A colorful crowd gathered for the meeting. Not only did the eight ministers of the NPC come together, but we were also joined by several delegates of other bodies. Rev. Terry Thole of the OPC, Rev. Doug Barns of the URCNA, and Elder Art Poppi of the CanRC were all present. We even had observers from the PCA Siouxlands Presbytery, Revs. Wes White and Brian Carpenter. This added to our fellowship and enjoyment throughout the week. The three fraternal delegates all gave addresses to the body and we in turn responded and prayed for each group.
The congregation in Pierre provided wonderful food for the group. We ate like kings and perhaps even better. Rev. Bill Haddock described the food as "scrump-deli-licious," and I think that sentiment sums up the meals better than anything I myself could come up with. Although adding the phrase into the note of thanks was defeated in committee because a dictionary was not available to confirm the spelling, what was clear is that the congregation in Pierre deserves to be commended for their cooking and for their hospitality. I know that many delegates are looking forward to coming back to Pierre the next time they host classis.
The first day also included a worship service where Rev. Clark preached and Rev. James Grossmann led. The message was "Everyone Praise God," and that was indeed done. If you have never attended a worship service at a classis or synod let me encourage you to do so. The singing was stirring, the message challenging, and the worship was refreshing.
The Mike and David show was not over after the first day. They came back for more and treated the body to several memorable events on Day Two. A malfunctioning alarm clock cost us Stated Clerk McGee on the second day as well, and committees were given ample time to work in the morning. After the longest debate on the floor during this Classis, the vote ended with half the body giggling uncontrollably. How that happened is still a mystery, but no doubt part of the power of our leadership duo. President Dawn ruled on a motion defeated later, and division was called for to discover that only two people had actually voted against it. And then later President Dawn was called on to break a tie when no one voted for or against a motion. We believe it to be the first-ever zero to zero tie in RCUS history, but we are still searching the record books. Those were just the highlights of the meeting.
Despite all of our fun and frolic, much work was accomplished at the 24th Annual Meeting. Benjamin Glaser was examined for the pulpit in Minot, but it was not sustained. The NPC is continuing to pursue a Bible study in Jamestown, ND, and the missions committee is supposed to come back with a plan for a home missionary for North Dakota for the next classis to examine. The classis also is establishing a sermon audio site where any of the NPC ministers can upload their sermons. This is a wonderful way for the preaching in the Dakotas to actually reach the entire world. It will help keep costs down for individual churches on their own web sites, and Lord willing, help spread the name of the RCUS and, more importantly, the Kingdom of Jesus Christ. The work of the church is continuing in the Northern Plains Classis, and I left excited and ready to go after a time of great fellowship and encouragement. There is nothing like the Northern Plains Classis. I am grateful to be a part, and I look forward to the next meeting on March 8th, 2010. Who knows what might happen next?
