Loveland (CO) PRC, Host of Classis West meeting held March 7, 2018

Classis West of the Protestant Reformed Churches met in Loveland, Colorado, on March 7, 2018.  Thirteen ministers and seventeen elders represented the churches.  Rev. Dennis Lee chaired the meeting.

After opening devotions and the constituting of Classis, routine reports of the stated clerk, classical committee, and reading sermon committee were read and approved.  The church visitors also reported on their work over the last year and the presence of unity, peace, and love prevailing in the churches.

In closed session, two consistories explained their labors with impenitent members and requested that Classis approve their proceeding to the increase of censure by making a public announcement of the name.  After careful deliberation, Classis advised both consistories to proceed.

With Rev. Griess accepting a call to First PRC (Grand Rapids), the now-vacant Calvary PRC requested pulpit supply from Classis.  The following appointments were made: Rev. B. Huizinga – April 8 and 15; Rev. D. Lee – April 29 and May 6; Rev. J. Laning – May 13; Rev. B. Feenstra – May 20 and 27; Rev. J. Engelsma – June 10; Rev. M. De Boer – June 17; Rev. J. Marcus – July 1 and 8; Rev. A. Brummel – July 15; Rev. E. Guichelaar – July 22 and 29; Rev. S. Key – August 5 and 12; Rev. R. Kleyn – Sept. 2 and 9; Rev. N. Langerak – Sept. 16 and 23; Rev. R. Barnhill – Oct. 7 and 14; Rev. S. Regnerus – Oct. 21 and 28.

Classis approved the subsidy requests for 2019 for five churches and forwarded them on to Synod for its approval.  Classis took note of the fact that Edgerton PRC is no longer requesting subsidy, and Edgerton’s pastor, Rev. De Boer, addressed a word of appreciation to the churches for the financial support provided over the years.

Classis also voted for various classical functionaries.  Rev. Laning was appointed to a three-year term on the Classical Committee, and Rev. De Boer was appointed to finish the remaining two years of Rev. Griess’ term.  Rev. Barnhill was appointed to a three-year term as a primus synodical deputy, Rev. Laning was appointed to a three-year term as a secundus synodical deputy, and Rev. Guichelaar was appointed to finish the remaining one year of Rev. Griess’ term as a secundus synodical deputy.  Classis appointed Revs. R. Hanko, S.Key, R.Kleyn, and J.Laning as church visitors, with Revs. A. Brummel and T. Miersma as alternates.

Ministers delegated to Synod 2018 were Revs. Huizinga, Key, Kleyn, Langerak, and Laning.  Alternates are Revs. Brummel, Engelsma, Guichelaar, Lee, and Marcus.  Elder delegates to Synod are Glenn Feenstra (Hope), Henry Ferguson (First Edmonton), Hilgard Goosen (Immanuel), Alan Meurer (Bethel), and Jim Regnerus (Doon).  Their alternates are Bob Brands (Loveland), Alden De Jong (Hull), George De Jong (Crete), David Griess (Loveland), and Jim Lenting (Crete).

Classis was able to complete its work by noon.  The expenses of this meeting totaled $8,110.23.

Classis will meet next in Heritage PRC (Sioux Falls, SD) on September 26, 2018, the Lord willing.

Rev. Joshua Engelsma

Stated Clerk, Classis West

The stated clerk of Classis East submits the following official report on the recent meeting of Classis East:

Classis East Report – January 10, 2018

Classis East met on Wednesday, January 10, 2018 at Hudsonville PRC. By rotation Rev. J. Smidstra would have been the chairman of this meeting. Due to some weighty matters and the fact that this would be his first Classis meeting as a delegate, he requested of the Classical committee that he step aside as chairman of this meeting. The Classical committee brought this request as well as a recommendation that Rev. R. Van Overloop chair this meeting. Both recommendations were approved by Classis.

Routine matters such as reports from the stated clerk, classical committee, and church visitors were reported. The church visitors reported on their visits with the congregations of Classis East. They used the theme of “Ministering Righteousness in the Congregation” based on Nehemiah 5. They report that “We are thankful that the congregations within our Classis are doing well. The councils reported that there is peace, love, and unity present within their congregations.”

Classis considered three appeals and one overture. Two of the appeals dealt with discipline in two different congregations. In both cases these were decided to be not legally before Classis based on the fact that Articles 30 and 31 were not satisfied, that is, the matters were not finished in the minor assemblies. The remaining appeal was declared legally before Classis and assigned a committee of three ministers and three elders. That committee will bring their recommendation to a special meeting of Classis East on February 28, 2018. The overture was brought by an individual recommending that, prior to the meeting of classis, materials only be distributed to active council members and clergy of the PRC. After much deliberation this overture was adopted.

Classis at its January meeting elects delegates for Synod. Elected were the following: MINISTERS: Primi: Revs. G. Eriks, C. Haak, W. Langerak, C. Spronk, and R. Van Overloop, Secundi: H. Bleyenberg, W. Bruinsma, N. Decker, K. Koole, A. Lanning.  ELDERS: Primi: Pete Adams, Gary Kaptein, Jim Lanting, Howard Pastoor, Pete Vander Schaaf. Secundi: Bruce Jabaay, Larry Koole, Harlow Kuiper, Joel Minderhoud, and Dave Rau

In other voting for delegates ad examina, Rev. M. DeVries was elected as primus and Rev. N. Decker as secundus delegate. Both were for three-year terms. Rev. C. Spronk was elected for two-year term as secundus to replace Rev. R. Smit. Rev. J. Slopsema and Rev. K. Koole were elected as church visitors for 2018. Rev. A. Lanning and Rev. R. Van Overloop will serve as alternates. Rev. W. Langerak was elected to another three-year term to the classical committee.

Classis approved a 2018 subsidy request from Providence PRC ($30,000). 2019 Subsidy requests were approved for Pittsburgh PRC ($109,000), Providence PRC ($30,000), Wingham PRC ($36,000 – CAD). Expenses for Classis amounted to $1,160.24. Classis will reconvene at Hudsonville PRC on February 28. The May Classis meeting will be held on May 9, 2018 at Faith PRC.

Respectfully submitted,

Gary Boverhof, Stated Clerk