Rodney Kleyn, the president of synod 2021, led the worship service. The Reformed Protestant Churches do not claim to differ from historic Protestant Reformed theology. The meeting began with devotions, the delegates of Synod singing Psalter 134 and Rev. Those separations were supposed to be finalized at the churchs general conference in 2020, but the pandemic delayed that event twice. Griess (who supervised Mr. Tans internship) examined him in Practica (for 20 minutes). Synod president, Rev. Marcus Wee in the area of Dogmatics (6 loci of Reformed-Christian theology), with Prof. R. Cammenga asking the questions (20 minutes in each section). Synod also began treating the material related to our Theological School Committee (TSC). The committee members are Belinda Brummel, Don DeJong, Michelle Drnek, Pam Dykstra, Matt Elzinga, Cal Kalsbeek, Steve Kuiper, Rev. 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. report below). The 2020 Vision Report said: We have informally learned of entire classes intention to exit the denomination in the near future. These departures have been a long time coming; the RCA has been debating sexuality and LGBTQ inclusion since the 1970s. A place to discuss the split of RPC in all of its glory! He will be examined by Prof. R. Cammenga in all the loci of Dogmatics and then in Church History by Prof. R.Dykstra. When the Reformation churches considered the worship on special days, a major concern was the sanctity of the Lords Day, which ought to be our concern. After allowing extra time for her committees to draft advice, the 2021 PRC Synod returned to its work on Tuesday June 15 at noon (not at 8 a.m. as previously decided). Ive dealt with same-sex attraction, and the issue for me and many of the people I know is, is it a thing for which Jesus Christ needs to come to redeem us, or is it a blessing he wants us to embrace? said Citlau, who is married to a woman and whose church helped form the conservative non-RCA Kingdom Network. And then its attention will be turned to the examination of one of the senior PRC seminary students - Sem. Eriks in Practica. According to the Rev. Synod recessed at 5:00 PM. document.getElementById('cloak862cfb19c345bfdb79a929249260313f').innerHTML = ''; We rejoice in this blessed provision of another candidate for the gospel ministry and pray that God will provide him a call that will lead to his ordination in the near future. The examination ended late morning with Prof. B. Gritters asking questions in the area of knowledge of Scripture. A Brummel (Calvary PRC), W. Langerak (Trinity PRC), and J. Mahtani (Hope PRC-MI). Steve Key (Loveland PRC) and Rev. 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. The facility served Synod well. A picture of their report (along with other pictures) as adopted can be found under the news tab of our denominational website. Consistories of the Protestant Reformed Churches, Synod 2021 adopted an open letter to those who have recently left the PRCA calling them to repentance with the goal of biblical reconciliation. It is below. Next year, the United Methodist Church is expected to vote on a proposal to Richard and Mrs. Smit and their families for their faithful service in the cause of the mission work in the Philippines. In the past year, conservative factions have broken ties with the RCA, with other churches threatening to follow. Synod appointed Southwest PRC as the host of Synod 2023 to convene Tuesday, June 13, 2023 at 8:00 A.M. Zion PRC was thanked as the host church. The Psalter Revision Review Committee provided synod with a helpful summary of their work from this past year. This afternoon, synod will begin working through the advice of its committees, beginning with Committee I. Prof. B. Gritters examining Sem. Exiting churches can retain control of their churches and church property even if they go. var path = 'hr' + 'ef' + '='; Thanks to John Van Baren for all the great photos this week! The churchs stance on sexuality had varied over the decades. Believing missions to be one of the primary callings of the church, synod authorized the Domestic Mission Committee (DMC) to designate a new calling church for a home missionary from the West Michigan area. Nathan Decker (Grandville PRC), Prof. Russ Dykstra (Byron Center PRC), Rev. R.Kleyn and W. Langerak (front); Elder E. Van Egdom, Prof. R. Dykstra, Elder D.Kregel (back), Committee 2 - Revs. The morning session of Synod was spent with the oral examination of Marcus Wee. This part of the exam is also be livestreamed on Georgetown PRC's website. The delegates and visitors (now a maximum of 60) are now meeting in the fellowship room of Georgetown PRC. M. Wee has - his wife and some of his family from Singapore is here. Synod also approved the financial support of Rev. (RNS) On New Years Day, 43 congregations of the Reformed Church in America split from the national denomination, one of the oldest Protestant bodies in the United States, in part over theological differences regarding same-sex marriage and the ordination of LGBTQ clergy. 2) Of all our special services, Old Years Day is of most recent origin, having not appeared in The Church Order prior to 1914. The program was held in the sanctuary of Zion PRC in Jenison, MI. Nov 29, 2021 #103 the Reformed Church in America split. 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. There are difficult decisions on the agenda, along with many things to celebrate, and were praying that the Holy Spirit guides every decision.. 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. City to City The Protestant Reformed Churches have a discipline problem. N. Decker as 2nd clerk. Subscribers receive full access to the archives. In this coming year the committee intends to finish its review of the Genevans, make a final review of the entire package, and prepare it for presentation to Synod 2023. 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 Zion's PRC website. Synod approved the work of the committee and expressed gratitude to its members for their faithful and selfless labor on behalf of the churches. document.getElementById('cloak68b89dbd7e087419d74f7eb8a4e9f3f5').innerHTML = ''; The final item treated this afternoon is one for which we give humble thanks to God, namely, the report of the 100th Anniversary Committee. In Memoriam: Prof. Robert D. Decker Synod treated the report of the Psalter Revision Review Committee. S. Key, Elder P. Smit. The decisions of this body are published in the annual "Acts of Synod". Prof. R. Cammenga questioning Sem. News - prca.org Rev. We thank him for providing another faithful laborer in the harvest! Synod approved the financial support of fifteen emeritus ministers and their wives for 2022. His overture amounts to an appeal to synod, without having first protested to Classis. The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into his harvest (Matt. 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. Ephesians 4:1-3, I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.. Synod began the work of the day by rescinding a previous decision to declare a letter from a consistory not legally before it. A different individual brought a protest against that same decision of Synod 2020. The 2021 PRC Synod gathered for a new day and a new session in Georgetown PRC on Friday June 11. var path = 'hr' + 'ef' + '='; Just as America now is very polarized, so is the RCA., Subscribe to CT Regarding professors, Synod declared both Prof. R. Cammenga and Prof. B. Gritters capable to continue teaching in our seminary for another year. Bulletins Mr. Wee will be examined in the six loci of dogmatics, knowledge of Scripture, knowledge of the confessions, church history, church polity, and practica. Dan Ackerman, director of spiritual leadership for the newly formed Alliance of Reformed Churches, told FOX 17 that 45 churches have already indicated they will leave the RCA for the ARC. If any are interested, this declaration can be found in the little green Church Order book. 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.. var addy_text29f3df05ca820e3cbfe3fb63fb8dd694 = 'Classical Committee';document.getElementById('cloak29f3df05ca820e3cbfe3fb63fb8dd694').innerHTML += ''+addy_text29f3df05ca820e3cbfe3fb63fb8dd694+'<\/a>'; C.Griess, J.Laning (front); Elder J. Regnerus, Prof. B.Huizinga, Elder J.Holstege (back), Committee 3 - Revs. But what will the RCA consist of by then? Living on the Fault Lines - The Reformed Journal Blog Key. Prof. R. Dykstra gave the address, speaking from Eph.4 on "The Minister's Calling to Seek Unity.' Tan in Church Polity and NT History. All except five of the 44 churches listed as LGBTQ-affirming by Room for Allan LGBTQ-affirming network in the RCAare in the Northeast. On New Years Day, 43 congregations of the Reformed Church in America split from the national denomination, one of the oldest Protestant bodies in the United States, in part over theological differences regarding same-sex marriage and the ordination of LGBTQ clergy. Using an estimate of 2,160 families, synod adopted a budget that set an assessment of $625 per family for 2023. 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. Delegates and friends in Zion PRC's sanctuary for Sem. If we get sin wrong, there are larger things at stake.. Sign up for our newsletter: The delegates will elect her officers and appoint a "Committee on Committees" to organize the work for the week. Rev. And when synod is over and everyone else departs for home, who is left to finish its work? City to City A Strait Betwixt Two LGBTQ inclusion disagreements threaten Reformed Church in We cant keep saying, were going to wait five more years and have a couple of committees. It approved the work of the CC with our sister church in Singapore, and approved discontinuing the calling of a minister-on-loan to serve there. Synod approved the CCs work with our sister church in Northern Ireland. var path = 'hr' + 'ef' + '='; WebAlthough the split is largely known as the Split of 1924, there is no clear point where the Protestant Reformed Churches of America became separate from the Christian Reformed Church. Rev. 9:37-28). 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. M. Wee completed, synod will dig into its committee work right away. Protestant Reformed Churches in America - Wikipedia WebThe Protestant Reformed Christian Church in Croatia is an overseas diocese of the Reformed Episcopal Church . With thankfulness to God, the CC reported that the relationships with each of our sisters remains strong. 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. Last year a group of Methodist bishops laid out a similar separation plan over many of the same disagreements. var addy68b89dbd7e087419d74f7eb8a4e9f3f5 = 'billlangerak' + '@'; N. Decker) clerks - thanks for your special service to the churches! After years of debate, disagreements about LGBTQ inclusion are threatening to split the Reformed Church in America. Synod - prca.org and G.Eriks (VP), Committee 1 - Revs. Cory Griess read a letter of acknowledgment to the call he has received to serve in our seminary as Professor of Practical Theology and New Testament Studies (see photo below). The pandemic has already delayed The exam is being livestreamed through Georgetown PRC's website. The exam will begin Tuesday morning with the delivery of his specimen sermon. With the examination of Bro. At General Synod, delegates come from across the RCA to discern the mind of Christ together, said Christina Tazelaar, RCA director of communications. United Methodist Prelude: Small Denomination Faces Its Own Synod finished for the day at 5:00 PM, and will meet again tomorrow morning at 8:00 AM, the Lord willing. Here is the public report to the churches on today's work: Report of Day 5 Synod of the Protestant Reformed Churches in America June 15, 2021. Tan in all branches of theology. It approved the work with our sister church in the Philippines, and approved letters of encouragement to our sister church and our missionaries in light of recent struggles they have experienced. Look for more in the upcoming July Standard Bearer! As of Dec. 31, 2021, 43 congregations of the Reformed Church in America were released from their respective classes (regional groups of churches) in the national denomination, representing a splitting of one of the oldest The oldest parish was founded at Tordinci in 1551. M. Wee enjoying a refreshing moment with his young son (held by his father) during yesterday's exam. Synod had initially planned to assemble again this morning, but, due to committees of pre-advice needing more time to prepare advice, it did not begin meeting until noon. May the Lord soon open up a place of labor for Josiah in his kingdom. This afternoon synod will take up its regular work by considering the advice of its commmittees (Committee I, II, etc.). J. Engelsma, Elder D. Van Uffelen, Rev.