The Western Classis convened at Covenant Reformed Church at Grass Valley, CA, on March 8-9, 2011. The delegates were received by the host congregation with a warm welcome and Christian hospitality. The opening devotion was given by Rev. Dennis Roe, pastor of Covenant Reformed Church at Grass Valley. He preached a message from Ezekiel 7:23-27 on the subject of "The Elder as the Watchman for the Church of Today." The Western Classis meeting proceeded with the President, Rev. Jim West, calling the meeting to order and Rev. Vernon Pollema led in prayer. The Stated Clerk, Rev. Hank Bowen, took the roll call of delegates present, which showed there was a quorum consisting of sixteen ministers and eleven elders.
The proceedings of the Western Classis meeting manifested a spirit of loving unity among the brethren and a commitment of obedience to God's Word as well as faithfulness to the RCUS confessional standards.
Last year at the 25th Annual Western Classis meeting, a special committee was established to compile a history of the Western Classis. The special committee is continuing its work this year. The Classis requested "that each congregation of the Western Classis write and submit a one-page history of their congregation to the Special Committee on the History of the Classis." The Classis also requested "that pictures be collected for submission into the publication of the history."
Since the previous Annual Western Classis meeting of 2010, the Executive Committee of Western Classis had a great deal of ongoing business to address as they affirmed in their committee report saying, "The Executive Committee had a very busy year with eight circulars, twelve recommendations, a number of matters before it, and several hundred emails to deal with: there were a number of changes in pulpits, and the President was compelled to call for a Special Classis meeting to deal with a very serious ethical matter regarding a minister of the Classis."
Providentially, the Western Classis has had several changes for pastors in the place of their ministerial calls. Rev. Thomas Mayville was installed as pastor of Trinity Reformed Church at Modesto on July 28, 2010. Rev. Paul Treick was elected as Pastor Emeritus at Trinity Reformed Church in Modesto, CA. Rev. Eric Bristley was installed as pastor of Grace Reformed Church in Willows, CA on November 12, 2010. Rev. Jay Nelken was removed from the pulpit of Grace Reformed Church at Lancaster, CA. Rev. Scott Henry has received and accepted a call from Grace Reformed Church at Lancaster, CA. Rev. Jay Fluck has transferred his credentials to Covenant East Classis in order to accept a call from Sovereign Grace Church at Gettysburg, PA, and Rev. Neale Riffert has been "granted permission to labor outside the bounds of the Western Classis in Texas with the consent of the South Central Classis."
Each of the ministers of the Word gave a parochial report of their labors in their particular charge during the past year. Following the reading of every two reports, prayer was offered on behalf of each minister's labors in their congregations. The parochial reports reveal a hearty desire to be obedient to the Word of God, faithful to our confessional standards, and to faithfully bear the marks of a true church. In difficult economic times some congregations are concerned about sustaining their fiscal responsibilities. Thank the Lord other pastors were able to report of the Lord's bountiful provisions. It should be our daily prayer that the Lord "shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus" (Phil. 4:19).
The Western Classis gave honor and recognition for the Christian service of Elder Cornelius Van Egmond who went to be with the Lord on June 7, 2010. He served at Providence Reformed Church in Lodi, CA, as a deacon and later as an elder for many years. Frank Krivohlavek, a beloved Elder, was also taken from us and added to "The Church Victorious." Elder Krivolavek was a great stalwart of the faith, serving for many years at Covenant Reformed Church at Grass Valley, CA. These brothers are greatly missed, as is the great contributions they made to Christ's kingdom.
At the Tuesday evening worship service Rev. Neale Riffert, Pastor Emeritus of Grace Reformed Church at Lancaster, CA, preached a message on the subject of "The Struggling Prince," taken from the text of Genesis 32. Morning devotions were conducted by Rev. Paul Henderson and Rev. Vernon Pollema.
The next morning the President, Rev. Jim West, was not well physically and unable to attend the rest of the Western Classis Meeting. The Vice-President, Rev. Paul Henderson, took on the responsibilities of Chairman until the end of the meeting.
It was noted by the Christian Education Committee of the Western Classis "that there are excellent educational materials developed within the RCUS, of which our members may not be aware." In order to track these resources "the Christian Education in the Church Committee developed the Western Classis Resource List of educational and written instructional materials authored by ministers and members of the RCUS, which are currently inventoried in the RCUS Book Depository. The resource list includes the titles of the materials, authors, and current availability information, all of which will be updated annually."
A new committee was formed to write a book to be used in the instruction of new members, similar to Confessing Christ by Rev. Calvin Cummings. This new work would employ the Three Forms of Unity and add the distinctive practices of the RCUS.
For many years the Heidelberg West Youth Camp has been held at Camp Peaceful Pines. This year the campsite has been switched to Sierra Christian Service Camp at Posey, CA. Visit www.sierrachristianservicecamp.org for further information about the campsite. The date set for the camp is June 13-17, 2011. The theme of this year's camp is "Loving God's Word."
The work of the 26th Annual Western Classis Meeting progressed efficiently and expeditiously so that the business of Classis was completed by the second day on March 9, 2011. When the reports of the standing committees were effectually completed, there was a heartfelt expression of appreciation to the host church for its care and hospitality to the delegates. Before the adjournment Elder Steve Wilbur led in the closing devotion and prayer. After the Vice-President pronounced the Benediction, the 26th Annual Western Classis Meeting closed with the singing of the doxology. Next year, the 27th Annual Western Classis Meeting is scheduled to convene at Grace Reformed Church at Lancaster, CA.
