The PRC Seminary is once again sponsoring a summer class that is open to the public. Prof. B. Gritters is teaching a five-part course on biblical church discipline. Classes are being held in Hudsonville PRC, Wednesday evenings at 7 p.m., from July 12 through August 9.
The first class was held on July 12 and the video link may be found here. In this class Prof. Gritters made a special point to show that discipline is not merely the work of the elders but of the whole congregation. He gave seven reasons to demonstrate this important point. Here is the link to the outline for this class.
If you missed this first class, please join him and others at the classes to follow - July 19, 26, and August 2, 9. For a detailed outline of the subjects to be taught, click on this link. We hope to see you there!
For those unable to attend in person, the classes are also livestreamed on Hudsonville PRC's website. See the link above for that.
This is the special note for the second class, held on July 19:
Second class on Church Discipline: Wednesday, July 19, 7 p.m., the seminary-sponsored course on Christian discipline continues at Hudsonville PRC. The subject this week is the objects of church discipline. The class will answer such questions as: 1) May the church discipline non-confessing members? 2) May discipline continue when someone 'asks for their papers'? 3) May discipline be imposed on a member mentally ill? Knowledge of the first class (available on the seminary's website) is not required to understand this second class. All are welcome to attend or watch the livestream from Hudsonville PRC's website.
And here are the links to the class video and the outline for the July 19 class.
Third Class on Discipline: Wednesday evening, July 26, at 7 p.m. is the third class on discipline at Hudsonville PRC, sponsored by the Protestant Reformed Seminary. This week, Prof. Gritters will give instruction on the method and steps of discipline, beginning with the fundamental teaching of Jesus in Matthew 18. What is "the way of Matthew 18" and is it required for all sins? Knowledge of the first two classes is not necessary to profit from this third class. Welcome to all, in person, or through Hudsonville PRC's livestream.
Here are the links to the 3rd class (July 26):
Fourth Class on Discipline (August 2, 2023): Prof. Gritters' fourth class on church discipline is Wednesday evening, August 2, at 7 p.m. at Hudsonville PRC. Included will be instruction how elders are to receive, investigate, and make charges of sin. How is a motion formulated to put someone under discipline? What do visits to impenitent sinners look like? What is required before classis may approve announcing a name? Knowledge of the first three classes is not necessary to profit from this fourth class. Welcome to all, in person, or through Hudsonville PRC's livestream.
Here are the links to the 4th class (Aug.2):
The Act of Discipline, from the Elders' Bench (Video of this class)
Outline and other documents for this class
Fifth Class on Church Discipline (August 9): Prof. B. Gritters' fifth class on church discipline is Wednesday evening, August 9, at 7PM at Hudsonville PRC. When a sinner is to be forgiven and restored, how does the Christian or the consistory judge true repentance? What is "sufficient evidence of repentance"? How can we avoid the error of being naive, or the other error of being too rigorous and uncharitable? Knowledge of the first four classes is not necessary to profit from this fifth class. Welcome to all, in person, or through Hudsonville PRC's livestream.
Here are the links to the 5th and final class (Aug.9):
NOTE: Now also added are answers to some remaining questions that were asked. Visit the link here to read Prof. Gritter's responses.
*Note: All of these videos and outlines may also be found on Hudsonville PRC's website.