On behalf of the convening church at Abbotsford br. S. Vandergaag welcomed everyone. He opened the meeting in a Christian manner.
The credentials were examined by the convening church of the previous classis, the church of Yarrow, and found to be in order. Classis was declared constituted. After discussion regarding officers, those appointed take their place: Rev. Schouten, chairman; Rev. Schoof, vice-chairman; Rev. Vanderlinde, clerk.
The Chairman, Rev. Schouten, thanked the church at Abbotsford for their work in convening classis, and welcomed br. Struik who is here for his candidacy examination, as well as the guests in the audience, and the deputies from Regional Synod West.
The agenda was adopted with some additions.
A letter was received from the church council at Abbotsford, with supporting documents. Abbotsford council requests classis to approbate their decision to dismiss their minister Rev. D. DeBoer according to article 11 Church Order. This is done by mutual agreement of Council and minister following Rev. DeBoer’s request to be released from active ministry in Abbotsford. After discussion classis approbates the decision of Abbotsford, and receives concurring advice from the deputies of regional synod. The chairman leads in prayer for the Lord’s blessing and healing for Rev. DeBoer, his wife and family, and the council and congregation of Abbotsford.
Classis examined br. Fred Struik, who, having completed his studies at the Canadian Reformed Theological Seminary is seeking candidacy in the Canadian Reformed churches. All the required documents are present. After judging his sermon sufficient to proceed with the exam, he was examined in Old Testament Exegesis, New Testament Exegesis, as well as Doctrine and Creeds. Br. Struik is asked to share how the Lord lead him to seek the ministry. These examinations were also judged sufficient for br. Struik to sustain his exam. After promising not to preach or teach anything contrary to God’s Word as summarized in the Three Forms of Unity, he was declared eligible for call, valid for one year. Classis thanked and praised the Lord in prayer.
A letter was received from Nooksack Valley regarding financial support for the RCUS Spanish translation project. Due to the funds no longer being required, combined with the difficulty of sending charitable donations cross-border, Classis decided to relieve Nooksack Valley of the responsibility.
A report was received from the Treasurer for 2024. With thankfulness the finances of classis are healthy. The churches will be assessed $1/communicant member for 2025. Vernon is tasked with reviewing the books of the treasurer.
A church visitation report was received with thankfulness to Pathway Christian church on April 24, 2025.
A report on the classis archives, kept at Abbotsford Canadian Reformed Church, was received from Yarrow. With thankfulness the archives are found to be in good order.
The chairman asked the questions in Article 44 of the Church Order. It was noted with thankfulness that the ministry of the office-bearers is being continued and the decisions of the major assemblies are being honoured. No churches request the advice of classis.
The convening church for the next classis will be Aldergrove, and the date is set for September 25, 2025 with an alternate date of December 11, 2025 both at 10am. The suggested officers for the next Classis are: chairman: provided by Chilliwack, vice-chairman: provided by Lynden; and clerk: provided by Pathway.
A counsellor was requested by Abbotsford Canadian Reformed Church. Rev. Schouten was appointed by classis.
Other appointments:
1. Committee for examinations: Rev. Schouten was appointed as examiner for diaconiology.
2. Church visitors: Revs. Schoof (coordinator), Borst, Grotenhuis, Schouten, Vanderlinde, Wielenga.
Personal question period was made use of.
The chairman notes with thankfulness that nothing censurable was said or done during the meeting, which was held in a brotherly manner. The Acts of Classis were presented and adopted. The press release was presented and approved. After reading, prayer and singing, the meeting was closed.
For Classis,
Rev. Ben Schoof, vice-chairman at that time.