Classis Michigan
Classis Michigan
11th Meeting
Minutes Classis Michigan
Classis Michigan
11th Meeting
Minutes| Chairman | Rev. Peter Adams |
| Vice-Chairman | Rev. Steve McGee |
| Clerk | Rev. W. H. Oord |
| Treasurer | Mr. Clarence Kamstra |
Chairman Rev. Peter Adams began the meeting by reading Colossians 1:3-14 and offering prayer.
| Church | Minister | Elder |
| Allendale | Rev. Mark Zylstra | Mr. Gary Fisher |
| Alto - Grace | Rev. Peter Adams | Mr. Paul Webster |
| Byron Center - Covenant | Rev. Steve McGee | Mr. Lonnie Vis |
| Caledonia - Trinity | Rev. Brian Vos | Mr. Al Baker |
| Dutton | Rev. Paul Murphy | Mr. Walt De Lange |
| Eastmanville | Rev. Steve De Boer | Mr. J. Van Timmeran |
| Hudsonville - Cornerstone | Mr. Elmer De Weerd Mr. John Velthouse |
|
| Jenison - Bethel | Rev. Derrick Vander Meulen | Mr. M. Vanden Berg |
| Kalamazoo - Covenant | Rev. Wybren Oord | Mr. Henry Knibbe |
| Olive Center - Faith | Mr. Jim Raak Mr. R. Vander Zwaag |
|
| Walker | Rev. Joel Vander Kooi | Mr. Morris Versluis |
| Wyoming - Bethany | Rev. Casey Freswick | Mr. Gerald: Rozema |
Classis was declared constituted and first time delegates signed the Form of Subscription.
The chairman welcomed guests and visitors. They included emeritus pastors Revs. Art Besteman, Ed Knott, and Sy Voortman. Also present were Rev. Zachary Anderson, Pastor of Seventh Reformed Church in Grand Rapids; Rev. Bill Brander, member of Cornerstone URC; and Mr. Paul Wagenmaker, member of the church plant in Muskegon.
The proposed time schedule was adopted.
The chairman appointed Rev. Steve De Boer, Elder Walt De Lange, and Elder Paul Webster to the Credentials Committee.
The oral report of the clerk is received for information.
a. The Treasurer's Report is distributed and explained.
b. Mr. Kamstra explains the need for more funds.
c. Mr. Kamstra informs the classis that he will serve as treasurer for another six months and that a new treasurer should be elected at the next meeting.
Church Visitors report on their visit to the Dutton United Reformed Church.
a. The Overture
The Consistory of the Cornerstone United Reformed Church of Hudsonville respectfully requests that the following overture be placed on the agenda for the next scheduled meeting of Classis Michigan;
That Classis Michigan establish a Classical Missions Committee to coordinate and promote missions among the churches of Classis Michigan.
We bring this request to classis based on Report 4, Biblical and Confessional view of Missions which was adopted at Synod 2001. Section IV, paragraph B sets forth the Joint Venture Model (pages 108-112 minutes of Synod 2001).
Cornerstone currently is involved with three missionary projects (Rev. Poelman, the John Emelander family and the Muskegon church plant) and feel strongly that our neighboring churches (Classis Michigan) should become involved in these efforts.
b. AMMAS [a motion is made and supported] to accede to the overture.
c. AMMAS to table the motion.
- Carried
AMMAS to appoint a committee to study the feasibility and propriety of a Classical Missions Committee and to come to the next meeting with recommendations. Also, that should the committee decide that classis should have a Classical Missions Committee, that the committee provide a mandate and guidelines for such a committee.
- Adopted
a. The following are approved as members of the ad hoc mission committee:
i. Rev. Peter Adams
ii. Rev. Casey Freswick
iii. Rev. Steve McGee
iv. Mr. John Velthouse
v. Mr. Paul Wagenmaker
vi. One more person from Cornerstone URC.
b. AMMAS to have Rev. Peter Adams serve as the chairman.
- Carried
c. A time for questions and suggestions for the committee was given.
a. The Overture
The Consistory of Grace URC overtures Classis Michigan to discuss and give direction to the consistories of classis concerning Classis Meetings that have no items on the agenda.
1. Should such classis meetings be postponed until the next scheduled classis?
2. Should the convening consistory be allowed to put together a seminar beneficial to office bearers in place of or in conjunction with the scheduled classis meeting?
3. What should be the guidelines for such meetings?
Grounds:
Grace URC was the convening consistory for the Spring 2002 Classis Meeting. We were advised by the clerk that there was no pending business. We felt uneasy about postponing the classis meeting because our rules mandate that- we meet twice annually. Yet we did not think it was prudent to meet just to meet. We also were unsure about substituting an alternative program in the name of Classis Michigan without prior discussion and approval. We would like to see classical guidelines for such an eventuality if it happens again in the future.
b. AMMAS to move toward the discussion of Overture Two: to give direction to consistories when classis meetings have no items for an agenda.
- Carried
a. Question One of Overture Two is discussed.
b. AMMAS to change the Rules of Procedure, Page 3, Item B to read: "Classis shall [ordinarily] convene at least twice annually at a time and place determined by the previous classis" (Change in brackets).
- Carried
a. Question Two of Overture Two is discussed.
b. AMMAS that convening consistories be allowed to put together a seminar beneficial to office bearers in place of the scheduled classis meeting.
- Defeated
a. The Overture
The Council of the Covenant United Reformed Church in Byron Center overtures classis to set up a committee to look into the possibility of having a student seminarian fund to assist churches that may have this need in the future.
b. AMMAS to accede to the overture.
- Carried
a. AMMAS to have Classis Michigan set up a committee to look into the possibility of having a student seminarian fund.
- Carried
b. The classis approved the following as members of the committee:
i. Elder Lonnie Vis, chairman
ii. A member of the Cornerstone Council
iii. A member of the Dutton Council
iv. The Classical Treasurer
c. Suggestions were given to the committee.
a. Rev. Derrick Vander Meulen and Rev. Steve McGee gave a report concerning the call Rev. McGee had accepted from the Bethel URC to serve as a teacher/missionary to Trinidad. Rev. McGee will be teaching at the Grace Bible College along with evangelism and church planting. Another $40,000 needs to be raised for Rev. McGee's support. Lord willing, the McGees hope to be able to move to Trinidad by March.
b. Rev. Besteman offered a prayer in which he gave thanks to the Lord for giving us an opportunity to minister in Trinidad and for the calling given to Rev. McGee. He also prayed that Lord would guide and lead Rev. McGee in this ministry.
The Credentials Committee reported that the credentials were in good order and that several churches were asking for advice from classis.
a. The Eastmanville Council asked for advice concerning a member of their congregation.
b. AMMAS that classis advise the Eastrnanville Consistory to visit with the family once more, informing them of the gravity of removing themselves from the Church of Jesus Christ, and, if there is no change in their behavior, to proceed with the first step of discipline.
- Carried
a. The Bethany URC Council requested advice in proceeding with exclusion (as per Church Order Article 59) regarding a baptized member of the congregation.
b. AMMAS to advise the Bethany Consistory to proceed to the second step of discipline.
- Carried
a. The Dutton URC Council requested advice in proceeding with exclusion (as per Church Order Article 59) regarding a baptized member of the congregation.
b. AMMAS to advise the Dutton Consistory to proceed to the second step of discipline.
- Carried
A request from Walker URC for funds for a seminarian was referred to the ad hoc committee dealing with student funds.
a. The Walker URC Council sought the advice of classis in a discipline case involving a professing member of their congregation.
b. AMMAS to advise the Walker Consistory to proceed to the second step of discipline.
- Carried
The chairman ably recalled Synod's view of "lapsing" and "erasing" members in contrast to the Church Order's procedure of excommunication and exclusion.
Church Order Article 26 questions are asked of each council.
The concept minutes were read and approved.
a. The next meeting will be at the Covenant URC in Byron Center.
b. AMMAS to have the next meeting on March 11, 2003.
The Vice-Chairman thanked the chairman for his work in leading the brothers. He also thanked the church for their hospitality.
Rev. Oord closed the meeting with prayer.
The meeting was adjourned and the delegates sang the Doxology.
Chairman of the ad hoc Mission Committee: Elder Lonnie Vis
[visfarm@aol.com]
Chairman of the ad hoc Student Fund Comm.: Rev. Peter Adams
[graceurc@juno:com]
Next Meeting: Tuesday March 11, 2003
Location: Covenant United Reformed Church, Byron Center
Material should be in the hands of the clerk by: January 14, 2003
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