Classis Greater Los Angeles Meeting

Transcription

1 Classis Greater Los Angeles Meeting Tuesday, February 26 th, 2019 First Christian Reformed Church of Bellflower - Bellflower, CA Ardmore Ave Bellflower, CA Please print a copy of the full agenda and bring it to the meeting or download it to your computer and use your computer at the meeting. (The Full agenda and the full financial report are available on the web at Also bring a signed copy of your Church Credential. (blank pdf copy of Church credential is attached print & fill out) (emerging churches get your sponsor church to include you on their credentials or to sign yours) Chairperson: Rev. Paul Hansen - Vice Chair: Rev. Zach Vandenberg Clerk: Aaron Solomon-Mills Synodical Deputies: Jonathan Kim, Cor Pool, Paul Vander Klay 8:30 - Opening welcome and devotions: CLT & First Christian Reformed Church Bellflower 8:50- Introductions and Credentials and signing of the Covenant for Office Bearers 9:00 World Renew Update Becky Vander Zee 9:10 CLT and Clerk Reports 9:20 CENT Report 9:25 LDT Report 9:40 Coffee Break 9:55 Finance Team Report 10:10 CCT Report & Exams 11:10pm Choosing delegates to Synod 11:20pm Church Credential Communications to Classis/ Synodical Deputies actions 11:30 Disability Concerns Report Steve Nyenhuis 11:50 Closing and Lunch 1

2 GLA FELLOWSHIP COVENANT Make every effort to keep the unity of the spirit. Ephesians 4:3 Prepare God s people for works of service. Ephesians 4:11 Be above reproach. 1 Timothy 3:2 Train yourself to be godly. 1 Timothy 4:7 We are a family of diverse Christian Reformed congregations, whose pastors, elders, and deacons covenant together to encourage and empower each other to more effectively lead our congregations in the mission of God in the greater Los Angeles region a gathering place of all nations. We believe we are Better Together THE GLA PURPOSE is to develop healthy congregations that work together and encourage one another in making disciples for God s Kingdom in our region. THE GLA WAY 1. Discerning together God s leading in our region 2. Developing healthy leaders for healthy congregations 3. Demonstrating CRC hospitality to all nations 4. Discipling new congregations effectively 8:30 AM Opening devotions and worship 1. 8:50 AM Introductions, Credentials, Covenanting, and convening a Church Credentials committee. 2

3 Classis GLA Roster of Churches Established Churches Pastor Elder Deacon Anaheim Joel Van Soelen Anaheim Latin American Mirtha Villafane Arcadia Hope International Dr. Sherman Lii, Faith Lim Artesia, First Paul Hansen Artesia, Trinity Rick Westra Bellflower, First Zachary Vandenberg, Hairon Chow Aaron Solomon-Mills Bellflower, Bethany Jim Kuiper, Lon Wagner Bellflower, God s Grace Christian Bellflower, Rosewood Dan Brink, Bonny Mulder-Behnia, Fernando Valencia Camarillo, Iglesia CRC Ricardo Aragon Carson, Grace Christian Fellowship Covina, The Bridge Saejung Paul Chang Fountain Valley, Fountain of Life Matt Ford Lake View Terrace, All Nations Tae Young Kim, Pablo Lee Rich Kim, Ken Hong, Peter Kang, Christina Kang, Jim Seung, Joseph Hyun, John Lee, Chris Choe, David Jineung, Abraham Lee Long Beach Long Beach, New City Carl Kromminga Los Angeles, Church of Joy Rev. Heui Moon Lee Los Angeles, Community Los Angeles, Jesus Heart Church Rev. Sung Joo Lee Los Angeles, Ttokamsa Mission Ken Choe, Ron Chu, David Suh Ordot Chalan Pago, Guam, Faith Church Tom Van Engen Monterey Park, Chinese Sun Valley, Bethel Micah Bruxvoort, Julius Umawing Westminster, Little Saigon Matthew Le Emerging Churches Pastor Parenting Church Anaheim, Bridge of Hope Maged Fayez Anaheim, Anaheim CRC Artesia City Church Eric Sarwar Bellflower, Bethany CRC Bellflower, Ethnos Community Tomas Ivens Anaheim, Latin American Cerritos, Heaven Bound Andrew Choh - CP Bellflower, Rosewood CRC El Monte, Living Well CRC Sam Lee N. Long Beach, New City Fountain Valley, Emanuelu Samoan Fatu Auau - CP Fountain Valley, Fountain of Life Los Angeles, Grace Unlimited Fellowship Melvin Jackson - O Los Angeles, L. A. Community Riverside, Inland Jubilee James Lee-O Santa Fe Springs, Together Santa Ana, Hispano Americana Ernesto Mejias Anaheim, Latin American Rosemead, Sky City Charles Ho Arcadia, Hope International Santa Ana, Hispano Americana Ernesto Mejias Anaheim, Latin American Santa Clarita Community Church David Kong - O Burbank, Bethany Korean CP = Commissioned Pastor O= Minister of the Word 2. 9:00AM World Renew Update Becky Vander Zee 3

4 3. 9:00AM Classical Leadership Team (CLT) and Clerk Reports Our purpose is act on behalf of Classis between meetings, organize the Classis meetings, facilitate and coordinate the ministry of the Classical teams, and adjudicate issues that arise among the churches of Classis. The CLT serves as the administrative arm of Classis and serves as an access to Synod. Team members: David Haberbush (leader); David Kong (); Julius Umawing (); Mirtha Villafañe (); Dan Brink, Melvin Jackson, Peter Kang, Mario Perez (); Aaron Solomon-Mills (Clerk); Rick Westra. I. Items for Approval A) Approve Jesus Heart Church, Los Angeles as the supervising church for Hope Community Church (as known as Santa Clarita Valley Church): B) Approve Jesus Heart Church, Los Angeles as the supervising church for Goodtree Fellowship Church 1. Bethany Korean was the previous supervising church, but transferred to Classis Hanmi C) Approve the transfer of All Nations Church Bakersfield to Classis KoAm Grounds: 1. Currently, Bakersfield ANC does not connect with either representation or involvement with the churches of Classis GLA. 2. By the unanimous decision of its council, Bakersfield ANC has a clear intention of affiliating with Class Ko-Am. 3. The Church feels much more convenience in communicating and delegating with Korean-speaking Classis since it is composed of almost 100% Korean-American nationals. 4. The Church s new pastor, Rev. Sung Lee, completed the article 8 procedures from Classis Ko-Am on September Classis Ko-Am demographically has more small-membership congregations which more closely reflect the composition of Bakersfield ANC. 6. Classis Ko-Am approved the request of Bakersfield ANC to transfer classis membership at its February 25, 2019 meeting. D) Approve the retirement of Sae Jung (Paul) Chang (Covina, The Bridge) 1. Rev. Chang has submitted the formal request to his church s council, his credentials for approval and, subsequently, the Bridge church has made recommendation to the classis for approval of retirement effective July 17 th, E) Approve the appointment of Micah Bruxvoort and Mike Whitten to CLT 4

5 Stated Clerk Report Stated Clerk Report Clerk Communications October 30, 2018 to February 2019 Received: 1. From: CRC Yearbook, Stated Clerk update (Nov 1) 2. From: Synodical Services, Memo regarding assisting immigrant churches (Nov 7) 3. From: CRC Yearbook, re: Lord s Love Mission Church (Nov 12) 4. From: Synodical Services, re: Classis information form (Nov 13) 5. From: CRC Yearbook, re: God s Grace Christian Church profile (Nov 16) 6. From: Synodical Services, re: Appointment of Delegates to Synod and Processing Synod Credentials (Dec 3) 7. From: Paul Im (Stated Clerk Classis Hanmi), re: Bethany Korean transfer (Dec 4) 8. From: Synodical Services, re: 2020 Meeting Dates for Council of Delegates (Dec 6) 9. From: Synodical Services, re: Classis GLA Synodical Deputy (Dec10) 10. From: CRC Yearbook, re: ANC Bakersfield (Dec 11) 11. From: CRC Yearbook, re: Stated Clerk update (Dec 20) 12. From: CRC Yearbook, re: Brian Willats status (Dec 28) 13. From: Synodical Services, re: Nominations for JCC and EIRC by Jan. 7; Candidates Coursework Completion (Dec 31) 14. From: CRC Yearbook, re: Rev. Jonas Muljo status (Dec 31) 15. From: CRC Yearbook, re: Iglesia Christiana Ref de Camarillo membership numbers (Jan 7) 16. From: CRC Yearbook, re: Rev Shu Ming Cheng (Jan 7) 17. From: Theodore Lim, re: ANC Bakersfield classis transfer (Jan 17) Sent: 1. To: Synodical Services, Article 17 follow up (Nov 5) 2. To: Bonnie Nicholas, re: Safe Church for classis (Nov 9) 3. To: Lord s Love Mission Church, re: Yearbook request (Nov 12) 4. To: CRC Yearbook, re: God s Grace Christian Church (Nov 29) 5. To: GLA Pastors, re: CENT Team grant reminder (Nov 29) 6. To: Synodical Services, re: Classis GLA Synodical Deputy (Dec 10) 7. To: GLA Pastors, re: Praying Life Pastors Conference (Dec 14) 8. To: Synodical Services, re: October Classis meeting minutes (Jan 2) 9. To: CRC Yearbook, re: Shu Ming Cheng status (Jan 7) 10. To: CRC Yearbook, re: Classis actions (Jan 15) 11. To: Charles Kim, re: ANC Bakersfield (Jan 16) 12. To: Shu Ming Grace Cheng, re: Status (Jan 23) 5

6 CLASSIS TEAMS & TEAM MEMBERS Classis GLA Ministry Teams January 2018 The goal is to have every church participating on a Classis team Where could you or a church member serve Classis? Leadership Development Team - LDT Develops and oversees training, retreats, and scholarships for leaders Julius Umawing suiluj64@yahoo.com Leader Carl Kromminga newcitylb@juno.com Secretary Mirtha Villafane Ron Chu Katie Venhuizen Lon Wagner Race Relations Team - RRT promotes intercultural appreciation, cooperation, and multicultural values Fatu Auau Frank DeHaan Ruth Palma Classical Credentialing Team - CCT oversees the credentialing processes for examinations for ordination Rick Westra rwestra@mac.com Leader Matt Ford Fernando Valencia Classical Leadership Team - CLT Oversees the ministries of Classis and organizes Classis meetings David Haberbush dhaberbush@lbinsolvency.com Leader 6

7 Cindi Fairchild Clerk David Kong Mario Perez Julius Umawing Mirtha Villafane Dan Brink Melvin Jackson Peter Kang Rick Westra Church Empowerment & Networking Team CENT Oversees and promotes evangelism and church planting in the Classis Tomas Ivens Leader Jim Kuiper Secretary David Kong Mirtha Villafane Ron Chu Joel Van Soelen Finance Team Develops and oversees the budget of Classis Jim Zoetewey Leader Don Mulder Secretary Goldene Byma Treasurer Rich Hoeksema 4. 9:10 AM Church Empowerment & Networking Team (CENT) Report To assist classical churches in doing evangelism/mission outreach and in planting churches; and to assist non CRC churches who desire to affiliate with the CRC. Team members: Joel VanSoelen, Tomas Ivens (leader), David Kong (staff), Jim Kuiper (Secretary), Mirtha Villafañe (staff), Ron Chu, Chris Choi I. ITEMS FOR INFORMATION 1. Kristen Rietkerk has been accepted to be part of the CENT team. She is working in Connection Project a resource network of the CRC, in the capacity of Catalyzer and coordinator in Southern California. During the last two years she served as well as catalyzer for Christian Formation. 7

8 2. Special Invitation for the Glocal Mission Summit, on April in Ttokamsa Church in Los Angeles. 3. Pastor Jonathan Prado continue his process to join our Classis, and also he will be on a church planting training the rest of the year with CYCLICA LA, this training including conferences, evaluation and monthly couching. The CENT team will be sponsoring him with $250 for the entire training. 4. The CENT team received three applications for our grant. Only two were into the process. 5. We are encouraging all our churches of this classis to pray about the possibility to have a conversation on planting churches with our team. The denomination has developed a very flexible Church Planting Guide document and have resources to start thinking on Kingdom multiplication. Please check Resonate webpage. 6. Ethnos Community Church CRC (church planting report). II. ITEMS FOR APPROVAL A. Approve the nomination of Kristen Rietkerk to be part of the CENT team. 5. 9:20AM Leadership Development Team (LDT) Report Our purpose is to help all Classis GLA churches become healthy ministries by identifying, training, and supporting leaders for effective service. Team members: Ron Chu (Timothy Leadership Training, SEAPI churches); Carl Kromminga (Evangelist Training Program, Project Timothy); Katie Venhuizen (Camp Dunamis); Lon Wagner (youth development); Mirtha Villafañe (staff) (Hispanic Ministry Developer); Julius Umawing, leader (staff) (Regional Pastor, LEAD teams; SEAPI) ITEMS FOR INFORMATION 1. SCHOLARSHIP for Leadership Training is AVAILABLE! The LDT Scholarship Fund helps pay half the registration or tuition cost for leadership training events for church leaders. Applications are available at and are submitted to Bill Postma. 2. Evangelist Training Program (ETP): Al Breems, who leads a three-year leadership training program that qualifies for commissioned pastor ordination in the CRC, plans to continue for another year (2019) but then will phase out the ETP. We stay committed to sponsoring students from Classis GLA. 3. MINTS is our Spanish Leadership Training program. Five modules are offered every year and can lead to a BA degree and ordination as commissioned pastor in the CRC. There are 6 students involved in 8

9 this training. For inquiries about the MINTS program, contact Mirtha Villafañe at 4. Timothy Leadership Training (TLT). For more information about TLT and the schedule of the next training, contact Ron Chu at 5. CAMP DUNAMIS is scheduled on June 16-21, 2019 at Camp Maranatha, Idyllwild, CA. For more information, go to or contact Mario Perez at 6. PROJECT TIMOTHY - a leadership development retreat to inspire and equip young leaders to get and stay involved in ministry will be held in October A lead speaker has been secured and Carl Kromminga is working to get a team together to plan the details of this training event for young adults. 7. Our Youth Ministry Champion, Mario Perez, has reported that over 120 students participated in the last high school Winter Retreat (January 11-13, 2019). Mario plans to put together a worship night in February for those who attended this retreat. 8. Classis continues to financially support the annual conference of the South East Asia and Pacific Island CRC pastors (known as SEAPI). SEAPI pastors from GLA are encouraged to attend this event. Fatu Auau, pastor of Emanuelu Samoan Church, currently serves as SEAPI president. 9. The Classis Student Assistance Fund helps students prepare for the ministry as a vocation. Randy Boer, a commissioned pastor serving at Hope International Church in Arcadia, is in the EPMC (Ecclesiastical Program for Ministerial Candidates) at Calvin Theological Seminary and gets support from the CSA Fund. 10. The LDT YOUTH FUND supports youth ministries initiatives. 11. LDT Goals for Talk to pastors in Classis GLA to determine the desire to host another two-day preaching seminar or to replace this with some other gathering event Host a Classis GLA meeting and showcase the various LDT programs. 14. Encourage and, if necessary, empower with financial support, individual churches or church partnerships in Classis GLA to organize, host and invite the churches of Classis to local training seminars, workshops and other leadership development events that meet local church needs. Examples: Small group leader training, elder/deacon training, safe church training, evangelism and outreach, youth leader training, etc. Such training opportunities will be promoted at GLA Classis meetings, through s, the monthly newsletter, and visits by the Classis mission leaders. 15. Timothy Leadership Training Institute - A) Communicate to all the GLA churches the nature, value, opportunities, and requirements of becoming a Master Trainer of the Timothy Leadership Training modules at our February Classis meeting. B) Organize, promote and invite all the leaders in Classis GLA and California South to the LA based Timothy Leadership Training Institutes to be held in March and October, hosted by Ttokamsa Mission Church in partnership with the TLTI staff. These training sessions will be promoted using TLTI generated promotion materials, Classis newsletters, s, and announcements at Classis meetings. 16. Promote leadership training resources and opportunities provided by ministries under the direction of the LDT through Classis meetings, mass s to pastors, LEAD teams, the Classis newsletter, and the classisgla.org website. These include the Evangelist Training Program, MINTS, Student Aid Fund, Project Timothy, the Scholarship Fund, LEAD teams, Timothy Leadership Training, Camp Dunamis, and the Timothy Leadership Training Institute. 17. Participate and support the South East Asia Pacific Island (SEAPI) Churches conference and the pastors in GLA who are a part of this group. 18. Recruit new members for the Leadership Development Team. 9

10 6. Coffee Break 7. 9:55 AM Finance Team Report Team members: Jim Zoetewey (Chair), Rich Hoeksema, Don Mulder and Goldene Byma ITEMS FOR APPROVAL BY CLASSIS Approve the Treasurers Report for January December 2018 (handout) Approve a new Finance Team member Andrea Wyatt 8. 10:15 AM Coffee Break 9. 10:35 AM Classical Credentialing Team Report Team: Rick Westra, Matt Ford, Fernando Valencia 1. FOR APPROVAL OF CLASSIS A. To approve the job description for Tim Cordova as Commissioned Pastor at New City Church, of Long Beach. Grounds: The description meets the requirements stated in the Supplement Article 23a. a. the functions and responsibilities described are ministerial in nature b. the lines of accountability and supervision are described c. it is noted that preaching and administering the sacraments are included B. To proceed with the doctrinal conversation with Tim Cordova. Grounds: He has met the requirements set by classis for ordination as a Commissioned Pastor. C. To receive the Cerritos Mission Church as an organized congregation in the CRC. Grounds: Cerritos Mission Church has received training in CRC history and polity from David Kong and Charles Kim. The congregation has voted and decided to affiliate with the CRC. Classis acknowledged receipt of their letter at the last classis meeting, but no official action was taken. D. To proceed with the colloquium doctum for the Rev. Sam Pang Grounds: Permission has been granted by the Synodical Ministerial Candidacy Committee. 10

11 Provided the above exam are completed successfully, the following motions may be made E. To declare Tim Cordova eligible for call as a Commissioned Pastor according to Church Order Article 23, with New City Church, Long Beach, as his calling church. F. To declare the Rev. Sam Pang eligible for call as Minister of the Word and Sacraments, according to Church Order Article 8, with the Cerritos Mission Church as his calling church. Tim Cordova Tim grew up in El Monte and Long Beach. He first association with New City Church began in By God s grace he experienced deliverance from drug and alcohol abuse. To deepen his faith, he participated in the Evangelist Training Program led by the Rev. Al Breems. After completing that program in 2015, Tim continued to serve in various ways at New City under the mentorship of the Rev. Carl Kromminga. Until recently, Tim has been self-employed as a computer technician. He is married to Leah, and together they have Tim Jr. (20) and Larissa (15). Rev. Sam Pang Sam came to the U.S. with his family when he was 11 years old. Although he did not grow up in a Christian home he was exposed to Christ through Vacation Bible School, and Jehovah Witness Bible study. Later, he came to Christ during a high school church retreat. He later graduated with an engineering degree from Cal State Long Beach, and an M.Div. from Talbot Seminary. Most of his ministry he has served the English speaking segment of Korean congregations, but since 2012 he has served as Senior Pastor of the Cerritos Mission Church with the focus of his ministry being the Korean speaking congregation. Sam is married to Chris, and together they have three adult children :10 AM - Choosing Delegates to Synod :20 AM - Church Credential Communication to Classis Synodical Deputy Action(s) :30 AM Disability Concerns Update Steve Nyenhuis :50 AM - Closing and Lunch Next Classis Meeting May 7 th, 2019 Location to be determined 11