All Articles For Report of Classis East

Summary of Classis East We give thanks to God that Classis East was able to convene on Wednesday, September 9, 2020. Sincere thanks is also directed to Byron Center Protestant Reformed Church for graciously and capably hosting the meeting of classis. In order to meet legally and safely, classis declared that its meeting was “essential to execute the business of Classis East,” and it adopted restrictions concerning who were allowed to be present at classis. Unfortunately it was not possible for visitors to observe the public deliberations of classis in person. Rev. G. Eriks served as chairman of the meeting,...

March 17, 2020 at Hudsonville PRC At the request of the Consistories of Faith, Grace, and Hope, the Classical Committee of Classis East called for the convening of a meeting today to consider the request of Rev. David Overway to be released from the ministry according to Article 12 of the Church Order. Rev. Bruinsma led in opening devotions and declared classis properly constituted. Rev. N. Decker, by rota­tion, presided as chairman of the meeting. Because Michigan’s governor signed an executive order banning assemblies of more that 50 people effective at 9:00 a.m. on March 17 until 5:00 p.m. on...

Rev. M. Schipper called the meeting to order. After the singing of No. 350 from the Psalter the president read a portion of John 14 and led in prayer. The classical credentials were received and read. The churches were all repre­sented by two delegates except Kala­mazoo, which had sent only one. Classis was declared constituted and Rev. H. Veldman presided for the day. The delegates who were present at the classis for the first time signed the Articles of Subscription. Rev. H. Veld­man, as president, spoke a few words of welcome to the delegates. The minutes of the preceding classical...

Classis West of the Protestant Reformed Churches met on March 4–5, 2020, in Peace PRC (Dyer, IN). This was the first time that Classis was held in Peace’s new building, which accommodated the Classis very well. The meeting was capably chaired by Rev. Allen Brummel (Calvary PRC). After opening devotions and the constituting of Classis, routine reports of the stated clerk, classical com­mittee, and reading sermon committee were read and approved. The church visitors also reported on their work over the last year and the presence of unity, peace, and love prevailing in the churches. Before Classis was a protest...

Classis East met Wednesday, April 1, at Fuller Ave. After the singing of No. 112 from the Psalter, Rev. P. De Boer read I Cor. 13 and led in prayer. The credential letters were received and read. Classis then is declared con­stituted, and Rev. J. De Jong is called upon to preside. The president speaks a word of wel­come and asks the delegates who are present for the first time to sign the articles of subscription. The minutes of the preceding meeting of Classis were read and approved. A report of a committee in regard to the traveling expenses of...

The July meeting of Classis East was held in Holland, Mich. The opening exer­cises were conducted by the local pastor, Rev. P. De Boer. After the singing of No. 221 from the Psalter, he read I Cor. 13 and led in prayer. After the credential letters were re­ceived and read, classis was declared constituted. Rev. C. Hanko was called upon to preside and Rev. J. De Jong officiated as clerk. The president spoke a word of welcome to the delegates and asked those who were present for the first time to sign the Formula of Subscription. The minutes of the...

Classis East of the Protestant Reformed Churches met on September 11 and 12 this year at Southwest PRC. This meeting was chaired by Rev. H. Bleyenberg. Wednesday morning was filled with the examina­tion of Jacob Maatman, pastor-elect of Southeast PRC, Grand Rapids. He preached his specimen sermon on Mark 8:34–35. The sermon critic committee stated it well, “Jacob demonstrated a good ability to expound and proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ, and to do so in such a way that a Protestant Reformed congregation would be edified. Jacob’s sermon was faithful and Re­formed in the exposition of the text, well-grounded...

Classis East met January 9, 2019 at Hope PRC in Walker, MI. Rev. M. VanderWal by rotation chaired this meeting. An appeal was ruled to be illegal because it violated Article 30 of the Church Order. A portion of a protest was ruled illegal; another portion of this protest was judged to be legal, but it was not sustained. The church visitors gave a favorable report of their work in 2018. Rev. K. Koole and Rev. R. VanOverloop were chosen to be church visitors in 2019. Rev. N. Decker was elected to the Classical Committee. He replaces Rev. K. Koole...

Rev. C. Hanko called the meeting to order. After the singing of No. 174 from the Psalter, he read I Tim. 4 and led in prayer. After the credential letters were accepted and classis was declared constituted. Rev. J. Heys was called upon to preside. Ke speaks a few words of welcome and then gives opportunity to those delegates who are present for the first time to sign the Articles of Subscription. The minutes of the July session are read and accepted. The stated clerk reports that he has carried out all the required correspondence. A brief report of the...

The January meeting of Classis East was held in the Fuller Ave. Church. Rev. J. Heys called the meeting to order. After the singing of No. 247 from the Psalter, he read Ps. 46 and led in prayer. The credentials were received and accepted, showing that all the churches were represented by two delegates. Rev. B. Kok was then called upon to preside while Rev. J. Heys functioned as secretary. The minutes of the former classical meeting were read and adopted. The stated clerk reports that he had carried out the instructions of the former classis. Grand Haven’s consistory came...