Office Bearers

GS 1971 ARTICLE 100 – Closing

The chairman speaks the following words:

  • Men, and brethren,
  • Custom demands that, as your Chairman whose office is about to cease, together with yours when this Assembly has been ended (Church Order, Art. 35), I speak a word of closing and farewell.
  • I deem it fitting to do so very briefly.
  • In the first place it is my pleasure and privilege to speak words of thanks.
  • Thanks to the Convening Church at New Westminster which not only has prepared the (provisional) agenda for this Synod. but in addition has taken us, sixteen delegates, under her wings. I am convinced that I speak on behalf of the sixteen of us, when I thank you from the heart for the motherly care you have given us.
  • Motherly, I said. not only because Church (in Greek) Is feminine, but also because several ladies have taken care of our needs, spoiled us and stuffed us, nearly overstuffed us, with many good things.
  • This word of thanks includes our hosts and hostesses who provided us with lodging and transportation.
  • It was really good to be here.
  • Thanks in the second place (and now I speak as your Chairman) to you, fellow members of Synod who chose me to be your chairman. I con­sidered this a great honour and a proof of trust. After having chosen me, you have graciously submitted to the Chair, eagerly fulfilled my wishes when I asked your co-operation. when I requested you to respect the order of synodical business. also every time I asked you to speed up your Com­mittee work, in order that the business of Synod might proceed smoothly. You have borne with my weaknesses, corrected me whenever necessary so to speak … and when sometimes my temper showed, you accosted me kindly. I ask forgiveness for all the times I may have cut you short, or done injustice to you.
  • Thanks to you that you rendered it possible, under my Chairmanship, to conclude and complete our mandate in two weeks.
  • In the second place I will try to describe the character of this sixth Synod of our beloved Churches.
  • I will not try to evaluate our decisions. That would be outside my, and our province. It is up to the Churches, once ‘the Acts have been published, to scan and scrutinize our acts and decisions.
  • I may, however, add that one thing must be said about our decisions, and that is that they will appear to be far from perfect. Already at this very moment I am conscious of certain shortcomings.
  • As is the case with all our doings, so these decisions need the cleansing ad sanctifying power of our glorious Head in order to become subservient to the welfare of the Churches and the coming of Christ’s kingdom.
  • Another aspect of our synodical work -· which will not be appreciated by every one – is that we have tried hard to limit ourselves as much as possible. I am convinced that this was a good, Reformed attempt. A major Assembly should always try to do as little as possible so that even the beginnings of hierarchy and synodocracy be, smothered. I hope and pray that no one can ever rightly accuse this Synod of having trespassed its narrow boundaries.
  • As I have already stated, I will not attempt to give an evaluation of our work.
  • I will even refrain from calling to your mind all the items with which we have dealt. I will not even mention the so-called “highlights” because that would already imply my evaluation of them.
  • I will only, and finally, try to describe the character of this Synod.
  • I tell you nothing new when I say that this Synod has been looked forward to with a measure of tension. Predictions were heard that during this Synod lack of unity in faith would come into the open, which could even endanger the pewee of Jerusalem. The fear has proved to be un­founded.
  • Certainly, we did not agree in all things. We should not even deny that sometimes, especially during the first sessions there seemed to be a measure of friction. Sometimes it seemed as if a lack of mutual trust was peeping around the corner.
  • But, working together in the Committee rooms and in plenary sessions proved to be the blessed healing of friction, fear and lack of trust. Not­ withstanding our differences of opinion in certain matters, we strongly experienced the unity of faith and confession. We became a closely-knit team that, shoulder to shoulder, could deal with serious matters, and at the same time enjoy brotherly love. A love that many a time sought and found manifestation in hearty laughter.
  • This, to me, Wall! the most important aspect of this Synod.
  • It is the deepest wish of my heart that this experience of this Synod may continue its blessed work among the Churches, as communion of saints. That it may expel, cut off by the root any suspicion and sowing of dis­ trust.
  • It has been said that a Church plagued by distrust will never attract others, yes even is doomed to die.
  • Brethren, let us hold together, in the line of Philippians 2. Let us so build and preserve the heritage bestowed upon us.
  • May the Lord graciously cleanse and bless our words. He guide us all on our way back to the local Churches where the real life of the Church throbs.
  • Rev. VanDooren then read the first eleven verses of Philippians 2. Rev. H. A. Stel, Assessor, spoke a word of thanks to the Chairman.
  • Elder A. W. DeLeeuw requested to sing Hymn 15, after which he led in prayer and thanksgiving.
  • The Chairman adjourned Synod.

On behalf of Synod:

  • Rev. G. VanDooren, Chairman
  • Rev. J. Mulder, First clerk
  • Rev. H. A. Stel, Assessor
  • Rev. W. W. J. VanOene, Second Clerk