May 14, 2008

with continued sessions on May 15, 16, and 28

Classis East met in regular session on Wednesday, May 14, 2008 with continuing sessions on May 15, 16, and 28 at the First PRC of Holland, MI. All churches were represented by two delegates; Rev. Daniel Kleyn served as the chairman for these sessions.

On its first day of meeting, Classis was able to make the joyous decision to organize a new congregation. A group of people, mostly from the Faith PRC, had been meeting for several months and were known as the “Faith Daughter Group.” Sufficient attendance at these services prompted this group to ask the Faith PRC to bring a request to Classis East for organization. A petition from twenty-six families and one individual was received. Classis East approved, along with the delegates ad examina from Classis West, that this new congregation should be organized. Classis appointed the Council of Faith PRC to serve as its committee for organization, and Rev. Andrew Lanning was appointed as their moderator once they organize. Once the organization occurs, the new congregation will be known as the Providence PRC. According to their request, they hope to locate their congregation in the south Jenison area.

Five protests and one appeal were also treated. The five protests were against decisions taken by Classis East at its meeting in January/February, 2008 regarding the Grace PRC matter: homeschooling by the pastor of Grace, the requirements that Article 21 of the Church Order place on an officebearer, etc. Classis rejected all five protests, so the decisions of Classis East taken originally at its meetings of September/October, 2007 and reaffirmed at its January/February, 2008 meetings stand.

The appeal from a member was considered not to be legally before the classis on the ground that Article 30 of the Church Order had not been satisfied (the matter was not finished in the lower assembly).

Classis also had to deal with the request of the Grace PRC Council to release its pastor, Rev. Mitchell Dick. This matter was dealt with in closed session. Classis, with the concurrence of the delegates ad examina from Classis West, approved this request of Grace Church.

Expenses for this classis amounted to $3,219.54. Classis will meet next on Wednesday, September 10, 2008 at the Trinity PRC.

Respectfully submitted,

Jon J. Huisken, Stated Clerk