Vol 72 Issue 03

Mr. Wigger is a member of the Protestant Reformed Church of Hudsonville, Michigan. Young People’s Activities From all accounts, the “annual bowling invitational” of the young people from the First PRC in Edmonton and the Immanuel PRC of Lacombe, AB, Canada held in mid-summer was a great success. Reportedly there was a great turnout from both churches and an evening of fun and fellowship was the end result. In mid-September the Young People’s Society of the Hull, IA PRC, with a little help from the young adults of Hull, took on their parents in a game of softball. Confidently, the...

Classis East met in regular session on Wednesday, September 13, 1995 at the Hudsonville PRC. Each of the churches was represented by two delegates; Grace PRC had delegates at classis for the first time. Seminarians DeJong and Smit, both serving internships in local churches, were present as observers. Rev. B. Gritters was the chairman for this session. 

The September meeting of Classis West was held in South Holland, IL on Wednesday, September 20. Classis was scheduled two weeks later than is customary, in order that the delegates could attend the Conference on Reformed Church Government held in Grand Rapids on September 21 and 22. Rev. Mitchell Dick opened the session of Classis with a devotional based on I Corinthians 3:7. Rev. Russ Dykstra presided at this session of Classis. The agenda of Classis was brief. There were regular reports from the Classical Committee, the Stated Clerk, and the Reading Sermon Committee. Mandates were given to the Stated Clerk...

Rev. VanBaren is pastor of the Protestant Reformed Church of Loveland, Colorado. Action and Reaction to the “Women in Ofiice” Issue Both action and re-action were responses by various Classes of the Christian Reformed Church to the decision of last June by their Synod to the women in office issue. That Synod, as reported earlier, reversed the position of the Synod of 1994. In 1994 the Synod had declared unequivocally but hardly unanimously that women could not serve in positions of leadership in the CRC. Specifically, they could not be elders or ministers in the denomination. Solid grounds were given from Scripture...

The late Homer Hoeksema was professor of Dogmatics and Old Testament in the Protestant Reformed Seminary. The Creation of the Woman (Gen. 1:27; Gen. 2:18ff.) The narrative of the creation of the woman is introduced, first of all, by a Word of God addressed to Himself. This time the Word of God is: 1) That it is not good that man should be alone; 2) That God, therefore, would make him an help meet for him. In the second place, the narrative of the creation of the woman is introduced by the account of Adam’s giving names to the animals. As...

Communion with my Lord— Can aught more precious be? Is there a joy that can compare To fellowship with Thee? Ah, this I truly know— No treasure is so sweet As that to lay my burdens Down at the Savior’s feet. My weary, sinful heart, So burdened and distressed— I bring it to the Savior And there find peace and rest “Dear Precious, Heavenly Father. My haven from the strife; Please shelter from the battle And help me on through life. Be Thou forever near me To lead and guide my way; Such blessed sweet Communion Will keep my day...

Rev. Haak is pastor of Bethel Protestant Reformed Church in Elk Grove Village, Illinios.

Mr. Kamps is secretary of the RFPA board. Dear RFPA Members and Friends, It is appropriate that, as we conclude the 71st year of publishing, we as an association take the time to pause and look back to the beginnings of our publishing endeavor. The publishing of the Standard Bearer began 71 years ago because our fathers, in the church of their day, were denied the right to express and defend their views regarding the sovereign, particular grace of God. This issue was being hotly debated among Reformed Christians. Our fathers therefore, being determined by the grace of God to give a...

Rev. Cammenga is pastor of Southwest Protestant Reformed Church in Grandville, Michigan. * The speech given by Rev. Cammenga at the annual meeting of the RFPA, held on September 28, 1995. For over 70 years the Standard Bearer has championed the cause of the Reformed faith. Over those years the Standard Bearer has undergone many changes. There have been changes in the appearance of the magazine. There have been changes in format. There have been changes of rubrics and writers. There have been changes of editors. One thing has not changed in that span of time, and that is the Standard Bearer’s vigorous defense of the...

Rev. Mahtani is pastor of Trinity Protestant Reformed Church in Houston, Texas. When I received the invitation to speak at this year’s Young People’s Convention, I joyfully accepted it on account of my background and association with the young saints in Singapore. Quite honestly, however, I was also apprehensive because of some “horror stories” I had heard about our YP’s conventions! This year’s YPs Convention was sponsored by Grandville Protestant Reformed Church and was held at Hope College in Holland, Michigan. As I sit back to reflect upon the blessed moments I was given to enjoy with our precious covenant...