01 May GS 2001 art 27

Posted at 16:55h in CanRC, GS 2001 by

GS 2001 Article 27 – Theological College

Committee 1 presented its report on the Theological College. The following was adopted.

1.    Material

  • 1.1.    Regional Synod East – Nominations for Governors of the
  • Theological College.
  • 1.2.    Regional Synod West – Nominations for Governors of the
  • Theological College.
  • 1.3.    Submissions from the Churches at Burlington-Ebenezer, Winnipeg Grace, and Winnipeg-Redeemer.
  • 1.4.    Letter from the Board of Governors.

2. Admissibility

The materials received are declared admissible.

3.    Observations

  • 3.1.    Synod thankfully observes that all is well at the Theological College, as per Report (please see Appendices).
  • 3.2.    Synod observes that Prof. J. Geertsema will be retiring from active duties at the end of the academic year 2000-2001.
  • 3.3.    Synod observes that Prof. Dr. J. Faber has served as member of the Senate during his retirement.
  • 3.4.    The Board of Governors recommends:
    • 3.4.1.  To receive this report and all its appendices.
    • 3.4.2.  To acknowledge the expiration of the term of office of the brs. J. Visscher, H. J. Sloots, P. G. Feenstra, W. DenHollander and D. G. J. Agema as Governors with grateful acknowledgement of their labours, and pursuant to Section 5(2) of the Act and Section 3.04 of By-Law 1 (as amended).
    • 3.4.3.  To appoint, elect or reappoint six active ministers to hold office until the next General Synod and to appoint at least three substitutes from each Regional Synod area;
    • 3.4.4.  To reappoint the brs. M. Kampen and J. VanderWoude as Governors for a term from the date of their reappointment until
    • the first General Synod held after the date of their reappointment;
    • 3.4.5.  To reappoint the brs. W. Oostdijk and W. Smouter as Governors for a term from the date of their reappointment until the second General Synod held after the date of their reappointment;
    • 3.4.6.  To appoint br. G. J. Nordeman from Burlington as Governor for a term from the date of his appointment until the third General Synod held after the date of his appointment (with as alternate br. L. Jagt from Burlington).
    • 3.4.7.  To appoint Prof. Dr. C. VanDam as Principal for the period of September 2002 to September 2005, and to designate Prof. Dr. N.H. Gootjes as Principal for the years 2005 to 2008, the Lord willing. The transfer of principalship will take place the day after the Convocation in 2002.
    • 3.4.8.  To approve all the decisions and actions of the Board and of its committees for the years 1998, 1999, 2000, and 2001 until the day of this report.
    • 3.4.9.  To express thankfulness for the support from the Free Reformed Churches in Australia.
    • 3.4.10.    To mandate the Board to present to Synod 2004 proposals regarding the Pastoral Training Program and the financial remuneration
    • 3.4.11.    To consider the audited financial statements and the report of the Auditors for the previous fiscal periods; to relieve the Treasurer of the Board of all responsibilities for these fiscal periods; to appoint br. H. Salomons as Auditor till next General Synod, and to thank sr. A. Spithoff for her many years of faithful service.
    • 3.4.12.    To appoint sr. Margaret VanderVelde to the synodical committee for the official website.
  • 3.5.    The Church at Burlington-Ebenezer urges Synod to request the Board of Governors of the Theological College to be more detailed and specific in future reports. As evidence of a lack of detail and specificity, they mention several examples.
  • 3.6.    The Church at Winnipeg-Grace requests Synod to decide that the three territories of Manitoba (with Denver), Alberta and British Columbia should be visited annually.
  • 3.7.    The Church at Winnipeg-Redeemer recommends a different use of time allocated in the diaconiology department so that the teaching of the practical components of the work of ministry is integral to the Theological College. It also recommends the hiring of a fifth professor.
  • 3.8.    Regional Synod East has nominated the following ministers for appointment: B. J. Berends, G. Nederveen, Cl. Stam, (alternates: G. Ph. van Popta, P. Aasman, J. VanWoudenberg, in that order).
  • 3.9.    Regional Synod West has nominated the following ministers for appointment: R. Aasman, J. Moesker, R. A. Schouten (alternates: W. B. Slomp, E. J. Tiggelaar, E. Kampen, in that order).
  • 3.10.  The Board of Governors submits the resumes of br. G. J. Nordeman and L. Jagt.

4.    Considerations

  • 4.1.    On the basis of the report received Synod considers that the professors are making a positive contribution to the churches, not only through the college, but also through their other activities.
  • 4.2.    Synod notes with gratitude to the Lord that Prof. J. Geertsema has faithfully fulfilled all the duties of his office and served both the Theological College and the Churches in his capacity as Professor of New Testament, with humility and commitment, since 1986.
  • 4.3.    Synod notes with gratitude to the Lord that Dr. J. Faber has faithfully laboured as a member of the Senate during the time of his retirement.
  • 4.4.    On the basis of the report received Synod considers that the affairs of the Theological College are well managed.
  • 4.5.    In accordance with section 3.04 (a) of By-Law Number 1 (as amended by By-Law Number 3), the General Synod shall appoint or reappoint six active ministers to the Board of Governors.
  • 4.6.    In accordance with By-Law Number 1, section 3.04 (b), the General Synod shall appoint or reappoint five brothers who are not ministers.
  • 4.7.    General Synod requests the Board of Governors to be as detailed and specific in their reports as possible and practical (see letter of the Church at Burlington-Ebenezer).
  • 4.8.    The suggestion of the Church at Winnipeg-Grace is valuable. The practical execution is to be determined by the Board of Governors.
  • 4.9.    Synod appreciates the suggestion to make different use of the time allocated in the diaconiology department to allow for more teaching of the practical components of the work of ministry and the suggestion to appoint a fifth professor. The Board of Governors should therefore consider the submission of Redeemer Church in Winnipeg.
  • 4.10.   The recommendations for appointment in the various vacancies are good recommendations.

5.    Recommendations

Synod decide:

  • 5.1.    To receive this report and all its appendices and thank the Board for their work.
  • 5.2.    To acknowledge the expiration of the term of office of the brs. J. Visscher, H. J. Sloots, P. G. Feenstra, W. DenHollander and D. G. J. Agema as Governors with grateful acknowledgement of their labours, and pursuant to Section 5(2) of the Act and Section 3.04 of By-Law 1 (as amended).
  • 5.3.    To appoint Prof. Dr. C. VanDam as Principal for the period of September 2002 to September 2005, and to designate Prof. Dr. N.H. Gootjes as Principal for the years 2005 to 2008,the Lord willing. The transfer of principalship will take place the day after the Convocation in 2002.
  • 5.4.    To approve all the decisions and actions of the Board and of its committees for the years 1998, 1999, 2000, and 2001 until the day of this report.
  • 5.5.    To express thankfulness for the support from the Free Reformed Churches in Australia.
  • 5.6.    To mandate the Board to present to Synod 2004 proposals regarding the Pastoral Training Program and the financial remuneration.
  • 5.7.    To consider the audited financial statements and the report of the Auditors for the previous fiscal periods; to relieve the Treasurer of the Board of all responsibilities for these fiscal periods;to appoint br. H. Salomons as Auditor till next General Synod, and to thank sr. A.  Spithoff for her many years of faithful service.
  • 5.8.    To appoint sr. Margaret VanderVelde to the synodical committee for the official website.
  • 5.9.    To express gratitude to our heavenly Father for what He has given the Churches in the person and work of Prof. J. Geertsema.
  • 5.10.   To express gratitude to Prof. J. Geertsema for his diligent and faithful work.
  • 5.11.    To express gratitude to Dr. J. Faber for his diligent and faithful work.
  • 5.12.    To forward the suggestions and questions of the Church at Burlington-Ebenezer, the Church at Winnipeg-Grace, and the Church at Winnipeg-Redeemer, to the Board of Governors for its consideration.

Rev. R. Aasman abstained from voting since he serves as member of the Board of Governors.

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