Classis Michigan Classis Michigan
7th Meeting
Minutes Classis Michigan Classis Michigan
7th Meeting
Minutes| Chairman | Rev. Joel Vander Kooi |
| Clerk | Rev. W. H. Oord |
| Vice-Chairman | Rev. Brian Vos |
| Treasurer | Mr. Clarence Kamstra |
Rev. Joel Vander Kooi called the meeting to order by reading from Isaiah 6 and offering a brief devotional followed by prayer. Delegates sang #468 from the Psalter Hymnal, “God of the Prophets”
Presentation of Credentials and Roll Call of Delegates.
The following delegates were present:
| Church | Minister Delegates | Elder Delegates |
| Allendale | Mr. Gary Fisher | |
| Alto - Grace | Rev. Peter Adams | Mr. Paul Webster |
| Byron Center | Rev. Steve McGee | Mr. Doug Herrema |
| Caledonia - Trinity | Rev. Brian Vos | Mr. Bernie Wychers |
| Dutton | Rev. Paul Murphy | Mr. Rick Poll |
| Eastmanville | Rev. Steve De Boer | Mr. Bernie Groenink |
| Hudsonville - Cornerstone | Mr. Henry Nuiver, Mr. Howard Jolman | |
| Jenison - Bethel | Mr. Jake Jonkman, Mr. George Bouma | |
| Kalamazoo - Covenant | Rev. Phil Vos | Mr. Ken Schoonbeck |
| Olive Center - Faith | Rev. W. H. Oord | Mr. Rick Diemer, Jr. |
| Walker | Rev. Joel Vander Kooi | Dr. James Paauw |
| Wyoming - Bethany | Rev. Casey Freswick | Mr. Ray Potts |
The Chairman declared that Classis was constituted and requested that first time delegates signed the Form of Subscription.
The chairman welcomed guests and visitors. They included Rev. Art Besteman, Rev. Steve Poelman, Rev. Ed Knott, Rev. Clarence Werkema, Mr. and Mrs. Merwin Ancil, and Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Post.
The proposed time schedule was adopted.
The Chairman appointed Rev. Phil Vos and Elders Jim Paauw and Paul Webster to be the Credentials Committee.
a. Scheduled Vice-Chairman, Rev. D. Vander Meulen, was unable to attend this classis meeting.
b. AMMAS [a motion made and supported] that the Assistant Clerk be made Vicar and therefore serve as Vice-Chairman at this meeting. - Approved
c. Rev. Brian Vos assumed the role of Vice-Chairman.
a. The chairman reported that the credentials of the prospective candidates, Ancil Merwin and Christopher Post were in good order.
b. AMMAS to proceed with the examination.
a. The Sermon Evaluation of Mr. Merwin Ancil was given by Mr. Rick Poll.
b. The Sermon Evaluation of Mr. Christopher Post was given by Mr. Willis Van Dyk.
c. AMMAS to receive the evaluation of Mr. Ancil Merwin and move to the next area of examination. - Carried
d. AMMAS to receive the evaluation of Mr. Christopher Post and move to the next area of examination. - Carried
a. Rev. E. Knott examined the seminary graduates in the area of Practica.
b. Delegates were given the opportunity to ask questions.
c. AMMAS that Mr. Ancil Merwin proceed to the next area of examination. - Carried
d. AMMAS that Mr. Christopher Post proceed to the next area of examination. - Carried
a. Rev. Peter Adams examined the prospective candidates in the area of Biblical Knowledge.
b. The delegates are given opportunity to ask questions.
a. Rev. Adams read Psalm 67 and offered prayer for lunch.
b. Delegates enjoyed a delicious meal.
c. The afternoon session was opened by singing #411 from the Psalter Hymnal.
a. Delegates continued to ask questions in the area of Biblical Knowledge.
b. AMMAS to go into Executive Session. - Approved
a. AMMAS to proceed with the examination of Ancil Merwin. - Carried
b. AMMAS to proceed with the examination of Christopher Post. - Carried
c. Executive Session was declared over.
a. Rev. Joel Vander Kooi examined the prospective candidates in the area of Confessional Knowledge.
b. Delegates were given the opportunity to ask questions.
c. AMMAS to proceed with the examination of Ancil Merwin. - Carried
d. AMMAS to proceed with the examination of Christopher Post. - Carried
Rev. Paul Murphy examined the men in the area of Reformed Doctrine.
a. The delegates broke for coffee.
b. The delegates sang #307, “Ye, Who His Temple Throng” after the break.
a. Delegates were invited to ask the seminary graduates questions in the area of Reformed Doctrine.
b. AMMAS to proceed with the examination of Ancil Merwin and Christopher Post. - Carried
a. The prospective candidates were examined in the area of Church History by Rev. Steve McGee.
b. Delegates were given the opportunity to ask questions pertaining to Church History.
c. AMMAS to proceed to the next area of the examination.
a. Rev. Art Besteman examined the prospective candidates in the area of Ethics.
b. Delegates were given the opportunity to ask questions in the area of Ethics.
a. Dr. Paauw read from Matthew 5 and offered prayer.
b. Delegates sang #306 from the Psalter Hymnal.
c. Rev. S. McGee opened the evening session with prayer.
AMMAS to proceed to the next area of examination. - Carried
a. Rev. Brian Vos examined the seminary graduates in the area of Biblical Exegesis - Old Testament Hebrew.
b. The delegates were given opportunity to ask questions.
c. Rev. Casey Freswick examined the weary men in the area of Biblical Exegesis - New Testament Greek.
d. The delegates were given opportunity to ask questions.
a. AMMAS to proceed to the final deliberations regarding qualifications for the candidacy of Mr. Ancil Merwin and Mr. Christopher Post. - Carried
b. Executive Session was declared.
a. Rev. Steve De Boer prayed for the Lord’s guidance.
b. Chairman J. Vander Kooi relinquished the chair to Vice-Chairman Brian Vos.
AMMAS that the prospective candidate, Mr. Ancil Merwin, sustain the examination. - Carried
a. AMMAS that Mr. Christopher Post not sustain this candidacy examination. - Carried
b. AMMAS to encourage Mr. Christopher Post to consult with his consistory to oversee his continued learning process in order that he might be re-examined at a later date.
c. AMMAS to amend the motion by adding the words “to pursue his calling as Minister of the Word and Sacraments": - Carried
d. The motion reads: Classis seeks to encourage Mr. Christopher Post to pursue his calling as Minister of the Word and Sacraments by consulting with his consistory to oversee his continued learning process in order that he might be re-examined at a later date. - Carried
e. The delegates of Walker left the meeting to meet with Mr. Christopher Post and inform him of the body’s decision.
Executive Session was declared over.
a. Mr. Ancil Merwin was informed that he has sustained the candidacy exam.
b. Rev. Paul Murphy offered a prayer of thanksgiving.
c. The delegates sang “Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow” and congratulate Candidate Merwin and his wife.
Rev. Joel Vander Kooi reassumed the chair.
a. A request for a colloquium doctum was received from Bethany URC and Rev. Marion Groenendyk
b. AMMAS to proceed with the colloquium doctum - Carried
c. Rev. Art Besteman had a dialogue with Rev. Marion Groenedyk.
d. The delegates were given opportunity to ask questions.
e. AMMAS to move to the final procedure of the colloquium doctum. - Carried
a. Executive Session was declared.
b. AMMAS that Rev. Marion Groenendyk sustain his colloquium doctum. - Carried
c. Executive Session declared over.
a. Rev. Groenendyk is informed that he has sustained the colloquium doctum.
b. Rev. Wybren Oord offered a prayer of thanksgiving.
c. The delegates welcomed Rev. Groenendyk into the federation.
d. Rev. Marion Groenendyk signed the Form of Subscription.
Delegates were informed that the overture from members of Cornerstone had been withdrawn.
a. Rev. Phil Vos reported that all the credentials were in good order.
b. Cornerstone URC had a request listed on the back of their credentials.
a. The request:
“The Cornerstone URC consistory ask for clarification on Article 14, whether it explicitly applies to the office of Deacon and whether it mandates Christian school attendance for the children of all office bearers.”
b. Gene Oosterhouse, a member of Cornerstone, was given permission to speak in regard to the request.
a. Rev. J. Vander Kooi relinquished the chair and speaks to the issue.
b. Vice-chairman Rev. Brian Vos assumes the chair.
AMMAS to advise the Council:
a. That Church Order Article 14 does not specifically apply to deacons.
b. Elders have the authority within the context of the church order, in their promotion of God-centered schooling, to require all office-bearers within their own congregation to send children to God-centered schooling.
a. The acting chairman called the motion out of order.
b. The chair was challenged.
c. The chair reverted to the Chairman.
d. The motion was declared on the floor.
The motion [Article 38] was - Approved
Concept Minutes were read and approved.
a. The next meeting was scheduled to meet at Bethel United Reformed Church.
b. AMMAS to meet on January 9, 2001. - Carried
c. Material for the Agenda should be in the hands of the clerk by November 15, 2000.
The Vice-Chairman thanked the host church for the use of their facility and for providing delicious meals.
Vice-Chairman Rev. Brian Vos closed the meeting with prayer.
Chairman Rev. Joel Vander Kooi declared the meeting adjourned.
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