Classis Michigan Classis Midwest 1st Meeting Minutes Classis Michigan Classis Midwest 1st Meeting MinutesMINUTES
of the 1st meeting of
CLASSIS MIDWEST
of the
UNITED REFORMED CHURCHES IN NORTH AMERICA
meeting
APRIL 8-9, A.D. 1997
at the
COVENANT UNITED REFORMED CHURCH, KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN
ARTICLE 1
Mr. Henry Knibbe, vice-president of the host consistory, calls the meeting to order and welcomes the delegates and visitors. He announces that the consistory of the host church has requested Rev. Ed Knott to serve as president of classis.
ARTICLE 2
Rev. Ed Knott assumes the chair and leads the assembly in singing PH 408 Great Is Thy Faithfulness and PH 426 Jesus, With Thy Church Abide. He reads Ephesians 1:15-23 and leads in prayer.
ARTICLE 3
The president requests the clerk pro-tem, Mr. Al Nagel, to call the roll of delegates. The credentials reveal the following delegates present.
Church / Minister Delegates / Elder Delegates
Allendale, MI / / Mr. Don Sall, Mr. Ray Wallinga
Byron Center, MI / / Mr. Ed Heerema, Mr. George Jager
Cape Coral, FL / Rev. Richard Stevens /
Delevan, WI / / Mr. Ben Hoekstra
De Motte, IN / Rev. Thomas Wetselaar / Mr. Ed Kingma
Eastmanville, MI / / Mr. Marvin Jeurink, Mr. Dave Broene-Apr. 8, Mr. Marvin Prins-Apr. 9
Holland, MI / Rev. Wybren Oord / Mr. Ron Telman
Hudsonville, MI / Rev. Stephen Arrick-Apr. 8 / Mr. John Sterk, Rev. Jay Wesseling-Apr. 9
Jenison, MI / Rev. Derrick Vander Meulen / Mr. Herm Scholten
Kalamazoo, MI / / Mr. John Buiskool, Mr. Al Nagel-Apr. 8, Mr. Henry Knibbe-Apr. 9
Lansing, IL / Rev. Paul Ipema / Mr. William Beezhold
Lynwood, IL / Rev. Jerome Julien / Mr. Paul Dykstra
Orange City, IA / Rev. Ralph Pontier / Mr. Marvin Hoogland
Pomptain Plains, NJ / Rev. Richard Kuiken / Mr. Peter Moen
Sanborn, IA / Rev. Harry Zekveld / Mr. James Hofland
Walnut Creek, CA
Wyoming, MI / Rev. Arthur Besteman / Mr. Gerald Rozema
ARTICLE 4
The president declares classis constituted and requests the delegates to sign the Form Of Subscription.
ARTICLE 5
GUESTS
The president gives opportunity for guests and observers from other churches to introduce themselves. They include:
Mr. Richard Terpstra - Community Reformed Bible Church, Highland, IN
Rev. Chris Aunglai Matu - The Christian Reformed Church of Myanmar (Burma)
Rev. Bradd Nymeyer - Phoenix Independent Reformed Church, AZ
Mr. Bernard H. Kamerman -Phoenix Independent Reformed Church, AZ
Mr. Harvey Terpstra - Oak Glen Covenant Community Reformed Church, Lansing, IL
Rev. Clarence Werkema - United Reformed Church of Champlain Valley, VT
Mr. Gerrit Nop - United Reformed Church of Champlain Valley, VT
Mr. Cornie Dykema - United Reformed Church of Champlain Valley, VT
Mr. Jeff Pols - Mid-America Reformed Seminary, Dyer, IN
Rev. Dr. Allen W. Elder - Pleasant Valley Church, Longmont, CO
Rev. Tim Bero - Community OPC, Kalamazoo, MI
ARTICLE 6
TIME SCHEDULE
A motion is made and supported to adopt the time schedule as proposed on the agenda: Tuesday, 1:30-5:30 p.m., 7:00-9:00 p.m.; and Wednesday, 8:00 a.m. to Noon. Breaks at 3:30 p.m. and 10:00 a.m.
- ADOPTED
ARTICLE 7
CLERK'S TERM
In light of Church Order Article 19, a motion is made and supported to set the term of the classical clerk to three years and that no one clerk may be eligible for more than two consecutive terms.
- ADOPTED
ARTICLE 8
ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Using open ballots (no nominations), Rev. Art Besteman is elected as vice president and Rev. Ralph Pontier is elected as clerk.
ARTICLE 9
EXAMINATION OF CANDIDATES
A motion is made and supported to proceed with the examinations of Mr. Philip Vos and Mr. Steve De Boer.
- ADOPTED
A. Since Mr. Philip Vos did not have a candidacy exam, his calling church arranged for a committee of four to evaluate three of his sermons. Rev. Besteman reads a sermon evaluation report (file 1.1) concerning Mr. Philip Vos. A motion is made and seconded to proceed with the exam.
- ADOPTED
B. Rev. Pontier reads a sermon evaluation report (file 1.2) from Mr. Steve De Boer's candidacy exam. A motion is made and supported to proceed with the exam.
- ADOPTED
C. Rev. Julien examines both candidates in the area of practica. Opportunity is given for questions from the floor. A motion is made and supported to proceed.
- ADOPTED
D. Rev. Pontier examines both candidates in the area of church polity. Opportunity is given for questions from the floor. A motion is made and supported to proceed.
- ADOPTED
E. Rev. Kuiken examines both candidates in the area of confessional knowledge. Opportunity is given for questions from the floor. A motion is made and supported to proceed.
- ADOPTED
(The exam is resumed in Article 13.)
ARTICLE 10
Rev. Besteman leads in prayer and the assembly recesses for a delicious meal served by the members of Covenant URC.
ARTICLE 11
A. The president opens the evening meeting with singing PH 441 Jesus Priceless Treasure and PH 398 The Church's One Foundation. Rev. Vander Meulen leads in prayer.
B. The concept minutes are read and approved.
ARTICLE 12
A motion is made and supported to change the order of the day and begin at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday morning.
- ADOPTED
ARTICLE 13
EXAMINATION OF CANDIDATES (cont. from Art. 9)
A. Rev. Wesseling examines both candidates in the area of Reformed doctrine. Opportunity is given for questions from the floor. A motion is made and supported to proceed.
- ADOPTED
B. Rev. Besteman examines the candidates in the area of ethics. Opportunity is given for questions from the floor.
ARTICLE 14
EXECUTIVE SESSION
A. The president declares executive session.
B. A motion is made and supported to declare Mr. Steve De Boer eligible for ordination in the United Reformed Churches.
- ADOPTED
C. A motion is made and supported to declare Mr. Philip Vos eligible for ordination in the United Reformed Churches.
- ADOPTED
D. Executive session is ended and the president announces the results. Opportunity is given for delegates and visitors to congratulate the candidates.
ARTICLE 15
Rev. Wesseling closes the evening session with prayer and the delegates sing the doxology.
WEDNESDAY, April 9, A.D. 1997
ARTICLE 16
A. Mr. Herm Scholten leads the delegates in singing PH 286 With Grateful Hearts My Thanks I Bring and PH 479 I Love Thy Kingdom Lord. He reads Psalm 112:1-6 and leads in prayer.
B. The concept minutes are read and approved.
C. Mr. Henry Knibbe replaces Mr. Al Nagel (Kalamazoo), Mr. Marvin Prins replaces Mr. Dave Broene (Eastmanville), and Rev. Jay Wesseling replaces Rev. Stephen Arrick (Hudsonville). The three new delegates sign the Form Of Subscription.
ARTICLE 17
Rev. Russell Sybesma of International Aid addresses classis concerning the relief work of that agency. Promotional materials are made available.
ARTICLE 18
Dr. R. David Ludwick, executive director of Christ For Russia, addresses classis concerning their work in training pastors. Promotional materials are made available.
ARTICLE 19
OAK GLEN OVERTURE - ECUMENICAL RELATIONSHIPS
A motion is made and supported to adopt the following overture with its grounds:
The Council of the Oak Glen Covenant Community Reformed Church overtures the classis of the Midwest of the United Reformed Churches in North America to overture synod to pursue the establishment of ecumenical relations with the following ecclesiastical federations:
1. The Canadian Reformed Churches
2. The Free Reformed Churches
3. The Orthodox Christian Reformed Churches
4. The Orthodox Presbyterian Church
5. The Presbyterian Church in America
6. The Protestant Reformed Churches
7. The Reformed Church in the United States
8. The Reformed Presbyterian Church of North AmericaGROUNDS:
1. The Lord calls us to manifest visibly our spiritual unity with congregations sharing our common bond of faith. Furthermore, this unity should strive for the mutual edification of member congregations as well as the development of an effective witness to the world. (John 17:20-23; I Corinthians 12:12; Ephesians 4:1-6; 4:11-16; Philippians 2.1-2).
2. Our Reformed confessions reflect the ancient ecumenical creeds concerning "one holy catholic and apostolic Church." (Belgic Confession, Articles 27, 28 and 29; Heidelberg Catechism, Lord's Day 21).
3. By engaging in ecumenical relations, as defined in Articles 33, 34, and 35 of the Church Order, we intend to accomplish the following:
a. To advise one another regarding questions and problems of import pertaining to the spiritual welfare and the Scriptural government of the churches;
b. To confer together, as far as advisability or necessity may require, regarding missionary work of the churches at home and abroad;
c. To strive to attain a common course of action with respect to common problems; likewise to issue joint resolutions regarding movements, practices or dangers, when joint statements are deemed necessary.
d. To give united testimony to our common Reformed faith in the midst of a world living in error and groping in darkness, particularly to the many churches which have so lamentably departed from the truth of God's Holy Word, and which are in dire need of a return to the faith of the fathers.
e. To express our precious unity in Christ and our oneness as Reformed churches, though scattered over the earth. (Cf. Acts of the Reformed Ecumenical Synod, 1963, p. 130.)
- ADOPTED
ARTICLE 20
MATTERS OF STRUCTURE
The synodical committee on Matters Of Structure distributes a report. The report is received for information.
ARTICLE 21
RULES OF PROCEDURE
A. A motion is made and supported to appoint a small committee to draft classical procedural guidelines.
- ADOPTED
B. The officers appoint Rev. Pontier to draft rules of procedure based on the rules of procedure used by the Alliance of Reformed Churches and traditional classical and synodical rules. A draft will be circulated to the other officers, Mr. Peter Moen and the next convening consistory for editing and suggested revision and then be proposed to the next meeting of classis as part of the printed agenda.
ARTICLE 22
Rev. Julien gives a report on recent developments in the United Reformed Churches. There were 37 congregations at the time of the first synod last October. Nine other congregations have joined since then and there are several others giving serious consideration to joining.
ARTICLE 23
EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR ADVICE
Advice is given on three discipline cases presented to classis.
ARTICLE 24
A motion is made and supported that classis establish ecumenical relations as defined by the Articles 33, 34, 35 of the Church Order with those ecclesiastical federations listed in the amended overture submitted by Oak Glen.
- DEFEATED
ARTICLE 25
NEXT MEETING
A. A motion is made and supported to set the next classis meeting for Tuesday August 5, 1997 beginning at 8:00 a.m. with an agenda deadline of June 23.
- ADOPTED
B. A motion is made and supported to accept the invitation of the Beverly United Reformed Church, Wyoming, Michigan to host our next meeting of classis.
- ADOPTED
ARTICLE 26
FINANCIAL MATTERS
A. A motion is made and supported to appoint a classical treasurer for a three year period. The motion was referred to the committee appointed to draft classical rules of procedure.
B. A motion was made and supported that the churches of classis take an offering or make a donation toward classical expenses and that they be forwarded to the treasurer of Redeemer URC, Orange City.
- ADOPTED
ARTICLE 27
Mr. Jeff Pols addresses classis on behalf of Mid-America Reformed Seminary and introduces Rev. Chris Aunglai Matu of the Christian Reformed Church in Myanmar. He also addresses classis.
ARTICLE 28
CO ARTICLE 25 QUESTIONS
The president reads the questions of Church Order Article 25 and the clerk calls the roll, giving each church opportunity to answer each question. All the questions are answered to the satisfaction of classis.
ARTICLE 29
CLOSING MATTERS
A. The concept minutes are read and approved.
B. The vice-president speaks words of appreciation for the work of the president.
C. The president expresses words of appreciation to the host church and leads the assembly in singing PH 166 Zion Founded On The Mountain. The clerk leads in closing prayer.
Respectfully submitted,
Ralph A. Pontier
Clerk of Classis
Notes from the Clerk:
1. The next agenda deadline is June 23. The clerk requests that all overtures be submitted in two forms: both a printed copy and an electronic copy. The electronic copy can be either on a 3 1/2" disk mailed to the clerk or the overture can be transmitted by e-mail to: "rpontier@rconnect.com". Whether on disk or by e-mail, the material should be in ASCII or DOS text format and all copies should be submitted by the deadline.
The mailing address for the clerk is:
4608 Jackson Avenue
Orange City Iowa 51041
Phone: 712-737-4901
FAX: 712-737-3350
2. Gifts or offerings for classical expenses should be sent to:
Redeemer Church
4608 Jackson Avenue
Orange City, Iowa 51041Checks should be made out to: Redeemer United Reformed Church
Memo line: Classical Expenses
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