NR #1995-022: For Immediate Release
Classis Lake Erie Sends Forty Pages of Overtures to Synod

by Darrell Todd Maurina, Press Officer
Reformed Believers Press Service

TOLEDO (March 8, 1995) RBPS - For many years, Classis Lake Erie of the
Christian Reformed denomination has distinguished itself by detailed and
lengthy overtures, generally addressing issues of concern to the
"progressive" wing of the CRC. Not uncommonly, the extensively researched
Classis Lake Erie overtures have become the foundation for positions later
adopted by synod.

 This year, Classis Lake Erie appointed committees of pre-advice, added
additional hours to its March 3 agenda, and finally sent over forty pages of
overtures to synod.

 What positions will Synod 1995 adopt? If Classis Lake Erie has its way,
those positions will include such items as the following:

 * Rejecting the committee appointed to study feminine language for God
because all ministers and theologians on the committee oppose that practice.

 * Establishing a policy to ensure that committees have members "who reflect
the gender, ethnic and racial diversity of our denomination and, where
applicable, the range of opinion that exists in our denomination on a
particular matter to be studied."

 * Ending the CRC practice of having church order changes ratified by a
subsequent synod.

 * Revising the 1994 decision against women in office to allow women to serve
immediately as ministers, elders, and evangelists.

 * Rejecting the recommendations of a study committee report which says that
women expounders may not fill pulpits in the CRC.

 In addition, Classis Lake Erie held an intensive debate on officially
delegating deacons to its own classis, finally postponing action to its next
meeting in October 1995 amidst concerns that the proposal would violate the
church order.  



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