CLASSIS ILLIANA of the CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH 148 th Session Convening at Trinity Christian College, Palos Heights, IL. Wednesday, September 16, 2015 8:30 am Schedule: Officers: Morning 8:30am 9:50 am ; Afternoon -- 1:30 pm to 5:00 pm President: Rick Vanderwal; Vice-President: Ben Tol Stated Clerk: Laryn Zoerhof; Alternate Stated Clerk: Cal Aardsma First time delegates are asked to sign their agreement to the covenant for office-bearers when they arrive for this meeting of classis. 1. The President of the day, Rick Vanderwal, welcomes the delegates to Classis. He reads from Revelation 1:9-18 where Jesus is portrayed in all of his glory and majesty, and he holds the church in his powerful hands. Rick opens a time of prayer and we conclude our prayers by singing together Be Thou My Vision. 2. The credentials are presented and the roll call of the churches indicates that the following have been delegated to attend this session of classis by their respective councils. First time delegates are requested to sign the covenant for office bearers. CHURCH MINISTERS ELDERS DEACONS Cedar Lake, IN Pathway Joel Zuidema Tim Spoelman Crown Point, IN - First James Hollendoner Gary Eenigenburg DeMotte, In - Bethel Rick Vanderwal Hank Vander Wall DeMotte, IN - First Kyle Sanford Tom Post Robert Tillema Gary, IN - Beacon Light John Hoffmaster Harold Scheeringa Cledith Steininger Hammond, IN John Kostelyk Owen Bouma Highland, IN - First Jason De Vries Keith Bruxvoort Highland, IN New Life Bill Sytsma Sam Van Til Indianapolis, Hope Community not present Lafayette, IN Mark Bonnes Stanley Poelstra Lafayette, IN - Sunrise Randall Bergsma Bill Van Oukkenburg Lansing, IL - Bethel Calvin Aardsma Ken Van Dellen Scott Oostman Lansing, IL - New Hope Daniel Roels Bruce Hoekema Monee, IL - Family of Faith David Feddes Munster, IN - First Jeff Bulthuis Rodger Maatman Nashville, TN - Faith not present Roselawn, IN - Community Jim Busscher Butch Zandstra Sauk Village, IL - Emmanuel Tim Koster Gary Dykstra Johnny Johnson Schererville, IN - Crossroads Com. Drew Brown Rich Cook South Holland, IL - Cottage Grove Rich Kooyinga Gene Fennema Tim Turner South Holland, IL - First Ben Tol Dave Mulder Bill Teune South Holland, IL - Peace Glen McCarthy Larry Van Drunen Jon Sliekers
3. A letter was received from Jerry Hoek, informing us that his wife Claire was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma, a type of blood cancer, on August 13. She expects to begin chemotherapy treatments this week in preparation for a stem-cell transplant later. Ben Tol leads us in a prayer for Jerry and Claire. 4. The president declares classis constituted, and welcomes first-time delegates and Pastor Glen McCarthy to our classis meeting. 5. Appointments by President A. Devotions: Opening of Afternoon Session -- Bill Sytsma B. Credentials Article 41 Committee Delegates from Pathway, St. John C. Balloting Committee if needed 6. Ben Tol, President of March 3, 2015 meeting, reports that the transcribed minutes of the March 3, 2015 meeting of Classis Illiana are accurate. A motion to approve the transcribed minutes is ADOPTED. 7. Reports of Classis Functionaries and Standing Committees A. Stated Clerk Laryn Zoerhof Since the last meeting of Classis Illiana, I have 1. Prepared and sent minutes of the March 3, 2015 meeting of Classis Illiana to the churches and others on the mailing list. 2. Sent the names and addresses of the delegates to Synod to the Executive Director s office. 3. Forwarded the minutes of the May Board of Trustees meeting to the churches of classis. 4. Sent a notice to the churches announcing this meeting of classis and the deadline for agenda items to be submitted. 5. Prepared the agenda for this meeting of Classis Illiana. 6. 2015 Ministers Compensation Survey and Ministry Shares, Minister s Pension and Other Resources for 2016 can be found on the CRCNA website. 7. Received the Summer Report from the Ministry Agencies of the CRC and forwarded it to the churches of Classis Illiana. 8. Handled correspondence on behalf of classis. A motion to approve the work of the stated clerk is ADOPTED. B. Nomination Committee 1) Regional Boards (Region 9 --- Chicago South, Illiana, Northern Illinois, and Wisconsin) Back to God Ministries: Cal Aardsma is concluding his second three-year term and is not eligible for reelection. Nominations of non-clergy persons are requested for this position. 2) Classical Positions that need to be filled Classical Interim Committee: Herm Schutt, Don Dykstra, and Laryn Zoerhof are elected to serve an additional term. Tim Groenewold is elected as Alternate Classical Treasurer. Classical Home Missions: Joel Zuidema and Jeff Bulthuis are elected to serve a second three year term. Any member of classis interested in serving on CHM is encouraged to talk to Jeff Bulthuis. Joel Zuidema is elected as Alternate Synodical Deputy.
C. Classical Home Missions Committee Jeff Bulthuis, Joel Zuidema, Marj Kooy, Gary De Vries, Kyle Sanford, Peter Kelder. As a team our mandate is to work in conjunction with denominational Home Missions in our region. Here are the priorities we passionately pursue together: Multiply New Churches and Campus Ministries Cultivate Diverse Missional Leaders Helping Churches Discern Their Place in God's Mission Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2016: 2015 2016 Prayer 200 1,000 Misc. 200 300 Agua Viva 5,000 0 Colleen Dugan -- Intervarsity 1,000 1,000 Field Development 7,000 13,700 Roseland CMC 4,000 4,000 Site Purchase 0 0 Regional Team 30,000 30,000 Total 47,400 50,000 A motion to approve the recommended budget for 2016 is ADOPTED. D. Classical Interim Committee 1. Synod 2015 approved the delegation of deacons to both classis and synod. The stated clerk will send a revised Classical Credentials form to the churches of Classis Illiana inviting them to send one pastor, one elder, and one deacon to the fall meeting of Classis Illiana. If a deacon is not available, then only two delegates should be sent. According to the rules of Classis Illiana, only male delegates can be seated at classis meetings. 2. Synod 2015 encouraged classes and churches to engage in the Blanket Exercise in anticipation of consideration of the Doctrine of Discovery Task Force Report that will be addressed by Synod 2016. Since Andy Crouch will be addressing us at our fall meeting, and we will also be interviewing Glen McCarthy for ordination as a commissioned pastor at Peace CRC in South Holland, the CIC recommends that we make arrangements for the Blanket exercise to take place at our spring meeting of Classis Illiana on March 1, 2016. 3 Upon his request, the ministerial credentials of Larry Howerzyl were transferred from New Hope CRC in Lansing to Pathway CRC in St John. 4. The ministerial credentials of Arturo Olguin were approved and forwarded to the CIC of Classis Iakota, where Pastor Arturo is serving the Amistad Cristiana CRC of Sioux Center, Iowa. 5. The First CRC of South Holland will be celebrating 150 years of ministry service to the community of South Holland on September 20. We thank God for the faithful witness given and the many blessings experienced during those 150 years. 6. We are registered with the state of Illinois as a non-for-profit corporation for the year 2015. 7. At our March 3, 2015 meeting, a motion was approved to encourage each church in our classis to set a goal for contributing 3%-4% of their local operating budget for classical ministry shares, and 5%-16% of their local operating budget for denominational ministry shares. Churches unable to meet the above suggested guidelines were encouraged to select a lower percentage goal that they would attempt to achieve during 2016. Following are the results that have been submitted to the classical interim committee to date.
CLASSIS AND DENOMINATIONAL MINISTRY SHARE PROJECTIONS FOR 2016 CHURCH Classis Denomination Total 2016 Total 2014 % Amount % Amount % Amount Ministry Share Crown Point 2% $12,080 8% $60,320 10% $75,400 $57,274 Bethel, DeMotte 4% $6,154 10% $15,386 14% $21,540 $12,245 First, DeMotte 4% $13,933 16% $55,732 20% $69,665 $116,134 Beacon, Light Gary 2% $1,295 2% $1,295 4% $2,590 $1,831 Hammond 2% $1,760 4% $3,520 6% $5,280 $2,772 Faith, Highland 2% $9,217 8% $36,870 10% $46,088 $49,542 New Life, Highland 2% $8,100 1% $4,055 3% $12,155 $10,450 Hope, Indianapolis 1% $960 3% 2,880 4% $3,840 0 *Lafayette $2,742 $5,361 $8,103 Sunrise, Lafayette 2% $8,200 5.5% 22,800.5%% $31,000 $26,350 Bethel, Lansing 4% $28,143 13.75% $96,857 17.5% $125,000 $176,561 New Hope, Lansing 1% 2,000 2% $4,000 3% $6,000 $5,580 Family of Faith, Monee $1,000 0 $1,000 $2,500 Munster 2.55% $12,437 7.7% $37,477 10.25% $49,914 $64,610 Faith, Nashville 2% $2,321 1% $1,161 3% $3,482 $3,287 *Community, Roselawn $5,902 $11,990 $17, 892 Emmanuel, Sauk Village 3% $5040 5% $8,400 8% $13,400 $2,569 Crossroads, Schererville 3% $25,000 6% $50,000 9% $75,000 $25,725 *Cottage Grove, S H $8,498 $11,309 $19,807 First, South Holland 3% $5,317 5% $8,862 8% $14,179 $25,877 Peace, South Holland 1% $1,855 3% $5,565 4% $7,420 $ 6,534 Pathway, St. John 1.1% $2,000 1.7% $3,000 2.8% $5,000 0 Total 2016 $164,954 plus $446,575 equals $613,529 Total 2014 $107,321 plus $528,326 equals $635,647 *Churches that are marked with an asterisk did not submit ministry share giving goals for 2016. The amounts listed for these three churches are what they gave during fiscal year 2014. Based on these projections, the CIC presents the following budget to Classis Illiana for approval: Classical Expense Fund $20,000 Student Fund $15,000 Classical Home Missions $50,000 Trinity College $65,000 Total $150,000 If additional funds are received, they will be placed in the Classical Contingency Fund. Motions: 1. A motion to approve the recommended classical budget for 2016 is ADOPTED. 2. A motion to express our appreciation to the churches of Classis Illiana for setting classis and denomination ministry share giving goals for 2016, and encourage each church to promote classical and denominational giving within their congregation in whatever ways are appropriate is ADOPTED. Ministry share giving remains a highly effective way of supporting the various ministries of our classis and denomination.
3. A motion to encourage the churches that have not yet set classical and denominational ministry share giving goals for 2016 to do so as soon as possible, and to report these goals to the classical interim committee and the classical treasurer is ADOPTED. 8. Church Visiting: Three years ago we began a new model for church visiting in which almost all of the churches in our classis were visited by church visitors from a neighboring church. We want to thank our church visiting teams for taking the time to encourage the leaders of a neighboring church as they seek to faithfully carry out their ministry for Christ. Last year we asked our church visiting teams to contact the church you visited previously and schedule a brief checkup visit between September and December. Many of those visits have not yet been made. We encourage all church visiting teams to contact their assigned church this fall. If your church is currently without a pastor, two elders are encouraged to make this visit to a neighboring church. The visit does not need to be long -- 30 minutes can be adequate to communicate your interest and concern for the healthy functioning of the church to which you have been assigned and to pray for God s continued blessings. We believe that shorter and more frequent visits are a more effective way to build the relationship between church visitors and their assigned church than lengthy sporadic visits. Here are a few model questions that you might want to consider for a checkup visit with your church: 1. What blessing have you experienced as a church during the past year? 2. What have been some of the most challenging/frustrating aspects of your work during the past year? 3. Are there any creative or new ministries that you have initiated this past year? 4. What are some of the issues that we as church visitors can pray about with regard to your church? 5. What has your congregation been able to do to advance the Racial Reconciliation initiates encouraged by Classis Illiana? 6. Do you have any ministry ideas that you would be willing to share with the churches of classis? Remind the church council that you are always available to consult with as the need arises, and offer a prayer for God s blessing on the church and its varied ministries. Send ministry ideas to the stated clerk by the January agenda deadline for classis so that ministry ideas can be shared with the other churches of classis at our March meeting. 9. The CIC informs the churches of classis about resources available to protect our churches in light of the recent Supreme Court decision that made same sex marriage legal in all the states. a. Steven Timmermans sent a memo to all CRC churches in order to provide guidance with regard to stating our denominational position on marriage and homosexuality in our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws. b. Protecting Your Ministry A Legal Guide for Churches, Christian Schools, and Christian Ministries prepared by the Alliance Defending Freedom. This booklet can be downloaded from the following web site www.alliancedefendingfreedom.org/church. c. Church Guidance for Same-Sex Issues A similar booklet prepared by the Christian Legal Society. It can also be downloaded from the Christian Legal Society website. 10. The CIC has a deep and serious concern for the Cottage Grove CRC. The Council has called two congregational meetings, one in November 2014 and another in May 2015, seeking the approval of the congregation to leave the CRC for the PCA. Representatives of the CIC were present and given the opportunity to speak at both meetings. Both of these recommendations were defeated by failing to reach the required 2/3rds majority. In
June the congregation of Cottage Grove was informed that Pastor Richard Zekveld was opening himself up for a call that would lead him out of the CRC, and that some of the council members were retiring from their office on June 30, and others were resigning from their position before their term was completed. That left the council with 2 elders and 4 deacons. We also received a letter from many members of the congregation asking the CIC to come and assist the congregation. The CIC wrote a pastoral letter that was distributed to the Cottage Grove congregation on August 9. Beginning on August 16, those who desire to leave the CRC began meeting for worship in another location under the leadership of Pastor Richard Zekveld. The CIC has offered to assist the congregation as they choose new elders and deacons to serve on the Church Council and provide direction for the future of the Cottage Grove CRC. 11. The denominational candidacy committee is looking for names of seasoned and experienced synodical deputies and effective church planters to serve on this committee. Application forms are available from the stated clerk. A motion to approve the work of the Classical Interim Committee is ADOPTED. E. Classical Treasurer Michael Hoeksema Michael Hoeksema presents his first report as our new classical treasurer. A motion to approve the work of the Classical Treasurer is ADOPTED. A motion to send a letter of thanks to our previous treasurer Andrew Balkema, along with a gift of $100 is ADOPTED. F. Student Fund Committee John Kostelyk A motion to approve financial aid for James Hollendoner in the amount of $7,900 is ADOPTED. He is taking courses at Calvin Theological Seminary. Tim Huizenga and Chad Huizenga have also talked to the Student Fund Committee, but have not yet completed their application form for requesting financial aid. A motion to approve the work of the Student Fund Committee is ADOPTED. G. Financial Request Screening Committee Tim Koster The Financial Screening committee recommends that Classis renew Roseland Christian Ministries place on the list of approved causes for offerings. This motion is ADOPTED. Tim also thanks the delegates for their prayers on his behalf during and following his recent surgery to remove a brain tumor. He also underwent chemotherapy and speech therapy. He was able to preach again on September 6, and is gradually regaining his strength. David Feddes leads us in a prayer of thanks for the healing given. H. Rick Vanderwal distributes a written report on Synod 2015 and shares some reflections on the synod experience. I. Church Counselors Peace, South Holland -- Glen McCarthy has accepted their call. Community, Roseland Laryn Zoerhof reports that Jim Busscher is serving as interim pastor at Community CRC in Roselawn. The transition committee is working on a church profile as they prepare to begin the search for a new pastor. 8. Jim Groen speaks and distributes information on behalf of World Renew. The World Hunger Campaign runs from October 18 November 1. The focus this year is the 20 th anniversary of the Peter fish. Churches are also encouraged to order and distribute World Renew gift catalogs on
Thanksgiving Day in order to set up a giving tree campaign. He also leads the delegates in a prayer for the Syrian refugees. At 9:50 a.m., we break from our classical business to join the Trinity students for a chapel service led by Andy Crouch. Following a coffee break, the three classes meet in the Black Box Theatre of the Arts and Communications Building for an address on Power by Andy Crouch. We enjoy lunch and a question and answer session with Andy Crouch in the Grand Lobby. Bill Sytsma leads us in our opening devotions for the afternoon session. He reads from Matthew 28:19-20 and offers a prayer for God s blessing on the work of the afternoon. 9. Lois Ooms speaks on behalf of World Missions. She requests prayers for World and Home Missions as they implement synod s decision to merge these ministries into one Global Mission. She believes that the policy of having missionaries raise their own support results in a closer relationship between missionaries and their supporting churches. She requests prayers for the Syrian refugees and the rehabilitation efforts underway in Nepal. 10. Peter Kelder speaks on behalf of Home Missions and Crosspoint Multiplication Team. Peter has served as our regional home missionary for 10 years. His written report is on pages 8-9 of the agenda. 11. Related Agencies A. Christian Counseling Center Mel Jonkman (Report on page 10 of Agenda) B. Roseland Christian Ministries John Kostelyk (Report on page 11 of Agenda) C. Self Help Jobs Program Laura Vande Werken (Report on page 12 of Agenda) D. New Leaf Resources Gerrit Veenstra E. CRCNA Historical Committee Jeff White F. Providence Life Services Bill Buikema (Report on page 13 of Agenda) 12. Denominational Boards and Agencies A. Regional Boards 1) CRCNA Board of Trustees Liz Rudenga 2) Calvin College Pedro Aviles 3) Board of Home Missions Bruce McMurry 4) Board of World Missions Lois Ooms 5) Calvin Theological Seminary Bill Sytsma 6) Back to God Ministries International Cal Aardsma B. World Renew -- James Groen 13. Interview/Examination of Pastor Glen McCarthy Materials on page 14-36 of Agenda) A motion to approve the request of Peace CRC to call a Commissioned Pastor to be their solo pastor, and to approve the job description as presented is ADOPTED. The synodical deputies concur with this decision. The following materials have been provided by Peace CRC and Pastor Glen McCarthy a. Personal biography of Glen McCarthy, including educational background b. Letter of Call from Peace CRC c. Letter of acceptance from Glen McCarthy d. Written sermon e. Letters of reference
Classis conducts an Interview/Examination of Pastor Glen McCarthy Introduction: Larry Van Drunen introduces Glen McCarthy to the delegates Sermon evaluation: Herm Schutt and Don Dykstra distributed a written report on a sermon preached by Glen McCarthy at Peace CRC and recommend that we proceed to the examination. Interview/Examination: Joel Zuidema Following numerous practical ministry questions from Joel and from the delegates, a motion to suspend the theological portion of the interview is ADOPTED. After prayer for the Lord s guidance by Tim Koster, the delegates vote by ballot and Glen is unanimously approved to serve Peace CRC as a solo pastor. Rick Vanderwal presents a Classical Certificate for a Commissioned Pastor to Glen McCarthy, and the delegates extend their congratulations. 14. Colin Watson, Director of Ministries and Administration, distributes a brochure entitled The Emerging Ministry Plan with 5 desired futures: 1. Church and Community -- Congregations of the CRC participate with each other and with their local communities to discern where the Spirit is working and to bear witness to Christ s presence. 2. Discipleship -- Congregations of the CRC are vibrant, grace-shaped communities engaged in life-long discipleship with those of all generations. 3. Leadership Congregations and ministries of the CRC are places where clergy and lay leaders are developed, trained and empowered to lead effectively in today s diverse and challenging contexts. 4. Identity Congregations and members of the CRC understand deeply, embrace fully and express freely what it means to be a part of the CRCNA. 5. Collaboration Congregations and ministries of the CRC interact together in ways that are effective, efficient, responsive, cross-culturally competent, easily accessible and sustainable. 15. A letter was received from Rev. Frank Varga asking that his status as a CRC pastor on loan to the Hungarian Reformed Church of Allen Park, Michigan be renewed. A motion to approve his request for 2 years is ADOPTED, and the synodical deputies concur. Frank also desires to have his calling church (Hope CRC, Indianapolis) announce that he is available for a call within the CRC. 16. Article 41 Committee: a. Cottage Grove According to Article 14 b. a minister of the word who resigns from the ministry of the CRC to enter a ministry outside the denomination shall be released from office by the classis with an appropriate declaration reflecting the resigned minister s status and with the concurring advice of the synodical deputies. On September 14, the current Cottage Grove Council approved a motion to rescind the August 30 letter from the previous Cottage Grove Council asking that classis release Rev. Richard Zekveld from ministry in the CRC. Instead, the Council approved a motion to dismiss Rev. Richard Zekveld from ministry in the CRC effective August 11, 2015. The Classical Interim Committee and the Article 41 Committee concur in this decision. The synodical deputies also concur. b. The Council of First CRC, Crown Point, informs Classis that Jamie Bogaard accepted a call to serve as pastor of the Lynnville Friends Church of Lynnville, Iowa and began his ministry there on August 2, 2015. c. Family of Faith expresses dismay at the recent Banner editorial by Bob DeMoor suggesting that the denomination should let each congregation decide whether it considers same-sex marriage to be sinful. We are also dismayed that the Back to God Ministries posted several articles on its
Think Christian website that express approval of same-sex marriage. Even after correspondence and discussion with BTGMI leaders, these articles remain online. We oppose using denominational resources to provide a wider hearing for false doctrines that oppose Scriptural and denominational positions. Therefore we no longer support BTGMI with our ministry shares. We feel more and more distant from CRC agencies and the direction of CRC officialdom. d. First South Holland informs classis that by reason of age, our pastor Bernard Tol will be retiring effective February 1, 2016. The council of First CRC, South Holland approves of this request for emeritus status, with gratitude for Rev. Bernard Tol s 39 years of service in Bemis, South Dakota, Willard, Ohio, Oakland, Michigan, North Street, Zeeland, Michigan, and First South Holland. We ask Classis Illiana to give its approval. Rick Vanderwal leads in a prayer for God s blessing on Ben and Judy Tol in their retirement years. Rev. David Feddes is appointed to serve as counselor of First South Holland at their request. They also request pulpit supply one Sunday a month beginning in February. 17. Reverend Lugene Bazuin will be celebrating 65 years of service as a minister in the CRC on September 20. He will be preaching at the Emmanuel CRC in Sauk Village at 10:30 AM. A time of celebration with Archie and Ellie will follow, and guests are welcome. 18. Our next regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 1, 2016 at New Life CRC in Highland. 19. A motion to adjourn is ADOPTED. 20. Ben Tol makes appropriate acknowledgements and closes the meeting with prayer, remembering especially Classical Treasurer Michael Hoeksema and his wife Joanne as Joanne goes through a difficult chemotherapy treatment program. Classis ends with the delegates singing the Benediction Song. Laryn Zoerhof, stated clerk