January 14, 1998

Southwest Protestant Reformed Church

Classis East met in regular session on Wednesday, January 14, 1998, at the Southwest PRC. The churches were each represented by two delegates; Rev. W. Bruinsma chaired this session. Present for the first time as active pastors were Revs. Laning and VanderWal. Mr. Cal Kalsbeek’s church history students from Covenant Christian High School were in attendance for part of the morning session.

This was a relatively light session for a January classis. No one seemed to mind the change. Reports were heard from the Stated Clerk, the Classical Committee, and the church visitors. The church visitors report peace and harmony in our congregations. One matter of discipline was treated in closed session.

Southwest PRC presented an overture proposing the creation of the office of vice-president for classis. This overture was approved; the vice-president will be the pastor who is next in line alphabetically to be the chairman of classis.

In voting, the following results: Synodical Delegates: Ministers—Primi—R. Cammenga, B. Gritters, K. Koole, J. Slopsema, C. Terpstra; Secundi—W. Bruinsma, M. Dick, Dale Kuiper, A. Spriensma, R. Van Overloop; Elders—Primi—W. De Kraker, D. Harbach, Cal Kalsbeek, D. Ondersma, T. Spriensma; Secundi—T. Bodbyl, T. DeVries, D. Kregel, H. Rutgers, J. VanDyke. Delegates Ad Examina: Rev. Dale Kuiper for a three-year primus term and Rev. M. Dick to a three-year secundus term. Classical Committee: Rev. B. Gritters was elected to a three-year term. Church Visitors: Revs. Dale Kuiper and J. Slopsema with Rev. K. Koole as alternate.

In matters of finance, subsidy requests for 1999 for Kalamazoo for $19,500 and for Covenant for $37,500 were approved. Covenant also informed the classis that its 1998 subsidy would be reduced by $3,000 to $40,500. The expenses of classis amounted to $1,423.00.

Classis will meet next at the Southeast PRC on Wednesday, May 13, 1998.

Respectfully submitted,

Jon J. Huisken, Stated Clerk