After a prayer service led by Reverend C Bouwman, Reverend J Poppe, on behalf of the convening church of West Albany, speaks the following opening address:

Esteemed delegates,

On behalf of the convening church of West Albany it is my privilege and pleasure to welcome you to the twenty-first Synod of the Free Reformed Churches of Australia. We are thankful that all the delegates have arrived safely and in good health. It is good that the churches are able to send delegates to this major assembly to deal with matters we have in common. At this Synod we also welcome some guests. Our sister churches in the Netherlands are sending two deputies to visit us. Rev J Boersma and Rev R Terbeek hope to be present at Synod on July 10, 11 and 12. The Reformed Churches of New Zealand are sending a representative, Rev M Flinn, who also hopes to be present at Synod for about three days at the beginning of next week. Our deputies have also invited Rev Madah Biha from our Indonesian sister churches (GGRI). I’m not sure if it has been possible for him to obtain a visa yet, or whether or not he will be present with us.

It is some thirteen years since a Synod has been convened in Albany; this is the first time that West Albany can serve as hosting church. We hope that you feel welcome in our midst, and enjoy our hospitality. We are thankful for the use of the Albany church building, the John Calvin School facilities, and the support of Albany members in hosting this Synod. May God bless our work so that you are able to serve well in your task as delegates at this major assembly.

I’d like to draw your attention to some significant events that have occurred in our bond of churches in the twenty months since the last Synod was concluded. You will remember that the last Synod was held in Launceston. It had to deal with the doctrinal teachings of Rev F J van Hulst. It found that some of his teachings were not in accordance with Scripture and confession. In the months that followed, the consistory of Launceston was unable to resolve these matters with Rev van Hulst. In the end it suspended and later deposed him from office. A consequence of all this was that our brothers and sisters in Tasmania have been through a very difficult time.

Why mention all this? Because in reviewing some of these difficulties we may also see that our heavenly Father continues to care for His church. One of the results of the last Synod was that our sister churches in Launceston and Legana were both left vacant. Yet God has provided. He has blessed the FRC of Legana with a minister in Rev J Kroeze. The call that the FRC of Launceston extended to Candidate B A Zuiddam has been accepted. If his sermon proposal is approved by Synod, the way will be open for him to be ordained as minister of the Word. In these things we see that our heavenly Father has answered the many prayers that have been offered to Him. We praise Him for His blessings on us.

Since the last Synod, another church has been instituted in our Australian bond of churches. Thus we may welcome the FRC of West Kelmscott officially also to this Synod. In 1980 there were three churches within the bond; in 1990 there were seven; today there are ten. In a day and age in which the membership of most churches is declining, God continues to prosper us. That is not a reason for self-congratulation; it is reason for thankfulness to our heavenly Father. The Lord has also blessed West Kelmscott with an acceptance of the call they extended to Rev A Veldman. Our loss [here in Albany] is your gain! We trust that in due time the Lord will also provide for the church of Albany again.

This evening, as the chairman of the last Synod, Rev C Bouwman addressed us in the prayer service with a passage from God’s Word. He spoke to us about how our God prospers the way of those who do His Word and will. In spite of our sins and shortcomings – God remains faithful. He keeps His covenant promises to a thousand generations. In Him we may trust. About a month ago we could remember Pentecost, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the church. It is by His Word and Spirit that Jesus Christ defends and preserves us in the unity of true faith. May He grant us His Spirit to lead us in the way of truth and love. In all our deliberations and decisions, let it be our aim to remain faithful to Him.

With these words I declare the twenty-first Synod of the Free Reformed Churches of Australia officially opened.

Let us sing from Hymn 36:2,5

The Chairman of the convening Church requests the brothers of the Church of Albany to examine the delegates’ credentials. Having completed this task, the brothers report that all the churches are properly represented by their delegates, as follows:

The Church of              has delegated

Albany                     Reverend A Veldman and  Elder H Olde

Armadale                 Reverend W Huizinga and Elder K Heerema

Byford                      Reverend W van der Jagt and Elder P Terpstra

Kelmscott                 Reverend Bouwman and Elder A Byl

Launceston               Elder F Postmus and Elder F Bakker

Legana                     Reverend J Kroeze and Elder F Veldhuis

Mount Nasura           Reverend P de Boer and Elder L van Burgel              

Rockingham             Reverend A van Delden and Elder B Bosveld                                 

West Albany             Reverend J Poppe and Elder J Plug                                     

West Kelmscott        Elder J van der Linden and Elder N Louw                  

There were no instructions.

The following officers are elected:

Chairman:             Reverend W Huizinga 

Vice Chairman:     Reverend A van Delden  

First Clerk:            Elder L van Burgel   

Second Clerk:      Reverend J Kroeze

The Chairman declares Synod duly constituted and thanks the convening church of West Albany for its contribution to the arrangements for this Synod.

The Chairman asks delegates to rise to indicate their agreement with the Three Forms of Unity.

All delegates rise.

The Chairman asks Synod to sing Psalm 48:1, 4. The Vice Chairman leads in closing prayer. The Chairman adjourns Synod.

Last modified: July 06, 2000