were chosen because men felt that you possessed the necessary wisdom to deal with the issues at hand. And some of the elders are learned men-teachers or engineers. And others have attended the school of life for many years and have acquired a lot of practical wisdom.
The need for wisdom shouldn't be a problem for the other half of the delegates should it? After all, as ministers we have all been trained in the doctrine of God's Word, in the confessions and in the Church Order. We have degrees behind our name. And all of us have a number of years of experience in the ministry. And we've been to a number of Synods before.
But you know, brothers, that I am being facetious. I know and you know that none of us delegates possess this wisdom of ourselves. As Reformed people, we confess our natural depravity. We acknowledge that because of our fall into sin, our minds have darkened, and our understanding has become dull, and our thoughts are foolishness.
We know this-and yet we need to be reminded of it because we are inclined to think too highly of ourselves and of our natural abilities. We need to be reminded of the words of Proverbs 3:5b "Do not lean on your own understanding."
To lean on something is to seek support from it. We lean on a person when we need support. We lean on crutches when our own legs won't support us.
The sage warns us, "Do not lean on your own understanding" for our wisdom is not real wisdom, nor our understanding real understanding.
The sage bids us to seek wisdom and understanding other than our own. Real wisdom and understanding, he says, comes from the LORD. We read in Proverbs 2:6 "For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding"
Now we should stop and marvel at the grace contained in these words. The LORD gives wisdom. Wisdom is a gift. Man lost that wisdom through his fall into sin. God is willing to graciously give man the godly wisdom and spiritual understanding that he lost through his rebellion and unfaithfulness. God is willing to impart true knowledge and divine discernment. Yes, here we see God's grace towards us.
This is His grace in Jesus Christ, our Chief Prophet and Teacher. For Jesus Christ was the New Man, and the Renewer of man. He bore the image of God in perfection, and He restores mankind in this image of God. In Isaiah 11 we read of the anointing of Christ: "The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD" (v2). Through the anointing of the Spirit, Christ was able to do His work on earth.
Now by the grace of God we are partakers of Christ's anointing, with the result that the same Spirit of wisdom and understanding, and counsel and knowledge is poured out on us. Through the participation in the anointing of Christ, we are also able to do the work that we are given to do at Synod.
But how does the LORD give this wisdom? In what way does He communicate that understanding to us? In the second part of v6 the sage writes, "From the Lord's mouth come knowledge and understanding." From the Lord's mouth! The Lord communicates knowledge and understanding through the words that He has spoken-the words that are now written in Holy Scripture. No wonder that Paul says that the Scriptures are able to make us wise to salvation (cf. 2 Tim 3:15). Thus the Spirit imparts this wisdom to us through the Word of God.
Now it remains for us to incline our ear to the words of wisdom that God speaks to us in His Word. That's what the sage writes in Proverbs 2:2. "Incline your ear to wisdom." A very free translation would be, "Put your ears close to the Bible and listen closely." We have to listen closely, because there is a lot that interferes with our listening. There is our own deafness. There are the voices of false prophets and humanistic philosophers who claim to impart wisdom, but it is earthly wisdom and foolishness. Yes, we have to put our ears close to Bible and listen carefully to the wisdom that God imparts through His Word.
But there's more. We have to pray for wisdom, For the sage says in v3 "Yes, if you cry out for discernment, and lift up your voice for understanding." Notice the words that the sage has chosen. "Cry out!" "Lift up your voice!" Our prayers for wisdom must passionate prayers, prayers of intensity born out of the realization of how important this wisdom is in making the important decisions that are placed before us.
So we will pray for this wisdom and understanding. And we may pray with confidence. For the apostle James wrote, "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him" (James 1:5).
Let us sing from: Psalm 119:37,38,39
Opening Speech
On behalf of the convening church of Rockingham, I would like to welcome all the delegates here this evening, as well as the guests in the audience. The members of Rockingham have been at work for some time in preparing for this assembly. We've added another half to our building to accommodate Synod. (By the way, we have sent the bill for building expansion to the Synod treasure as one of the expenses that we've incurred in hosting Synod. I'm sure you'll approve that item on the Synod Treasurer's budget). The Synod Committee that was established has benefited from the manual that the church of West Albany produced and graciously handed down to us. Thank you West Albany! The manual has been a great help. If there are any deficiencies in the preparations for Synod, you are kindly reminded that we have merely followed the manual, and the blame must lie solely on the shoulders of the church of West Albany.
Some of you have travelled only a short way, others from far away. We are thankful that the Lord has granted travelling safety, and that we are all here in good health. Br John Mulder underwent an operation this morning to remove kidney stones and so cannot be with us tonight. He hopes to be with us tomorrow. The doctor told him not to do any work for the next two weeks, and here he is at Synod. Evidently, brothers, there is at least one among us who has a very optimistic--if not naïve-- view of what we do at Synod.
I was going to say that this is the first Synod where the churches are not all represented. But that's not really correct. All the churches are represented here. But you know what I mean. There is not a delegate from every congregation in the bond. Some congregations seem to be a bit "hoggish" having two members delegated, while others have none. If one of the proposals on the table of Synod is passed, this would also be the last Synod where there is not a delegate from every congregation. Time will tell.
We have some delegates from our sister churches overseas who will be attending synod in an advisory capacity. We welcome Rev J A Boersema from the Netherlands; Rev P Nel from South Africa, and our "home-grown" Rev J Plug from the Netherlands. The RCNZ have also sent a delegate, Rev M Flinn, who will also have the privilege of addressing us. We bid a hearty welcome to them all. Some of you will stay in our midst for a limited time. We-or at least I-envy the brevity of your time at this assembly! We hope that your time in our midst-however long or short-will be profitable for our respective bonds of churches.
It is customary to reflect on some of the events that have taken place since the last Synod. As often in life, we can recount some sad things, as well as some happy things. The churches in Launceston had hoped that their troubles were behind them when at the last Synod Dr B A Zuiddam was examined and permitted to be ordained into the ministry in Launceston. But once again our sister church on the apple island experienced difficulties which culminated in the withdrawal of Dr Zuiddam from the Free Reformed Churches in September of last year. Once again the church of Launceston is vacant. They have arranged for emeritus minister Rev G Wieske of Canada to help them for six months starting September. Launceston hopes and prays that by the time these six months are over, or sooner, they will have their own minister. They have extended a call to Rev J Poppe of West Albany. We wish Rev Poppe the guidance of the Lord in considering the calls that he has. And we pray that God will provide Launceston with a pastor and teacher in due time.
In December of 2000 Rev Veldman concluded his long ministry in Albany, and began his ministry in the church of West Kelmscott. Since that time the church of Albany has been vacant, though not for lack of trying to secure a minister. Many calls have been extended, but until now the Lord has not yet given them their desire.
According to the Yearbook, the church of Bunbury was instituted on December 25, 2001. They have called and have just received a visit from Rev Rupke of the Netherlands. Some of us were able to visit with him this morning. At this time, he's flying home. May the Lord also guide him in making a decision, and may the Lord also provide Bunbury with a minister in His time.
We also have a new baby sister, instituted yesterday, bringing the number of churches to twelve. If her name is any indication, she's quite a darling, down there between Armadale and Byford. The members of Darling Downs have already purchased themselves a nice parcel of land. Now it's a race with West Kelmscott to see who completes their church building first.
Speaking about church buildings, since the last Synod, West Albany have built a new one. West Kelmscott is still homeless. The Perth "mother church" had a bit of a facelift and is sporting a beautiful new foyer. With thanks to Synod, Rockingham has added to their building, as mentioned. And I understand the renovations in Mt Nasura have gone through the roof.
The work of mission has continued with some diversification. The church of Armadale and its supporting churches have called but have not received a missionary until now. They have sent a mission worker into the field-br Bolhuis. Mt Nasura continues its mission work in India with br Jacobs. Rockingham has undertaken to support two evangelists in Sumba, and a call to Candidate Edwer Dethan as missionary was declined. The churches here is Australia have also contributed to the work amongst the disenchanted in South Africa. So it's evident that we as churches are busy seeking to fulfil our mission mandate.
Let me conclude these introductory remarks, and let's begin the work of Synod. I declare the twenty-second Synod of the Free Reformed Church opened.
Let's sing Hymn 46:2
Article 2 - Examination of Credentials
The Chairman of the convening church requests the brothers of the Church of Rockingham to examine the delegates' credentials. Having completed this task, the brothers report that all the churches are properly represented by their delegates as follows:
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Classis North
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Classis South
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Reverend C Bouwman
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Reverend W Huizinga
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Reverend P K A De Boer
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Reverend J Poppe | |
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Reverend J G R Kroeze
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Reverend A VanDelden | |
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Reverend A Veldman
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Reverend W van der Jagt
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Elder H Ballast
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Elder M Bax
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Elder J Mulder
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Elder M Mulder
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Elder G Reitsma
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Elder W VanderVen
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Elder J Wielstra
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Elder T Visser
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Elder L VanBurgel was present as alternate on the opening evening in placement of Elder J Mulder (Classis North).
Article 3 - Election of Officers
The following officers are elected:
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Chairman
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Reverend A VanDelden
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Vice Chairman
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Reverend A Veldman
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First Clerk
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Elder W VanderVen
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Second Clerk
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Reverend P K A De Boer
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Article 4 - Constitution of Synod
The Chairman declares Synod duly constituted.
Article 5 - Delegates agreement with Three Forms of Unity
The Chairman asks delegates to rise to indicate their agreement with the Three Forms of Unity.
All delegates rise.
Article 6 - Adjournment
The Vice Chairman thanks the convening church of Rockingham for its contribution to the arrangements for this synod and asks Synod to sing Hymn 46:1,2.
The Vice Chairman leads in closing prayer.
The Chairman adjourns Synod.
last updated 22 Jul 2003
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