December - the Free Presbyterian church of Scotland
December - the Free Presbyterian church of Scotland
December - the Free Presbyterian church of Scotland
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Church Information 379Ordination and Induction in AucklandOn Friday, 23 September 2011, <strong>the</strong> ordination and induction <strong>of</strong> Mr JettSmith took place in Auckland. For more than 30 years <strong>the</strong> congregation hadbeen pastorless since <strong>the</strong> death <strong>of</strong> Rev Donald M MacLeod, its only previousminister. During <strong>the</strong> long vacancy, <strong>the</strong> congregation was faithfully cared forby <strong>the</strong> interim-moderator, Rev J A T van Dorp <strong>of</strong> Gisborne. It was thus withmuch thankfulness that <strong>the</strong> Presbytery met for <strong>the</strong> solemn and significantoccasion <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> ordination <strong>of</strong> Mr Smith and his induction to <strong>the</strong> pastoralcharge <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> congregation.Following <strong>the</strong> constitution <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Presbytery, Mr Ken van Kralingen wasappointed Officer <strong>of</strong> Court and was instructed to read <strong>the</strong> final call for objectionsthree times at <strong>the</strong> <strong>church</strong> door. During this proclamation, <strong>the</strong> Presbyterywas seated in a private room. There being no objections, <strong>the</strong> Presbytery wasclear to proceed immediately to <strong>the</strong> duties in hand and returned to <strong>the</strong> mainbody <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>church</strong>. The Moderator went to <strong>the</strong> pulpit and conducted publicworship, preaching from <strong>the</strong> words addressed by Cornelius to Peter in Acts10:33: “Immediately <strong>the</strong>refore I sent to <strong>the</strong>e; and thou hast well done thatthou art come. Now <strong>the</strong>refore are we all here present before God, to hear allthings that are commanded <strong>the</strong>e <strong>of</strong> God.”After public worship was concluded, <strong>the</strong> Clerk read a narrative <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>proceedings in connection with <strong>the</strong> Call to Mr Smith. Following this <strong>the</strong>Moderator called him to stand and addressed to him <strong>the</strong> questions appointedto be put to a Probationer prior to ordination and induction. When Mr Smithhad answered <strong>the</strong>se questions satisfactorily, <strong>the</strong> Formula was read by <strong>the</strong>Moderator and signed by Mr Smith before <strong>the</strong> congregation. He was <strong>the</strong>nasked to kneel and <strong>the</strong> congregation to stand; <strong>the</strong>reafter <strong>the</strong> Moderator camedown from <strong>the</strong> pulpit and engaged in solemn ordination prayer, and was joinedin <strong>the</strong> laying on <strong>of</strong> hands by his two ministerial brethren on <strong>the</strong> Presbytery.Prayer being ended, he <strong>the</strong>n formally admitted <strong>the</strong> Rev Jett Smith to <strong>the</strong>pastoral charge <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Auckland congregation and in token <strong>of</strong> this gave tohim <strong>the</strong> right hand <strong>of</strong> fellowship, as did <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r members <strong>of</strong> Presbytery<strong>the</strong>n present.Following this, <strong>the</strong> Rev E A Rayner addressed <strong>the</strong> newly ordained andinducted minister, and Rev J A T van Dorp <strong>the</strong> congregation. Several messages<strong>of</strong> goodwill were also read; <strong>the</strong>reafter <strong>the</strong> Moderator concluded <strong>the</strong> meetingwith praise, which was heartily sung from Psalm 133, and <strong>the</strong> Benediction.The new minster greeted <strong>the</strong> congregation at <strong>the</strong> <strong>church</strong> door, and afterwardsa lovely supper was provided at Tyndale Christian School, to whichthanks are due for <strong>the</strong> use <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir school hall. Thanks are also to be extendedto all who helped to arrange this welcome provision.