The meeting of the delegates was called to order and opened by Rev. Mark ten Haaf on behalf of the convening church (Providence Canadian Reformed Church). He thanked the hosting church of Abbotsford and then led in devotions. After devotions Rev. Mark ten Haaf and Rev. Rob Schouten examined the credentials and found them to be in good order. Regional Synod West was declared constituted. The assembly appointed the following delegates to serve on the executive: as chairman – Rev. Rob Schouten, as vice-chairman – Rev. Douglas Vandeburgt and as clerk – br. Lyndon Kok.
The chairman thanked the convening church for all the work done in preparation of Regional Synod West. The agenda was adopted after the addition of a series of letters from a church addressing the overtures on the agenda. The chairman welcomed Rev. Aaron van der Heiden who brought fraternal greetings from Classis Western Canada of the United Reformed Churches. The chairman offered a prayer for the United Reformed Churches.
After an initial round of interacting with all the material on the agenda, advisory committees were struck to formulate responses. Regional Synod West then came to the following decisions:
Correspondence
Providence Canadian Reformed Church proposed amending the regulations of Regional Synod West around the timing of when the convening church requests the churches and classes to submit matters for the agenda and by when the churches and classes should submit said matters. Regional Synod West returned the matter to Providence church with some observations as well as a request to rewrite the proposal that offers greater clarity on what they are seeking to accomplish with these changes.
Overtures
Classis Pacific East submitted an overture regarding Church Order Article 55 to include the possibility of using consistory-approved songs in addition to the Psalms and Hymns adopted by General Synod. Because Article 55 is a matter of the churches in common Regional Synod West decided to forward the overture to General Synod 2025 along with its observations and considerations.
Classis Pacific West submitted an overture regarding Church Order Article 55 to include the possibility of using consistory-approved hymns in addition to the psalms adopted by general synod. Because Article 55 is a matter of the churches in common Regional Synod West decided to forward the overture to General Synod 2025 along with its observations and considerations.
Classis Pacific East submitted an overture proposing a revision to the form for infant baptism. Regional Synod West decided to forward the overture together with a recommendation for General Synod 2025 to appoint a committee for the purpose of proposing to the churches a revised form for infant baptism.
Classis Pacific East submitted an overture proposing a revision to the marriage form. Regional Synod West decided not to adopt the overture.
Classis Pacific East submitted an overture to add a section to the regulations of Regional Synod West pertaining to appeals. Regional Synod West decided not to adopt the overture.
Classis Pacific West submitted an overture regarding a revision to Church Order Article 30 to allow individual churches to directly overture General Synod on matters belonging to the churches in common. Regional Synod West decided to adopt the overture and forward it to General Synod 2025.
Classis Pacific West submitted an overture regarding Church Order Article 49, to change delegation to General Synod from something done by Regional Synod to something done by the Classes. Regional Synod West decided not to adopt the overture. Appeals
An appeal against Classis Pacific West, Spring 2021 was dealt with in open session. Regional Synod West sustained the appeal.
Reports
Regional Synod West received with thankfulness the treasurer’s report and its audit. Regional Synod West received a report that the archives were in good order. Regional Synod West received the reports from deputies that gave concurring advice on the successful peremptory examinations of candidates Taylor Bredenhof, Faustin Emadjeu and Dathan Pleiter.
Appointments
Regional Synod made the following regular appointments:
- The treasurer – br. John Moedt
- The church for the inspection of the books of the treasurer - Coaldale
- The Church to maintain the archives – Edmonton-Providence
- The Church to inspect the archives – Edmonton-Immanuel
- The Church to convene the next Regional Synod on Nov. 18, 2025 – Willoughby-Heights
Synod appointed the following ministers as Deputies ad Article 48 C.O for the upcoming year:
From Classis Pacific West for Classis Pacific East and Classis Manitoba
- Douglas Vandeburgt;
- First alternate: Karlo Janssen;
- Second alternate: Hendrik Alkema
From Classis Pacific East for Classis Pacific West and Classis Alberta
- Bill Wielenga
- First alternate: Rob Schouten
- Second alternate: Dave deBoer
From Classis Alberta for Classis Pacific East and Classis Manitoba
- Rev. Julius van Spronsen
- First alternate: Rev. Mark ten Haaf
- Second alternate: Rev. Gerard Veurink
From Classis Manitoba for Classis Pacific West and Classis Alberta
- Rev. Joe Poppe
- First alternate: Rev. James Slaa
- Second alternate: Rev. Carl VanDam
Synod appointed the following delegates to General Synod Aldergrove 2025:
Elder Delegates
- Ron deHaan
- Kent Dykstra
- Lyndon Kok
- James Teitsma
- Bill vanBeek
- Adam van den Hoven
- First alternate: Ken Hoeksema
- Second alternate: Richard Buist
- Third alternate: Gerald Ostermeier
- Fourth alternate: Aubrey Vandergaag
Minister Delegates
- Hendrik Alkema
- Karlo Janssen
- Joe Poppe
- Rob Schouten
- Carl VanDam
- Ken Wieske
- First alternate: James Slaa
- Second alternate: Gerard Veurink
- Third alternate: Douglas Vandeburgt
- Fourth alternate: Dave DeBoer
Regional Synod West will provide suggested names of two governors and two alternates to General Synod 2025 as requested by the Board of Governors of CRTS.
Regional Synod West set the remuneration for loss of wages for delegates to General Synod as per the recommendation of Aldergrove, the convening church, at $300 per day. Mileage compensation to General Synod was set at the CRA recommended 70 cents per kilometre, with maximum reimbursement not to exceed the cost of air-travel.
The chairman ruled with deep gratitude that brotherly censure was not necessary.
After the assembly finalized the press release and approved a method for finalizing the Acts, the chairman led in devotions and then declared Regional Synod West closed.
Rev. D. Vandeburgt (vice-chairman at that time)