Report of the Synod in the Netherlands (2)

The next part of the synodical meeting was spent in discussing the reports of the many committees.

CURATORIUM: It was decided by the curatorium that the teachers of the theological school should retire at the age of seventy years. Also, because of the very high cost, the building of the new theological school and library had not yet started, although permission was given by the previous synod. Because of the death of Rev. P. Honkoop and the retirement age of Rev. K. de Gier, two new teachers had to be appointed. Rev. G.J. Van Aalst and Rev. L. Blok were designated for these important positions.

An agreement was worked out between the curatorium and the mission board that each would bear fifty percent of the expenses of instructing future mission ministers.

MISSION: Izi, Nigeria. Rev. G. Clements has been sent out as a missionary minister to Izi, where he takes care of the instruction of the evangelists. The procedure of admission for evangelist is as follows: After a positive hearing regarding the conversion and an examination of the personal life of the applicant, he receives permission of the classis representatives. It is a kind of curatorium instituted by and under the jurisdiction of the classis which makes this decision.

Irian Jaya. One of the problems this church is confronted with is that many men take a second wife. This had been customary in former days. It was the question to the synod as to how this should be handled. The church of Irian Jaya forbids them to take a second wife, but many do it anyway. The chairman, Rev. Honkoop, could not give different advice than to act according to God’s Word and His law. God’s Word is the only good guide in our life, but nevertheless due care must be taken in the matter. Satan seeks to destroy the young church. Customs cannot be changed in a short time, and we must be careful not to destroy what, with the help of the Lord, has been built. In this report it was also mentioned how important it is that office-bearers be well prepared for their official work. This should receive much attention, especially because the office-bearers also speak an edifying word on certain posts throughout the mission field.

The advice was given that established schools should not propagate western culture too rapidly. Since the basic instruction is given by the government, there is a rather limited influence by the church. However, the church is trying to have greater influence by opening boarding schools.

Bali Mission. In the discussion about this mission, the activities of the emeritus mission minister, Rev. G. Kuyt, were mentioned. There has been a meeting between Rev. Kuyt and the mission board. The mission board had negative views regarding the work there, and they therefore could not lend their support to these endeavors. It must be considered as a private undertaking, and this may not be done at the cost of our own mission. The mission board told Rev. Kuyt that if his health had improved to such an extent, he then could return to the mission field in Irian Jaya but should not work through his own initiative. The calling to mission work always goes through the church and not as a personal word. They therefore felt that Rev. Kuyt is not proceeding in a proper way.

The synod agreed unanimously that Rev. Kuyt should abide by the admonishments of the Netherlands Reformed Congregations in North America and of the consistory of Chilliwack, since he is a member there. He should not try to get financial support for his personal mission efforts from our denomination, as this would be detrimental to the denomination’s mission work. Synod gave clear disapproval of his proceedings to date, and they will send a letter to that effect to the American congregations via the deputies of foreign churches.

Mission among the Jews. It is extremely difficult to find a place in which work can be done among the Jews in Israel. However, rather than delay until a place for a mission post has been located, the synod gave permission to form a committee for the work of evangelism among the Jews and thus seek to fulfill their biblical calling.

RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION COURSE: From this report it is clear that this course is proceeding very well in Holland. There are different levels of instruction given, and all are well received.

DEPUTIES TO THE GOVERNMENT: From the report it is clear that many developments in the country and in society cause great concern, as norms and values have deteriorated, also in the past three years. The minister of internal affairs in Holland has said that the time can come that the church may no longer give expression regarding certain things from the pulpit, for example, about the different forms of living, as it is called today. These different life styles are also accepted in the judicial system, giving evidence that the spirit of our days is becoming more and more visible. These developments do not leave our churches untouched; the judgment begins at the house of God. Humiliation should begin with ourselves, and there should be a call for prayer, as it seems that the need of the country and government is no longer felt so much.

The question was asked whether or not it would be good that the deputies, together with the moderamen of the synod, write a pastoral letter to the congregations to warn against the many dangers of our days, as we are becoming so accustomed to certain sins in our society. This was accepted. Another concern is that the Name of God is omitted from the speech of the throne at the beginning of the new fiscal year, which in Holland is the third Tuesday of September. It was proposed to send a letter to the government expressing in clear words our concern about this matter. It was emphasized that on the local level the city councils should also be approached about those concerns, which is often more successful than on the national level. These deputies also stressed that carefulness is necessary in matters of discipline and appeal. Consistories are urged to act strictly according to God’s Word and the Church Order. When an appelant turns to a secular judge for redress, then it is a necessity that, from step to step, the dealings have been according to God’s Word and our Church Order, for otherwise we will be the losing party.

DEPUTIES OF FOREIGN CHURCHES: Transvaal, South Africa. The delegates wrote in their report that the congregation of Randburg in South Africa is declining, as many families have returned to the Netherlands since the political changes have taken place in this country. The economy is depressed, and many can hardly keep up with the growing problems. Some people of this congregation have emigrated to the United States and also to Canada. The school of this church is doing a good work, because it is a means whereby the children are bound to the truth; in other Christian schools every child is seen as a believer.

Carterton, New Zealand. This congregation remains stable, with approximately one hundred members and baptized members. In October 1992 Evangelist Groen was taken away by death. We may believe that it was gain for him, but it was a great loss for the family and the congregation. In September 1993 Elder P. Bertram received permission to speak an edifying word in the midst of the congregation, which he now does every Sunday with the permission of the congregation. The school is also quite stable and has about fifty students between the ages of five and sixteen years.

United State and Canada. The deputies reported that in December 1993 all the deputies of foreign churches had traveled to Grand Rapids to speak with the two parties involved after the split to see if there was yet a possibility to bring them together. This had not been successful. At this time the letter of the H.N.R.C. seeking to maintain a closer bond with the Gereformeerde Gemeenten in Holland was also discussed. They requested a bond of friendship and correspondence. This means that, notwithstanding the separation, they desired to have correspondence with the churches in Holland similar to that with our Netherlands Reformed denomination. The synod agreed nearly unanimously that the H.N.R.C. is outside the bonds of the Gereformeerde Gemeenten, and therefore it is impossible to have correspondence with them. It was agreed that a letter, stating that there was no possibility of correspondence, be sent to the H.N.R.C. They should return with confession of guilt to the Netherlands Reformed Congregations, and then the bond with Holland would be restored automatically. Later revelations have very clearly shown that the deposed minister could not be maintained. It was shown from a statement made by the American synod that there is an open door for the return of those who have left our denomination.

FAREWELL TO THE BROTHERS OF IZI: As the brother delegates from Izi had to leave at this time to return home, the chairman wished them a safe trip and God’s indispensable blessing in the preaching of God’s Word in the midst of their denomination. He hoped that the Lord would use their labor to the extension of God’s kingdom. They were asked to bring the greetings of the synod to all who are involved in the mission work in Izi.

DEPUTIES OF THE EMERITI: The burden for the care of retired ministers and the widows of the ministers is increasing. Some of the churches do not provide the support required to fulfill the task. There are twenty-three widows and seven retired ministers, which form a heavy burden for the fund. It is a necessity that some reserve be maintained, and the chairman emphasized that it is the duty of the church, a debt of honor, to care for those who have spent their whole life in the service of the Lord.

DE SAAMBINDER: There was satisfaction regarding the weekly church publication, but it was also said that critical notes should be made when necessary about certain books which are reviewed, even when they are of our own ministers. Rev. A. Moerkerken answered that some books are not reviewed at all, but it is merely announced that they are published. Today many books are published which carry a wrong message. When these are reviewed, it must be done with care, not hesitating to point out the dangers, especially for the young people.

Some requests were made to make the publication more attractive, but the editor thought we should keep it simple, as it is and remains a church paper.

YOUTH SOCIETIES: It was stressed how very important it is that the consistories maintain supervision over the youth societies. The late Rev. G. H. Kersten emphasized that official leadership should not be lacking. Although office-bearers have much work to do, it is very necessary that they be involved with the youth groups.

After this, several other committees of the synod passed for review, but these are of more importance for the Netherlands than for us. One thing I do want to mention. It was decided that in the yearbook no secular titles of ministers and the other office-bearers be mentioned when the data of the local churches are given.

Toward the end of the meeting the moderamen announced that they had appointed two committees. One is to examine the question as to what the status is, or should be, of an elder-evangelist. The second committee is to examine the procedure of the deposition of a minister by the Particular Synod East.

Rev. A. F. Honkoop closed the meeting. He wished that all might receive God’s indispensable blessing in the midst of the congregation or denomination they may serve and hoped that all would have a safe trip home. The meeting was closed with prayer. It will be reconvened in January 1996, the Lord willing.

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