Curatorium Announcement

The Lord willing, the Curatorium of our theological school plans to come together in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on Wednesday, May 14, 2014. The evening before there will be a prayer service in the Beckwith Avenue Church led, if all is well, by Rev. H.D. den Hollander. At this meeting the Curatorium hopes to speak with those who believe not only that the Lord has called them by His saving grace but also that He has called them unto the holy office of the ministry of God’s Word.

What kind of men does the Lord want to use as His mouth? We read of one man, named Matthew, who was sitting at the receipt of customs when the Lord Jesus passed by and saw him. What did Christ say? He spoke only these words: “Follow Me.” However, it was enough, for that word came with power divine. The word of the Savior prevailed, so he “arose, and followed” the Lord.

May we be favored in this coming season to hear such a clear calling, wrought by the Holy Spirit, in one or more, whether they be young men or already more advanced in age. May there be testimony in the hearts of the consistories and Curatorium: “Separate Me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.” Philpot writes: “The work of the ministry is not only the most important work that any man in this life can set his hand to, but is of that peculiar nature that the special grace of God alone can qualify any one rightly to perform it.” It is so true that both the calling unto this work and the carrying out of this work must be the Lord’s doing. Man is never sufficient unto it, but as the apostle and all other of God’s true and tried servants experience—“our sufficiency is of God.” “My grace,” said the Lord, “is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”

The need in the congregations is great although, perhaps, not always felt. Besides, several of our ministers are past the age of seventy, and several are weak. Even as we hope the Lord will spare them for us, nevertheless the concerns remain. The times are serious and difficult; many are the fears, dangers, burdens, and disappointments. Nonetheless, the Lord continues with His work and, from time to time, gives tokens that He has not entirely forgotten us. For His work He is commonly pleased to use His servants. Oh, may He then gladden us by His doings in calling, qualifying, and sending forth such laborers among us, whether it be for the regular ministry in the congregations or for the mission field.

Therefore, if anyone is exercised about the ministry and believes that the Lord has spoken in this, he should contact his consistory and lay it before them. In case there is no minister in the congregation, the moderator should be present to give advice. If the consistory judges the matter is of the Lord, they should give an attest unto him, namely, a testimony that they send him on to be heard by the Curatorium. This attest should be forwarded to the Curatorium by that person, together with a personal letter requesting to be heard. This should be done, if possible, by the first week of May. A consistory granting an attest should also contact the Curatorium as soon as possible so that an Attest Information Request may be sent to them, which is to be completed and returned to the Curatorium.

The Lord Jesus has exhorted us to pray unto the Lord of the harvest to send forth laborers. May the Spirit of grace and supplications be given both in the inner chamber and in the public prayers, that the Lord in wrath would remember mercy. The poet sang, “He hears the needy when they cry.” May also light, discernment, and faithfulness be granted for these weighty decisions. Likewise, we covet your prayers continually for the instruction of our student which continues from week to week. There will also be an examination at the May meeting.

The regular clerk of the Curatorium, Rev. H.D. den Hollander, still feels too weak at this time to do the work for the coming meeting. May the Lord raise him up and restore him. Meanwhile, please send all correspondence

On behalf of the Curatorium,

Rev. J. den Hoed, chairman
Rev. A.H. Verhoef, acting clerk

Address of the temporary clerk of the Curatorium:

Rev. A.H. Verhoef
1142 Lakeshore Road West
St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada L2R 6P9
Telephone: (905) 935-4934
Fax: (905) 935-5883

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