March 3, 2004

Classis West met for its regular March meeting in Hope Protestant Reformed Church in Redlands, California on Wednesday, March 3.

An officebearers’ conference was held on Tuesday, the day before classis. The theme of the conference was “The Divine Work of Sanctification.” The keynote address was given by Rev. Doug Kuiper. Papers were then presented on various related topics by Rev. G. Eriks, Rev. D. Kleyn, and Rev. M. VanderWal. Many members of Hope (Redlands) PRC also attended the conference. In the evening, all were invited back to church for a time of fellowship—an enjoyable way to end an enjoyable day.

Classis met in session all day Wednesday, and into Wednesday evening. Rev. Richard Smit chaired the meeting. The 4th through 6th grades of Hope Christian School of Redlands attended and observed part of the meeting of classis.

Much time was spent treating a lengthy appeal in which a member objected to a consistory’s disciplinary action against that member. After careful consideration of this case, classis upheld the consistory in its discipline. Classis also treated five requests from consistories who, in accordance with Article 76 of the Church Order, sought classis’ approval to proceed with discipline. Four asked for approval to proceed to the 2nd public announcement, and one for erasure of a baptized member. Each case was carefully treated. The faithful labors of the elders were noted, and approval was given to each of the consistories. All of the above was dealt with in closed session. Although these matters are often difficult and grievous, we are thankful that God is pleased to preserve the mark of Christian discipline in our churches.

The church visitors gave their report, in which they spoke of the evidence of God’s continued faithfulness to our churches. They mentioned that God continues to preserve each of the congregations in the truth and to bless them with unity, peace, and love.

Subsidy requests from three of our churches (First, Edmonton; Immanuel, Lacombe; and Lynden) were approved and forwarded to synod.

Classis approved classical appointments for two vacant churches. The congregation in Wingham, Ontario will be supplied by Rev. M. VanderWal on April 9, 11, and 18, and by Rev. S. Key on May 9 and 16. And Immanuel (Lacombe) will be supplied by Rev. R. Hanko on August 22 and 29, and by Rev. G. Eriks on September 5 and 12.

Annual elections were also held. Ministers elected as delegates to Synod 2004 were Revs. A. Brummel, C. Haak, S. Key, D. Kleyn, and R. Smit. Alternates are Revs. M. DeVries, G. Eriks, S. Houck, and M. VanderWal. Elders elected as delegates to synod were Allen Brummel (Edgerton), Alvin Bylsma (Hull), George DeJong (South Holland), Jack Regnerus (Randolph), and James Regnerus (Doon). Alternates are Gary Buteyn (Randolph), Henry Ferguson (Edmonton), Fred Hanko (Lynden), Alvin Kooiker (Hull), and Robert Vermeer (Peace).

In other elections, Rev. S. Key was reappointed to a three-year term on the Classical Committee; Rev. C. Haak was elected to a three-year term as a synodical deputy of Classis West, with Rev. R. Smit elected as an alternate; and Revs. M. DeVries, C. Haak, S. Houck, and S. Key were elected as church visitors, with Revs. A. Brummel and D. Kleyn as alternates.

The expenses for classis totaled $7,757.47.

The Lord willing, classis will hold its next meeting in September 2004 in Randolph PRC, WI. The March 2005 meeting is scheduled to be held in Bethel PRC, IL.

Rev. Daniel Kleyn,

Stated Clerk