Classis East of the Protestant Reformed Churches Update

Classis East convened Wednesday morning, September 13, 2023 at Trinity Protestant Reformed Church. Rev. M. McGeown opened with prayer and read the names of the thirty-eight delegates from the nineteen member churches. After the roll call, Rev. David Noorman assumed the position as chairman of the meeting (photo below).

Rev. Wilbur Bruinsma (photos below with his wife Mary) submitted a request to classis for emeritation (retirement) to be effective January 1, 2024. Classis approved his request and by motion expressed its heartfelt thanks to Rev. Bruinsma (and his wife Mary) for making faithful use of his God-given talents for almost 45 years as pastor and missionary. Classis sang the doxology and offered up a prayer of thanksgiving for the work of Rev. Bruinsma led by Rev. Eriks. We pray that God will bless Rev. and Mary Bruinsma in their remaining months in the active ministry and that He will continue to use them for service in the church in new ways in the years to come.

Classis adopted a pulpit supply schedule for three vacant congregations: Georgetown, Hudsonville, and Zion PRCs.

Classis treated an appeal Mr. Pete VanderSchaaf and declared it legal. Therefore this appeal is now available for non-officebearers to read. For more information login to prca.org and navigate to the bulletin page where you will find a folder for Classis East. When you open the Classis East folder you should be able to open the appeal under the name “Appeal of Pete VDS Sept 2023.” Due to the complexity of this case, Classis East decided to give the committee of pre-advice a month to prepare its advice. Classis will reconvene October 25 to consider the appeal. We pray for God’s blessing on the committee in their work.

Some of the work of classis was treated in closed session.

• Two consistories came to classis asking for advice regarding the discipline of impenitent members of their congregations. The consistories reported to the classis on their work with the individuals who are walking in sin. After taking time to ask the consistories follow-up questions about their work, classis advised each consistory to proceed in their discipline of these members. May God use their work for the recovery of these members.
• Classis heard and deliberated on a report of a Special Committee to assist a consistory with a sensitive matter.
• Classis deliberated on the legality of an appeal in closed session. Classis declared the appeal illegal and provided the appellant with advice on how to move forward with the case.

At around 5:00pm classis approved a motion to “recess until October 25.” Rev. Noorman read Hebrews 13:20-21 and closed the session with prayer.

In Christ’s service,

Rev. C. Spronk, Stated Clerk

Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen (Hebrews 13:20-21)

Report of the continued session of October 25, 2023

Classis East reconvened on Wednesday, October 25, with the 38 delegates meeting at Trinity PRC in Hudsonville, MI. Rev. Noorman continued to lead the meeting as chairman.

Classis East heard reports from two committees (a special committee to help a consistory with an abuse case, and the Classical Committee). The main work of the classis was to treat an appeal that contended that a consistory erred in judgments made about the writings of one of our ministers. One of the decisions of classis requires that the consistory involved give information to its congregation. To give the consistory some time to receive and respond to the decisions of Classis East, the Stated Clerk of Classis East plans to wait awhile before publishing the information publicly. When it is time to make the information available, it will be published at prca.org.

The expenses of the meeting totaled $4,891.36.

Classis East plans to meet again on January 10, 2024 at Hope PRC in Walker, MI.

At around 2:00pm classis adjourned and Rev. Noorman closed the meeting with prayer.

For the public minutes, click on this link.

After a wonderful commencement-celebration program of a new PRC Seminary graduate last evening (Candidate Matt Koerner), Synod returns to its work this morning at Southwest PRC, considering reports from its committees of preadvice.

Look for the daily end-of-day report later today.

Day 4 Report - Friday Morning June 16, 2023

Since we are breaking until 2:00pm for committees to work, it seemed good to do a morning report on the activities of synod today. 

The work of synod began today with treating the report of the Foreign Mission Committee (FMC). We are thankful for the labors of Elders Perry Van Egdom, Doug Brands, Brian Gritters, Mike Van Bemmel, and Ed Van Egdom, and Revs. De Boer, Barnhill, and J. Laning on the FMC in the last year. The advice submitted was recommitted. Synod will likely consider the reformulated advice this afternoon. 

Rev. R. Smit speaking on foreign missions in the Philippines (recently returned to the States)

Synod also recommitted advice regarding a protest in order to add grounds. The reformulated advice will also likely be treated this afternoon. 

Synod treated the report of the Board of Trustees (BOT). The BOT members in the past year include: Nick Kleyn, Don Offringa (synodical treasurer), Doug Mingerink (synodical clerk), Sid Mideama (president of the BOT), Dirk Westra (asst. synodical clerk), Tom Holstege (asst. synodical treasurer), and Revs. Eriks and Langerak. 

Synod approved several recommendations of the BOT regarding the corporate restructuring of the PRCA. Presently the PRCA is incorporated in the state of Illinois, but the denominational offices are in Michigan. Synod adopted the recommendation to reincorporate in the state of Michigan. A recommendation to change the name of the Protestant Reformed Churches in America (PRCA) to the Protestant Reformed Churches in North America (PRCNA) failed. 

The BOT reported on work that it is doing with Hosanna PRC of Edmonton AB to resolve a conflict with a group that continues to use the name of Protestant Reformed even though it is has left our denomination.

Synod approved the recommendations of the Emeritus Committee for the financial support of sixteen ministers/widows of ministers. Synod also approved the recommendation to increase the amount of “no questions asked” funds for retired ministers to $28,000 for 2025. Synod expressed thanks to Brian Gritters, Chester Hunter, and Ed VanEgdom for their work on the committee in the past year. 

Synod thanked Don Offringa and Pamela Bos for their work as the synodical treasurer and bookkeeper.

Synod thanked Rev. Barnhill, Rev. Carl Haak, Mr. Terry Dykstra, Mr. Dan VanUffelen, Mr. Bert Wories, and Prof. Gritters for their work on the 100th Anniversary Committee. This committee has been disbanded because a new steering committee has now been appointed synod. 

The synodical deputies of Classis East reported that it concurred with Classis West in September of 2022 to approve the retirement of Rev. Key. Synod approved of this work of the synodical deputies.

Synod received a report of work the Catechism Book Committee is doing to revise the Juniors and Seniors curriculum. Synod decided to postpone approval of the work until 2024 and thanked the committee for its work. 

Synod approved the work of the Student Aid committee in providing assistance to seminary students. The churches are asked to take one collection for student assistance in 2024.  We thank the committee of John DeVries, Brandon VanOverloop, Jon VanOverloop, Steve Bylsma, and Brian Kalsbeek for their work. 

On behalf of synod,
Rev. C. Spronk, 2nd Clerk 

Friday Afternoon June 16, 2023

Synod returned to the report of the FMC regarding mission work in the Philippines. Approval was given to the “decision of Doon PRC’s council and the FMC to begin the process of withdrawing the missionaries.” The FMC and Council of Doon were directed by synod to “close the mission field in the Philippines and take necessary steps to bring the work to completion.” The FMC and Doon’s council were also instructed to “write up an evaluation of their work in the Philippines, including especially what can be learned from it both positively and negatively for future mission work, and present this as a report to Synod 2024. Ground: It is important that we remember our history and learn from our previous experiences. Such an evaluation will help facilitate this.” The PRCA desires to help our sister churches in the Philippines and adopted a recommendation to “instruct the Contact Committee to consider offering assistance to the PRCP in the form of visiting ministers providing pulpit supply.” Synod expressed thanks to the FMC, Doon PRC, and current and past missionaries (and their wives) involved in the work: Revs. Spriensma, D. Holstege, Smit, D. Kleyn.”

Hope PRC continues to work with Rev. Titus and saints in Myanmar, and Georgetown PRC continues to work with Pastor Paulraj and saints in India. Synod approved the work of the FMC with Hope and Georgetown, and we pray that God will continue to preserve and bless the saints in Myanmar and India with whom we have fellowship in the Lord.

Prof. Huizinga read a letter informing synod of his acceptance of the decision to reappoint him as Professor of Dogmatics and Old Testament Studies for a 3-year term. He also asked for prayers for himself and his colleagues in the seminary.

The one protest submitted to Synod this year was declared legally before it. Synod sustained the protest. In January of 2022 the Synodical Deputies from the West concurred with the decision of Classis East to approve the deposition of a minister. They reported their action of concurring with Classis East’s decision to Synod 2022. The protest contended that the error of Synod 2022 was that it approved the work of the Synodical Deputies without receiving or reviewing the grounds for the deposition of the minister. Synod agreed with the protest and declared that “Synod 2022 erred in approving the report of the synodical deputies of Classis West regarding the deposition of [the former pastor] without background material, decision, and grounds of Classis East.” The information was submitted and received into the records of synod. A portion of the advice regarding the protest was recommitted for reformulation.

Synod recessed at 5:00pm and will reconvene Monday at 8:00am. 

We thank SW PRC (especially the caterers!) for hosting synod this week and look forward to enjoying their hospitality again Monday.

On behalf of Synod,
Rev. C. Spronk, 2nd Clerk