Opening:
Pastor Ian Wildeboer welcomed Classis delegates to the Mercy Centre, on behalf of the convening church, Mercy Christian Church. Intern Kevin Wattel opened in prayer, then read from1 Corinthians 9: 24-27, and presented a devotion on that text. Classis then sang Hymn 45, “Jesus Shall Reign”. All the churches’ primary delegates were present, with the exception of Burlington-Ebenezer, who sent an alternate elder delegate. Ottawa-Jubilee attended remotely via Zoom.
Classis was constituted. Rev. Jake Torenvliet was appointed as chair, Rev. Clarence VanderVelde as clerk, and elder Mark Krikke as vice-chair. The agenda was adopted with several minor changes.
Memorabilia:
Several emeritus ministers were remembered, particularly in regards to their health: Rev. John vanPopta, Rev. George vanPopta, and Rev. Chris Bosch. Also remembered were those still serving actively in preaching or mission support: Rev. Versteeg in Papua New Guinea, Rev. William DenHollander at Rehoboth URC, and Rev. George vanPopta with a ministry to the Karen people group. It was also noted that Hamilton-Blessings, Hamilton-Mercy, and Flamborough-Redemption are searching for second pastors. Burlington/Waterdown-Rehoboth and Burlington-Ebenezer are now worshiping together while maintaining distinct congregations as they move towards a merger. Also noted was that Rev. Bruintjes declined a call to Hamilton-Cornerstone.
Question Period according to Article 44 of our Church Order:
All churches answered yes, yes, no to the questions in Article 44, with the exception of Ottawa-Jubilee, who plan to make an appeal to Synod.
Toronto-Bethel made use of Question Period for two separate matters. The first was concerning the best way to approach a licensure exam for a candidate with English as a second language, preparing to spread the Gospel in the Mandarin-speaking community. The second item related to appointments to broader assemblies and committees of ministers not actively involved in ministry in a local congregation (i.e. missionaries, chaplains, ministers emeritus). Advice was given for both matters.
Hamilton-Mercy had a question regarding a pastoral matter, and received advice in closed session.
Appointments:
Ottawa-Jubilee is to be the convening church for the next Classis. Burlington-Ebenezer will host, the proposed dates being June 12/13, with alternate dates of Sept. 12/13, D.V. Officers for this classis were proposed as follows: Rev. Clarence VanderVelde, Chair; Rev. Darren Feenstra, Clerk; elder delegate from Ottawa-Jubilee, Vice-chair. The Lord willing, there will be a preparatory exam for Kevin Wattel.
Question period was made use of.
Closing:
Christian censure according to Article 34 of the Church Order was deemed unnecessary. The Acts of Classis were read and adopted, with the Press Release to be approved by the executive later. Hymn 8 was sung, Rev. Jake Torenvliet closed in prayer, and the meeting was closed.
For Classis Central Ontario,
Mark Krikke