September 9, 2009

Kalamazoo PRC

Classis East met in regular session on Wednesday, September 9, 2009 in the Kalamazoo PRC. Each church was represented by two delegates. Rev. Andrew Lanning was the chairman for this session.

Classis was informed that Cornerstone PRC had transferred the ministerial credentials and membership of its pastor, Rev. Nathan Brummel, to a United Reformed Church. The church visitors also gave a report about this matter.

Classis decided to send the following notice to the churches in Classis East and West and to our sister church in Northern Ireland: “With sorrow, Classis East informs the churches that Rev. Nathan Brummel was dismissed, per his request, from the ministry of the Protestant Reformed Churches to join the United Reformed Churches. Classis asks the churches to remember the Cornerstone PRC congregation in prayer, imploring our faithful Shepherd to care for them in this time of distress. Because there is no procedure in place in our churches to follow when a Protestant Reformed minister leaves our denomination, Classis East appointed a study committee to develop the proper procedure to follow.” This study committee is to report to the January 2010 session of classis.

Classis received an overture to Synod 2010 from Faith PRC proposing the reorganization of the classes into three classes rather than the current two. This overture was placed in the hands of a study committee to report to the January 2010 session of classis.

Classis dealt with a discipline case in closed session. Classical appointments were given to Byron Center, Cornerstone, Holland, and Trinity. Classis is requesting Classis West to supply Cornerstone’s pulpit for Sundays in December 2009 and January 2010. Classis, further, approved Cornerstone’s request for relief from their synodical assessments due to a loss of families from 41 to 33. Classis did not approve Cornerstone’s request of $12,000 for the remainder of the 2009 year.

The expenses of classis amounted to $510.35. Classis will meet next on January 13, 2010 at the First PRC, Grand Rapids.

Respectfully submitted,

Jon J. Huisken

Stated Clerk