In January 2023, Rev William Middelkoop travelled to South Africa to attend the Synod of The Reformed Church in South Africa (GKSA) to visit. He wrote a report.
Friday 27 January
From 10.30 a.m. to 10.30 p.m., the flight is to Johannesburg. On arrival, I sleep in a hotel at the airport, as the GKSA brothers indicated that it is not safe to travel by car at night.
Saturday, January 28 - beautiful and serious conversations
On Saturday morning, Rev Fanie Coetzee picks me up. He is deputy foreign minister of the GKSA, focusing on the Netherlands. I stay with him and his wife Judie for the weekend. I am received hospitably and we have an African braai in the evening. Joining us are Prof François Viljoen (NT) and his wife Anja Viljoen-Floor (daughter of Prof L. Floor) with their guest Theo Jellema (GKv). Anja is a music graduate. At the braai, we have great conversations about the church situation, the political situation and classical music.
I am having conversations with Fanie Coetzee about the situation of women and ministry. The synod opens next week, but there is a problem. There is an appeal against the delegation from the Pretoria Regional Synod. This is because this regional synod has decided not to elect delegates from congregations with women elders. However, an appeal cannot be heard until the assembly is constituted. This cannot be decided by the calling church. Therefore, they consulted with two other church councils and there they unanimously came to the following proposal: the calling church does not accept the delegates from the Pretoria Regional Synod at this time and immediately after the election of the moderation body, the synod will have to decide on the appeal against the delegation from the Pretoria Regional Synod. The consequence, however, is that no moderamen member can be elected from these delegates.
Sunday 29 January - on loving and on suffering
Sunday morning we attend the worship service in Potchefstroom-Die Bult. Fanie does the first part of the service and I preside from the scripture reading onwards. I was asked to preach in English because the younger generation in Dutch cannot follow the sermon properly, even though they speak Afrikaans. In other parts of the service, such as the scripture reading and the blessing, we use Dutch, for the older members, who once emigrated from the Netherlands. I preach on Ephesians 5:2, Paul's call to love one another. Afterwards, there is time to meet in the church garden with coffee and tea. I speak to several members who have a past in the Netherlands.
The evening service is a service where themes are addressed and discussed. A kind of interactive learning service. Fanie Coetzee is in charge. We begin with singing Psalm 42 and 73. One concludes this evening a series of Sunday evenings on 'suffering'. Prof Dr F. de Venter, Prof Dr Chris van der Walt, Theo Havinga and I have been asked to participate in the panel discussion and, if possible, to say something in it about the war in Ukraine. It makes for a nice conversation. Afterwards, Fanie reads Psalm 131, explaining how David rests with God in suffering like a small child with his mother.
Monday, 30 January
The synod begins at 10am. Fanie Coetzee opens the synod on behalf of the Calling Church Potchefstroom Die Bult. They are always the calling church. We sing Psalm 150 and pray for God's blessing. We read Mark 8:31-33 and 9:2-8, the glorification on the mountain. The text is Mark 9:8.
We are invited to climb a mountain with the synod's agenda and documents. On a mountain, you can seek silence to meet God. Often mountains are places where God reveals himself. Here in Mark, Christ is glorified. He is in the midst of Elijah and Moses. The disciples who are there witness this experience. God wants them to see who Jesus really is. Not who they think He is, but what God reveals is decisive. Before Jesus goes to suffer, God shows them this.
But then there is the moment when they see only Jesus. All the law revealed to Moses is fulfilled in Him. All the prophecies of Elijah are fulfilled in Him.
Now we go down the mountain again, but with the knowledge of who Jesus is. Only Him we are left with. To Him we have enough. It is about the glorification of Jesus. So let the synod be to the glorification of Him, Rev Coetzee implores those present.
We are immediately confronted with the 'turnaround' at the opening: times when there is no electricity. A generator ensures we can still have meetings.
The delegates
The legality of the synod is established. Seven regional synods all send 20 pastors and 20 elders. There are thus two hundred and eighty delegates.
When it is the turn of the Pretoria Regional Synod, they explain why they cannot be admitted without question: an appeal has been lodged against the Pretoria Regional Synod's method of election. This is because they have decided to elect delegates only from churches where there are no women elders, because in the GKSA it is only possible for women to serve as deacons. The calling church cannot handle an appeal against the conduct of the Pretoria Regional Synod, that is up to the synod.
There are calls not to enter into discussions on this, as it hinders progress. But this actually provokes reactions, as some do want to respond. Prof Smit, professor of church law, suggests going ahead and setting a committee to work immediately after the constitution. This committee should study the matter so that policies can be made for the next synod in case an appeal is filed against a delegation again. The course of action evoked emotions among some delegates. Two young brothers left the meeting room because of those emotions.
Election of the moderates
The election of the moderates was held. The brethren of Regional Synod Pretoria do not vote and no one can be elected from them. The moderamen consists of:
- Piet Venter, chairman
- Deon Lartz, vice-chairman
- Carel Jansen, scribe
- Pieter Kurpershoek, second scribe
- Abel Modisha, second scribe
New appeal procedure
In the afternoon, the appeal against the Pretoria Regional Synod delegation will be heard first. There is a deputation for appellate matters. They have prepared and submit a proposal for decision. In it, it is proposed to grant the appeal. That means pronouncing disapproval of the decision of the Regional Synod not to elect brethren from churches that have women elders.
How does the GKSA handle appeal cases? A new appeal procedure was introduced at the previous synod. Appellants can submit their appeals to the Deputation for Appeals. They deal with it immediately and make a proposal for decision at the synod. This was introduced because in the past synod members had to decide on appeal cases without having enough time, let alone knowledge, to make an informed decision.
After partially granting the appeal, the question is how to proceed. It appears that the appellants have indicated that certain points will be taken back by them if their appeal is accepted, so that the delegates from Strict Synod Pretoria can still be admitted. This is objected to, as it appears that the deputies have negotiated with the appellants. Prof Johannes Smit recommends that a committee be formed to prepare a proposal for decision. This is adopted.
Prayer meeting
Monday evening is the prayer meeting. Prof Dr G Broad preaches on Ephesians 4: 1 and 17. Paul calls believers to walk in a way that fits the calling with which Christ has called them. He himself is called and knows himself to be a prisoner of the Lord. That walk means first of all that you live in the mind of Christ: in humility, meekness, longsuffering and love. Your behaviour is then also based on the Truth of God. You then want to use the gifts Christ has given you to serve and glorify Him. Paul says this for encouragement. Professor Broad calls the synod members to act and walk in a way worthy of Christ's calling.
The foreign churches bring greetings: brother Patrick Wick of South Sudan, brother Athanasi Kabongo of Congo, brother Hiralal Solanki of India, brother Jason Tuinstra of the URCNA of North America, brother Reinier Noppers of the RCNZ, brother Theo Havinga of the GKv and brother Imre Szoke of the churches in Central Europe. As the closing speaker, I may speak on behalf of the CGK.
About the delegation
Meetings continue after the prayer meeting. The committee recommends accepting delegates from Regional Synod Pretoria. This is because they cannot still arrange a delegation and because it harms the cause of God's Kingdom if part of the churches are not represented. Prof J Smit (church law) advises against accepting this proposal. Indeed, if people appeal to the church or the government, it will lead to major problems. Nevertheless, the committee's proposal was adopted by a majority vote.
Tuesday 31 January - instructions and objections
The brethren of Regional Synod Pretoria are accepted as members of the synod. It is requested that not only them should stand up at the open declaration of faith, but that this should be done with all present as a sign of unity. This proposal was accepted.
Every morning meeting, the minutes of the previous day are adopted. In this way, at the end of the synod, the acta are established.
The church in Namibia
A number of objections and instructions are discussed. Among them is an instruction for the church of Namibia to move towards greater independence. Today, the church in Namibia is still called the Reformed Church of South Africa. Since 1990, Namibia has been an independent country, and separate from South Africa. Because that time of South Africa's domination also had downsides, the church name linked to South Africa is sensitive. Changing the name in the future is better. This process started in 2017. It is proposed that the church of Namibia form an independent National Synod, which will remain under the General Synod of the GKSA. A step, therefore, in the process of corporatisation.
Woman and office
Two instructions have come in on how to deal with churches that have made decisions contrary to those of the GKSA, such as on women and ministry. There is lengthy discussion about whether these instructions should be dealt with purely under church law or substantively. Delegates express how much this issue concerns them, sometimes giving an entire treatise on the biblical lines around women and ministry. The 2015 synod decided when a matter is substantive and when it is not. Several brethren emphasise that women and ministry is a substantial issue.
Songs
There are a number of liturgical matters on the agenda. Every synod proposes new songs to be released for use in worship. It reveals how multilingual the GKSA is, as there are proposals for songs in Afrikaans, Sesotho, Setswana, Sepedi, Venda and English. The Book of Worship is released as a rhyme for English-speaking churches. This rhyming is in use by the Christian Reformed Churches of America and Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America.
Wednesday, February 1 - theological education
We started half an hour later. The moderation committee first met with the curatorium. This is because a letter has arrived from North West University (NWU) that they are severing ties with the GKSA with immediate effect. The GKSA is speaking to this synod about plans to establish its own academy as a result.
This is a pain because the origin of the university in Potchefstoom is the GKSA Theological School. As the university grew, the GKSA curatorium appointed the professors for the Theological Faculty and North West University took over.
From 1997, there were all kinds of educational developments influenced by government policy and the changed political situation. The university, which is originally Christian, was no longer allowed to serve as a faith-based university from then on. An agreement between the NWU and the GKSA allowed it to appoint professors independently. With this, the Theological School had great influence.
The university has now changed this appointment policy, appointing its own professors and determining the content of the curriculum. This led to tensions around the appointments already reported at the 2018 synod. Currently, GKSA professors are still appointed by the NWU, following nomination by the GKSA. But when they retire, the university itself appoints successors. Changes have also come financially. Financial contributions from the churches are seen as contributions, with North West University allowed to decide whether to spend the amount on the purpose for which it was given.
As a result of growing concerns, the curatorium was forced to think about the future. A plan was presented to establish a new independent theological academy. This involves the construction that the current professors will be partly employed by the NWU and thirty per cent by the new academy. With this, thirty per cent of the salaries will also be borne by the GKSA.
On Sunday 29 January, NWU sent a letter informing that they have rejected this future agreement with immediate effect. This means that responsibility for professors, students and teaching content is now entirely in the hands of the NWU. The GKSA currently has no say whatsoever. At the same time, the university uses the GKSA's buildings free of charge.
The question is what the financial situation is now for the professors. They are employed by the NWU, which is obliged to continue paying them. Moreover, with the NWU rejecting the proposed agreement on Sunday, the question is how will the NWU's use of the GKSA buildings fare? Ownership/use of the library is also a particular concern.
The plan for a new course is presented. Its urgency has only increased due to the current situation, especially as five professors are going to retire in the coming years. Deputies of Church Law react to the proposal for a new course. They reveal that they have quite a few questions and give the impression that they are not in favour of a new course, but want to do everything to continue with NWU.
A new deputation is to deal with the situation of congregations not complying with synod decisions. The moderation committee asked if I would look into the formulation of the instruction for that new deputation. After all, it is important that the right instruction is given. Several brethren and the moderation are also asking for our churches' reports on women and ministry and church planting. As churches, we mean a lot to each other.
Thursday 2 February
Reports on catechesis, youth work, Christian education and contact with government serve in the morning meeting.
Christian education
There is a deputation for Christian education. They express their concern as Christian education is increasingly diluted. Under government pressure, unbiblical education on LGBTQ+ is being taught. God's name is being misused in teaching materials and staffing levels in Christian schools are ageing. This raises concerns for the future. Private Christian schools are being set up here and there. The deputation is admonished for doing far too little and urged to do much more to educate churches and members about the importance and real content of Christian education.
Foreign contacts
In the afternoon, the report of deputies on foreign contacts is discussed. There are contacts with a church in Congo, Angola, Japan, India, South Korea, Kenya, Uganda, Sudan, Australia, Mexico, North America, South America, UK, New Zealand, Hungary, Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique and in the Netherlands with the CGK, NGK and GKv.
At the most recently held synod of the GKv, in January 2020, the GKSA expressed concern about developments around women and ministry. It is decided that after the NGK and GKv become one church body in 2023, it will enter into dialogue with them.
During the meeting, we hear rumbling on the roof several times. It turns out to be thirty blue monkeys. Welcome to Africa.
Friday, 3 February
Discussion takes place on reports on domestic church contacts. These include contact with African Protestant Church, Rynse Church, Calvin Protestant Church, Free Reformed Church and the Kairos Network (a Bible-believing group of churches in the NG Church).
The synod still meets physically until Saturday and will continue online the following week.
Saturday evening, Pieter Kurpershoek sends me the press statement about the decision on training. A conversation with NWU did not lead to an opening for follow-up talks. This means that as of 2026, the current cooperation with NWU will end. Therefore, the plan to start a Reformed Theological Academy will continue. A far-reaching decision, as NWU emerged from the Dopperkerken theological school. From that, the Christian University of Potchefstroom emerged, which eventually merged into the NWU. A history of one hundred and fifty years is coming to an end. The press statement expresses confidence that the blessing God gave one hundred and fifty years ago, when the programme was founded, will accompany them now too.
