May 13 & 14, 1987

Southeast Protestant Reformed Church

Classis East met in regular session on Wednesday and Thursday, May 13th and 14th, 1987, at the Southeast Protestant Reformed Church. Each congregation was represented by two delegates with the exception of Kalamazoo on the second day. Rev. R. Miersma presided at this session.

Classis had one major item before it, namely, the protest of an individual against a decision of the January, 1987 classis which decision said that the protest he submitted against his consistory was not legally before since it had not been finished in the minor assembly (his consistory). Classis reversed itself and now considered the material. The matter dealt with whether a father, divorced from his wife and who has custody of his children, is obligated, as the law says, to allow his children to visit an unbelieving former spouse. Classis did not sustain the protestant but decided that the consistory was right in advising this member to obey the law of the land and, therefore, must allow his former spouse her right to have her children visit her. Classis decided that the brother failed to distinguish between fellowship and common decency in dealing with one walking in sin (II Kings 5:17-19;Matthew 5:43-48) and that the law requiring this visitation is not sinful (I Corinthians 5:9-11; I Corinthians 7:12, 13).

Classis was informed of three more appeals to synod re the Wyckoff matter. Classis again decided that the appeals were legally presented to synod and since all the principles had been dealt with earlier, did not enter into the material again.

Classis heard several requests for discipline to members of two congregations.

Classis bade farewell to Rev. R. Miersma as he will soon take up his work in New Zealand. His work and the people there were remembered in the prayers at the classis.

The expenses of classis amounted to $1,070.00. Classis will meet next in Hudsonville, on Wednesday, September 9, 1987.

Respectfully submitted,

Jon Huisken, Stated Clerk