Classis Michigan United Reformed Churches September 10, 2002

A lovely drive in the country brought the delegates of Classis Michigan to the Grace United Reformed Church in Alto, Michigan for their eleventh classis meeting. Joining us at the meeting were several emeritus ministers, Rev. Zach Anderson of the Seventh Reformed Church in Grand Rapids, and a member of the URC church plant in Muskegon. Chairman of the day, Rev. Peter Adams, opened the meeting with the reading of Colossians 1:3–14.

One of the first items of business was the forming of a committee to study the feasibility and propriety of a Classical Missions Committee. This committee will look into whether or not the churches of classis can better facilitate the mission efforts of our churches by cooperating with one another on a classical level.

Classis also discussed what options are available to a Classical InterimCommittee when there is no pending business for an upcoming classis meeting. Although there is a great desire for increased fellowship among the churches, classis voted to insert the word “ordinarily” into the following Rule of Procedure: “Classis shall [ordinarily] convene at least twice annually…”

In response to another overture, classis formed a committee to look into the possibility of having a Student Seminarian Fund to assist churches in providing for seminarians within their congregations.

The highlight of the meeting came after lunch when Rev. Derrick Vander Meulen and Rev. Steve McGee reported on Rev. McGee’s acceptance of a call to serve as a teacher/missionary in Trinidad. In addition to teaching at Grace Bible College, by God’s grace, Rev. McGee will be working as a church planter. Trinidad currently has four reformed churches on the entire island.

The remainder of the meeting was spent offering advice to consistories. This has always been a very profitable time for the churches seeking the corporate wisdom of experienced elders and ministers. It is also a very sad and humbling time as we realize that even in a federation as young as ours, discipline is still necessary and must remain a mark of the true church.

We thank Grace United Reformed Church for hosting the meeting, providing the delegates and visitors with ample refreshments and a delicious meal. We thank the delegates for the work performed. And we thank our God for calling us to be a part of His Church and enabling us to work for His Kingdom. May all that was done at this meeting of Classis Michigan be to His honor and glory!

Respectfully Submitted Rev. W. H. Oord Clerk of Classis

Classis Southwest U.S. Report United Reformed Churches September 16–17, 2002

Classis Southwest U.S. convened at the Cloverdale United Reformed Church in Boise, Idaho, on September 16, 2002. Delegates from 13 out of 14 churches were present.

One of the first orders of business was to give concurring advice for the organization of two new congregations: the Belgrade United Reformed Church of Belgrade, Montana, and the Oceanside United Reformed Church of Oceanside, California. Both congregations had men present to give reports to the classis of their recent history. The classis thanked God for His work in these two bodies, and prayed for His continued blessing upon them. There are three other organizing congregations in Classis Southwest U.S.: the United Reformed Church of Magic Valley in Jerome, Idaho; the High Desert United Reformed Church in Victorville, California; and a new group forming in Lemoore, California.

Most of the two-day classis was taken up with the examination of two men being examined for candidacy and two men entering the federation via colloquia docta. Mr. Joshua Van Ee and Mr. Gene Crow both sustained their candidacy examinations. Rev. David Bosch, minister-elect of Calvary United Reformed Church, Loveland, Colorado, and Rev. Thomas Morrison, church planter for the High Desert United Reformed Church, both sustained their examinations. All four are now eligible to be called to the office of minister of the Word among the United Reformed Churches.

Classis had the sad duty to recognize the voluntary departure of the Saigon Reformed Presbyterian Church of Santa Ana, California, from the federation. Classis, with joy, continued its regular practice of hearing reports from each church about what God is doing in their midst.

The next classis is scheduled for March 17–18, 2003, at the Escondido United Reformed Church of Escondido, California.

Respectfully submitted, Rev. Bradd L. Nymeyer, clerk Classis Southwest U.S.