ABSTRACT of the MINUTES for the WESTERN CLASSIS Reformed Church in the United States 31st Annual Session March 1-3, 2016 Grace Reformed Church Willows, California and Special Fall Classis October 27, 2015 Trinity Reformed Church Modesto, California TABLE OF CONTENTS 2016 WESTERN CLASSIS DIRECTORY ....................................................................... 3 Ministers .................................................................................................................. 3 Primarius Elders ...................................................................................................... 4 Secundus Elders ....................................................................................................... 5 Licentiate ................................................................................................................. 6 Students Under Care ................................................................................................ 6 31st ANNUAL WESTERN CLASSIS ROLL .................................................................... 7 INFORMATIONAL SUMMARY .................................................................................... 8 DIRECTORY OF CONGREGATIONS ............................................................................ 9 ABSTRACT OF THE MINUTES ................................................................................... 13 SERVICES ..................................................................................................................... 13 ORGANIZATION ........................................................................................................... 14 RECEPTION OF NEW MINISTERS ............................................................................. 14 STANDING COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS ............................................................. 14 PRESENTATION OF PERMANENT COMMITTEE REPORTS ................................. 15 A. Executive Committee of Classis .................................................................. 15 B. Missions ....................................................................................................... 16 C. Christian Education...................................................................................... 20 D. Candidates and Credentials .......................................................................... 20 E. Interchurch Relations ................................................................................... 22 F. Publications ................................................................................................. 24 G. Diaconal Ministries ...................................................................................... 24 H. Heidelberg West Camp ................................................................................ 25 REPORTS OF OFFICERS .............................................................................................. 27 A. President’s Report on the State of the Church ............................................. 27 B. Stated Clerk's Report on the Minutes ........................................................... 33 C. Executive Committee of Synod ................................................................... 34 D. Treasurer’s Report ....................................................................................... 35 PARCOCHIAL REPORTS ............................................................................................. 37 A. Rev. Valentin Alpuche ................................................................................. 37 B. Faith Reformed Church, Anderson. ............................................................. 38 C. Rev. Gil Baloy. ............................................................................................ 40 D. Rev. Hank Bowen ........................................................................................ 41 E. Rev. Eric Bristley ......................................................................................... 43 F. Covenant Reformed Church, Grass Valley .................................................. 45 H. Rev. Gruggett ............................................................................................... 46 I. Rev. Jimmy John Hall .................................................................................. 48 J. Rev. Paul Henderson .................................................................................... 50 K. Rev. Michael Voytek ................................................................................... 52 L. Rev. Thomas Mayville ................................................................................. 55 M. Rev. Gary Mancilas ..................................................................................... 56 N. Rev. Jonathan Merica .................................................................................. 57 O. Rev. Vernon Pollema ................................................................................... 59 P. Rev. Neale Riffert ........................................................................................ 59 Q. Rev. Dennis Roe .......................................................................................... 61 R. Rev. Sam Powell .......................................................................................... 61 S. Rev. Gene Sawtelle ...................................................................................... 63 T. Rev. Douglas Schlegel ................................................................................. 63 U. Rev. Richard Stetler ..................................................................................... 65 V. Rev. Paul Treick .......................................................................................... 67 W. Rev. Jim West .............................................................................................. 67 X. Rev. Frank Walker ....................................................................................... 68 CONSTITUTIONAL QUESTIONS FOR ELDERS ....................................................... 70 MEMBERSHIP AND FINANCIAL STATISTICS ........................................................ 70 REPORTS FROM CLASSIS’ FRATERNAL DELEGATES ......................................... 70 ADDRESSES BY DELEGATES FROM OTHER REFORMED CHURCHES AND VISITORS ..................................................................................................................... 71 REPORTS OF SPECIAL STUDY COMMITTEES ........................................................ 71 A. The Doctrine of the Two Kingdoms ............................................................ 71 B. Child Safety in the Church ........................................................................... 77 REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES .................................................................. 79 A. Benevolences ............................................................................................... 79 B. Missions ....................................................................................................... 80 C. Examination and Licensure .......................................................................... 81 D. Judicial ......................................................................................................... 81 E. Nominations ................................................................................................. 82 F. Finances ....................................................................................................... 82 G. Excuses ........................................................................................................ 83 H. Minutes ........................................................................................................ 83 MISCELLANEOUS REPORTS AND OTHER BUSINESS .......................................... 85 A. Expression of Appreciation to the Host Congregation. ................................ 85 B. Adoption of Stated Clerk’s, and Executive Committee’s Reports. .............. 85 C. Other Business ............................................................................................. 85 D. Adoption of Standing Minutes Committee Report ....................................... 85 ADJOURNMENT ........................................................................................................... 85 A. Roll Call ....................................................................................................... 85 B. Devotions ..................................................................................................... 85 C. Close ............................................................................................................ 85 SPECIAL FALL CLASSIS MEETING .......................................................................... 86 SERVICES ..................................................................................................................... 86 ORGANIZATION ........................................................................................................... 86 STANDING COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS ............................................................. 86 REPORT OF SPECIAL CLASSIS COMMITTEES ....................................................... 86 A. Appeal of Steven Boren: .............................................................................. 86 B. Appeal of Mr. Derrick Merkel: .................................................................... 87 C. Appeal of Mrs. Angelica