Classis Michigan Classis Michigan 2nd Meeting
Minutes Classis Michigan Classis Michigan 2nd Meeting
MinutesChairman: Rev. Brian Vos
Vice-Chairman: Rev. Steve De Boer
Clerk: Rev. W. H. Oord
Treasurer: Mr. Clarence Kamstra
Article 1
Rev. Brian Vos called the meeting to order by reading from Ephesians 2 and leading the delegates in the singing of PH 386 "How Vast the Benefits Divine."
Article 2
Presentation of Credentials and Roll Call of Delegates.
The following delegates were present:
Church / Minister Delegates / Elder Delegates
Allendale
Alto – Grace / Rev. Peter Adams / Mr. Dwayne Sneller
Caledonia – Trinity / Rev. Brian Vos / Mr. Percy De Kam
Eastmanville / Rev. Stephen De Boer / Mr. Bob Molyneux
Grand Rapids – Beverly / Rev. Art Besteman / Mr. Frank Jones
Grand Rapids – Walker / Rev. Joel Vander Kooi / Mr. John De Graaf
Grand Rapids – Zion / / Mr. Claude Wierenga, Mr. Al Veurink
Hudsonville – Cornerstone / / Mr. John Velthouse, Mr. Henry Nuiver
Jenison – Bethel / Rev. D. Vander Meulen / Dr. Greg Zandstra
Kalamazoo – Covenant / Rev. Philip Vos / Mr. John Buiskool
Olive Center – Faith / Rev. W. H. Oord / Mr. Terry Rouwhorst
Article 3
The chairman declared classis constituted and requested first time delegates to sign the Form of Subscription.
Article 4
The chairman welcomed guests and visitors including Rev. Fred Gunnink, Rev. Ed Knott, Rev. Sy Vortman, Rev. Jay Wesseling, Mr. Brian Lee, Mr. Darrell Maurina, and Mr. Jeff Pols.
Article 5
The proposed time schedule was adopted.
Article 6
The report of the Clerk of Classis was received for information.
Article 7
Correspondence
a. A letter from the Zion United Reformed Church concerning their church’s present status and a request for advice was read. Delegates offered words of encouragement, advice, and suggestions.
b. A letter from Cornerstone United Reformed Church asking for a special meeting to examine Mr. Dale Van Dyke for candidacy was read.
i. AMMAS to have Classis meet on December 1, 1998 in order to examine Mr. Dale Van Dyke.
ii. AMMAS to amend the motion to have the meeting begin at 9:00 a.m. and meet at the Cornerstone United Reformed Church. - Carried
iii. The original motion with the amendment carried.
Article 8 - Overture 1
The Council of Trinity United Reformed Church overtures Classis Michigan to instruct its ministers and/or to begin a daily devotional for distribution among the congregations of Classis Michigan, with possible expansion to other United Reformed Church.
Grounds:
1. There is currently a drought of solidly Reformed family devotionals available.
2. Many members are currently using devotional material put out by other denominations and organizations [ex. Today, Words of Hope, Tabletalk], while we neglect this need.
3. A daily devotional put together by our ministers would [bring] further unity among the United Reformed Churches
Done in Council August 3,
1998
/s/ Ed Heerema, President
Al Slendebroek, Clerk
AMMAS to adopt Overture 1 - Defeated.
Article 9 - Overture 2
The Council of the Covenant United Reformed Church of Kalamazoo, MI overtures Classis Michigan to allow us to post the Classis meeting agendas and minutes on our Web site.
Grounds:
1. Ecclesiastical assembly meeting agendas and minutes are ordinarily made available for public distribution. Publishing such documents on the World Wide Web lowers the cost of publishing and improves the speed of distribution of these agendas and minutes.
2. Classis Midwest gave its permission to publish its meeting agendas and minutes on the Web. This overture merely requests a continuation of a past practice of the former Classis Midwest.
3. Covenant URC has received a number of requests from independent groups expressing desires to affiliate with the URCNA after they visited Covenant URC’s Web site. The comments that we have received from groups include expressions of admiration and respect for our form of church government. Posting classical agendas and minutes on the Web allow those outside of our federation to see how we govern ourselves, can improve our public relations through showing openness and can serve to encourage those outside our federation to affiliate with the URCNA.
4. Covenant URC offers this service to Classis Michigan at no cost to Classis.
AMMAS to adopt Overture 2 - Carried.
Article 10 - Overture 3
The Council of the Covenant United Reformed Church of Kalamazoo, MI requests Classis Michigan to overture the Synod of the URCNA to give permission to post a list of URC Churches, Synodical agendas and minutes, and similar documents on our Web site.
Grounds:
1. Ecclesiastical assembly meeting agendas and minutes are ordinarily made available for public distribution. Publishing such documents on the World Wide Web lowers the cost of publishing and improves the speed of distribution of these agendas and minutes.
2. Classis Midwest gave its permission to publish its meeting agendas and minutes on the Web. This overture merely requests a continuation of a past practice of the former Classis Midwest.
3. Covenant URC has received a number of requests from independent groups expressing desires to affiliate with the URCNA after they visited Covenant URC’s Web site. The comments that we have received from groups include expressions of admiration and respect for our form of church government. Posting synodical agendas and minutes on the Web allow those outside of our federation to see how we govern ourselves, can improve our public relations through showing openness and can serve to encourage those outside our federation to affiliate with the URCNA.
4. Covenant URC offers this service to Synod at no cost.
AMMAS to adopt Overture 3 - Carried.
Article 11 - Overture 4
The Council of the Beverly United Reformed Church of Wyoming, Michigan, overtures Classis to overture Synod to call a MINISTER-AT-LARGE [or engage a retired pastor] to represent the United Reformed Churches in North America in circumstances described below. This Minister-at-Large [is] to be supported by all the churches of the Federation and [is] to be under the supervision of his consistory/council.
The duties of the Minister-at-Large would be:
1. To represent, provide information about, and promote the United Reformed Churches to interested individuals, groups of people interested in forming a United Reformed congregation, and congregations desirous in joining the U.R.C.
2. To develop, obtain, and provide attractive and pertinent materials about the U.R.C., useful in expansion of the federation.
3. To be available to conduct worship services for emerging congregations when possible or make arrangements for such preaching services.
4. To conduct surveys and to make recommendations to the various Classes and/or Synod with respect to possible expansion of the Federation in underrepresented areas of the United States and Canada.
5. To work in close cooperation with the pastor[s] and councils/consistories in any area in which contacts are developed and preaching services are conducted.
6. To engage in any other activities determined by Synod in consultation with the calling church.
/s/ Rev. A. Besteman,
Chairman
Ronald Springvloed, Clerk
AMMAS to adopt Overture 4
After some discussion AMMAS to recommit Overture 4 back to Beverly URC for rewording.
AMMAS to amend the main motion that Beverly URC bring this matter to Classis at the December 1 meeting - Carried.
The motion that Beverly reword Overture 4 and return it to the December 1 meeting of Classis - Carried.
Article 12
The Treasurer’s Report was received for information.
Article 13 - Overture 5
AMMAS that Classis Michigan of the United Reformed Church overtures Synod to take the steps necessary to begin a daily devotional for distribution among the congregations of the United Reformed Churches.
Grounds:
1. There is currently a drought of solidly Reformed family devotionals available.
2. Many members are currently using devotional material put out by other denominations and organizations [ex. Today, Words of Hope, Tabletalk], while we neglect this need.
3. A daily devotional put together by our ministers would [bring] further unity among the United Reformed Churches
Because this motion was not on the Agenda for Classis AMMAS to accept the Overture - Carried
AMMAS to recommit the Overture to the Trinity URC to reword and bring back to the December 1 meeting. - Carried.
Article 14
Rev. Ed Knott and Rev. Art Besteman were appointed to a two year term as Church Visitors.
Article 15
Cornerstone URC asked for advice on a discipline matter.
AMMAS to advise Cornerstone URC to proceed with discipline - Carried.
Article 16
Eastmanville requested and received advice concerning membership of a family.
Article 17
AMMAS to pay the Clerk $500 per year - Carried.
Article 18
Guidelines for the Classis Michigan Newsletter were approved.
1. Items which would be of interest or information for the member Churches of Classis Michigan of the United Reformed Churches are welcome and invited to be published in the Newsletter.
2. Items for publication in the Newsletter are to be sent from the member Churches of Classis Michigan.
3. In the event of questioning concerning a particular item, the compiler shall contact the Clerk of Classis Michigan to seek his advice regarding whether the item merits publication.
[Note: The Classis Michigan Newsletter Fax Number is 997-9326.]
Article 19
Church Order Article 26 Questions were asked of each Consistory Delegates.
Article 20
Concept Minutes were read and approved.
Article 21
A Special Classis meeting, D.V., will be on December 1, 1998 at the Cornerstone United Reformed Church beginning at 9:00 a.m.
AMMAS to have the next Regular Classis Meeting at the Eastmanville United Reformed Church on March 16, 1999 beginning at 8:30 a.m. - Carried.
Article 22
Vice-Chairman, Rev. S. De Boer closed the meeting with Prayer.
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