Opening and Roll Call
The chairman, Rev. Jeff Temple, led in opening devotions. It was noted that several governors were unable to be present for the meeting due to personal circumstances.
Memorabilia
Information was shared about the wellbeing of the emeriti professors Drs.de Visser, Van Dam, and Visscher and their families, as well as the widows srs. Gootjes (Hamilton-Providence CanRC) and DeJong (Hamilton-Cornerstone CanRC). The chairman will continue to try to reach out to sr. Deddens (living in the Netherlands).
Minutes and Agenda
The agenda for the meeting was established. The minutes of the regular meeting held on January 7, 2026 were approved. Correspondence and matters on the action log were reviewed.
Strategic Planning updates
- The strategic planning sub-committee that is focused on upholding faithful integrity in the age of advancing Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology reported that the Senate invited an AI specialist who gave instruction that will help safeguard students from the dangers of AI especially when they are preparing sermons during and after their studies at CRTS.
- The strategic planning sub-committee focusing on cultivating aptitude for gospel ministry reported on their investigations into the roles of the seminary, students and churches during the steps of cultivating a student’s aptitude to serve in a local church or mission setting.
- The strategic planning sub-committee focused on evaluating the place and sufficiency of the missions program at the CRTS is scheduled to present an initial report of their work to the Board in January 2027.
Academic Committee Reports
- The Academic committee received reports given by the governors who visited lectures and had conversations with the students and professors. We give thanks to the LORD for the ongoing faithfulness, diligence, humility and Christ-like service of the administrative staff, the librarian, the principal, the professors and the students.
- Considering that the principal is nearing the 12th year of service (9 years plus a 3 year extension), the board directed the Executive Committee to begin the process of preparing a recommendation to General Synod 2028 for a new principal as this is outlined in the college handbook policy.
- Giving thanks to the LORD for his gracious provision and the commitment of the churches to the future well-being of the seminary, the Academic Committee reported that two applicants were granted the Advanced Theological Studies Assistance (ATSA) bursary for the 2026-2027 academic year.
Finance and Property Committee Reports
- The Finance and Property (F&P) Committee submitted the annual report of their activities and the minutes of recent meetings. The F&P developed a long-term plan to complete capital projects that were not completed during the renovations, and could report that the parking lot was redone this summer and that a repair to the front roof will be done this fall.
- The Board approved the 2025 financial statements and CRTS annual budget for 2027, and expresses deep gratitude for the work of the Women’s Saving Action and the ongoing substantial support from within our sister churches in Australia. The assessment for 2027 will remain at $103/cm.
Interaction with Association of Theological Schools, Assessment, Governance
- The board received the 2025 ATS Institutional Peer Profile and Strategic Information reports.
- The assessment coordinator, Mrs. Margaret Alkema, submitted the annual Assessment report, minutes from the Assessment Day 2026, and the Annual Metrics Report 2026. The board is very thankful to note that the faculty has surpassed the publication goals (more than 85 publications in the last 3 years) and that some of these publications have been translated and distributed all over the world. We also are thankful to the churches for their overwhelming support of the 2026 Prospective Student Event and for the 50 interested individuals who came to participate (38 men and 12 wives or girlfriends), which is almost a twofold increase of total attendees as compared to 2023.
- As part of our commitments to ATS the Board must regularly review all the policies and procedures of CRTS. At this meeting the Board approved policies concerning the tenure of professors, conference attendance and funding, sexual or gender harassment and health and safety. The board also decided to ensure that new professors are granted a sufficient time of transition before they begin teaching by explicitly addressing transition time in the handbook policy.
Principal Report
- In his principal’s report Dr. VanVliet noted that the faculty and staff are doing well and that the CRTS has the privilege of welcoming thirty students into our classrooms, including eleven new freshmen students and one new visiting student. The principal’s report also highlighted Dr. Bredenhof’s Ministry of Small Things and Dr. denHollander’s 1 Peter: Living Hope for Suffering Sojourners and its accompanying Bible study guide (cf. website https://canadianreformedseminary.ca/1-peter-bible-study/ for more info).
- The principal also expressed thankfulness for the faithful support of the Free Reformed Churches of Australia (FRCA) who sent seven new freshmen students to the CRTS this year. The FRCA has also recently made it possible for Dr. Rev. Dean Anderson to start up the Schola Linguarum Biblicarum (School of Biblical Languages) which the CRTS recognizes as a very helpful tool to train young men in the biblical languages to prepare them for theological studies.
Sabbatical, Conference and Trip Reports
- The Board received a report from Dr. William den Hollander concerning his activities during his sabbatical in 2026, and approved Dr. Jason VanVliet’s sabbatical proposal for Winter 2027.
- The following annual reports were received with thankfulness: course work report, registrar’s report, library report, website report, convocation committee report, Faber-Holwerda bursary report, publication foundation report, foreign student bursary report, conference report and the lecture schedule for 2026-2027. The board noted the value of the CRTS website https://canadianreformedseminary.ca/ and the Heidelberg Catechism website https://www.heidelberg-catechism.com/en/ for the churches.
- Dr. Bredenhof and Dr. den Hollander reported on their attendance at the Timothy Trust conference and Sr. Margaret Alkema reported on her attendance at the Association of Christian Librarians. Dr.Van Vliet reported on his visit to churches in Germany and the Netherlands and Dr. Bredenhof reported on his visit to churches in South Africa. These reports were received with thankfulness.
Press Release and Closing
The next Academic Committee meeting is scheduled for January 5, 2027, and the next Board meeting is scheduled for January 7, 2027. The completion of the Press Release was delegated to the vice-chairman in consultation with the other members of the executive and the principal. Rev. Jeff Temple closed the meeting with prayer.
On behalf of the Board of Governors of the Canadian Reformed Theological Seminary,
Rev. Julius VanSpronsen (Vice-chairman)