Classis Michigan Classis Michigan 4th Meeting
Minutes Classis Michigan Classis Michigan 4th Meeting
MinutesOfficers of the Day
Chairman: Rev. Steve De Boer
Vice-Chairman: Rev. A. Besteman
Clerk: Rev. W. H. Oord
Treasurer: Mr. C. Kamstra
Article 1
Rev. Steve De Boer called the meeting to order and read I Peter 5:1-11 and offered prayer. Delegates sang #282 from the Psalter Hymnal, "Exalt the Lord, His Praise Proclaim."
Article 2 - Presentation of Credentials and Roll Call of Delegates.
The following delegates were present.
Church / Minister Delegates / Elder Delegates
Allendale / / Mr. Gary Fisher, Dale Oosterbaan
Alto – Grace / Rev. Peter Adams / Mr. Duane Sneller
Caledonia – Trinity / Rev. Brian Vos / Mr. Al Slendebroek
Eastmanville / Rev. Stephen De Boer / Mr. Cliff Lieffers
Grand Rapids – Beverly / Rev. Art Besteman / Mr. Henk Vonk
Grand Rapids – Walker / Rev. Joel Vander Kooi / Mr. Jim Paauw
Grand Rapids – Zion / / Mr. William Pols, Mr. Henry Gysen
Hudsonville – Cornerstone / / Mr. Gary Essenburg, Mr. Henry Nuiver
Jenison – Bethel / Rev. Derrick Vander Meulen / Mr. Clare Kamstra
Kalamazoo – Covenant / Rev. Philip J. Vos / Mr. Henry Visser
Olive Center – Faith / Rev. W. H. Oord / Mr. Neil Jacobsen
Article 3
The chairman declared that classis was constituted and requested first time delegates sign the Form of Subscription.
Article 4
The chairman welcomed guests and visitors. They included Mr. Walt De Lange, Rev. E. Knott, Mr. Cork Pals, Mr. Jeff Pols, and Rev. C. Werkema
Article 5
The proposed time schedule was adopted.
Article 6
The Chairman appointed Rev. Brian Vos and Rev. Phil Vos to the Credentials Committee.
Article 7
The oral report of the Clerk of Classis was received for information.
Article 8 - The Treasurer’s Report
a. The written Treasurer’s Report was received for information.
b. The Treasurer pointed out that the "Rules of Procedure" instruct the classis that the treasurer must be bonded and that the books should be audited every year.
III.D.5 "The Treasurer" states:
"He shall be duly and sufficiently bonded at the expense of classis."
III D.6 "The Treasurer" states:
"He shall recommend to the first meeting of classis each year that an auditor be chosen."
c. The Treasurer reported that the annual fee for bonding is about $95.
d. AMMAS [a motion made and supported] to wait with bonding and auditing until we have at least $5,000 in the treasury.
e. AMMAS to waive the bond but have the audit as required - Carried.
f. The main motion, as amended is – Adopted.
g. The Chairman appoints Mrs. Betty Dykstra of Walker URC to conduct the audit.
Article 9 - Overture for Classis
a. The Overture
The Council of Bethel United Reformed Church overtures Classis Michigan to shorten the length of candidacy and ordination exams. We are not requesting that we eliminate areas of questioning, but that each existing area takes less time.
We would suggest that Practica be given 45-60 minutes, and each of the other areas no more than 30 minutes.
Grounds:
1. The examinee’s transcript of all seminary grades is given to each council providing a good basis on which to judge his knowledge. Since this transcript does not include personal and practical information, the Practica section of the exam ought to be given more weight;
2. In nearly every case a delegate is able to ascertain whether the examinee is competent in any given area within 30 minutes of questioning in that area;
3. The means to inquire of the examinee further is already provided us in two ways:
a. after each questioner is done, delegates are given opportunity to further question the examinee;
b. after each area of questioning is completed, a motion to proceed must be adopted,
4. The URCNA guidelines for these examinations do not forbid such action.
b. AMMAS to adopt the Overture.
c. AMMAS to change the words in the second paragraph from "no more than" to "ordinarily" – Carried.
d. A motion is made to include the words "the examiner in the area" before the word "Practica" in the second paragraph and to change the word "areas" to "examiners." There being no objection to these changes from the delegates from Bethel, the Chairman orders the change.
e. The overture, with the grounds as presented, now reads:
The Council of Bethel United Reformed Church overtures Classis Michigan to shorten the length of candidacy and ordination exams. We are not requesting that we eliminate areas of questioning, but that each existing area takes less time.
We would suggest that the examiner in the area of Practica be given 45-60 minutes, and each of the other examiners ordinarily be given 30 minutes.
f. The amended overture is – Adopted.
Article 10 - Overture One for Synod
a. The Overture
The Council of Cornerstone URC requests Classis Michigan to adopt and forward to Synod 1999 the following:
Classis Michigan overtures Synod 1999 to appoint an ad hoc committee to research the availability of Health Insurance for employees of URC churches, including both Canadian and U.S. ministers according to their various needs.
Grounds:
1. Article 10 of the Church Order
2. Requests for such insurance coverage have been frequent.
3. The economic advantage of having group coverage for those who need and desire such insurance is clear.
b. The overture is – Adopted.
Article 11 - Overture Two for Synod
a. The Overture
Classis Michigan overtures Synod 1999 to appoint a committee with the specific mandate of investigating the possibility of Retirement Plans for ordained ministers in both Canada and the United States.
Grounds:
1. Article 10 of the Church Order.
2. The need is obvious, especially for our younger ministers.
3. Such an optional plan would have distinct economic advantages because of its group involvement.
b. It is ruled by the Chairman that the word "both" be deleted from the overture.
c. AMMAS to change the wording of the overture from "the possibility of Retirement Plans" to "the means of funding of retirement." – Defeated.
d. The overture is – Adopted.
Article 12 - Credentials’ Committee Report
The Committee reported that the credentials were found in good order.
Article 13
a. Church Order Article 26 Questions were asked of each Consistory Delegates.
b. Trinity URC asked the advice of classis concerning ways to guard the Table of the Lord.
c. Eastmanville URC sought advice on how to stir up support for a seminary student from their congregation who is in need of financial assistance.
The delegate from Eastmanville reminded the delegates that q/a 103 of the Heidelberg Catechism teaches us that "the gospel ministry and education for it be maintained."
Article 14
Concept minutes were read and approved.
Article 15
The Vice-Chairman thanked the host church for their hospitality.
Article 16 - Next Meeting
a. The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 26, 1999.
b. Beverly URC is the next meeting place according to the rotation.
c. AMMAS to have Rev. Besteman chair the next meeting is unanimously passed.
d. Items for the Agenda should be in the hands of the Clerk no later than August 24.
Article 18 [sic] - Updates
a. Allendale URC reports that Rev. Zylstra will be in Montreal in June for interviews concerning his emigration to the states. The congregation anticipates Rev. Zylstra arriving sometime after that.
b. Zion URC asked for prayers for their upcoming congregational meeting in which they would decide whether or not to extend a call to Candidate Dale Van Dyke.
c. Beverly URC reported that their building project is running on schedule and that they anticipate be finished by the time classis meets in October. The mailing address for Beverly URC is: P.O. Box 9423 Wyoming, Michigan 49509.
Article 19
Rev. Besteman closed the meeting in prayer.
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