News Report of Classis West of the PRCA Meeting March 1-2, 2023

Classis West of the Protestant Reformed Churches met on March 1-2, 2023, in Lynden PRC (Lynden, WA). This small congregation did an outstanding job of hosting the twenty-eight delegates from the fourteen churches in the Classis.

Classis began on Wednesday, March 1, with opening devotions led by the chairman of the previous meeting, Rev. M. Kortus (pastor of Hope Redlands PRC), who gave a fitting meditation on Psalm 20. After Classis was legally constituted, the meeting was capably chaired by Rev. Jonathan Langerak (pastor of Covenant of Grace PRC), who was serving in this capacity for the first time in his ministry.

Five first-time delegates to Classis signed the Formula of Subscription, the minutes of the previous meeting of Classis were approved, and the four questions of Article 41 of the Church Order were asked and answered. Routine reports of the stated clerk, classical committee, and reading sermon committee were read and approved. The church visitors reported on their work over the last year and the presence of unity, peace, and love prevailing in the churches in spite of the hardships of the last year.

After recessing for the late morning and most of the afternoon for the committees of pre-advice to prepare advice, Classis met and gave approval to Prof. D. Kuiper to publish some material from the Classis West archives in upcoming articles he intends to write in the Protestant Reformed Theological Journal on the history of Classis West.

Classis made a schedule of pulpit supply for the five vacant congregations in the Classis: Doon (IA) PRC, Hosanna PRC (Edmonton), Loveland (CO) PRC, Lynden (WA) PRC, and Randolph (WI) PRC. Due to the large number of vacancies in Classis West, it was decided to ask Classis East for assistance in covering two Sundays for each of the vacant congregations in the next six months.

Classis approved the subsidy requests for 2024 for five congregations and forwarded them on to Synod 2023 for its approval.

Classis treated in closed session an appeal in which a victim of child sexual abuse objected to a consistory’s discipline work with the perpetrator of the abuse. Classis permitted close loved ones of the victim to be present in the sessions and also allowed a pastor and another individual to speak on the victim’s behalf. Classis unanimously sustained the first part of the appeal and declared that the consistory erred in accepting the initial confession of the perpetrator. Classis judged that a more thorough investigation of the nature and extent of the sin was required, that confession of sin to those sinned against should have taken place before an announcement of reconciliation was read in the church, and that later events seriously called into question the genuineness of the confession. Classis also unanimously sustained the second part of the appeal and declared that the consistory erred in their announcement of the perpetrator’s sin. Classis judged that the announcement of sin should have included more information regarding the specific nature of the sin committed: rather than merely a general reference to sin against the 7th commandment, the announcement should have included a reference to the 6th commandment and that this was a case of child sexual abuse by an adult in a position of authority over a period of several years. Classis also explained how this was necessary for the covenant community, the sinner, and the victim. Classis also appointed a special committee to provide assistance to the consistory in this case.

Having met until about 9:00 PM on Wednesday, Classis decided to recess until the following morning.

The next day, Thursday, March 2, Classis began by treating an overture from a consistory. The consistory submitted to Classis an overture to be forwarded to Synod 2023 that Synod appoint a committee to research and engage an independent, third-party investigation to conduct an investigation into sexual abuse in the PRCA. Classis decided not to forward the overture to Synod, on the grounds that: 1) the overture had insufficient information for Classis to make an informed judgment to approve the request, and 2) that with the limited information provided about what would be the nature and work of a third party investigation, the overture did not show the necessity of such an investigation from the Scriptures.

Throughout the meeting, Classis also voted for various classical functionaries. Rev. J. Engelsma was reappointed to a three-year term as Stated Clerk, and Rev. J. Langerak was reappointed to a three-year term as Assistant Stated Clerk. Rev. M. De Boer was reappointed to a three-year term on the Classical Committee, and Rev. R. Barnhill was appointed to a one-year term to fill a vacant position. Rev. A. Brummel was appointed to a three-year term as a primus synodical deputy, Rev. M. De Boer was re-appointed to a three-year term as a secundus synodical deputy, Rev. J. Marcus was appointed to a one-year term as a secundus synodical deputy to fill a vacant position, and Rev. S. Regnerus was appointed to a two-year term as a secundus synodical deputy to fill a vacant position. Classis appointed Revs. A. Brummel, R. Hanko, S. Key, and J. Marcus as church visitors, with Revs. R. Barnhill and J. Engelsma as alternates.

Ministers delegated to Synod 2023 were Revs. R. Barnhill, A. Brummel, J. Engelsma, M. Kortus, and J. Marcus. Alternates are Revs. H. Bleyenberg, M. De Boer, J. Langerak, and S. Regnerus. Elders delegated to Synod 2023 were Keith Bruinsma (Peace), Chester Hunter, Jr. (Edgerton), James Regnerus (Doon), Peter Smit (Hope), and Ryan Van Overloop (Crete). Alternates are Robert Brands (Loveland), Travis Feenstra (Hope), Steve Huizenga (Crete), Alvern Miersma (Hope), and Joel Moore (Loveland).

Classis appointed Rev. J. Langerak as the moderator for Lynden PRC in their upcoming vacancy.

Classis finished its work around 12:30 PM on Thursday.

The expenses of this meeting totaled $17,638.94.

Classis will meet next in Crete (IL) PRC on September 27, 2023, the Lord willing.

Rev. Joshua Engelsma Stated Clerk, Classis West

After a full day yesterday, the PRC Synod of 2022 resumes its work this morning at 8 a.m. in Zion PRC. With the examination of Bro. M. Wee completed, synod will dig into its committee work right away.

May the Lord again give wisdom and grace to the delegates as they take up the Lord's work in and through the churches.

Below are a few more pictures from the seminary graduation last evening. Thanks to John Van Baren for all the great photos this week!

Prof. R. Dykstra's final PRTS commencement speech

2022 PRTS Graduate Isaac Peters, with Prof. R. Cammenga (rector, left) and Rev. G. Eriks (TSC President, right)

2022 PRTS Graduate Marcus Wee

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Summary of 2022 PRCA Synod - Day 4 (June 17, 2022)

I begin with a correction from yesterday’s report. In the section regarding the Foreign Mission Committee, I referred to one of the missionaries as Rev. Rodney Kleyn. It should have been Rev. Daniel Kleyn.

Today’s session began with opening devotions led by Rev. Lanning, who read Psalm 91 and opened in prayer.

Synod approved sending letters of encouragement to the Covenant Evangelical Reformed Church of Singapore and the Protestant Reformed Churches in the Philippines in light of the fact that the schism and troubles in the PRCA have also spread to them.

In addition to approving the work of the BOT, Synod reappointed Mr. Tom Holstege to a three-year term as Assistant Treasurer, appointed Mr. Doug Mingerink, Sr. to a two-year term as Stated Clerk of Synod, and reappointed Mr. Dirk Westra to a three-year term as Assistant Stated Clerk. Both Mr. Mingerink and Mr. Westra were thanked for their faithful labors this past year.

Synod treated the report of the treasurer, and expressed gratitude to our treasurer, Mr. Don Offringa, and our bookkeeper, Mrs. Pamela Bos, for their work.

Synod treated the report of the Emeritus Committee, approving 15 emeritation requests. Synod also concurred with the decision of Georgetown PRC, and concurrence of Classis East to grant the emeritation request of Rev. C. Haak effective September 1, 2022. This was followed by a decision to thank Rev. C. Haak for his 43 years of faithful service in the ministry of the Word and Sacraments in the Protestant Reformed denomination.

Synod approved the subsidy requests of six churches.

Using an estimate of 2,160 families, synod adopted a budget that set an assessment of $625 per family for 2023.

After recommitting the advice several times throughout the week to the committee of pre-advice for reformulation, Synod came to a decision on Faith PRC’s overture regarding Article 67 of the Church Order. The overture was to remove “the requirement that the churches hold worship services on ‘Old and New Year’s Day.” Synod’s decision was to “approve the overture of Faith PRC insofar as it speaks of the observance of Old Year’s Day, and thus change Article 67 of The Church Order of the PRCA by removing the words “and Old”, so that the article will then read ‘The churches shall observe, in addition to the Sunday, also Christmas, Good Friday, Easter, Ascension Day, Pentecost, the Day of Prayer, the National Thanksgiving Day, and New Year’s Day’.” The decision included four grounds: “1) The churches’ commemoration of the passing of the old year to the new year can appropriately be held in one service on the first day of the new year. 2) Of all our special services, Old Year’s Day is of most recent origin, having not appeared in The Church Order prior to 1914. 3) Many special services in a short period of time can diminish the value of the Lord’s Day worship services. When the Reformation churches considered the worship on special days, a major concern was the sanctity of the Lord’s Day, which ought to be our concern. 4) Three special church services within eight days can be taxing on both ministers and congregations.”

One of the last orders of business was voting for those who will serve on the denominational standing committees.

Synod appointed Southwest PRC as the host of Synod 2023 to convene Tuesday, June 13, 2023 at 8:00 A.M.

Zion PRC was thanked as the host church. The facility served Synod well. The caterers were thanked. The delegates of synod ate well throughout the week. We also are thankful for the many members of Zion PRC who were at work to facilitate this years meeting of Synod.

The Vice-Chairman expressed thanks to our capable chairman, Rev. Key. And Rev. Key concluded the meeting expressing thanks to the delegates of synod for being given strength to do the work of Synod throughout the week and the spirit of unity and brotherly love with which it was done.

Psalm 91:1, 2, “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.”

In Christ’s service,
Rev. N. Decker Second Clerk of Synod 2022

Two Van Baren delegates: John (Hudsonville PRC) and Phil (Crete PRC). John was also the synodical photographer - thanks for all the great photos! Look for more in the upcoming July Standard Bearer!

And when synod is over and everyone else departs for home, who is left to finish its work?

The 1st (Rev. J. Engelsma) and 2nd (Rev. N. Decker) clerks - thanks for your special service to the churches!