An event that may prove to be important in our Reformed circles was the decision made on April 21, 1981 to organize a society to establish a new Reformed theological seminary. The decision was made at a meeting held at the Airport Hilton Hotel at O’Hare Airport at Chicago. The Tuesday afternoon, three–hour meeting was attended by about 70 people from various parts of the country, over two-thirds of them laymen.
It is no secret that many in as well as outside of the Christian Reformed churches have long been deeply concerned about the increasing confusion of doctrine and morals in the churches. It is also becoming evident to many that this confusion is both being reflected in and is being increased by the kind of training which ministers have been receiving for the ministry. Especially young ministers and students can testify to that. About a year and a half ago a group of ministers in Northwest Iowa, some of whom were involved in formulating “Our Testimony” which was circulated by the Reformed Fellowship about two years ago, began discussions about what could be done to get better Reformed training for preachers in the church. Out of those discussions there arose the idea of seeking to establish a new seminary forthrightly committed to the Reformed faith but independent of ecclesiastical control. Is such a project legitimate? The Free University of Amsterdam, where many of our Dutch ministers have been trained and many others have obtained advanced degrees, is just such a school and so is Westminster Theological Seminary, which our synods have been recommending to our churches for their support for decades. Is there sufficient need for beginning such a school? Is establishing one feasible? Would there be sufficient interest and support to begin one? If so, where should it be located? Many were the questions that could be and were raised.
On January 30 at a larger informal meeting of mostly ministers at Davenport, Iowa, the idea was further discussed and more suggestions and alternatives were considered.
Finally plans were made and an agenda was carefully prepared for the much more extensive meeting to be held at Chicago. There it would be considered whether any action could and should be taken. It was with trepidation and many prayers that we journeyed to Chicago to see what, if anything, would come of the project.
The number who appeared in the crowded room, some having come from as far away as the West coast, was reassuring. Rev. Edward Knott, Christian Reformed pastor from Rock Valley, Iowa, opened the meeting with a reading from Zechariah 4, introduced the agenda and acted as chairman of the ensuing discussion. The discussion was extensive. Many questions were frankly raised and fairly answered. Finally the time came for decision.
The key question to organize an association to establish a Reformed institution to train men for the gospel ministry was passed by a unanimous vote.
The next question about the structure for governing the proposed institution was answered by a vote for a three-level rather than two-level organization, with the society electing a board which in turn would elect local curators to carry out board decisions.
Some discussion about the target date for beginning classes resulted in a decision to begin no later than September of 1982, upon decision of the board.
It was decided to buy a very suitable building with eight acres of land at Orange City, Iowa, offered at an attractively low price.
Accreditation is to be sought as soon as possible. There are various possibilities for arranging to obtain this.
The organization is to be incorporated as the Mid-America Reformed Seminary Association. The steering committee which prepared the agenda is to submit to all members of the society a nomination for regular board members as soon as possible.
Before the meeting adjourned a final important matter had to be faced, that of beginning to raise funds. How strong would the vocally enthusiastic support actually prove to be? There was general surprise and thanksgiving to God when the amount immediately subscribed turned out to be $40,585.
Few if any would have dared to expect that so much would come out of the meeting in such a short time. It was a deeply emotional moment, especially for Rev. John Vander Ploeg, The Outlook’s former editor, who 10 years ago spoke to various groups about the urgent need for such a school as this.
The eventful organization meeting was concluded with prayer led by Rev. Neal Pronk, pastor of the Free Reformed Church of Grand Rapids, Mich. The association and those it aims to serve are not limited to Christian Reformed Church members. It is an organization independent from the Reformed Fellowship. As our Outlook masthead states, one of the Fellowship’s purposes is “as far as possible to further the interests of all Christian action and institutions of Reformed character.” In harmony with that stated purpose we welcome and encourage this project.
In these early stages of its development any who wish to contribute to it may do so through the Reformed Fellowship. Gifts designated for it will be forwarded just as gifts have been received and given for the Tiv Reformed Seminary in Africa. May the Lord guide and prosper this new venture in His name.
– The Editor
