02 Feb GS 2004 art 53

Posted at 12:29h in CanRC, GS 2004 by

GS 2004 Article 53 – Board of Governors of the Theological College

Committee 4 presented its proposal on the report of the Board of Governors of the Theological College.  After several rounds of discussion, the proposal was put to a vote.  Rev. J. Moesker abstained from voting since he is a member of the Board of Governors.  The following was adopted:

1.    Material

  • 1.1.    The report of the Board of Governors of the Theological College of the Canadian Reformed Churches dated September 25, 2003
  • 1.2.    From Regional Synod West (November 18, 2003) a letter including nominations for the governors of the Theological College for the Academic Committee
  • 1.3.    From Regional Synod East (November 12, 2003) a letter including nominations for the governors of the Theological College for the Academic Committee
  • 1.4.    Letter from the Board of Governors of the Theological College, dated February 11, 2004, to Synod with nominations of governors to serve on the Property and Finance Committee

2.   Admissibility

The materials received are declared admissible.

3.       Observations

  • 3.1.    Synod thankfully receives this report and all its appendices.
  • 3.2.    Synod acknowledges that the terms of Rev. R. Aasman, br. M. Kampen and br. J. VanderWoude have expired.
  • 3.3.    Synod acknowledges the upcoming retirement of the Rev. B.J. Berends from the active ministry of the Word and as governor.
  • 3.4.    Synod observes that Dr. J. De Jong has been granted an indefinite leave of absence as of September 4, 2003 due to his illness.
  • 3.5.    The Board of Governors recommends that pursuant to Section 5(2) of the Act and Section 3.5.1 of  By-Law 3 that Synod:
    • 3.5.1.     Appoint, elect or re-appoint six active ministers to hold office until the next General Synod and to appoint at least three substitutes from each Regional Synod area.
    • 3.5.2.     Reappoint brs. W. Oostdyk and W. Smouter as Governors for a term lasting from the date of re-appointment until the first subsequent General Synod.
    • 3.5.3.     Reappoint br. G.J. Nordeman for a term lasting from the date of re-appointment until the second subsequent General Synod.
    • 3.5.4.     Appoint two new non-ministerial Governors for a term lasting from the date of appointment until the third subsequent General Synod.
    • 3.5.5.     Appoint Dr. N.H. Gootjes as Principal for the years 2005-2008 and to designate Prof. G.H. Visscher as Principal for the years 2008-2011.
    • 3.5.6.     Appoint deputies for the Pastoral Training Program, who will administer funds collected from the churches, with the specific purpose of meeting the needs of students participating in the Pastoral Training Program. Any shortfall or inequities arising in the remuneration of students participating in the Pastoral Training Program will be covered by these auxiliary funds administered by the deputies. These deputies are authorized to assess the churches to ensure that the fund will be able to meet the needs of the applicants. These deputies should provide a full report of their work to the next General Synod. The deputies appointed by General Synod should include one brother from the Academic Committee and one brother from the Finance and Property Committee.
    • 3.5.7.     Approve all decisions and actions of the Board and of its committees for the years 2001, 2002 and 2003 until the date of this Report.
    • 3.5.8.     Express thankfulness for the support from the Free Reformed Churches in Australia.
    • 3.5.9.     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, and to reappoint br. H. Solomons as Auditor until the next General Synod.
    • 3.5.10.   Reappoint Ms. Margaret VanderVelde to the Synodical Committee for the Official Website of the Canadian Reformed Churches.
  • 3.6.    The Board of Governors nominate the following four brothers to the Property and Finance Committee: Brs. K. Veldkamp, L. Jagt, H. Harsevoort and A. Bax, in that order.

4.       Considerations

  • 4.1.    Synod thankfully notes that the Theological College could continue its work in spite of Dr. J. De Jong’s illness, and Synod acknowledges the excellent work accomplished by Dr. De Jong.
  • 4.2.    Synod acknowledges that the nominations for the replacements of Revs. R. Aasman and B. J. Berends are acceptable.
  • Nominated by Regional Synod West was Rev. W.B. Slomp.  Renominated were Revs. R. Schouten and J. Moesker. Alternates are Revs. E. J. Tiggelaar, E. Kampen and C. J. Vandervelde.
  • Nominated by Regional Synod East was Rev. J. VanWoudenberg. Alternates areRevs. G. Ph. VanPopta and W. den Hollander.  Renominated are Revs. G. Nederveen and Cl. Stam.
  • 4.3.    Synod acknowledges that the nominations for the replacements of brs. M. Kampen and J. VanderWoude are acceptable. Renominated were brs. W. Oostdyk, W. Smouter and G.J. Nordeman.
  • 4.4.    Synod takes note of the recommendation to appoint Dr. N.H. Gootjes as Principal for the years 2005-2008 and to designate Prof. G.H. Visscher as Principal for the years 20082011.
  • 4.5.    Synod is grateful to the sponsoring churches and ministers who have participated in the Pastoral Training Program.
  • 4.6.    Synod notes that the Board of Governors already has the authority to assess the churches in the matter of the training of the students. Synod considers the Pastoral Training Program to be a desirable part of the training for the ministry and the funds required for this program should, therefore, be included in the regular operating budget.
  • 4.7.    Synod considers that the Board of Governors has the authority to appoint a subcommittee to take care of this program and its funding.
  • 4.8.    Synod thankfully takes note of the work done by the Board and its committees during the last three years.
  • 4.9.    Synod expresses its heartfelt appreciation to the Free Reformed Churches in Australia for their active involvement, as well as their ongoing financial and prayerful support.

5.       Recommendations

Synod decide:

  • 5.1.    To receive this report and all its appendices and to thank the Board of Governors for its work. Synod reminds the Board to prepare and present its report within the time frame as agreed upon in the “Guidelines for Synod.”
  • 5.2.    To express its gratitude for the work done by Revs. R. Aasman and B.J. Berends, as well as by brs. M. Kampen and J. VanderWoude.
  • 5.3.    To express sincere gratitude for the work that Dr. J. De Jong was able to accomplish at the Theological College since he began his work in 1990. Synod asks that the churches continue to remember the needs of Dr. J. De Jong and his family before the throne of God.
  • 5.4.    To express our appreciation to the ministers and the churches who provided assistance to the Theological College during the leave of absence of Dr. J. De Jong.
  • 5.5.    To express gratitude for the work done by Professor J. Geertsema in and for the Theological College.
  • 5.6.    To express its heartfelt appreciation to the Free Reformed Churches in Australia for their active involvement, as well as their ongoing financial and prayerful support.
  • 5.7.    To appoint from the West: Rev. W. B. Slomp (alternates Revs. E. J. Tiggelaar, E. Kampen and C. J. Vandervelde)
  • To reappoint from the West: Revs. R. Schouten and J. Moesker.
  • To appoint from the East: Rev. J. VanWoudenberg (alternates Rev. G. Ph. VanPopta and Rev. W. den Hollander).
  • To reappoint from the East: Revs. G. Nederveen and Cl. Stam.
  • 5.8.    To appoint, on the basis of the recommendation of the Board of Governors, brs. K. Veldkamp and L. Jagt to the Property and Finance Committee and to reappoint the brs. W. Oostdyk, W. Smouter and G.J. Nordeman.
  • 5.9.    To appoint Dr. N.H. Gootjes as Principal for the years 2005-2008 and to designate Prof. G.H. Visscher as Principal for the years 2008-2011.
  • 5.10.  To reappoint Ms. Margaret Van der Velde to the Synodical Committee for Official Website of the Canadian Reformed Churches.
  • 5.11.  To reappoint br. H. Solomons as Auditor until the next General Synod.
  • 5.12.  To take note of the audited financial statements and the report of the Auditors for the previous fiscal periods, and to relieve the Treasurer of the Board of all responsibilities for these fiscal periods.
  • 5.13.  Not to accede to the request of the Board of Governors to appoint deputies for the Pastoral Training Program.
  • 5.14.  To approve all decisions and actions of the Board of Governors and of its committees for the years 2001, 2002 and 2003 until the date of this report.
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