Beginning of the students' examination

Report of Synod 2011
Grandville Protestant Reformed Church
Wednesday, June 15, 2011

The church is “built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone” (Eph. 2:20). This beautiful, indestructible foundation was on display as Mr. Decker, Mr. Huizinga, and Mr. Mahtani were examined in Dogmatics. From 8:30am until about 3:00pm, with a couple of breaks, Prof. Cammenga examined these three men on the following subjects of Dogmatics: I Introduction to Dogmatics, Theology, Anthropology, Christology, Soteriology, Ecclesiology, and Eschatology. For those familiar with the Essentials catechism book, this examination covers all the material found in that book, but much more in depth. Although this is a long and draining examination, these young men gave a good account of their understanding of the foundation of the church. As churches we have many reasons to give thanks – for the truth of God’s Word, these young men who confessed the truth so beautifully, and a seminary who faithfully teaches these truths so the church receives the Bread of Life each Sunday.

After the examination was finished for the day, synod entered into some of the material of the agenda. One of the matters synod treated was the material of eastern and western home missions so that Rev. Bruinsma, our eastern home missionary, could be present before he returned home. Rev. Bruinsma did addresssynod, thanking the Domestic Mission Committee and Southwest PRC’s Council for their faithful work and support. He took time to explain briefly the steady progress being made in Pittsburgh. The synod also had an opportunity to express its heartfelt thanks to Rev. Bruinsma and his family for their faithful service on the mission field in the service of Jesus Christ.
Synod then dealt with a proposal from the Domestic Mission Committee to call a western home missionary. Synod declared the proposal of the DMC to call a western home missionary to be not legally before it because this matter did not appear in the printed agenda. One of the rules of synod states, “No proposals of importance shall be presented to synod that have not appeared on the Agenda, so that consistories and classes may have opportunity for previous deliberation.”
Synod then turned to material of the Contact Committee. Synod 2010 mandated the Contact Committee “to suggest changes to its constitution to Synod 2011 which make clear: a) That in the establishment of a corresponding relationship the ultimate goal remains the establishment of sister-church relationships; b) That in the establishment of a corresponding relationship the discussion of the essential differences that preclude a sister-church relationship will continue to take place.” Synod agreed with the advice of the Contact Committee to relieve the CC from the first mandate (letter “a” above) because this change conflicts with the present wording of the CC’s Constitution. The synod agreed with the advice of the CC concerning the second mandate (letter “b” above) so that the constitution now reads: “Discussion on areas of agreement and matters of difference by means of correspondence, committee visits, and conferences to confirm and strengthen our unity in Christ” (the words in italics are now added).
Synod will reconvene at 8:30am on Thursday to finish the oral examination of the seminarians, which should end in the middle of the afternoon, the Lord willing.