MINUTES of CLASSIS ILIANA ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTYNINTH SESSION Trinity Christian College, Palos Heights, IL September 19, 2007

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1 MINUTES of CLASSIS ILIANA ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTYNINTH SESSION Trinity Christian College, Palos Heights, IL September 19, 2007 Article 1. Article 2. Article 3. Article 4. President of the day, Rev. Bernard Tol, calls the session to order. Opening Prayer is offered by President Tol. Jane Voss, Trinity Christian College representative, welcomes the delegates to the Trinity campus. The credentials are presented and the roll call indicates the following have been delegated to attend this session of Classis by their respective councils. CHURCHES Crown Point Joel Sheeres Tim Bult De Motte, Bethel Rick Vanderwal Russ Tamminga De Motte, First Kevin Ooms* John Sjaardema Gary, Beacon Light James Groen* Harold Scheeringa Hammond John Kostelyk Jim De Boer Highland, First Randall Bergsma Dan Kuiper* Highland, Second Arie Swets John Leegwater Indianapolis, Hope Com Gary Schippers Howard Bell Lafayette Doug Pruim Dale De Young* Lafayette, Sunrise Mark De Young Ken Kauffman Lansing, Bethel Cal Aardsma Dan C. Paul* Lansing, First Ed Mulder John Kompmaker Monee, Family of Faith Henry Reyenga Jesse Powell Munster Herman Schutt Lon Natelberg Nashville, Faith Gerald Hoek Tom Hoffman Roselawn, Community Joel Zuidema Don Scholte Sauk Village, Emmanuel Tim Koster Charles Lotton Schererville, Crossroads Kris Vos Jim VanZyl South Holland, Cottage Grove Jim McCune Luke Schaap South Holland, First Bernard Tol Craig Knot South Holland, Peace Heino Blaauw Robert Alderden* (First time ministers and elders, having read the Formula of Subscription prior to the meeting, are indicated by * above) Article 54. Classis is declared constituted and the following serve as officers of the day: President: Bernard Tol Vice President: Heino Blaauw Stated Clerk Robert Jipping Ass t Clerk Don Dykstra Classis Illiana, September 19, 2007 Page 1

2 Article 6. Article 7. Article 8. Article 9. Article 10. Article 11. Article 12. President gives special welcome to all first time delegates and to Peter Kelder, Regional Team Leader of Home Missions. President makes the following appointments: Noon Devotions: Joel Sheeres Credentials: John Kostelyk and Jim De Boer Joel Sheeres, president of March 2007 Classis meeting, reports that the published minutes of the March meeting were properly transcribed. A motion carries to approve the transcribed minutes. It is noted that the two overtures re. children at the Lord s Supper (See Articles 30 & 32 of Classis Minutes, March 6, 2007) were not recorded in Agenda of Synod 2007 (see Overture 15, p.433) as passed by Classis. As published in Agenda for Synod 2007 classis overture appears as follows: Classis Illiana overtures Synod 2007 not to adopt the change in Church Order Article 59 allowing children to participate in the Lord s Supper until a careful and more clearly expressed biblical study on this issue can be provided to the churches. In addition, such a study should include not only the grounds for such a change but also careful and clear guidelines for implementation. Classis Illiana, Robert L. Jipping, stated clerk The stated clerk is directed to make the appropriate statement in the minutes that the overture as published in the Agenda of Synod 2007 is to be considered the overture of classis Illiana re. children at the Lord s Supper. Treasurer, Andy Balkema, submits treasurer s report. Motion made and carried to approve the work of the classical treasurer. The nominations committee presents its report. Opportunity for additional nominees is given. The following are chosen by voice vote John Dykstra -- Assistant Treasurer Laryn Zoerhof -- Assistant Stated Clerk John Kostelyk -- Alternate Student Fund Roseland Christian Ministries -- Jo Janke Calvin College Board -- Denominational Regional Classical Nominee -- Joel Zuidema Denominational Historical Rep.-- Neal Zylstra Classical Home Missions Committee reports. Mention made that Rob Knol has accepted call from Peace CRC to serve as Pastor of Pathway Church, a church plant in St John, Indiana. Article 13. Stated Clerk submits his report. 1. Correspondence a. Ecclesiastical Credentials of Robert Zomermaand: The Ecclesiastical Credentials for Robert Zomermaand have been received from the Classical Interim Committee of Classis Wisconsin for transfer to the Sunrise CRC of Lafayette. Rev. Zomeraand s ministerial credentials were held by First Sheboygan. Rev. Zomermaand was separated from First Classis Illiana, September 19, 2007 Page 2

3 Sheboygan CRC on February 28, 2006 via Article 17-a of CRC Church Order. Under the guidelines of Article 17-a an oversight committee is required. The council of Sunrise CRC offers to serve as the oversight committee. Motion passes to transfer the Ecclesiastical Credentials to Sunrise CRC and accede to Sunrise CRC s offer to serve as the oversight committee. b. Retirement of William Moxey: Hammond CRC endorses the request of Bill Moxey for retirement via Church Order 18 effective February 1, 2008 and forwards this request to Classis for endorsement. A motion passes to approve the retirement of Bill Moxey effective February 1, The work of the Stated Clerk is approved. Article 14. Classical Interim Committee submits its report. 1. Re. Church Visitors: CIC recommends those church visitors appointed for the period September 2006 to September 2007 continue until September Ground: Continuity for visits. 2. Request received from Community CRC of Roselawn for a Classical Examination for Ministry Associate Bryan Vander Tuig. An examination will take place on October 30 along with examination of Jeffrey Bulthuis. (see Article 16b, 1) 3. Work of the CIC is approved. Article 15. Joel Sheeres opens the afternoon session reading from Philippians 3 and prayer.. Article 16. Article 17. Peter Kelder, Great Lakes Ministry Team Leader, submits report. Especially noted are the efforts in reaching Hispanics in our area and February Focus, a focus on regional ministries. It is moved and passed to recognize the excellent work of Peter Kelder as he encourages the churches to reach the lost and develop programs to guide their members in evangelism. Article 41 committee reports. a. The following items are referred to the Classical Interim Committee 1. Under the question In what aspect of your ministry would you like the assistance of Classis? a) From First CRC of Crown Point: Evangelism b) From Emmanuel, Sauk Village: We would ask classis to note the existence of the Addiction Recovery Groups at Emmanuel and to urge the churches to avail themselves of this resource. 2. Under the question What aspect of ministry would you like to discuss at classis? a) From First CRC of Highland: We would like classis to discuss further the whole situation of ordaining associate pastors in our classis and denomination. b) From First CRC of Lansing: 1) Continue to discuss the possibility/feasibility of combined worship services among area churches. (See Classis minutes , Art. 27, J) 2) Help define what constitutes Reformed Worship, possibly through a a classical seminar on the topic. Classis Illiana, September 19, 2007 Page 3

4 b. Additional matters: 1. Request from First CRC of DeMotte for a special classis meeting to examine Candidate Jeffrey Bulthuis for ordination in the CRC. Mr. Bulthuis has accepted a call to serve First DeMotte as Pastor of Discipleship and began work on September 1, Action: It was moved, seconded, and approved to hold a special session of classis on Tuesday, October 30 beginning at 1:00 PM at the First DeMotte CRC for the purpose of his examination. The Stated Clerk will arrange for the presence of Synodical Deputies and the Classical Interim Committee will arrange for sermon critics and for examiners of Bryan Vander Tuig and Jeff Bulthuis. 2. From First CRC of Lansing: a) Request for continuation of licensure to exhort for John Klompmaker Motion made and passes to continue the licensure of John Klompmaker. for one year. b) Request for pulpit supply on the 3rd Sunday of each month until their pastoral vacancy is filled. Referred to CIC 3. From Crossroads CRC: Request for the appointment of a Classical Leadership Team. Crossroads would like to pursue the ordination of their Pastor of Discipleship, Dr. Drew Brown, through Article 8 of the church order. The CMLT is one piece of this process. Matter referred to Henry Reyenga for study. Kris Vos would be willing to serve on this team. Article 18. Article 19. Article 20. Article 21. Article 22. Article 23. Henry Reyenga submits an oral report for Classical Home Missionary, Jesse Powell. Received for information. Church Counselors reports received for information. 1. Gerrit Veenstra - First CRC of Lansing. Note: Candidate David Prince has been issued a call. 2. John Kostelyk - Beacon Light, Gary Church Visitors Reports is received for information. 1, Calvin Aardsma and Donald Dykstra -- First CRC, South Holland; Crossroads CRC 2. Laryn Zoerhof and Donald Dykstra --Cottage Grove CRC, South Holland Christian Service Committee -- Since CSC has been inactive due to the departure of key members the committee. Individuals are being sought to serve on this committee classis. The Regional Pastor s report is submitted and received for information. Financial Screening Committee report is presented. 1. It is recommended that Roseland Christian Ministries & Chicago Regional Team of CRC in NA be added/retained on the list of offerings for he period. 2. It is passed that classis continue to support Trinity College in the amount of $21.54/professing member as part of Classis Illiana ministry shares. Classis Illiana, September 19, 2007 Page 4

5 Article 24. Article 25. Article 26. Article 27. Article 28. Article 29. Article 30. Article 31. Article 32. Article 33. Article 34. The report from Christian Counseling Center is received for information. The report from Roseland Christian Ministries Center is received for information. The report from Self-Help Jobs Program is received for information. The report from Trinity College is received for information. The report from New Leaf Resources is received for information. The 2007 Synod report by delegates Gerrit Veenstra, Dr. Joel Nederhood, Glenn Smits, and James VanZyl is received for information. Reports of denominational ministries Board of Trustees, Calvin College, Calvin Theological Seminary, Back To God Hour, Home Missions Committee, World Missions Committee, and Faith Alive Christian Resources along with nonregional denominational ministry, Christian Reformed World Relief Committee, are received for information. The Spring meeting of Classis Illiana will be held on March 4, 2008 at the Peace Christian Reformed Church of South Holland. Agenda deadline is January 22, Officers for the day will be: Heino Blaauw -- President; Laryn Zoerhof -- Vice President; Robert Jipping -- Stated Clerk; Laryn Zoerhof -- Ass t Stated Clerk. The president thanked Trinity College for their hospitality and facilities as well as arranging the special activities for the day. Heino Blaauw closed the meeting with prayer. A motion passes that the meeting be adjourned. SPECIAL SESSION OF CLASSIS ILLIANA OCTOBER 30, PM FIRST CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH 1633 SOUTH HALLECK STREET DEMOTTE, INDIANA SPRING SESSION OF CLASSIS ILLIANA MARCH 4, 2008 PEACE CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH 833 EAST 168TH STREET SOUTH HOLLAND, IL AGENDA DEADLIINE - JANUARY 22, Classis Illiana, September 19, 2007 Page 5