CHURCH NEWS

Calls Extended:

To Rev. J. C. Weststrate, of s’ Gravenpolder, the Netherlands, jointly by the Sheboygan and Waupun, Wisconsin, Congregations.

To Rev. C. Vogelaar, of Benthuizen, the Netherlands, by the St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada, Congregation. Calls Declined:

To the Norwich, Ontario, Canada, Congregation, by Rev. C. Vogelaar, of Benthuizen, the Netherlands.

To the Clifton, New Jersey, Congregation by Rev. D. Hakkenberg, of Lisse, the Netherlands.

To the Fort Macleod, Alberta, Canada, Congregation, by Rev. L. Blok, of Nunspeet, the Netherlands. Calls Accepted:

To the Kalamazoo, Michigan, Congregation, by Rev. H. Hofman, of Gorinchem, the Netherlands.

THIRD ANNUAL WOMEN’S CONFERENCE St. Catharines, June 15, 1983

The third annual women’s conference was held in St. Catharines on June 15, 1983 with Rev. Den Boer opening the meeting with Psalter 213, Scripture reading of Psalm 78, and prayer. After opening remarks, the roll call was taken. About 120 people were present.

Student DenHoed’s topic dealt with ‘A Precious Heritage.’ Two things were stressed, the blessing of this Heritage and the associated responsibility. This topic is about the receiving of children as a heritage entrusted unto us, and then the raising of those that are entrusted to us.

In creation, God gave man and wife unto each other; here is the very beginning of the family unit. Here we have marriage instituted by the Lord Himself. In this institution, man was to fulfill God’s mandate; and in this mandate, a requirement: “Be fruitful and multiply, replenish and subdue the earth.” In this bond of marriage God has promised the blessing of children. Psalms 127 and 128 point to the blessings of family life.

With this blessing, the Lord holds us responsible for what He has entrusted unto us; though in this we come far short. At times it is difficult to know what is the right way to go. Then so often it is a temptation to set the land marks of the forefathers somewhat to one side.

The Lord still commands the fathers to be as prophet, priest and king in the family circle. As prophet, we must instruct our children and prepare them for those years when they begin to mature, look for a partner in life and leave the family circle. We must instruct in the way Christ Himself has instructed. In Luke 2:52 we read: “And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature and in favour with God and man.” Wisdom was the intellectual part, stature was His physical part, favour with God was His spiritual part and favour with man His social part.

As a priest, parents must have a priestly heart for their children. Not only a commanding, thou shalt do this and not do that; but there must be a love in the heart with the command.

In the third place, the kingly office, which means that we rule in our family according to the Word of God. That that Word will always be our guide when instructing our children.

Student DenHoed summarized his topic by asking, why is it that as a denomination, we lose so many of our young people? Is there a reason for this? Some say, it is because of the worldly allurements of today. They do not want to submit themselves under the old proven truth any more. They seek for an easier way of worship. Others have other reasons. But we say no, we must seek a reason much closer than that. When we are honest, then we must say that all these things are because we live so far away from the Lord.

This also raises the question: Is there then something we can do to keep our children with the truth? Student DenHoed answered this question carefully, in our own strength we cannot do anything. But, when religion based on the Word of God would be more a part of the life of the now father and mother, then the voice of our walk and actions would speak louder to our children.

During the singing of Psalter 360, questions on Student DenHoed’s topic were collected and later answered.

Mrs. Timmermans then read a Dutch poem entitled: “Langs levens slingerpaden.” During the singing of Psalter 49, a collection was taken to defray the expenses for the day. The remainder was sent to the Mission fund. Mrs. A. Fintelman of Hamilton read a poem from the Gospel Tidings Publication that appeared in the July 1974 Banner of Truth entitled, “The Church Walking With the World,” after which Student DenHoed closed the morning session with prayer, and asked for a blessing upon the lunch.

The afternoon session was opened with the singing of Psalter 312. Rev. Den Boer then read John 3:1–13, gave thanks for the bountiful meal and asked the Lord’s indispensable blessing on the afternoon meeting.

Rev. Den Boer’s Topic was: Regeneration and Conversion.

The two words so many times are mixed up.

Regeneration is the work of God alone, conversion is the influence of God upon man; as a wheel turning around, begins moving, man also begins to work.

Stated another way, regeneration is the motion of God toward man. Conversion is the motion of man toward God by the leading of the Holy Spirit. It is entirely the work of God; man is passive, it is the work of God alone.

Chapters 3 and 4, Article 12 of the Canons of Dordt says the following about regeneration: “And this is the regeneration so highly celebrated in Scripture, and denominated a new creation: a resurrection from the dead, a making alive, which God works in us without our aid. But this is in no wise effected merely by the external preaching of the gospel, by moral suasion, or such a mode of operation, that after God has performed his part, it still remains in the power of man to be regenerated or not, to be converted, or to continue unconverted; but it is evidently a supernatural work, most powerful, and at the same time most delightful, astonishing, mysterious, and ineffable; not inferior in efficacy to creation, or the resurrection from the dead, as the Scripture inspired by the author of this work delcares; so that all in whose heart God works in this marvelous manner, are certainly, infallibly, and effectually regenerated, and do actually believe. —Whereupon the will thus renewed, is not only actuated and influenced by God, but in consequence of this influence, becomes itself active. Wherefore also, man is himself rightly said to believe and repent, by virtue of that grace received.”

Regeneration and conversion, when does it take place? Often it is not known to us. God is free in the time He chooses to convert His people. Rev. Den Boer mentioned that it is not true that young people only are converted, it is not impossible for older people to be converted. He recalled one incidence of a man who was one hundred years old who wanted to go with his wife to church for the first time in his life; there it was the time the Lord stopped him in his way. However, that is not the normal way, it is mostly in our youth, although we may not make a limit for the work of the Lord.

We have to be stopped by the Lord and that is when a dead sinner is made alive, or quickened. Then the Holy Spirit begins to work in the life of a man or woman, boy or girl, or young children. Then it becomes visible in their life that they are different than the others. They are called pious Joes, then it becomes as Robert Murray McCheyne wrote:

I once was a stranger to grace and to God
I knew not my danger and felt not my load
When free grace awoke me by light from on high

No refuge, no safety in self could I see. At the conclusion of Rev. Den Boer’s topic, Psalter 251 was sung, followed by a poem by Mrs. Verboom of Norwich entitled: “De Oude Vrouw en Haar Bijbel”. A question period about the afternoon’s topic followed.

Closing remarks were made by student Den Hoed who said, “I hope that all of us may go home with the question, Lord, what do I know of these things. They are so necessary for all of us.” The day was concluded with prayer.

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