Classis Michigan
Classis Michigan
12th Meeting
Minutes Classis Michigan
Classis Michigan
12th Meeting
Minutes| Chairman | Rev. Art Besteman |
| Clerk | Rev. W. H. Oord |
| Vice-Chairman | Rev. Brian Vos |
| Treasurer | Mr. Clarence Kamstra |
Chairman Rev. Art Besteman began the meeting by reading Romans 10:14-21. He also led the delegates in the singing of Psalter Hymnal Number 267 “All Who With Heart Confiding” and offered prayer.
Presentation of Credentials and Roll Call of Delegates.
| Church | Minister | Elder |
| Allendale | Rev. Mark Zylstra | Mr. Gary Fisher |
| Alto - Grace | Rev. Peter Adams | Mr. Duane Sneller |
| Byron Center - Covenant | Mr. Doug Herrema Mr. Mark De Jonge |
|
| Caledonia - Trinity | Rev. Brian Vos | Mr. Ed Heerema |
| Dutton | Rev. Rick Miller | Mr. Don Verduin |
| Eastmanville | Rev. Steve De Boer | Mr. Fred Zandstra |
| Hudsonville - Cornerstone | Mr. John Velthouse Mr. Rol Mast |
|
| Jenison - Bethel | Rev. Derrick Vander Meulen | Mr. Will Van Dyke |
| Kalamazoo - Covenant | Rev. W. H. Oord | Mr. Steve De Vries |
| Olive Center - Faith | Mr. Bern Vander Zwaag Mr. Duane Veele |
|
| Walker | Rev. Joel Vander Kooi | Mr. Morris Versluis |
| Wyoming - Bethany | Rev. Casey Freswick | Mr. Tom Kooienga |
Classis was declared constituted and first time delegates signed the Form of Subscription.
The Chairman welcomed guests and visitors. They included the Revs. Fred Gunnink, Ed Knott, Rand Lankheet, and Jay Wesseling. Also present were RYS Director Ed De Graaf and Mid-America Reformed Seminary student Mr. Matt Nuiver.
The proposed time schedule was adopted.
The Chairman appointed the Elder Delegate from Grace (Mr. Duane Sneller) and the Elder Delegate from Trinity (Mr. Ed Heerema) to the Credentials Committee.
The oral report of the clerk was received for information.
a. The Financial Statement was distributed to the delegates.
b. The Treasurer made a plea for more funds.
c. The chairman reminded delegates that the churches of classis are requested to take one offering per year for classical expenses.
d. AMMAS [a motion made and supported] to authorize the Treasurer to reimburse the mileage of the Church Visitors at thirty-six cents per mile.
- approved
Mr. David Vander Meer introduced Mr. Bruce Dys who addressed the delegates concerning Priority Health. (Cf. Overture 1)
All matters found to be in good order, the Classis moved ahead with the examination of Mr. Gene Crow.
a. Rev. Besteman and Elder Mast reported that they had listened to Mr. Crow exhort on behalf of Classis.
b. Rev. Besteman presented a Sermon Evaluation.
c. AMMAS to approve the Sermon Evaluation and move to the next part of the exam.
- carried.
Rev. M. Zylstra led the classis in prayer asking that the Holy Spirit guide the Classis in the examination of Mr. Crow and that Mr. Crow would be able to articulate his thoughts.
a. Rev. E. Knott examined Candidate Crow in the area of Practica.
b. The Chairman offered an opportunity for the delegates to ask additional questions.
c. AMMAS to proceed with the examination.
- carried
a. Rev. P. Adams examined Candidate Crow in the area of Church Polity.
b. The Chairman offered an opportunity for the delegates to ask additional questions.
c. AMMAS to proceed to the next section of the interview.
- carried
Elder Mast led the Classis in prayer before the Lunch Break.
After lunch, Rev. Derrick Vander Meulen led the Classis in singing Psalter Hymnal Number 399 “Jesus Shall Reign” and offered prayer.
The Concept Minutes were read and approved.
a. Rev. C. Freswick examined Mr. Crow in the area of Confessional Knowledge.
b. The Chairman offered an opportunity for the delegates to ask additional questions.
c. AMMAS to proceed with the examination.
- carried
a. Rev. B. Vos examined Candidate Crow in the area of Reformed Doctrine.
b. The Chairman offered an opportunity for the delegates to ask additional questions.
c. AMMAS to proceed to the last area of the examination.
- carried
a. Rev. M. Zylstra examined Candidate Crow in the area of Ethics.
b. The Chairman offered an opportunity for the delegates to ask additional questions.
a. The Chairman declared Executive Session.
b. The Chairman permitted discussion and general observations concerning the examination of Candidate Crow.
c. AMMAS that Mr. Crow has sustained his examination and therefore the calling consistory may proceed with the ordination.
d. Rev. Besteman offered a prayer for wisdom.
e. A tally of the ballots determined that Mr. Crow had unanimously sustained the examination.
f. The delegate from Cornerstone informed the delegates that the Ordination Service will be in the morning of June 29 at Cornerstone with Rev. Andrew Camminga leading the service. It was requested that each church send a representative from the Consistory. Those able to come should either call the church (616-669-2190) or Mr. John Velthouse (616-453-9848).
g. Executive Session is declared over.
a. The Chairman informed Mr. Crow that he had sustained the examination and he instructed the consistory to proceed with the ordination.
b. The Chairman presented Mr. Crow with a Diploma of Ordination and assured him that the same God who is faithful to His church would be faithful to him as well.
c. Rev. Rand Lankheet offered a prayer of thanksgiving.
d. Delegates and Guests were given time to offer congratulations and words of encouragement to Mr. Crow.
The Church Visitors’ Report is received for information.
a. AMMAS that a Mission Committee be established in Classis Michigan.
i. After some time was spent editing and rewording the report, the Chairman referred the report back to committee.
ii. The committee returned with the rewording and the motion was
- adopted.
b. AMMAS to adopt the functions of the Mission Committee.
i. AMMAS to change the word “required” to “requested” was
- defeated.
ii. AMMAS to delete the phrase “Synod’s mandate to publish” was
- adopted.
iii. The functions of the Mission Committee were
- adopted.
c. AMMAS to approve the financial support of the Missions Committee was
- adopted.
d. AMMAS to place the by-laws of the Mission Committee into the Classical Rules for Procedure was
- adopted.
f. The complete revised report is as follows:
The appointed committee for missions from Classis Michigan September 10, 2002, reports and recommends the following:
That a Classis Michigan Missions Committee be established.
A. The purpose of the Committee is to promote Biblical and Reformed missionary activity by Classis Michigan in a coordinated and cooperative manner according to Article 47 of the URC Church Order, by encouraging the churches to send ordained personnel and then support staff for those ordained personnel.
B. The Committee should be made up of seven members, three clergy and four elders. These members are to come from Classis at large and the Committee shall select their own chairman and secretary yearly. These should be a 3-year staggered term with no more that three consecutive terms.
C. The Committee shall report to Classis in writing at each regular Classis meeting. The Committee’s report shall be included with the Classis agenda.
The functions of the Missions Committee
D. The first function would be for information. Each church is required to supply the Committee with the following information:
1. Missionaries and missions activity supported by the church.
2. Calling church – under whose authority.
3. Field – activity, goals, history, and length of service.
4. Personnel information - family, resume
5. Support – need, supporting churches, and amount committed, by whom, how much, when support is disbursed, keep tally and remaining need.
6. Accept applications and interview for mission personnel for information/data bank.
E. The second function is coordination
1. Provide information to churches considering mission support.
2. Assist churches when adopting field and/or seeking additional support in their missionary activity.
3. Assist calling churches in required yearly visit/review of field personnel, if requested by Consistories.
4. Communicate with other denominations that are in partnership in fields mutually supported.
F. The third function is publicity
1. Utilize the “Trumpet” on mission activity in the URC sent to all URC churches.
2. Hold public meetings and /or mission rallies at least once a year.
3. Coordinate availability of missionaries home on leave for speaking/preaching.
4. Assist local churches, if requested, in their emphasis on missions and availability of materials and speakers.
Financial support of Mission Committee from Classis to be for office expenditures and communication cost. Other expenses to be borne by individual churches. These by-laws should be incorporated into Classical rules of procedure.
a. The Overture
Cornerstone URC of Hudsonville respectfully overtures Classis to establish health insurance coverage with Priority Health HMO for all the pastors and other kingdom workers, including their families, employed by the church of the classis.
Grounds: The treasurer of Cornerstone has done some investigating and has found that just recently Priority Health would allow Classis to be considered as a group. After polling the churches, Cornerstone has found that there are a variety of plans being used by the church in our Classis. The group plan would be good stewardship of the Lord’s money, and would be a savings for the churches in our Classis.
b. AMMAS to adopt the concept of establishing a health insurance plan with Priority Health.
- adopted
c. AMMAS that Councils discuss various programs and get back to Mr. David Vander Meer (616-669-2190) by June 20 concerning a particular plan.
- adopted
AMMAS to have Classis get a Federal ID Number was
- approved.
The Credentials Committee reported that all the credentials were in good order and that five churches were asking for advice.
Executive Session was declared.
a. Elder R. Mast explained matters concerning the request from Rev. Tim Perkins to be released from service at Cornerstone by means of Church Order Article 11.
b. AMMAS that Classis give concurring advice with the action of the Cornerstone Council in regards to the release of Rev. Perkins from service at Cornerstone by means of Church Order Article 11.
-adopted
a. The Cornerstone URC sought advice in a matter of discipline.
b. AMMAS to advise the consistory of Cornerstone to move to the next step of discipline in the aforementioned case on the grounds of drunkenness and neglecting the means of grace.
- carried
a. Grace URC of Alto sought advice on the matter of exclusion of a baptized member.
b. AMMAS that Classis advise the Consistory of Grace to proceed with the exclusion of the baptized member on the grounds of disobeying her parents, immoral relationships, unsubmissiveness, persistent rebellion, and neglecting the means of grace.
- carried
a. Dutton URC sought the advice of Classis before moving to the second step of discipline.
b. AMMAS that Classis advise the Consistory of Dutton to proceed to the second step of discipline on the grounds of disavowal of marriage vows and remaining unrepentant.
- carried
Advice was given to Covenant URC concerning members that refuse visits from the Elders.
a. Covenant URC sought advice concerning a baptized member.
b. AMMAS that Classis advise the Consistory of Covenant to proceed with the exclusion of the baptized member via Church Article 59 on the grounds of neglecting the means of grace.
- carried
a. Covenant URC sought advice concerning moving to the second step of discipline.
b. AMMAS that Classis advise the Consistory of Covenant to proceed to the second step of discipline as per member “A” on the grounds of raising discord, gossip, causing division, and entering into rebellion against the church.
- carried
a. Covenant URC sought advice concerning moving to the second step of discipline.
b. AMMAS that Classis advise the Consistory of Covenant to proceed to the second step of discipline as per member “B” on the grounds of raising discord, gossip, causing division, and entering into rebellion against the church.
- carried
a. Covenant URC sought advice concerning moving to the second step of discipline.
b. AMMAS that Classis advise the Consistory of Covenant to proceed to the second step of discipline as per member “C” on the grounds of raising discord, gossip, causing division, and entering into rebellion against the church.
- carried
a. Covenant URC sought advice concerning moving to the second step of discipline.
b. AMMAS that Classis advise the Consistory of Covenant to proceed to the second step of discipline as per member “D” on the grounds of raising discord, gossip, causing division, and entering into rebellion against the church.
- carried
Rev. Vander Meulen read from Acts 20 and offered words of encouragement.
Executive Session was declared over.
Questions were asked of each Consistory.
Concept Minutes were read and approved.
a. Trinity URC of Caledonia extended an invitation for the next Classis Meeting
b. AMMAS to have the next meeting on Tuesday September 9, 2003 was
- approved
c. The Chairman thanked the Host Church for their hospitality.
d. AMMAS to adjourn
- carried
e. Rev. B. Vos closed the meeting with prayer.
The next Meeting: Tuesday, September 9, 2003
Location: Trinity United Reformed Church in Caledonia
Material should be in the hands of the Clerk by: July 21, 2003
Nominations for the Missions Committee should be given
to the Clerk.
Churches are encouraged to take an offering for Classical Expenses.
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