Classis Michigan
Report on the meeting of Classis Michigan of the URCNA
Convening at the Trinity United Reformed Church building in Caledonia - October 14, 2025
Classis Michigan convened at the building of Trinity URC on the pleasant Fall morning of October 14 for its Fall 2025 meeting. The assembly concluded after 11:00 at night.
After initial business was completed, with the agenda being set, Mr. Joel Haan began his candidacy exam. Mr. Haan recently graduated from Reformed Theological Seminary in Charlotte, NC and is under the oversight of the Immanuel Fellowship Church. After being examined in every area, Classis gave concurring advice that Mr. Haan sustained six areas of his exam: Practica, Confessional Knowledge, Reformed Doctrine, Church History, Ethics, and Church Polity. A prayer of thanksgiving and supplication was offered for Mr. Haan.
At a break in the midst of the exam, Classis gave concurring advice to Cornerstone URC to grant emeritation to Rev. Philip Vos. Rev. Vos has faithfully served three congregations in the URCNA, but recent ongoing health issues have prevented him from fulfilling his pastoral duties.
Classis then turned its attention to four appeals before it. The first appeal was by the Consistory of Sovereign Grace URC (SG) against Immanuel Fellowship Church (IFC). SG complained of being wronged in that IFC released correspondence that was between the SG and IFC Consistories to persons who were appealing a decision by the SG Consistory; the correspondence concerned those appellants. Classis sustained this appeal of SG.
The second appeal was by the Consistory of SG against a decision made at the March meeting of Classis MI sustaining an appeal by two professing members against SG. In the original appeal, SG refused to transfer the membership of those two professing members to IFC, which was willing to receive the appellants into membership under their current disciplinary status. Classis MI had sustained the members’ appeal and directed SG to transfer those two members to IFC. SG did not transfer the members to IFC and appealed the judgment of Classis MI. Classis MI did not sustain SG’s appeal. In its decision to not sustain this new appeal, Classis made clear that the March decision was for that particular situation.
The third appeal was by the Consistory of SG against a decision made at the March meeting of Classis MI that did not sustain an appeal by SG against a position the Consistory of IFC took, namely that specific persons did not have a moral or legal requirement to meet with the Consistory of SG, and that the Consistory of SG did not have the moral or legal authority to require a meeting. Classis MI did not sustain SG’s appeal. In its decision to not sustain this new appeal, Classis made clear that it was not taking a position on the issue in question, simply that IFC may take the position it holds.
The fourth appeal was by the consistory of Trinity URC against a decision made at the March meeting of Classis MI sustaining an appeal by two professing members against SG. In not sustaining this new appeal, Classis made clear that the March decision was for that particular situation.
Classis heard reports from functionaries, committee representatives, and church representatives. Because of the lateness of the hour the overture submitted by Grace URC requesting changes to the URCNA Church Order was tabled indefinitely, allowing it to be brought to the next meeting of Classis Michigan.
The following appointments were made: Rev. Casey Freswick to an 8th term as CERCU representative; Rev. Dr. Quentin Falkena to complete a term, Mr. Tom Kooienga to a 5th term and Mr. Harry Kooistra also to a 5th term on the Classis Michigan Mission and Church Plant Committee; Mr. Josh Nijenhuis as WOC representative, on which he serves as the Chairman; Rev. Talman Wagenmaker to the WOC as an alternate representative.
Advice was sought and given concerning disciplinary matters.
Classis Michigan will convene its next meeting at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at the building of Faith URC in Holland, the Lord willing.
May the Lord bless the decisions made and counsel given by his servants in Classis Michigan; may God alone receive glory.
For further information, contact Rev. Talman Wagenmaker, Clerk of Classis Michigan,
via e-mail at [email protected]
Please note that this report is an unofficial summary.
For the official and complete summary of business transacted at classis, see the official minutes of classis.