Classis Michigan Classis Midwest 2nd Meeting Minutes Classis Michigan Classis Midwest 2nd Meeting MinutesMINUTES
of the 2nd meeting of
CLASSIS MIDWEST
of the
UNITED REFORMED CHURCHES IN NORTH AMERICA
meeting
AUGUST 5, A.D. 1997
at the
BEVERLY UNITED REFORMED CHURCH, WYOMING, MICHIGAN
ARTICLE 1
Rev. Art Besteman, president of the day, calls the meeting to order and opens with singing Psalm 87 (PH 166) Zion Founded On The Mountains, with reading Ephesians 1:15-23 and with prayer.
ARTICLE 2
The president requests the clerk to call the roll of the churches. The credentials reveal the following delegates present.
Church / Minister Delegates / Elder Delegates
Allendale, MI / / Mr. Gary Fisher, Mr. Lee Dyke
Alto, MI / Rev. Peter Adams / Mr. Bruce Brink
Byron Center, MI / / Mr. Percy De Kam, Mr. John Mulder
Cape Coral, FL / Rev. Richard Stevens /
Delavan, WI / / Mr. Andy Elgersma
De Motte, IN / Rev. Thomas Wetselaar / Mr. Jack De Vries
Doon, IA / / Mr. Berwyn Van Otterloo, Mr. Vern Van Oort
Eastmanville, MI / Rev. Steve De Boer / Mr. John Van Timmeren
Ferrisburg, VT / / Mr. Harold Mishkit, Mr. Gary Elzinga
Grant Park, IL / Mr. Douglas Disselkoen / Mr. Don Woldhuis
Highland, IN / / Mr. Don Terpstra, Mr. Edward De Boer
Holland, MI / Rev. Wybren Oord / Mr. Ron Telman
Hudsonville, MI / Rev. Stephen Arrick / Mr. John Sterk
Jenison, MI / Rev. Derrick Vander Meulen / Mr. Willis Van Dyke
Kalamazoo, MI / Rev. Philip Vos / Mr. Henry Knibbe
Lansing, IL / Rev. Mark Vander Hart / Mr. Harvey Terpstra
Longmont, CO / Rev. Allen Elder /
Loveland, CO / Rev. Dale Piers / Mr. Gary Vander Wal
Lynwood, IL / Rev. Jerome Julien / Mr. Donald Zylstra
Newton, NJ / Rev. Casey Feswick / Mr. Roger Frey
Orange City, IA / Rev. Ralph Pontier / Mr. Dennis Oolman
Phoenix, AZ / Rev. Bradd Nymeyer /
Pomptain Plains, NJ / Rev. Richard Kuiken / Mr. Herm Steenstra
Sanborn, IA / Rev. Harry Zekveld / Mr. Richard Balt
South Holland, IL / / Mr. Jake Van Eck, Mr. Jack Cook
Walnut Creek, CA / / Mr. Don Paauw, Mr. Jack Kamphuis
Wyoming, MI / Rev. Arthur Besteman / Mr. Gerrit Kortman
ARTICLE 3
The president declares classis constituted. He extends special words of welcome to ten churches present for the first time. He also welcomes the guests and visitors.
ARTICLE 4
SIGNING OF THE FORM OF SUBSCRIPTION
The president requests those delegates present for the first time to sign the Form Of Subscription.
ARTICLE 5
STATED CLERK'S REPORT
A. The stated clerk distributes and reads a report on his work since the last meeting of classis (file 2.1).
B. A motion is made and supported to allow Rev. Vander Hart five minutes to speak about the work of the "Christ For Myanmar Mission Committee."
- DEFEATED
C. A motion is made and supported to allow the agenda and minutes of classis to be posted on the WEB page (yet to be created) of Covenant URC, Kalamazoo.
- ADOPTED
D. A financial summary (file 2.2) is received for information showing total receipts of $1,154.95, total expenditures of $158.08, and a balance on hand of $996.87.
E. A motion is made and supported to approve the work of the stated clerk.
- ADOPTED
ARTICLE 6
EXAMINATION OF MR. BRIAN VOS
A. The credentials of Mr. Vos, which were mailed to the delegates earlier, are declared to be in order.
B. Rev. Besteman reads a sermon evaluation report (file 2.3). A motion is made and supported to proceed with the exam.
- ADOPTED
C. Rev. Knott examines Mr. Vos in the area of practica. Opportunity is given for questions from the floor. A motion is made and supported to proceed.
- ADOPTED
D. Rev. Arrick examines Mr. Vos in the area of Bible knowledge. Opportunity is given for questions from the floor. A motion is made and supported to proceed.
- ADOPTED
E. Rev. Vander Meulen examines Mr. Vos in the area of biblical exegesis. Opportunity is given for questions from the floor. A motion is made and supported to proceed.
- ADOPTED
F. Rev. Oord examines Mr. Vos in the area of confessional knowledge. Opportunity is given for questions from the floor. A motion is made and supported to proceed.
- ADOPTED
G. Rev. Leestma begins to examine Mr. Vos in the area of Reformed doctrine. (The exam is continued in Art. 9.)
ARTICLE 7
Mr. Gerrit Kortman leads in prayer and the assembly recesses for a delicious meal served by the members of Beverly URC.
ARTICLE 8
Rev. Zekveld opens the afternoon meeting with reading Isaiah 53, the singing of Psalm 22 (PH 36) The Ends Of All the Earth Shall Hear and with prayer.
ARTICLE 9
EXAMINATION OF MR. VOS (cont. from Art. 6)
A. Rev. Leestma continues to examine Mr. Vos 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. Zekveld examines Mr. Vos in the area of church history. Opportunity is given for questions from the floor. A motion is made and supported to proceed.
- ADOPTED
C. Rev. Wesseling examines Mr. Vos in the area of ethics. Opportunity is given for questions from the floor.
ARTICLE 10
EXECUTIVE SESSION
A. The president declares executive session.
B. A motion is made and supported to declare that Mr. Brian Douglas Vos has sustained his candidacy examination. After prayer by the president, the delegates vote by ballot.
- ADOPTED
C. A motion is made and supported to waive Candidate Vos' ordination exam since it would take place in the same classis. (He has accepted the call of Trinity URC, Byron Center, conditional upon successfully sustaining his exam[s].)
- ADOPTED
D. Executive session is ended. The president announces the results. Opportunity is given for delegates and visitors to congratulate the candidate and his wife.
ARTICLE 11
RULES OF PROCEDURE
A motion is made and supported to adopted the proposed Rules Of Procedure.
- ADOPTED
ARTICLE 12
TREASURER
A motion is made and supported to appoint Mr. Clarence Kamstra as classical treasurer for a three year term.
- ADOPTED
ARTICLE 13
OVERTURE 1. Limit Term of Denominational Clerk
The following overture with its grounds is moved and supported:
The council of Bethel URC (Jenison, MI) overtures Classis Midwest to overture Synod 1997 to specify the term of office of the Stated Clerk of the U.R.C.N.A. to be for 3 years, and that any one Stated Clerk may not be eligible for more than 2 consecutive terms.
Grounds:
1. Article 19 of the Church Order encourages the broader assemblies to specify these terms;
2. By having a constricted term of office no one person will receive or be able to exercise undue power or influence.
- ADOPTED
ARTICLE 14
OVERTURE 2. Create Smaller Classes
A. The following overture with its grounds is moved and supported:
The Council of the Lynwood United Reformed Church overtures Classis Midwest to overture the 1997 Synod of the United Reformed Churches in North America to realign the classes of the URC, making them smaller in size (perhaps five to ten churches, if possible) and more regional in composition. For example, there could be a classis in Western Michigan, one in the Illinois/Indiana/Wisconsin area, several in Ontario, etc.
Grounds:
1. With our continued growth in number of churches, such a division becomes possible. (We have grown to 51 congregations, and more are coming.)
2. Smaller and regional classes are more economical because travel expense will not be as great. (Travel expenses, especially in the large U.S. classis can be burdensome.)
3. Smaller and regional classes are easier to schedule for meetings.
4. Smaller and regional classes will keep one classis from becoming more powerful. Historically, Reformed churches were partial to this arrangement for this reason.
B. A motion is made and supported to delete the words in parenthesis, "perhaps five to ten churches, if possible"
- ADOPTED
C. The motion as amended is:
- ADOPTED
ARTICLE 15
OVERTURE 3. Revise CO Art 33 Fraternal Relations
A. The following overture with its grounds is moved and supported:
The Cornerstone Orthodox Reformed Church overtures Classis Midwest to overture the Synod to revise Article 33 of the Church Order to read: Churches are encouraged to pursue ecumenical relations with reformed churches outside of the federation which manifest the marks of the true church and demonstrate faithful allegiance to Scripture as summarized in the Three Forms of Unity.
Each church is to give an account of its ecumenical activities to the church visitors.
Grounds:
1. This helps to clear up the ambiguity of Article 33 that has been demonstrated at synod and classis.
2. This removes from the local church the excessive oversight of classis presently mandated by Article 33.
3. It keeps the local church accountable to the classis for its ecumenical activities.
4. When taken together with Articles 34 and 35, this revision encourages initiative for reformed ecumenism at the local level in addition to the classical and synodical levels.
5. It serves to guard against the wrongheaded "executive ecumenism" of liberalizing communions.
B. The overture is referred to the following committee so that the proposed change in the Church Order may be reworded: Revs. Knott and Kuiken and Elders John Sterk and Jack Kamphuis with the delegates from Sanborn to be present.
(Continued in Art. 23)
ARTICLE 16
OVERTURE 4. Classical Reimbursement
The following overture with its grounds is moved and supported:
The Cornerstone Orthodox Reformed Church of Sanborn, IA, overtures Classis Midwest to offer standard reimbursement only in housekeeping matters. Reimbursements shall be offered for travel expenses (according to the form of travel of lowest cost), clerical expenses, the expenses of hosting classis, and honorariums.
Grounds:
1. This will help to limit classical expenses.
2. This will prevent classis from assuming the expenses of ministries that belong to the local church.
- ADOPTED
ARTICLE 17
OVERTURE 5. Denominational Reimbursement
The following overture with its grounds is moved and supported:
The Cornerstone Orthodox Reformed Church of Sanborn, IA, overtures classis Midwest to overture Synod to offer standard reimbursement only in housekeeping matters. Reimbursements shall be offered for travel expenses (according to the form of travel of lowest cost), clerical expenses, the expenses of hosting synod, and honorariums.
Grounds:
1. This will help to limit synodical expenses.
2. This will prevent synod from assuming expenses of ministries that belong to the local church.
- DEFEATED
ARTICLE 18
Rev. Adams leads in prayer and the delegates recess for a delicious supper served by the members of the Beverly URC.
ARTICLE 19
Mr. Herm Steenstra leads in prayer for the evening session.
ARTICLE 20
OVERTURE 6. Classical Funding
The following overture with its grounds is moved and supported:
The Cornerstone Orthodox Reformed Church of Sanborn, IA, overtures Classis Midwest to adopt a system of financial stewardship based on the free-will giving of the churches without establishing anything on the order of quotas. The treasurer of the classis shall make known the need and the churches shall be asked to respond to that need each according to its ability.
Grounds:
1. This is the system of financial stewardship indicated among the New Testament churches in matters of mutual concern (cf. II Corinthians 8 & 9).
2. We should try to avoid any system of financial accountability among the churches that might be viewed as compulsory.
3. Churches will be more apt to keep expenses down if funds are made available according to need rather than according to precept.
4. As the financial needs of classis become better known, the churches will then be able to budget as they deem appropriate, thus allowing financial obligations to be decided locally.
- ADOPTED
ARTICLE 21
OVERTURE 7. Denominational Funding
The following overture with is grounds is moved and supported:
The Cornerstone Orthodox Reformed Church of Sanborn, IA, overtures Classis Midwest to overture the Synod to adopt a system of financial stewardship based on the free-will giving of the churches without establishing anything on the order of quotas. The treasurer of the Synod shall make known the need and the churches shall be asked to respond to that need each according to its ability.
Grounds:
1. This is the system of financial stewardship indicated among the New Testament churches in matters of mutual concern (cf. II Corinthians 8 & 9).
2. We should try to avoid any system of financial accountability among the churches that might be viewed as compulsory.
3. Churches will be more apt to keep expenses down if funds are made available according to need rather than according to precept.
4. As the financial needs of synods become better known, the churches will then be able to budget as they deem appropriate, thus allowing financial obligations to be decided locally.
- ADOPTED
ARTICLE 22
A motion is made and supported to reconsider Overture 4.
- DEFEATED
ARTICLE 23
OVERTURE 3 (cont. from Art. 15)
The following rewording for CO Art. 33 is proposed for forwarding to synod:
It shall read: Congregations are encouraged to pursue official ecclesiastical relations with Reformed congregations outside of the federation which manifest the marks of the true church and demonstrate faithful allegiance to Scripture as summarized in the Three Forms of Unity. Each congregation is to give an account of its ecumenical activities to classis. Fraternal activities between congregations which need not be reported to classis may include pulpit exchange, table fellowship, membership transfer, as well as other means of manifesting unity.
- ADOPTED
ARTICLE 24
OVERTURE 8. Closer Ties With OPC
The following overture with is grounds is moved and supported:
The Cornerstone Orthodox Reformed Church of Sanborn, IA, overtures Classis Midwest to overture the Synod to study the Confessional Standards and Form of Government of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church with regard to the similarities and differences between them and the Confessional Standards and Church Order of the United Reformed Churches in North America in order to work toward ecclesiastical unity with the Orthodox Presbyterian Church.
Grounds:
1. At its 1997 General Assembly the Orthodox Presbyterian Church expressed its close affinity with the United Reformed Churches in North America when it severed ties with the Christian Reformed Church in North America and voted to begin fraternal correspondence with URCNA.
2. We need to build upon a long history of seeking ecclesiastical unity with the Orthodox Presbyterian Church which began in the Christian Reformed Church and continued for many years until it was prematurely cut off in 1963 when the CRC Synod rejected the recommendations of the Committee on Closer Relationships with the Orthodox Presbyterian Church (see appended report and Recommendations taken from the 1963 Acts of Synod, pp. 274-282 [not reprinted in these minutes, RAP]). Unity with the OPC was once again pursued when the Alliance of Reformed Churches studied the confessional similarities and differences and in 1994 and 1995 adopted the Westminster Standards as part of its Confessional basis.
- ADOPTED
ARTICLE 25
OVERTURE 9. Establish New Classis
The following overture with is grounds is moved and supported:
The Cornerstone Orthodox Reformed Church of Sanborn, IA, overtures Classis Midwest to overture Synod to establish a new classis consisting of the churches that are in a region west of the Illinois-Iowa boundary.
Grounds:
1. There are enough churches in this area of the Midwest to constitute a classis.
2. Presently, the distance between the churches in Classis Midwest is great and the cost of meeting semi-annually is prohibitive.
- DEFEATED
ARTICLE 26
OVERTURE 10. Grandfather Clause For Evangelists
The following overture with its grounds is moved and supported:
Redeemer United Reformed Church of Orange City overtures Classis Midwest to overture synod concerning any church which is admitted into the United Reformed Churches which already has an ordained evangelist working under its supervision, to allow that church to continue the evangelist in office according to its own rules even though the United Reformed Churches do not recognize the office of evangelist. This permission shall be limited as follows:
a. The office of evangelist in that church shall be terminated when the position becomes vacant.
b. The evangelist's supervision shall be an entirely internal matter with his calling church.
c. The evangelist shall not exercise his office outside the field to which he has been called.
Grounds:
1. This permission will help minimize potential impediments to churches considering membership in the United Reformed Churches. At least one church considering membership in the United Reformed Churches has an ordained evangelist.
2. By requiring that the office be terminated when the position becomes vacant, this permission seeks to uphold the high standards embodied in the Church Order for those who would preach the Word of God, namely a seminary education including training in the original languages of Scripture, something not required for the office of evangelist where that office is recognized.
3. This permission is preferable to having the church "upgrade" the evangelist's office to that of minister of the Word before entering the federation.
- ADOPTED
ARTICLE 27
OVERTURE 11. Revise CO Art. 31 Classis To Approve Reception Of New Churches
The following overture with its grounds is moved and supported:
Trinity Reformed Church of Cape Coral, Florida, respectfully requests that Classis Midwest overture Synod to amend article 31 of the Church Order in the following manner:
Instead of the last sentence reading: "Any such church shall be recommended by the sponsoring classis to the synod and shall be received into membership upon approval by a majority vote," change the last sentence to read:
Any such church shall be received into membership upon approval by a majority vote of classis.
Grounds:
1. If synod meets only once in three years, as in art. 27, it is conceivable that a congregation wanting to join the federation may have to wait almost three years for admittance, an unreasonable delay.
2. Even if synod meets annually, a congregation wanting to unite with the federation may be under undue constraints to disunite with another denomination in a timely manner if it had to wait almost a year.
3. Vesting the power of federation in the classis is in keeping with the rest of the Church Order's intention of reposing power and authority in the lower assemblies, granting synod only delegated responsibilities.
a. Article 21. The organization of a congregation takes place under the supervision of a neighboring consistory and with advice of classis.
b. Article 29. The withdrawal of a congregation from the federation requires only a written statement to its classis.
c. Articles 25 and 26. The need of a consistory for help and advice is taken care of at the classical level. The assistance that directs "all things toward the peace, edification, and greatest profit of the churches" reflects the essential fellowship that congregations have in classis.
- ADOPTED
ARTICLE 28
OVERTURE 12. Revise CO Art 45 Missionaries Other Than Ministers Of The Word
The following overture with is grounds is moved and supported:
Trinity Reformed Church of Cape Coral, Florida, respectfully requests that Classis Midwest overture synod to amend article 45 of the Church Order as follows:
Replace the phrase "ministers of the Word" by the word "those." The sentence will then read: When this task is to be performed beyond the field of an organized church, it is to be carried out by those set apart to this labor, who are called, supported, and supervised by their consistories.
Grounds:
1. It is realistic to expect that the great missionary enterprise of the church encompasses the support of many workers whose main task is not preaching the Word, but whose work is essential to that preaching. Such workers as teachers, translators, medical personnel, and maintenance workers need support on a foreign field, and they are properly designated "missionaries" in the work they do. The main difference between a pastor of a church here and a missionary preaching abroad is that the "home-based missionary" receives supportive services from personnel in the congregation or community.
2. If the intent of the Church Order is that those sent to a foreign mission field to preach the Word must be ordained ministers of the Word, then the Order should state that.
- DEFEATED
ARTICLE 29
OVERTURE 13. Revises CO Art. 46 Do Not Require Liturgical Form for Marriages
The following overture with its grounds is moved and supported:
Trinity Reformed Church of Cape Coral, Florida, respectfully requests that Classis Midwest overture synod to amend article 46 of the Church Order by deleting the phrases: "under the regulation of the Consistory, with the use of the appropriate liturgical form."
Grounds:
1. The words "under the regulation of the Consistory" are pointless, since in actual practice the Consistory has little to say in regard to wedding ceremonies.
2. The concern of the Church that Christian marriage ceremonies be safeguarded from contamination by non-Christian elements is sufficiently addressed in the article without a restriction to the use of one particular form.
3. The insistence on the use of one form smacks of sacerdotalism, almost making a sacrament of marriage and implying that a particular ritual imposes sanctity upon the marriage union.
4. Such insistence insults the intelligence and/or spiritual discernment of ministers, as though they cannot be trusted to perform Christian marriages in a Christian manner.
5. Such insistence unnecessarily leaves a door open to unlawful departure from the Church Order by closing the door to thoughtful use of appropriate forms not using the sanctioned wording.
- DEFEATED
ARTICLE 30
Overture 14. Establish Church Help Fund
The following overture with its grounds is moved and supported:
The Council of the Trinity United Reformed Church of Walnut Creek, California overtures Classis Midwest, United Reformed Churches in North America (URCNA) to overture Synod to pursue the establishment and administration of a Church Help Fund, and include procedures to notify member churches of opportunities to voluntarily assist other developing URCNA congregations.
Grounds:
1. The Lord calls us to assist churches in need (Romans 15:25-27; II Cor. 8:1-15).
2. To enable churches to focus on the truth - "to reading, exhortation, to doctrine" (I Timothy 4:12-13)
3. The Lord calls us to visibly demonstrate our spiritual unity (Eph. 4:1-3). In addition, the introduction to the Church Order of the URCNA states: "The churches of the federation, although distinct, voluntarily display their unity by means of a common confession and church order. This is expressed as they cooperate and exercise mutual concern for one another." (Our emphasis added). Article 23 elaborates further: "Although congregations are distinct and equal and do not have dominion over each other, they ought to preserve fellowship with each other because they are all united with Christ, the spiritual and governing Head of the church." One opportunity to manifest this unity in Christ, and demonstrate God's grace, is for those churches, who are blessed, to have a means of voluntarily assisting other churches with fewer available resources - both materially and spiritually. This assistance is particularly important to churches without an adequate support base.
4. The Lord blesses those who give (I Cor. 16:1-3; II Cor. 9:6-15).
- DEFEATED
ARTICLE 31
Overture 15. Adopt Reformed Trumpet As Official Publication
The following overture with its grounds is moved and supported:
The Council of Beverly United Reformed Church, Wyoming, Michigan, hereby overtures Classis Midwest of the United Reformed Churches in North America to overture the Synod of the United Reformed Churches to adopt "The Reformed Trumpet" as the official publication of the United Reformed Churches in North America.
Grounds:
1. The Federation has a need for a publication for manifesting our spiritual unity and edifying and encouraging one another in our common faith. Acts 15:30-32; Rom. 14:19; I Cor. 12:12; Eph. 4:3; Phil. 2:1-5; I Thess. 5:11; and Heb. 10:24.
2. "The Reformed Trumpet" is an established publication in Classis Midwest of the United Reformed Churches and could easily be expanded.
3. "The Reformed Trumpet" is offered to the Federation for this purpose.
4. The United Reformed Churches would be given complete control of the "The Reformed Trumpet" and could adapt it to serve its own purposes.
- DEFEATED
ARTICLE 32
Overture 16. Establish Federation As A Tax-Free Corporation
The following overture with its grounds is moved and supported:
The Council of Beverly United Reformed Church, Wyoming, Michigan, overtures Classis to overture Synod that the federation, already established and recognized as the United Reformed Churches in North America, be permanently established as tax-free corporations in both the United States and Canada. These corporations then to be conjoined by a Joint Venture Agreement. The corporations will exist and be governed by By-laws to be adopted at a meeting of Synod, and the Church Order which was adopted at the organizational meeting of the federation in 1996. Officers of the corporation will be a President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer, and shall each serve for three (3) years, and no longer than two terms. As a combined Board they will meet together annually as required by both governments, and, if possible, to schedule such meetings at the time of the meeting of synod. Each officer, and the combined Board, apart from meeting the requirements of the respective governments, would have no more, or no less, responsibility or power than is given to them by a vote of Synod.
Grounds:
1. The concept of incorporation fulfills our Biblical mandate to do all things decently and in good order. I Corinthians 14:40.
2. The concept of incorporation has been included in all the documents from the beginning stages of the federation, and was not deleted from the mandate given to the structure committee by our first Synod.
3. Properties, such as FAX machine, copy machine, computers and other office equipment cannot be owned by a non-existent entity, and are necessary for our on-going work.
4. Funds collected, or donations given, to tax-exempt churches can be forwarded to another tax-exempt corporation, but cannot be transferred to a non-existent (legal) entity. Such a transfer could be questioned by the Internal Revenue Service in the United States and Revenue Canada in Canada.
5. The corporate name "The United Reformed Churches in North America" may be trademarked for our exclusive use. At the present time any church group may use this name.
6. The concept of incorporation is a means to an end and does not presuppose the development of a bureaucracy, as many fear. The Board of Corporate officers will have no more power than what Synod, representing all the churches, designates.
7. The present method of collecting funds and using designated churches as a receiving and disbursing agent is not an acceptable method of collecting and accounting of federation funds. Treasurers should be elected in both the United States and Canada so that an audited accounting can be given when synod meets.
8. Most of the mainline churches in the United States and Canada are, and have been, incorporated for many years. In the increasingly complex and regulatory society in which we exist the affairs of the federation must be conducted in a most scrupulous and legal way. This can be accomplished, in part by incorporation.
ADDENDUM:
RESPONSIBILITY OF OFFICERS
President:
1. To act as an official representative of the corporation as required by each civil government.
2. To call an annual meeting of all directors along with additional meetings as required.
3. To represent the federation whenever requested or appointed by Synod to do so.
Vice-president:
1. To assist the President in his duties.
2. To fill the position of President whenever the President is unable to fulfill his duties.
Secretary:
1. To keep records and minutes of all meetings held by the board.
2. To submit all annual reports required by the civil government and maintain records of the reports.
3. May also hold position of the Stated Clerk and be responsible for those duties.
4. To assist the Stated Clerk whenever possible.
5. To make sure the minutes of all Classis and Synod meetings are mailed to each church.
6. Give a report at each Synod meeting.
Treasurer:
1. To receive funds from donating churches and individuals to be distributed for federation needs.
2. Establish a checking account and money market fund to managed the funds.
3. Establish an address for churches and individuals to send funds.
4. To give financial report at each Synod meeting.
5. Keep accurate records of all funds received.
6. To send receipts to all churches or individuals who send funds.
- ADOPTED
ARTICLE 33
ICRC DELEGATION
A motion is made and supported to express approval of the delegation of Rev. J. Ganghar to the ICRC conference in Seoul, Korea later this year.
- ADOPTED
ARTICLE 34
CREDENTIALS
A. It is moved and supported to consider a late overture presented on the credentials of Cornerstone URC, Hudsonville.
- ADOPTED
B. The following overture with its grounds is moved and supported:
Cornerstone United Reformed Church of Hudsonville overtures Classis Midwest to overture synod concerning the addition of an article to the Church Order dealing with the advisability and regulations for holding congregational meetings.
Grounds:
1. Although the Church Order refers to the congregation taking action in certain matters, it does not provide for and explain the forum for such action.
2. The practice of churches holding at least annual congregation meetings is long-standing in our tradition.
3. Without the addition, the Church Order could be read in such a way as to support the position that the consistory should make unilateral decisions in all matters.
- DEFEATED
C. In response to a request for advice on a disciplinary matter, advice was given in executive session.
ARTICLE 35
The president asks the churches individually to answer whether the matters of CO Art. 25 are handled properly. Satisfactory answers are given by all those present.
ARTICLE 36
CLOSING MATTERS
A. Grace URC, Alto, Michigan is scheduled to host the next meeting of classis.
B. March 3, 1998 at 8:00 a.m. is scheduled as the date and time of the next meeting of classis.
C. The concept minutes are read and approved.
D. The president thanks the delegates for their cooperation and led in the singing of the doxology.
E. The vice-president thanked the chairman for his fair, efficient and skillful labors. He thanked the host church for their generous hospitality and closed with a reading from Philippians 2 and with prayer.
Respectfully submitted,
Ralph A. Pontier
Classis Midwest, stated clerk
Notes from the stated clerk:
1. The next agenda deadline is January 5. 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.
(I plan to be on vacation for the two weeks prior to the deadline, but don't let that stop you from sending a FAX or e-mail.)
The address for the stated clerk of classis is:
4608 Jackson Avenue Phone: 712-737-4901
Orange City Iowa 51041 FAX: 712-737-33502. Gifts or offerings for classical expenses should be sent to the new treasurer:
Mr. Clarence Kamstra
5115 Waterside Drive
Hudsonville, MI 49426Checks should be made out to: Classis Midwest
Information What's New Our Beliefs Sermons Literature U.R. Churches Classis Michigan Links Search Feedback Home