GS 2013 Article 13 – CRTS: Appointment of a Professor of Ecclesiology

Committee 5 presented the following proposal:

1.         Material:

  • 1.1.      Letter from the Board of Governors dated April 26, 2013 (8.2.10.b)
  • 1.2.      Report of the Board of Governors to Synod 2013 (8.2.10.a)

2.         Observations:

  • 2.1.      In Recommendation 7 of its Report to Synod 2013, the Board requests the following: “That if Synod approves such new position and department, to approve the appointment of a new full-time professor in Ecclesiology in accordance with the recommendation of the Board in submission separate from this Report.”
  • 2.2.      The Board appointed a Search Committee for a new professor and received input from many churches as well as from the current Faculty of the Seminary.
  • 2.3.      Having carefully investigated a number of possible candidates, the Board has requested General Synod 2013 to give leave to the Board to appoint Rev. Theodore G. Van Raalte of Surrey, B.C. as Professor of Ecclesiology.
  • 2.4.      The Board has supplied Synod with comprehensive information about Rev. Van Raalte including letters of reference, a curriculum vitae and responses to interview questions.

3.         Considerations:

  • 3.1.      Synod 2010 has approved the appointment of a new full-time position in the Department of Ecclesiology, thus creating a vacancy in this Department.
  • 3.2.      Based on the information supplied by the Board of Governors, General Synod considers Rev. Van Raalte to be well-qualified to serve as Professor of Ecclesiology.

4.         Recommendation:

That Synod decide to direct the Board of Governors to appoint Rev. Theodore G. Van Raalte as professor of Ecclesiology.

ADOPTED

by secret ballot (as per synod guidelines) and with members of the Board of Governors abstaining.

A letter was read from the church at Surrey expressing their support for this appointment, despite its meaning the imminent departure of their minister and indicating their deep appreciation for the work of Rev. Van Raalte in their congregation. The chairman notes with gratitude to the Lord how our Canadian Reformed Theological Seminary continues to be blessed with faithful, capable brothers to teach a new generation of men to serve the churches as ministers of the gospel and how the teaching staff could be expanded in this way to the benefit of that training. Synod adjourned so that the chairman of the Board of Governors could be contacted and notified of the decision.

Synod then went into open session.