The Chairman invites Synod to sing Psalm 118:5,6, reads Mark 8:22-38 and leads in prayer.
Synod moves into closed session to deal further with matters related to Article 41 CO.

Synod reconvenes in open session.

The following proposal is submitted from the appointed committee:

Agenda item 12.3 Synod Treasurer’s Report, Draft budget for Synod 2003, Revised Draft Budget for Synod 2003;

Agenda item 13 Auditors of Synod Treasurer’s Books and discharge of Treasurer Agenda item 14 Calculations for church share of Synod costs;

Observations:

Synod’s Treasurer prepared a draft budget to take into account Synod’s decisions.

As shown, the Revised Budget takes into account Synod’s decision to form classis after Synod 2000 and allocation of funds for establishing classes.

To accept the Treasurer’s statement of receipts and expenditure for the period 1 February 1998 to 31 January 2000 and recommendations regarding reimbursements;
To thank the Treasurer for the work done and discharge him;
To receive the Report of the Auditors for the Synod Treasury;
To thank the Auditors for the work done and discharge them;
To adopt the Draft Revised budget as amended by Synod;
To adopt the cost sharing arrangement proposed by the Synod Treasurer;
To approve costs for travel by Rev Veldman to attend the installation of Dr Zuiddam in Launceston; and
To adopt the proposal to allot $15,000 to Classis North and $5,000 to Classis South. This is to be a once-off for the establishment of Classes.

Agenda item 12.14 Synod Audio Equipment

To thank brothers E ‘tHart and A van der Wal for the construction of a special sound system for the benefit of synod sessions, for storing and maintaining it and for operating it at this Synod.

To discharge the brothers and to appoint new deputies to take care of the sound system equipment for Synod.

The brothers have done an admirable job and have served Synod very well.

The Chairman asks Synod to sing Psalm 68: 7,8.

Acts articles 84 to 98 were adopted.

In Closed Session the Executive presents a Draft Appointments paper:

Publication of the Acts – the First Clerk

Church: Rockingham
Place: Rockingham
Time: Between April - July 2003

Agenda item 12.8 Civil Registration

To thank the deputies that they have completed their mandate in that the Free Reformed Church(sic) of Australia have now been registered as a recognised denomination for the purpose of the Marriage Act 1961.

To discharge the deputies.

To appoint new deputies officially designated as the Nominating Authorities with the following mandate:

To carry out all the duties of nominating authorities as required under the Marriage Act 1961;
To see to a correction of the registered church name from Free Reformed Church of Australia to Free Reformed Churches of Australia.

Deputies have carried out and completed their mandate given by Synod 1998.

The Marriage Act of 1961 requires that there is an official appointment of Nominating Authorities.

Although the deputies submitted the correct name for the churches as a whole when making the application on behalf of the churches, the registrar did not register it correctly.

Material:
Agenda item 12.11 Deputies report

Decision:
Synod decides to receive the report with thanks.

Material:
Agenda item 12.12 Deputies report

Decision:
Synod decides to receive the report with thanks.

Mt Nasura reports that they conducted a colloquim doctum for Rev J Kroeze. The outcome was satisfactory.

All churches could reply affirmative for both questions.

No one has any questions.

Synod approves the second press release as read out by the Vice Chairman.

The Chairman states that there is no need for censure.

The Chairman expresses the appreciation of the delegates for the excellent organisation and care by the convening Church. On behalf of Synod he presents a gift to J de Snoo, chairman of the organisation committee.

Br J de Snoo receives the gifts and expresses some words of thanks and also some words of advice to the next convening church.

Special words of appreciation were also expressed to others who gave particular assistance.

The Chairman, Rev W Huizinga, speaks the following words:

In closing this synod, allow me first of all to express some words of thanks.

We give the hosting church of West-Albany big "thank-you" for the excellent preparations they have made for us. You took care of the distribution of the agenda items; you kept an accurate and orderly collection of all the materials. You provided accommodation for us and for the overseas delegates. You arranged to have the ladies serve us with refreshments, nibbles, cake and more. Those substantial, three course lunches will take some time to wear off! As our hosts you also made sure there were enough meeting rooms and computer equipment to fulfil our tasks. You prepared a lounge room for us so we could sit, have a coffee and relax. You offered some outings and much more. I am sure there were many more tasks that we may not even have noticed. Rockingham will soon find out about those tasks. In short, we owe you our hearty thanks. I would also like to express our thanks to the brothers, Eric ‘t Hart and Alan vander Wal, who took care of the sound equipment. We hope that the visitors especially benefited from it in that they were able to hear the discussion on the floor of synod. Well done! Our first clerk is a very capable brother, but he and the second clerk certainly would be the first to say with all of us how much we appreciated the services of our secretary, Kina Van Duyn. Thank you very much Kina for taking a holiday from your regular work and offering your services for this synod. We also thank the sexton, the guardian of the grounds and buildings here, for his work. He was always available when asked. He would open doors and greet us with his warm smile. Thank you, our smiley Jacob Berkelaar.

We approach the closing of the 21^st Synod of the Free Reformed Churches of Australia. We have worked for almost nine complete days. Thinking back to the synods over the past decade, I think that is a record for us. It could be that the agenda is shrinking; it could be that the reports of deputies are that convincing; it could be that the brothers have less to say; or it could be that the weather in West Albany kept us indoors, kept us cool and hard-working.

Over the years we have learned to appreciate one another’s points of view. We have learned that we need to respect each other and to do things together. Some want to run and hurry along faster; some want to walk slowly, while others stand still. We need to adjust our pace to others, neither galloping ahead nor lagging behind. Do we need to go as slow as the slowest? Well, we were told that was not quite correct. It was compared to catching the school-bus. Be on time! Some stragglers need to hurry up and show they wish to get on board. Otherwise, we were told, the synodical driver will close the door and leave! And we did act accordingly, concerning the presbyterian churches and concerning the Reformed Churches in New Zealand, for instance. However, this does not mean that we all think alike on matters. This synod showed that on some matters, especially interchurch relations, we do not have the same mind. That is sad, but fact. Nevertheless, we did strive as much as our convictions allow to move closer towards each other. The Rules for Synods stipulate that we work towards unanimity. As it is said in Dutch, ‘niet overstemmen maar overeenstemmen’ (do not outvote each other but agree with each other). We said it was better to move one step ahead together than to run three steps ahead with only a few. In this quest for unanimity the delegates from overseas served us with advice, with direction, if necessary, with proddings and scoldings, and also with words of encouragement. We value their input.

These decisions now go to the churches. According to our beloved Article 31, Church Order,

Whatever may be agreed upon by a majority vote shall be considered settled and binding, unless it is proved to be in conflict with the Word of God or with the Church Order.

This means that these decisions are settled and binding. It also means that the churches should review them and implement them. If they find they are in conflict with the Bible or our Church Order then they will submit an appeal.

May the Head of the churches use these decisions so that his people here in Australia and also elsewhere may prosper! Before synod we had a prayer service. We listened to God’s Word about Hezekiah, a faithful king of Israel. The Lord prospered him and Israel. The ministry of the Word, the ministry of the sacraments, prayer, worship and thank offerings to the Lord abounded. God blessed them out of his grace and generosity. May the Lord keep the office-bearers in the FRCA today faithful and diligent! Then we know that his blessings will descend. Indeed, we have heard that the ministry of the Word, the administration of the sacraments and the exercise of godly discipline prevail in each of the ten lampstands of our bond. This is not to our praise but to the praise of God’s grace. May the Head of the churches continue to walk up and down among the lampstands of our bond, in Tasmania, Albany and Perth Metro areas. He knows us thoroughly, our strengths, our weaknesses, and our offensive sins. He controls the churches. This fact heartens us. Yet He holds us responsible. We need his Spirit to equip us to discharge our offices. We pray that we may remain faithful. Hezekiah "lifted up his heart" and became proud. The same can apply to us. Yes, Hezekiah points us to Christ, as we heard in the sermon before synod. May we keep our eye on Him.

I remembered the local churches because this will be the last synod that will pay attention to visits paid to the churches. We have decided to form two classes. That means those classes will pay attention to the ministries of the office-bearers of the local churches. Yes, that was an important decision for our churches. In some ways we still wanted to hang on to the present set-up and provisions. The Tasmanian churches still want to see and hear ministers from what is now Classis South (Albany, Armadale, Byford, Rockingham and West Albany). Yet if the change was to be made we had to make it properly, thoroughly, and we did so. But it has its sad side. We in Classis South will not see as much of, at least not in an official capacity, the churches in Classis North, and vice versa. If another theological student has to be examined or if a candidate needs to be examined, this will be the task of the classis. May God bless this decision so that the desire for more contact may become reality. May this decision bring us closer to the norms of the Church Order.

We come to the end. On behalf of the officers of synod I thank you for the confidence placed in us. It was an honor and a responsibility. If in the discharge of our duties we have offended or hurt any of you by any remark or comment, please accept our apology. The grace of God cleanse us from all wrongs and offences. During this synod we often spoke from the heart. That is good. For we must love God and our neighbour from the whole heart, with the whole mind and with all our soul. Yet in speaking from the heart sometimes our emotions run away with us. God forgive us for that. We have all sought to serve our Lord and each other with our varying gifts and skills.

It is time to return to our normal duties. May God bless you in those respective duties, as elder or as minister. May the Lord give you all safe journeys back home. Some have come with families. Enjoy your holidays now that your synodical duties are finished. To those who left wife and families, I wish you health and wisdom. It will be wonderful to be reunited with our families, even though they did not expect us home as quickly!

May the Lord bless those whom synod appointed as deputies. Some of the deputyships have new names. We tried to give all the ministers tasks. We tried not to give anyone two tasks. May the Lord provide wisdom, brotherly love, faithfulness and love so that you fulfil your tasks and can help make the church prosper. You will have three years instead of two to do your work. That is good for you and good for the churches. The Lord bless you.

Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling,
And to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
To God our Savior, who alone is wise,
Be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen.

Rev Flinn speaks a few words of farewell to Synod.

The Vice Chairman, Rev van Delden, on behalf of Synod, expresses appreciation for the Chairman’s capable leadership in chairing Synod in a brotherly and impartial manner. He asks those present to sing Psalm 125: 1,2 and 3 and leads in prayer.

The Chairman closes the twenty first Synod of the Free Reformed Churches of Australia

Last modified: July 16, 2000