Is a church's declaration that someone is a Christian, after they complete procedures, valid?
No. Becoming a Christian is not achieved by a set ritual, rules, regulations, or procedure, nor by a church's declaration afterward. Salvation comes by personal faith in the Gospel—the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. The local church and Sunday school have their rightful place but cannot substitute for that faith.
Les explains that Paul labored more abundantly than the other apostles, yet not in his flesh but by the grace of God with him. The same preaching brought believers out of paganism when they believed. Les repeatedly emphasizes that you do not become a Christian by going through a certain set ritual, rules and regulations, or a set procedure. Many denominations, including his own, expect people to go through procedures and then the church declares them Christian, saying they have nothing to worry about and are on their way to glory. But Les says that is not the case. We have to believe the Gospel, and then other things have their rightful place. He is in favor of the local church and Sunday school, but those are not a substitute for salvation. Salvation must be by personal faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.