From: Darrell128@aol.com Date: Wed, 27 Nov 1996 16:45:01 -0500 (EST) Subject: NR 119: Alliance of Reformed Churches Plans Church Polity Study To Reach United Reformed News Service Regional Office Staff: Darrell Todd Maurina, Press Officer [To end of this week only, until evening Friday Nov. 22] 1214 Fountain NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 H/O: (616) 451-4025 * E-Mail: Darrell128@aol.com [After November 22] PO Box 691, Lawrence, MI 49064-0691 O: (616) 674-8446 * FAX: (616) 674-8454 * E-Mail: Darrell128@aol.com Greg Rickmar, Circulation Manager PO Box 1717, Battle Creek, MI 49016 * H: (616) 966-3343 * E-Mail: GRickmar@msn.com World Wide Web Site: "http://www.iclnet.org/pub/resources/text/reformed/reform ed-home.html" NR #1996-119: For Immediate Release Alliance of Reformed Churches Reaffirms Continued Existence; Plans Study of Church Polity Questions and Concerns by Darrell Todd Maurina, Press Officer United Reformed News Service OVERISEL, Mich. (November 26, 1996) URNS -- What is the Alliance of Reformed Churches and what should it become? Those were the two central questions underlying all the overtures and most of the discussion at the November 12-13 session of the Alliance, held for the first time in the facilities of Messiah's Independent Reformed Church in Overisel, Mich., rather than its longstanding venue in the Chicago suburb of Lynwood. After electing Elders Pete Elzinga and Pete Yonker of Reformed Heritage Community Church of Holland as chair and vice-chair and Rev. Ken Anema of Messiah's IRC as temporary clerk, the Alliance roll call reflected 37 official delegates from 17 churches and a sizable number of visitors and observers. Alliance attendance was significantly reduced from the earlier numbers. Most of that loss reflected the decision by churches representing 8343 of the Alliance's former membership of 13,143 to federate into the new United Reformed Churches in North America at a meeting in Lynwood on October 1-2. Elzinga's report as interim committee chairman indicated that 30 of the Alliance churches responded to his inquiry about continuing the Alliance, 22 of which wanted to see the ARC continue and several others expressed subsequent interest. Not surprisingly, many of the interested churches were those which had not joined the federation; one of the ARC's first tasks was to accept the resignation of stated clerk Rev. Jerome Julien, now stated clerk of the new synod, and thank him and other resigning officers for their years of work for the Alliance. That didn't mean the federated churches were all absent, however. Five federated churches attended the Alliance meeting as voting members, and several were quite vocal in their concerns. One federated delegate, Rev. Richard Stienstra of Grace Reformed Church of Dunnville, Ontario, voiced an often-repeated theme: being "straight" with each other about the goals and purposes of those who wanted to continue the Alliance. "We ought to be clear, direct, pointed, and charitable with brothers as much as possible," said Stienstra, objecting to an overture from Messiah's IRC of Overisel calling for the Alliance to "reformulate the ARC's purpose statement so that it does not reduplicate the North American Presbyterian and Reformed Churches (NAPARC) nor the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE) nor the International Conference of Reformed Churches (ICRC) nor the Reformed Ecumenical Council (REC)" and to "amend the purpose statement to incorporate the idea of pursuing the goal of a United Reformed Church where like-minded Reformed Churches would effect a visible union." Messiah's IRC also called upon the ARC churches to "unite loosely on the basis of a minimal constitution" and to cooperate in "magisterial appeals (for example, with regard to abortion/euthanasia)," "ecclesiastical fellowship (for example, organizing retreats where needs are addressed)" and "confessional conferences (for example, informing our churches regarding egalitarianism, etc.)" The Messiah's IRC overture was the longest and most-discussed item before the Alliance this year. Originating in an ad hoc planning meeting last August in which a number of the non-federated ARC churches in West Michigan discussed possible future goals for the Alliance, the overture included additional details not previously discussed. The Alliance's agenda also included two overtures from Reformed Heritage Community Church of Holland asking that "the committee to study the differences between the Three Forms of Unity and the Westminster Standards be reactivated" and that "time be given to a discussion of the pros and cons of federation." Two communications, one from the Christian Reformation Church of Grand Rapids urging ARC to "form a recognizable ecclesiastical body" and one from Westmoreland (NH) Reformed Bible Church asking how ARC could help distant and isolated churches were also on the ARC agenda. The Messiah's IRC overture generated almost all the discussion, however. "I think what the Messiah's church is asking for is that we discontinue the existing Alliance in order to formulate a new Alliance," said Stienstra. "I may be wrong on occasion, but I like to speak clearly. We would in fact terminate that decade-old pathway in order that we might begin a new pathway and we ought then to see clearly what we ought to do rather than saying it does not make any difference what we do." Stienstra's comments raised longstanding questions regarding what the Alliance is all about and what it is intended to do. "I don't see these purpose statements as being a contradiction of the purpose statement," said Rev. Jim Graveling of Immanuel's Reformed Church in Salem, Oregon, noting that federation into a new synod was not the only reason people had joined the Alliance in the past. "In the history of the case we are seeing that some of the other concerns and interests that were previously present in the ARC are now coming to the fore and we are going to give them a chance and see what happens with them." Responding to an inquiry from Stienstra about what the Alliance should change, Graveling said the problem had less to do with the formal purpose statement of the Alliance and more to do with its decisions last year supporting federation and the proposed church order -- decisions which resulted in a majority of the ARC membership leaving to join the new federation. "I think the reason many of us did not join the federation is we do not see the biblical and scriptural principles clearly enough enunciated," said Graveling. "We have invitations to go into the federation at this time and we welcome that, but at the same time we would like to reverse that, brothers, and invite you to join us." "Our own church is trying to understand and decipher what are the principles the Bible gives about church government. Is it Congregational Reformed? Is it historic Dutch Reformed? Is it Presbyterian, as our brothers in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church and the Reformed Presbyterian Church General Assembly say?" asked Graveling. "I'm very much concerned that if we were to join the federation much of that would not happen, we would not have an arena to discuss these very important matters." Stienstra urged the Messiah's IRC pastor to realize that church polity was not a minor issue and that some of the sentiments being expressed differed from the Dutch Reformed tradition. "What you are proposing, it seems, gingerly and gently to be sure, is that we form a relationship on a totally different model than our fathers have ever counseled. We ought to be sure that we see what we are doing. If we intend to form a denomination that is loosely related, we have essentially created a conference as the Baptists call it," said Stienstra. "The Reformed people based upon Scripture have always said we ought to have a greater degree of unity. It would appear, Brother Anema, that you are not in tune or in step with what our forefathers have fought for. I would suggest that we are not equipped to make such a fundamental change." That didn't sit well with Messiah's IRC elder Bob Knaack. "I'd like to ask the brother, through the chair, what he means by Reformed. I'm a little tired of getting beat over the head that because I'm independent I'm not Reformed," said Knaack. "As for what brother Stienstra said about changes, last year we voted in one church order, and then after supper they said 'poof, that's out,' now they voted in a different church order this year and said it could be amended. So is their church order perfect?" While sharing Stienstra's sentiments, other federated delegates said they realized a change in the purpose of the Alliance might be inevitable and could be positive. "I feel for those churches which are not part of the federation, I wish you would become part of the federation, but if you're not going to become part of the federation you need some kind of organization and perhaps the Alliance could become it," said Rev. Jerry Van Dyk of Covenant Christian Church in Wyoming, Ontario. "So how should a person like me vote?" Rev. Bob Heerema of the Independent Reformed Church of Sheffield, Ontario, asked again what motivated the concerns of those who didn't want to federate. "Is the intention of the people here to formulate a church order which you believe more faithfully reflects the teaching of Scripture?" asked Heerema. "I have some feelings for that, since I believe our church order in the federation needs some amending. Are you really in essence proposing to formulate another church order which you believe will faithfully in each article reflect Scriptural teachings?" Anema said the key question was not so much specific problems in the United Reformed church order but rather unresolved questions about the biblical foundation of church polity. "What does Scripture have to say in the relationship of individual churches to each other? That remains our question," said Anema. "The church to which I belong have not felt confident to take that step with the church order which has been formulated. Do we want a church order where every single article has a biblical quotation? I'm not sure that's what we're after, but we would like to have the biblical principles worked out as to how that comes to expression." Other nonfederated churches expressed frustration that church order differences without explicit foundation in Scripture were keeping conservative Reformed denominations apart. "You probably have five or six orthodox Dutch Reformed denominations in West Michigan, all of which say they want to hold to the Reformed faith, all of which hold to the inerrancy of the Scriptures, all of which talk about their desire to hold to the truth. What separates us seems to be church order," said Rev. Paul Murphy of Dutton (MI) IRC. "To me that seems to be tragic." "Let's get our heads screwed on straight here," said Murphy. "Are you in favor of visible union among those who confess the same truths? I am puzzled that this goal which we all say we are in agreement on is causing such confusion. If we are for it, let's vote for it and start working. If we're not, and are opposed to it, let's just say that and go home because there isn't a lot of purpose for us being here." After further debate, Stienstra moved to refer the overture back to the Messiah's IRC council to seek assistance from other councils and bring it back next year for review. That proposal to refer the motion back to Messiah's IRC didn't sit well with the nonfederated delegates, several of whom argued that it would cripple or destroy the organization. After it was voted down, a nonfederated delegate successfully moved to table the motion to the next day so it could be revised off the floor in an attempt to satisfy concerns. The next morning, the Messiah's IRC delegates came back to the floor with an amended version of their proposal, calling the Alliance instead "to further define her constitutional existence" by reaffirming its purpose statement and need for existence "since her continued existence has recently been called into question." Quoting the existing ARC purpose statement, the revised overture asked ARC to "work towards '[assisting] the member churches in promoting ecclesiastical unity and biblical obedience among the people of God' by providing an arena in which other confessionally like-minded Reformed/Presbyterian churches who assent to the ARC purpose statement and who consider that the Belgic Confession's articles 27-32 are a starting point from which to begin, may work towards potentially effecting a united Reformed witness by means of discussing commonalities and differences in the light of Scripture." While not satisfactory to everyone present, the Alliance finally adopted the revised version of the Messiah's IRC overture. In related matters, the Alliance concurred with the request to reactivate the committee studying differences between the Three Forms of Unity and the Westminster Standards and unanimously adopted a motion that the "stated clerk receive and distribute information regarding Reformed principles of church polity," with a deadline of the end of March. Responding to the Westmoreland communication regarding assistance to isolated churches, Alliance chairman Elder Pete Elzinga proposed an eightfold response: that the ARC promote the possibility of pulpit exchanges; inform churches of availability of sermon tapes; exchange minutes of regional meetings, officebearers conferences, and other activities; promote vacationing in ARC churches; promote correspondence between young people; exchange church newsletters; provide financial help where needed; and where possible promote regional communication and fellowship. "If you get a church like Salem, Oregon, I'm not sure if there are any other churches of our fellowship which are nearby, but I'm thinking of the three churches in Ontario that are still not federated," said Elzinga. Responding to Elzinga's proposal, Heerema -- who before going to Sheffield also served an isolated CRC congregation in Vermont where his closest CRC colleague was the pastor of the Westmoreland, N.H. church, then still in the CRC -- moved that Elzinga's response be formally communicated to Westmoreland as the Alliance's response to their concerns. In closing business, the Alliance voted to hold its next meeting at Immanuel Fellowship Church of Kalamazoo, Mich., from October 16-17, 1997. To conduct its business until the next meeting the Alliance elected Elder Rick Poll of Dutton IRC as the next chair of the interim committee, Elder Pete Yonker of Reformed Heritage Community Church of Holland to serve as ARC stated clerk and secretary of the interim committee, and Elder Fred Colenbrander of the Independent Christian Reformed Church of Ancaster, Ontario, to serve as at-large interim committee member. Elder Bob Knaack will serve as the ARC treasurer. Cross-References to Related Articles: #1993-051: To Federate or Not to Federate: Question for CRC Seceders; 1993 Alliance of Reformed Churches to Meet in Illinois November 16-18 #1993-053: Alliance of Reformed Churches Recognizes "Need" for Christian Reformed Seceders to Federate in New Denomination; Record Attendance at Alliance: 59 Churches send 130 Voting Delegates; 10 Send Observers; Federation: A Small Step with Potentially Big Implications; Alliance Encourages Creation of Regional Fellowships; Binding the Broader Reformed Community Together; Presbyterian Denomination Requests Inclusion in ARC; Inclusion of Westminster Confession Tabled; Alliance Strengthens Procedures for Ordination Examinations; Church Order Issues to be Reviewed by Committee; List of Churches Sending Delegates to Alliance #1994-057: Alliance of Reformed Churches to Headline Questions on Whether to Form a New Denominational Federation, Debate on Adoption of Westminster Standards #1994-060: Alliance of Reformed Churches Adopts Westminster Standards; Seceding Christian Reformed Congregations Move to Convene New Federation; Church Order Committee Avoids Explosion Over Federation Question; Sharply Divided Committee Reaches Unanimous Compromise on Inclusion of Westminster Standards in Alliance Purpose Statement; Independent Churches Decide to Federate Apart from Alliance; Unauthorized Letter to 600 PCA Churches and Leaders Prompts Protests in Presbyterian Church in America and Alliance of Reformed Churches; Alliance Declines Offer of Dordt College Board Position; Confessional Conference on Ecclesiology Scrapped for 1995; Other Matters: Yearbook Problems, Reading Sermons Proposal Rejected, Proposals on Ministerial Training, Revenue Canada, Contact Committee with CRC, Equalizing Travel Costs Voted Down, Alliance Stays in Chicago for 1995 Meeting, Julien Re-Elected Stated Clerk, P.Y. DeJong Addresses Alliance #1995-010: Lester De Koster Blasts Alliance of Reformed Churches for Synodocratic Tendencies #1995-017 Alliance of Reformed Churches Continues Dramatic Growth #1995-029: Lynwood Cancels Federation Conference of Independent Congregations in Alliance of Reformed Churches #1995-104: Alliance of Reformed Churches: New Federation on the Way? #1995-110: Former Christian Reformed Congregations Federate to Form "Fellowship of Uniting Reformed Churches" #1995-111: Alliance Minority Declines to Join Federation; Meeting Convened by Interim Committee Chair Gathers Fifteen Percent of Delegates to Continue as Alliance of Reformed Churches #1996-104: New Denomination Born: Most Christian Reformed Seceders Organize as "United Reformed Churches of North America" Contact List: Rev. Ken Anema, Pastor, Messiah's Independent Reformed Church of Overisel 234 N. Ottawa, Zeeland, MI 49464 * H: (616) 748-1542 Elder Pete Elzinga, Interim Committee Chairman, Alliance of Reformed Churches 10532 Paw Paw Dr., Holland, MI 49424 H/O: (616) 772-2918 Rev. Jim Graveling, Pastor, Immanuel's Reformed Church PO Box 3106, Salem, OR 97306 H/O: (503) 581-6764 Rev. Jerome Julien, Stated Clerk, United Reformed Churches in North America 3646 - 193rd Pl., Lansing, IL 60438 H/O: (708) 418-5321 Elder Bob Knaack, Messiah's Independent Reformed Church A6472 - 140th Ave., Holland, MI 49423 H/O: (616) 335-5516 Rev. Paul Murphy, Pastor, Dutton Independent Reformed Church 6940 Hanna Lake Rd., Caledonia, MI 49316 O: (616) 698-7467 Rev. Ken Sanders, Pastor, Westmoreland Christian Reformed Church (Indep.) 33 Capon Rd., Westmoreland, NH 03466 O: (603) 357-2313 * H: (603) 399-7213 Rev. Richard Stienstra, Pastor, Grace Reformed Church PO Box 85, Dunnville, ON N1A 2X1 H/O: (905) 774-1130 Elder Peter Yonker, Reformed Heritage Community Church 3984 North 168th Ave., Holland, MI 49423 O: (616) 399-1009 ------------------------------------------------ file: /pub/resources/text/reformed: nr96-119.txt .