In front of richly laden tables, we greeted old friends affectionately and new friends eagerly. Making our acquaintance were three families from Lynden, Washington: Rev. Alan Camarigg, Elder Brent Smith, and Elder Chuck DeWaard with their wives. They are the officers of Covenant Grace Reformed Church and have expressed interest in possible affiliation. We look forward to future fellowship and pray that God may be pleased to bring us into denominational union.
At 1:27 pm, the president took his place. His minions eagerly gathered at his feet, ready to rise like a giant, living wack-a-mole game. The gavel crashed, the roll was called, the bar was set, and the game was afoot.
The election of officers proceeded with dignity and poise, thanks to the outstanding work of the tellers. Rev. Jim West was chosen again as president; Rev. Tracy Gruggett was drafted as vice-president. Rev. Hank Bowen and Elder Chris Fellersen were retained in their current offices, that is, stated clerk and treasurer respectively.
Business proceeded in the usual fashion. Committees gave their reports, and they were discussed, dispatched, disposed, or distilled as the situation warranted.
Since brevity is the soul of wit and tediousness the limbs and outward flourishes, I will not belabor the minutiae which can be obtained step by step from the abstract of the minutes and the president's report. I will, however, inflict you with grand verbosity elucidating the need for brevity, thus disproving the first sentence of this paragraph. But I digress.
The two mission works of Classis were continued and funded. Covenant Reformed Church of Chico and Rehoboth Chapel of La Habra continue to proclaim the gospel in their communities. Please pray for them.
The Permanent Publications Committee was charged with providing a recommendation to the 25th annual session of Classis as to the best way to publish and promote the papers and other works of the Western Classis. We look forward to their proposal.
The main item of business was the partial licensure exam of Elder Doug Schlegel. He proved himself apt to teach and soundly showed that he was not an ignorant or unlearned man. The partial exam was arrested and sustained by the required majority.
Worship services were led by Rev. Jay Nelkin. Rev. Paul Treick preached from Acts 20, a sermon called Faithfulness is Better Than This Life. This reporter was edified by the sermon, as well as by the devotionals given by the other pastors.
On a constitutional question, the Classis determined that committees should limit their activities to those issues for which they have a mandate. The debate was lively and centered on the question of authority. One delegate made the point that the 1934 merger happened in part because committees had taken to themselves the authority to work without a mandate, and the Classes merely rubber-stamped their decisions. It was decided that a committee has the authority to do only that work which Classis specifically authorizes it to do.
We enjoyed sweet fellowship with the saints of Grace Reformed Church; we exchanged greetings with our fraternal delegates, and were encouraged and strengthened together by the preaching and teaching of God's Word.
May our God be pleased to continue His grace to us. Pray for our seminaries and for our students. Pray that God would continue to raise up capable men to preach His Word. Pray for our mission works. And pray that we will always remember and proclaim that it is the blood of Christ alone that saves us from condemnation for our sins.
