Below is the official public report - along with a few pictures - courtesy of Rev.Doug Kuiper, Stated Clerk of Classis West, - of the meeting of Classis West which met and concluded yesterday, Wednesday, October 9 in Loveland, CO.
Report of Classis West
October 9, 2013
Classis West held its fall meeting in Loveland, CO on October 9. The meeting date had been postponed from the usual September date, so that Classis could examine Candidate Erik Guichelaar, who had accepted the call to be the pastor of the Randolph, WI PRC.
Rev. Allen Brummel chaired the session. In addition to the thirty delegates from the churches in Classis West, Classis was attended by the synodical deputies from Classis East (Revs. Haak, Koole, and VanOverloop), and by Seminarian Joshua Engelsma, who is doing his internship in Peace PRC. Many members from Loveland PRC, as well as students from Loveland’s grade school and high school, were found sitting in the pews during the examination. No doubt their interest in this particular exam was heightened by the fact that Mr. Guichelaar had served his internship in Loveland, CO last year, and several of the students had Mr. Guichelaar as their catechism teacher.
As part of his examination, Mr. Guichelaar led a worship service on Tuesday evening, preaching from John 12:26 under the theme “For Him Who Would Serve Christ.” Classis judged Mr. Guichelaar’s exposition to be sound, Christ centered, and edifying. The text gave Mr. Guichelaar opportunity to witness of his own commitment to serve Christ, and reminded all the delegates that the way to serve Christ is the way of following Him.
Mr. Guichelaar’s oral examination took all of Wednesday morning. Various ministers examined him in the six areas of Reformed doctrine, the knowledge of Scripture, the knowledge of confessions, controversy, and practica. After lunch, Classis unanimously approved his exam, and advised Randolph PRC to proceed with his ordination into the ministry of the Word and sacraments. The synodical deputies from Classis East concurred with this decision. Mr. Guichelaar will be ordained and installed in Randolph PRC this coming Sunday, October 13, D.V.
God be thanked, again, for the gift of ministers - and of this minister in particular! And, God be thanked, again, for the gift we have in a denominational seminary, and for professors who are diligent in preparing men for the ministry of the gospel!
In other business, Classis received reports from its stated clerk, classical committee, and reading sermon committee. It also approved a classical examination schedule for Doon PRC, the only vacant church in the Classis.
Crete PRC had requested Classis to designate the fourth Wednesday of September as the date for the regular fall meeting, in part to avoid travel the week of Labor Day. Classis did agree to try to avoid meeting the week of Labor Day in the future, but still denied Crete’s request, giving Classis more freedom to schedule future meetings on a date which works best for that particular year.
The expenses of Classis totaled $10,090.84.
The next meeting of Classis is scheduled for March 5, 2014 - the first to be hosted by Heritage PRC in Sioux Falls, SD, God willing.
Rev.A.Brummel, Chair of Classis, addresses Pastor-elect E.Guichelaar and family following the decision to approve his examination.
Interested in what is happening on the mission field in Limerick, Ireland? Read the latest newsletter, just published for this month of October. Learn about Missionary-pastor Martyn McGeown's recent labors and activities, including an adult baptism that just took place, time at the PRC Young People's Convention this past summer, and a trip to the U.S. for the Heidleberg Catechism Conference. Open the attached pdf or visit the missions page to find access to the newsletter.
On Sunday, October 6, 2013 it was announced in Doon (IA) PRC that Rev.R.Kleyn of the Covenant of Grace PRC in Spokane, WA had declined the call extended to him by the Doon congregation on Sept.15.
This coming Sunday, October 13, Missionary-pastor Wilbur Bruinsma will be giving a presentation in 
CLASSIS WEST is scheduled to meet this Wednesday, October 9 hosted by 
Check out the Reformed Book Outlet's October Newsletter (below and attached) for special notices on music and books!