Minutes of Classis Western Canada of the United Reformed Churches in North America January 14 & 15, 2010 Leduc, Alberta

Transcription

1 Minutes of Classis Western Canada of the United Reformed Churches in North America January 14 & 15, 2010 Leduc, Alberta January 14, 2010 Article 1 Rev. Daniel Kok, chosen by the convening church to serve as chairman, calls the meeting to order and leads the classis with prayer. The chairman reads from Ezra 3, and after a brief devotional classis sings #166. Article 2 Roll call indicates the presence of the following delegates: Abbotsford Rev. Steve Swets Elder Ed Minderhoud Calgary Rev. Joel Van der Kooi Edler Jack Dykxhoorn Edmonton Rev. Bill Pols Elder Pete Wright Kelowna Rev. James Reaves Elder Jack Boersema Leduc Rev. Daniel Kok Elder Wolter VandenBrink Lethbridge Rev. Hank Van der Woerd Elder Simon Bos Neerlandia Rev. Ralph Pontier Elder Sip Hofstede Ponoka Rev. Mitch Ramkissoon Elder Johan Feitsma Smithers Rev. Lou Slagter Elder Ed Ewald Surrey Rev. Dick Moes Elder Fred Kolkman Telkwa Rev. James Folkerts Elder Jim Jaarsma Thunder Bay Rev. Barry Beukema Elder Fred Breukelman Winnipeg Elder Henry Nagtegaal Elder Ken Cavers Article 3 The chairman reads the Form of Subscription and the delegates indicate their assent by standing. Article 4 Nomination for vice chairman- Rev. Hank Van der Woerd. Rev. Hank Van der Woerd is appointed. Article 5 The chairman declares that classis is duly constituted. Article 6 Motion: to approve the time schedule. Article 7 Motion: to approve the devotions schedule. Article 8 The chairman appoints Elder Henry Nagtegaal and Rev. Ralph Pontier to serve as the credentials committee.

2 Article 9 Overture: The Consistory of Providence Reformed Church of Winnipeg overtures Classis Western Canada (Leduc, January 2010), to provisionally accept the Redeemer Reformation Church of Regina, formerly Grace Presbyterian Church (Regina) into the federation of the URCNA, and then to overture Synod 2010 to accept the Redeemer Reformation Church of Regina as full members. Furthermore, if classis adopts this overture to accept Redeemer Reformation Church of Regina, formerly Grace Presbyterian Church, we request that an ordination exam be conducted at Classis January 2010 for URC candidate Brian Cochran who has accepted a call to Redeemer Reformation Church of Regina. Article 10 Elder Ken Cavers from Winnipeg closes the morning session with the reading of Psalm 133, prayer and classis sings #278. Article 11 Elder Sip Hostede from Neerlandia opens the afternoon session with the reading of Psalm 43, prayer and classis sings #77. Article 12 Classis welcomes delegates Elder Geoff Leo and Elder Ron Anderson from Redeemer Reformation Church of Regina and the brothers give their assent to the Form of Subscription. Article 13 Overture: The consistory of the Providence Reformed Church of Winnipeg overtures Classis Western Canada (Leduc 2010), to instruct the Lethbridge deacons to give support to the Redeemer Reformation Church of Regina from the Needy Church Fund. The PRC of Winnipeg further overtures Classis that they instruct the Lethbridge deacons to remind the churches, of Classis Western Canada, as they did in 2009, of their commitment to collect a minimum of 3 offerings per year for the fund. Amendment: to insert the phrase, of $30,000 for Amended overture: The consistory of the Providence Reformed Church of Winnipeg overtures Classis Western Canada (Leduc 2010), to instruct the Lethbridge deacons to give support of $30,000 for 2010 to the Redeemer Reformation Church of Regina from the Needy Church Fund. The PRC of Winnipeg further overtures Classis that they instruct the Lethbridge deacons to remind the churches, of Classis Western Canada, as they did in 2009, of their commitment to collect a minimum of 3 offerings per year for the fund. Article 14 Overture: The council of the Orthodox Reformed Church of Edmonton, overtures Classis Western Canada (Leduc 2010) to appoint two experienced office-bearers, either two ministers or a minister and an elder, whom consistories shall invite to visit their council once every two years, and who shall give account of their visit to the classis. Amendment: to include the phrase, at least Amendment: to replace the words, at least with the word, four Amendment: to appoint two alternates in addition to the four Amended overture: The council of the Orthodox Reformed Church of Edmonton, overtures Classis Western Canada (Leduc 2010) to appoint four experienced office-bearers and two alternates, two of whom consistories shall invite to visit their council once every two years, and who shall give account of their visit to the classis. 2

3 Article 15 Classis nominations the following men as church visitors, Rev. Barry Beukema, Rev. Bill Pols, Rev. Ralph Pontier, Rev. James Reaves, Elder Alan Koopmans, Elder Fred Lenting, Elder Henry Nagtegaal, Motion: to table the vote to January 15, 2010 and to leave open nominations and delay. Article 16 Overture: The council of the Orthodox Reformed Church of Edmonton, overtures Classis Western Canada (Leduc 2010): 1. To establish a classical Seminary Tuition Fund from which to pay the tuition costs of students from Classis Western Canada who attend Mid-America Reformed Seminary. defeated Article 17 Overture: Emmanuel Reformed Church of Neerlandia overtures Classis Western Canada to overture Synod London 2010 not to affirm the 15 statements of teaching found near the end of the Report of the Synodical Study Committee on the Federal Vision and Justification but instead thank the committee for its work and refer the entire report to the churches for study. Motion: to divide the overture after the word, justification. defeated Amendment: to add- the purpose of this overture is to recommend the work of the committee while avoiding extra-confessional binding. Amended overture: Emmanuel Reformed Church of Neerlandia overtures Classis Western Canada to overture Synod London 2010 not to affirm the 15 statements of teaching found near the end of the Report of the Synodical Study Committee on the Federal Vision and Justification but instead thank the committee for its work and refer the entire report to the churches for study. The purpose of this overture is to recommend the work of the committee while avoiding extraconfessional binding. Motion: to strike a committee to deliberate the overture and come with recommendations on January 15, Article 18 Classis appoints: Rev. Ralph Pontier, Rev. Bill Pols, Rev. Joel Van der Kooi, Rev. Barry Beukema to the committee to deliberate Neerlandia s overture #1, and to come with recommendations to classis on January 15, Article 19 The Credentials committee reports. Article 20 Classis instructs the Rev. Kok, Rev. Hank Van der Woerd and Rev. William Van der Woerd to write a letter to communicate with the OPC our blessing on their church planting efforts in Airdrie, and to present that letter to the classis for approval on January 15, Article 21 Mr. Henk Visser reports on the work of the classis treasurer. Motion: to approve the work of the treasurer Article 22 3

4 Motion: to set aside the rules of procedure for the appointment of a treasurer. Article 23 Nominations for treasurer: Henk Visser. Classis reappoints Henk Visser to a fourth three year term as Classis treasure ending January Article 24 Classis receives the report of the web-site committee representative. Motion: to approve the work of the web-site committee representative. Article 25 Motion: to re-appoint Kevin Pasveer to the web-site committee for a three year term ending January Article 26 Motion: to approve the work of the clerk Article 27 Rev. Reaves reports on the church visit made by Rev. Pontier and Rev. Reaves to Surrey. Article 28 Rev. Pols reports on the church visit made by Rev. Pols and Elder Fred Lenting to Neerlandia. Article 29 Rev. Pols reports on his visit to the Canadian Reformed Classis Alberta. Article 30 Rev. Swets reports on his visit to the Canadian Reformed Classis Pacific East. Article 31 Rev. Pontier reports as the Classis CERCU representative. Motion: to receive the report as submitted. Article 32 Rev. Moes reports as the Classis CECCA representative. Motion: to receive the report as submitted. Classis goes into executive session Article 33 Motion: that the appeal from Guy Heerema and Bill Bakker from Calgary is properly before the classis Article 34 Motion: that classis not sustain the appeal because: 1. classis does not have the authority to require the consistory to suspend the program. 2. classis does not have the authority to require a consistory to call church visitors. a. Because Calgary has not requested church visitors. b. Because the appellants have not demonstrated that the practice is not in accord with the Scriptures, Confessions or Church Order. 3. Article 65 of the Church Order states that no church shall in any way lord it over other churches, and no officebearers shall lord it over other officebearers. Classis goes into general session 4

5 Article 35 Rev. Van der Kooi from Calgary closes the afternoon session with the reading of Mark 10:35-45, prayer and singing #462:1&6 January 15, 2010 Article 36 Elder Simon Bos from Lethbridge leads the classis in morning devotions with the reading of Phil.3:12-4:9, prayer, and the singing of #368. Article 37 The clerk reads the concept minutes. Motion: to adopt the concept minutes. Article 38 Rev. James Folkerts examines candidate Brian Cochran in the area of Practica and the delegates are given opportunity to ask related questions from the floor. Motion: The classis has heard enough to proceed to the next portion of the exam. Article 39 Rev. Lou Slagter examines candidate Brian Cochran in the area of Church Polity and the delegates are given opportunity to ask related questions from the floor. Motion: The classis has heard enough to proceed to the next portion of the exam. Article 40 Rev. Daniel Kok examines candidate Brian Cochran in the area of confessional knowledge and the delegates are given opportunity to ask related questions from the floor. Motion: The classis has heard enough to proceed to the next portion of the exam. Article 41 Rev. Bill Pols examines candidate Brian Cochran in the area of Reformed Doctrine and the delegates are given opportunity ask related questions from the floor. Motion: The classis has heard enough to proceed to the next portion of the exam. Article 42 Rev. Folkerts from Telkwa leads the classis in lunch devotions reading Rev.1:8-20, singing #281:1,2,10 and prayer. Article 43 Rev. James Reaves of Kelowna leads the classis in devotions reading Psalm 27, singing #48:1,2,3 and prayer. Article 44 Rev. Steve Swets examines candidate Brian Cochran in the area of Ethics and the delegates are given opportunity to ask related questions from the floor. Motion: to close this portion of the exam 5

6 Classis goes into executive session. Article 45 Motion: that candidate Brian Cochran has sustained his ordination exam. Article 46 Motion: that candidate Brian Cochran is eligible to be ordained as a minister of the Word and Sacraments among the United Reformed Churches in North America. Classis goes into general session. Chairman Rev. Kok announces to Brian Cochran the decision of classis and after prayer the delegates have opportunity to congratulate Brian. Article 47 Rev. Willem Slomp, fraternal delegate from the Canadian Reformed Churches brings greetings. Rev. James Reaves responds. Article 48 The chairman gives opportunity for the observers from the Orthodox Reformed Church of New Westminster to address classis. Chairman Rev. Kok responds. Article 49 Classis returns to the matter of Art.15 addressing the nominations for church visitors. The treasurer reminds the classis that the change will require funds for travel expenses. Motion: classis instructs the treasurer to invoice the churches for the cost of implementing the appointed church visitors. Amendment: to insert $ defeated Nominations for church visitor- Rev. Barry Beukema, Rev. Bill Pols, Rev. Ralph Pontier, Rev. James Reaves, Elder Alan Koopmans, Elder Fred Lenting, Elder Henry Nagtegaal, Rev. Moes Classis appoints: Rev. Pols, Rev. Pontier, Elder Nagtegaal, Rev. Moes, as church visitors with Rev. Beukema and Rev. Reaves as alternate. Article 50 Classis returns to the matter of Art.18 and the committee to address Neerlandia s overtures presents their material. Motion: classis approves the presentation of the adhoc committee. Amendment: to remove #6 from the grounds. Amended motion: 6

7 Classis Western Canada (Leduc 2010) overtures Synod London 2010 to make the following amendments to the Report of the Synodical Study Committee on the Federal Vision and Justification: 1. Place points 3-15 of the 15 points currently under Recommendation B back into the body of the paper under the heading: VI. Summary Statements, rearranging these points to begin with point 5, and inserting points 3 & 4 between current 13 & Place 1 and 2 of the 15 points, along with the following additional quotations of the Canons of Dort and Belgic Confession under (VII.) Recommendation B, with the following introduction: "That Synod London encourage all office-bearers to repudiate FV teachings where they are not in harmony with the following teachings of the Three Forms of Unity (with underlining emphasis added)": Canons of Dort I, Article 7 Election is the unchangeable purpose of God, whereby...god has decreed to give to Christ to be saved by Him, and effectually to call an draw them to His communion by His Word and Spirit; to bestow upon them true faith, justification, and sanctification; and having powerfully preserved them in the fellowship of His son, finally to glorify them... Canons of Dort I, Article 8 There are not various decrees of election, but one and the same decree respecting all those who shall be saved, both under the Old and New Testament; since the Scripture declares the good pleasure, purpose, and counsel of the divine will to be one, according to which He has chosen us from eternity, both to grace and to glory, to salvation and to the way of salvation, which He has ordained that we should walk therein (Eph. 1:4, 5; 2:10). Canons of Dort I, Article 15...Not all, but some only, are elected, while others are passed by in the eternal decree; whom God, out of His sovereign, most just, irreprehensible, and unchangeable good pleasure, has decreed to leave in the common misery into which they have willfully plunged themselves, and not to bestow upon them saving faith and the grace of conversion... Canons of Dort I, Rejection of Errors, Paragraph 2 [We reject the errors of those] Who teach: That there are various kinds of election of God unto eternal life: the one general and indefinite, the other particular and definite; and that the latter in turn is either incomplete, revocable, non-decisive, and conditional, or complete, irrevocable, decisive, and absolute. Likewise: That there is one election unto faith and another unto salvation, so that election can be unto justifying faith, without being a decisive election unto salvation. For this is a fancy of men's minds, invented regardless of the Scriptures, whereby the doctrine of election is corrupted, and this golden chain of our salvation is broken: And whom he foreordained, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified (Rom. 8:30). Canons of Dort, V, Article 1 Those whom God, according to His purpose, calls to the communion of His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, and regenerates by the Holy Spirit, He also delivers from the dominion and slavery of sin. 7

8 Canons of Dort, V, Article 6 But God, who is rich in mercy, according to His unchangeable purpose of election, does not wholly withdraw the Holy Spirit from His own people even in their grievous falls; nor suffers them to proceed so far as to lose the grace of adoption and forfeit the state of justification, or to commit the sin unto death or against the Holy Spirit; nor does He permit them to be totally deserted, and to plunge themselves into everlasting destruction. Canons of Dort V, Article 7 For in the first place, in these falls He preserves in them the incorruptible seed of regeneration from perishing or being totally lost... Canons of Dort V, Rejection of Errors, Paragraph 7 [We reject the errors of those] Who teach: That the faith of those who believe for a time does not differ from justifying and saving faith except only in duration. For Christ Himself, in Matt. 13:20, Luke 8:13, and in other places, evidently notes, beside this duration, a threefold difference between those who believe only for a time and true believers, when He declares that the former receive the seed on stony ground, but the latter in the good ground or heart; that the former are without root, but the latter have a firm root; that the former are without fruit, but that the latter bring forth their fruit in various measure, with constancy and steadfastness. Belgic Confession, Article 22 Therefore we justly say with Paul, that we are justified by faith alone, or by faith apart from works. However, to speak more clearly, we do not mean that faith itself justifies us, for it is only an instrument with which we embrace Christ our righteousness. But Jesus Christ, imputing to us all His merits, and so many holy works which He has done for us and in our stead, is our righteousness. And faith is an instrument that keeps us in communion with Him in all His benefits, which, when they become ours, are more than sufficient to acquit us of our sins. 3. Add a Recommendation F: That Synod London thank the committee for its excellent work. Grounds 1. Placing the (now 13) points in the body of the paper without requesting synod to officially affirm them would avoid the danger of extra-confessional bindings to theological formulations. 2. Rearranging the points slightly gives a more logical flow of thought. 3. Clearly distinguishing direct quotations from the Confessions from the formulations of the 13 points respects the special status of our Confessions as our doctrinal standards. 4. Urging office-bearers to refute FV teachings where they are not in harmony with the specific citations of the confessions strengthens the report, and thus serves the churches in a way that avoids controversy. 5. Since the entire report is commended to the consistories of the URCNA for study, the (now 13) points are given the attention they deserve along with the rest of the report. 6. The edited report would look like the following (recommendations A, C, D and E below are unchanged from the study committee s report): 8

9 VI. Summary Statements 1. Adam was obligated to obey the holy law of God and the commandment of life in order to live in fellowship with God and enjoy His favor eternally. (Belgic Confession, Article 14; Heidelberg Catechism, Lord s Day 3). 2. All human beings have fallen in Adam, are subject to condemnation and death, and are wholly incapable of finding favor with God on the basis of obedience to the law of God. (Belgic Confession, Article 14; Heidelberg Catechism, Lord s Days 3, 24) 3. The work of Christ as Mediator of the covenant grace fully accords with God s truth and justice, satisfies all the demands of God s holy law, and thereby properly merits the believer s righteousness and eternal life. (Heidelberg 61 Catechism, Lord s Days 5-7, 15, 23-24; Belgic Confession, Article 22; Canons of Dort, Rejection of Errors, 2:3) 4. The entire obedience of Christ under the law, both active and passive, constitutes the righteousness that is granted and imputed to believers for their justification. (Belgic Confession, Article 22; Heidelberg Catechism, Lord s Day 23) 5. Faith is the sole instrument of the believer s justification, so that believers may be said to be justified even before [they] do good works. (Belgic Confession, Article 24) 6. The good works of believers, though necessary fruits of thankfulness, contribute nothing to their justification before God, since they proceed from true faith, are themselves the fruits of the renewing work of Christ s Spirit, are imperfect and corrupted by sin, and are performed out of gratitude for God s grace in Christ. (Heidelberg Catechism, Lord s Days 3, 24, 32, 33; Belgic Confession, Article 24) 7. The justification of true believers is a definitive and irrevocable blessing of Christ s saving work, and therefore cannot be increased by the good works that proceed from true faith or be lost through apostasy. (Canons of Dort, 1:9; Rejection of Errors 1:2, 2:8, 5:7; Heidelberg Catechism, Lord s Days 20, 21) 8. The sacrament of baptism does not effect the believer s union with Christ and justification, but is a confirmation of the gospel promise to those who respond to the sacrament in the way of faith. (Heidelberg Catechism, Lord s Days 25, 27) 9. The sacrament of the Lord s Supper is a means to strengthen and nourish the believer in Christ, when it is received by the mouth of faith, and therefore the children of believing parents are obligated to attest the presence of such faith before receiving the sacrament. (Belgic Confession, Article 35; Heidelberg Catechism, Lord s Days 28-30) 10. The assurance of salvation is an ordinary fruit of true faith, which looks primarily to the gospel promise and the testimony of the Holy Spirit as the basis for confidence before God. Though good works may confirm the genuineness of faith, they are not the primary basis for such assurance of salvation. (Heidelberg Catechism, Lord s Days 7, 23, 32; Belgic Confession, Article 22-23; Canons of Dort, 5:8-13) 11. Some members of the church or covenant community are not of the Church, though externally in it (Belgic Confession, Article 29). 12. Those who are truly of the church may be known by the marks of Christians; namely, by faith, and when, having received Jesus Christ the only Savior, they avoid sin, follow after righteousness, love the true God and their neighbor, neither turn aside to the right or left, and crucify the flesh with the works thereof. (Belgic Confession, Article 29) 13. According to God s electing purpose and grace, true believers may be confident that God will preserve them in the way of salvation and keep them from losing their salvation through apostasy. (Canons of Dort, 1:12, 5:8-10) 9

10 VII. Recommendations A. That Synod London grant the privilege of the floor to Rev. Patrick Edouard (chairman), Rev. Brian Vos (secretary, who will present our report), and to Dr. Cornelis P. Venema, as well as any other members of the Committee present during the discussion of this report. B. That Synod London encourage all office-bearers to repudiate FV teachings where they are not in harmony with the following teachings of the Three Forms of Unity (with underlining emphasis added) Canons of Dort I, Article 7 Election is the unchangeable purpose of God, whereby...god has decreed to give to Christ to be saved by Him, and effectually to call an draw them to His communion by His Word and Spirit; to bestow upon them true faith, justification, and sanctification; and having powerfully preserved them in the fellowship of His son, finally to glorify them... Canons of Dort I, Article 8 There are not various decrees of election, but one and the same decree respecting all those who shall be saved, both under the Old and New Testament; since the Scripture declares the good pleasure, purpose, and counsel of the divine will to be one, according to which He has chosen us from eternity, both to grace and to glory, to salvation and to the way of salvation, which He has ordained that we should walk therein (Eph. 1:4, 5; 2:10). Canons of Dort I, Article 15...Not all, but some only, are elected, while others are passed by in the eternal decree; whom God, out of His sovereign, most just, irreprehensible, and unchangeable good pleasure, has decreed to leave in the common misery into which they have willfully plunged themselves, and not to bestow upon them saving faith and the grace of conversion... Canons of Dort I, Rejection of Errors, Paragraph 2 [We reject the errors of those] Who teach: That there are various kinds of election of God unto eternal life: the one general and indefinite, the other particular and definite; and that the latter in turn is either incomplete, revocable, non-decisive, and conditional, or complete, irrevocable, decisive, and absolute. Likewise: That there is one election unto faith and another unto salvation, so that election can be unto justifying faith, without being a decisive election unto salvation. For this is a fancy of men's minds, invented regardless of the Scriptures, whereby the doctrine of election is corrupted, and this golden chain of our salvation is broken: And whom he foreordained, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified (Rom. 8:30). Canons of Dort, V, Article 1 Those whom God, according to His purpose, calls to the communion of His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, and regenerates by the Holy Spirit, He also delivers from the dominion and slavery of sin. Canons of Dort, V, Article 6 But God, who is rich in mercy, according to His unchangeable purpose of election, does not wholly withdraw the Holy Spirit from His own people even in their grievous falls; nor suffers 10

11 them to proceed so far as to lose the grace of adoption and forfeit the state of justification, or to commit the sin unto death or against the Holy Spirit; nor does He permit them to be totally deserted, and to plunge themselves into everlasting destruction. Canons of Dort V, Article 7 For in the first place, in these falls He preserves in them the incorruptible seed of regeneration from perishing or being totally lost... Canons of Dort V, Rejection of Errors, Paragraph 7 [We reject the errors of those] Who teach: That the faith of those who believe for a time does not differ from justifying and saving faith except only in duration. For Christ Himself, in Matt. 13:20, Luke 8:13, and in other places, evidently notes, beside this duration, a threefold difference between those who believe only for a time and true believers, when He declares that the former receive the seed on stony ground, but the latter in the good ground or heart; that the former are without root, but the latter have a firm root; that the former are without fruit, but that the latter bring forth their fruit in various measure, with constancy and steadfastness. Belgic Confession, Article 22 Therefore we justly say with Paul, that we are justified by faith alone, or by faith apart from works. However, to speak more clearly, we do not mean that faith itself justifies us, for it is only an instrument with which we embrace Christ our righteousness. But Jesus Christ, imputing to us all His merits, and so many holy works which He has done for us and in our stead, is our righteousness. And faith is an instrument that keeps us in communion with Him in all His benefits, which, when they become ours, are more than sufficient to acquit us of our sins. C. That Synod London reaffirm the reminder of Synod Schererville: That synod remind and encourage individuals that, if there are office-bearers suspected of deviating from or obscuring the doctrine of salvation as summarized in our Confessions, they are obligated to follow the procedure prescribed in the Church Order (Articles 29, 52, 55, 61, 62) and the Form of Subscription for addressing theological error. (Acts of Synod 2007, Art. 67.4) D. That Synod London: 1) distribute this report to all the consistories of the URCNA, commending the report to them for study; 2) post this report on the denominational website; and 3) instruct the Stated Clerk to mail copies of this report to those denominations with whom the URCNA enjoys ecumenical relations. E. That Synod London consider publishing this report, separate from the Acts of Synod, for the sake of greater accessibility to the churches. F. That Synod London thank the committee for its excellent work. Motion: this is classis answer to the two overtures from Neerlandia Article 51 Classis returns to Art.20 addressing the OPC letter. Motion: to adopt the letter as presented. 11

12 Article 52 The delegates from Lethbridge request the advice of classis advice given Classis goes into executive session Article 53 The delegates from Abbotsford request the advice of classis. Motion: classis advices Abbotsford to proceed with exclusion of a baptized member. Article 54 The delegates from Edmonton request the advice of classis. Motion: classis advices Edmonton to proceed with the second step of discipline. Article 55 The delegates from Telkwa request the advice of classis. advice given Article 56 The delegates from Thunder Bay request the advice of classis. Motion: classis advices Thunder Bay to proceed with the exclusion of a baptized member. Classis moves to general session Article 57 Rev. Mitch Ramkisoon informs the classis of their new church plant efforts starting in Blackfalds, AB. Article 58 Elder Geoff Leo informs the classis of the ordination service for Brian Cochran March 12, 2010 and the seminar being planned for that same weekend. Article 59 Motion: the next meeting of classis is set for September, defeated The chairman declares that the next classis is scheduled for the 2 nd week of June 2010, or 2 nd week of January Article 53 Trinity Reformed Church is appointed to convene and host the next classis. Article 54 Motion to approve the concept minutes. Article 56 Rev. Barry Beukema leads the classis in closing devotions by reading from II Thess.2:13-17, the singing of #89 and prayer. 12

13 Article 57 Classis adjourned Respectfully Submitted, In Christ s Service Rev. William Van der Woerd Clerk for Classis Western Canada, (URCNA) 13