NR #1996-047: For Immediate Release Relentless Church Unity Drive Poses Threat of Separation * Nederlands Hervormde Kerk Synod Again Supports "Together on the Way" Merger with Gereformeerde Kerken in Nederland by Albert van der Heide c 1996 Windmill Herald Distributed by United Reformed News Service DOORN, The Netherlands (May 3, 1996) URNS - The drive for a Dutch united Protestant church is fast approaching an unwanted climax. Opponents, led by orthodox Reformed members of the Nederlands Hervormde Kerk (NHK), maintain their position that they do not want to sacrifice their long-held confessional standards because the Together-on-the-Way process (Dutch: "Samen op Weg," hereafter SoW) supports a conflicting theological statement. The unity drive by the NHK, the Gereformeerde Kerken-synodaal (GKN-s) and the Evangelische Lutherse Kerk (ELK) already formally took place in hundreds of federating congregations throughout the country but still needs to be completed at provincial and national synod levels. NHK officials long regarded opposition by the Gereformeerde Bond (GB) in the NHK as rearguard skirmishes but now are concerned about hardened opposition on an increasing number of issues. However, the NHK Synod's latest sitting firmly continued on the merger course, with 56 for the plan and only 19 against. Historically, the Nederlands Hervormde Kerk was the Dutch "mother church" of the Reformed Church in America, much as the Gereformeerde Kerken in Nederland was the "mother church" of the Christian Reformed Church in North America. The RCA was founded in 1628 by members of the NHK who founded New York City, then the Dutch colony of New Amsterdam. The GKN was formed by an 1892 merger of two groups that left the NHK in 1834 and 1886; immigrants from the first of these groups founded the CRC when they seceded from the RCA in 1857. As more Dutch citizens emigrated to the United States and Canada in later years, many GKN members joined the CRC and many NHK members joined the RCA. However, connections between the RCA and the NHK have been much less close than those between the CRC and the GKN due in large part to the RCA's greater Americanization. The NHK tie to the RCA is more important in Canada, where the Gereformeerde Bond has a number of congregations and sympathizers and where the RCA's regional synod of Canada is much more conservative than the United States wing of the denomination. The time-table for an emerging Dutch united church slowed considerably last year, when a badly divided NHK needed more time to settle internal differences. Events of recent weeks suggest that the NHK is a long, long way from solving this problem even though Synod now decided to continue the process leading to the merger. A number of orthodox Reformed consistories formally refused to go along with any SoW-unity option be it the federative route or an outright denominational merger. Their obstacle is SoW's adoption of the 1973 Leuenberg statement by mainline Reformed and Lutheran theologians. Orthodox NHK members oppose the Leuenberg statement which, in their view, undermines the church's doctrine as formulated in the Canons of Dordt. Trusteeship also bone of contention In an unrelated matter, almost 400 of 1,374 NHK congregations missed a final synodical deadline to comply with changes to local property management rules. These 400 are not all aligned with the GB. A small number missed the deadline on purpose and took the unprecedented step of each creating a non-profit foundation, to be run by 'outside' trustees. The foundation would manage holdings such as church buildings, parsonages and real estate. GB's address book lists about 300 member congregations and 400 of NHK's 2,000 ministers. NHK church polity gave the consistory - minister(s) and elders - spiritual oversight of the congregation, while trustees - called 'kerkvoogden' - independently managed finances, budgets and property (with varying degrees of hierarchial supervision, depending on the model the local congregation followed). However in 1951, the NHK Synod revised its bylaws, the church order, and sought to simplify things with an uniform elder-trusteeship system. Since opposition to this change was strong - opponents say the system creates a new office - Synod decided to encourage congregations to make the changes on a voluntary basis (soon coined 'aangepast beheer'). Nearly a thousand congregations complied but hardcore opponents refused to change their system which dates from the last part of the sixteenth century. By the late 1980's, NHK synods again became concerned about the lack of uniformity and brought the issue back once more. In 1991, it was decided that by January 1, 1996, all congregations needed to comply with having the elder-trustee system in place. Regulations call for a minimum of three trustees per consistory. Maartensdijk on cutting edge Opponents charge that Synod's desire to make NHK property management rules uniform is intended to accommodate the SoW-merger process and to bring property held by local congregations firmly under control of Synod. In some ways, the 1951 NHK elder-trustee decision brought its procedures much closer to those used in the GKN-s, where consistories deal with both spiritual and material matters. The latter usually are taken care of by specially appointed administrative committees. Last year, an independent NHK-trustees' group representing 73 congregations challenged synod's authority over the issue but lost its case. The group was supported by some GB-congregations over the principial objection of GB's board. An appeal is now pending. The trustee issue again made headline news when Zuid-Holland's provincial supervisory trustee committee (PKC) decided to thwart a call issued by the vacant congregation of Maartensdijk, one of those which placed its assets in a foundation. By the PKC withholding its approval of the call to Rev. A. Vlietstra Jr. of Driesum, the well-known orthodox minister advised Maartensdijk that under the circumstances he could not consider their call. The Maartensdijk matter in part prompted 95 of Vlietstra's colleagues - with Rev. Op 't Hof as spokesman - to send an open letter to Synod. In it, they accused Synod of intimidating the congregations and burdening the consciences of office bearers. A subsequent meeting between the ministers and Synod's officers failed to bridge the rift. The open letter is but one of a series over the past few years. The previous one was issued by 17 concerned delegates - a minority - when a colleague refused to attend Synod any longer. National church Until the Maartensdijk matter came along, GB-led opposition to the SoW process always identified departure from confessional and doctrinal standards as the main issue, even though the NHK as a whole has a poor record of upholding its belief system. For example, GB-congregations opposed successive synods which brought down rulings that contradicted Scripture and the denomination's doctrinal standards - the Heidelberg Catechism, the Belgic Confession and the Canons of Dordt. The recent controversy over the decision that consistories may not withhold the Lord's Supper from homosexuals underlines this situation. Opening all offices to women years ago was another. Regardless, no one really expects GB-consistories to adhere to such decisions. It illustrates how in effect the GB is a separate church under the NHK umbrella following its own traditional standards, and highlights how little the two main factions have in common. On the other hand, the GB strongly sticks to the concept of a national church, the 'volkskerk,' of which it wants to remain a part, wide divergences notwithstanding, because presently the GB feels it still can appeal on the basis of the denomination's time-honoured standards. Even in recent weeks, GB leaders at every opportunity emphasized their aversion to a secession from the NHK, stating they do not want to leave. However, they also state they cannot go along with a SoW united church either. Until very recently, observers felt that in the end the GB would find some way of accommodating itself in the SoW fold. The SoW-drive for unity between the two largest Protestant denominations and the small Lutheran church - the Remonstrant group founded by followers of the theologian Jacob Arminius withdrew from the SoW process soon after joining - now is causing serious tension in GB circles and its sympathizers. Among the latter are those aligned with the conservative orthodox periodical 'Het Gekrookte Riet,' which is edited by Staphorst's minister, Reverend J. de Jong, who with his uncompromising approach in the SoW issue, now overshadows GB's opposition. He promises to continue the NHK after SoW-supporters merge into a Dutch united church. A third conservative group, the 'Confessionele Vereniging,' also opposes the denominational merger option but may agree if the denominations would federate instead of merging, and each keep their own standards and identity. In the meantime, GB's leaders seem more interested in keeping their increasingly nervous faction together, hoping for a miracle to solve their dilemma. Two days before Synod's latest sitting, the GB sponsored a special prayer service for confessional unity. Resemblance to '1886' The SoW-wrangle in the NHK is followed closely by other Reformed groups whose ancestors left the denomination in the 1834 Secession and the 1886 Doleantie. In a recent analysis in the daily 'Nederlands Dagblad,' commentator J.P. de Vries observed that with the Maartensdijk matter resistance against SoW now has changed direction. According to him, the NHK situation is starting more and more to resemble the pre-1886 Doleantie situation. "In the struggle that preceded the Doleantie, congregational property similarly played an important role," wrote de Vries. "[Church leader Dr. Abraham] Kuyper's aim was that congregations cut ties with Synod and continue the local church intact with all privileges. That is why his Amsterdam consistory arranged its affairs in such a way that synod could not touch them. A fierce battle followed." De Vries quotes from a book by theologian J.C. Rullmann who typified his observations of 1886 this way: "The same ministers who never got excited when the Lord's holiness was defamed and who always were ready to douse spiritual awakenings, the same ones became, now that material things and trusteeship were at stake, suddenly aroused and very active, in a manner never even witnessed among politicians in the Second Chamber." De Vries notes a striking resemblance between Rullmann's comments and those in the open letter of the 96. Kuyper's precaution notwithstanding, the congregations that subsequently followed his Doleantie movement were confronted with NHK's demand they turn over their properties. The courts sided with NHK's demand. According to De Vries, the currently protesting congregations have been served with a warning: the courts already side with NHK's Synod. The congregations that wish to continue the NHK independently from the SoW drive should count on the fact that a high price will be extracted for their stand, possibly by losing all their assets, warns the Dutch newspaper commentator. Dutch names and English translations with their abbreviations * Reformed Alliance in the Netherlands Reformed Church: Gereformeerde Bond in de Nederlands Hervormde Kerk (GB) * Evangelical Lutheran Church: Evangelische Lutherse Kerk (ELK) * Reformed Churches in the Netherlands: Gereformeerde Kerken in Nederland-synodaal (GKN-s) * Netherlands Reformed Church: Nederlands Hervormde Kerk (NHK) * Provincial Trustee Committee: Provinciale Kerkvoogdij Commissie (PKC) * Together-on-the-Way: Samen-op-Weg (SoW) Important Dates in Dutch Reformed History 1568 Convent of Wezel, persecuted Reformed churches meet outside Dutch territory, then under rulership of Roman Catholic Spain. 1571 Synod of Emden, also held on free East-Frisian territory, confirms principles and practises of church government, lays foundation for a church order. 1574 Synod of Dordrecht, first synod of Reformed churches held in politically independent Netherlands. 1578 Reformed churches hold another Synod of Dordrecht. 1618-9 Synod of Dordrecht, convened with approval of States of Holland and the States-General, rejects teachings by Arminius and the Remonstrants, deposes hundreds of ministers who adhere to Arminian views, adopts Canons of Dordt, Belgic Confession and Heidelberg Catechism as standards and authorizes a Bible translation, the 'Statenvertaling.' For nearly 200 years, government refuses churches permission to hold another general synod. 1796 Separation of church and state, government ends practise of paying stipends to ministers. 1816 King William I imposes a new hierarchical, collegial system on the Gereformeerde Kerken, now renamed Nederlands Hervormde Kerk (NHK). New church regulations and other government-imposed practises for years cause widespread opposition which gets stifled or simply put aside. 1834 Classis Groningen deposes Rev. H. De Cock of Ulrum. Ulrum secedes from NHK, starting the Afscheiding and heavy-handed suppression of the movement by the authorities. 1843 Government modifies regulations, transfers ecclesiastical authority to synod. 1852 Duly called general synod ratifies changes to church order regulations, government relinquishes most of its rights and responsibilities. 1862 Government phases out Ministry of Religion, many liberals leave the NHK and join Remonstrants or Protestant Union. 1870 Government withdraws from remaining responsibilities towards the NHK. 1874 First attempt - many unsuccessful ones follow through 1938 - to reorganise NHK fails. 1875 More liberals leave the NHK. 1886 Kuyper leads Doleantie movement, many churches secede with orthodox faithful to join Nederduits Gereformeerde Kerk. 1892 Formal merger of the great majority of the churches of the Secession of 1834 with those of the Doleantie, adopting the pre-1816 name of Gereformeerde Kerken. The GKN is now in the process of merging with the NHK. 1905 Orthodox leaders organise Gereformeerde Bond (GB). 1951 Synod over strong opposition finalizes revision of church order, removes last vestiges of 1816 but fails to reassert its authority over doctrine and discipline. 1958 Synod opens offices to women. Dutch denominations NHK and GKN-s initiate discussions on a proposed merger. 1986 NHK officially enters state of union with GKN-s and ELK. Cross-References to Related Articles: #1995-067: Christian Reformed Synod Votes to Keep Fraternal Relations with Gereformeerde Kerken Despite Advocacy of Gay Rights #1995-068: Complete Text of the GKN President's Fraternal Address #1996-011: CRC's Largest Congregation Joins Protest Against Fraternal Relations with Gereformeerde Kerken in Nederland #1996-044: Engelhard to Gereformeerde Kerken in Nederland: Christian Reformed Synod Upset by Biblical Justification of Homosexuality in Dutch Mother Church Contact List: Rev. W.B. Beekman, President, Synod of the Nederlands Hervormde Kerk Dammenseweg 1, 8723 CL Koudum, NETHERLANDS * H/O: 0514-52 12 34 Rev. T.J. de Jong, Editor, Het Gekrookte Riet Gemeenteweg 53, 7951 CE Staphorst, NETHERLANDS * H/O: 0522-46 33 00 Dr. David Engelhard, General Secretary, Christian Reformed Church in North America 2850 Kalamazoo Ave. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49560 O: (616) 246-0744 * H: (616) 243-2418 * FAX: (616) 246-0834 * E-Mail: engelhad@crcnet.mhs.compuserve.com Rev. Wesley Granberg-Michaelson, General Secretary, Reformed Church in America 49 Yawpo, Oakland, NJ 07436 * O: (212) 870-2845 Rev. W.J. Op 't Hof, Spokesman, Open Letter Group of 96 Kapelstraat 21, 5317 JP Nederhemert, NETHERLANDS * H/O: 0418-55 23 80 Rev. Evert Overeem, Moderator, GKN Interchurch Relations Committee Schoutelaan 16, 9751 PM Haren, NETHERLANDS Secretariat, Synod of the Nederlands Hervormde Kerk Postbus 405, 2260 Leidschendam, NETHERLANDS * O: 070-313 11 31 Dr. A. Van Brummelen, Chairman, Gereformeerde Bond in Nederlands Hervormde Kerk J van Brakelstraat 59, 1271 WE Huizen, NETHERLANDS * H/O: 035-525 11 24 Dr. Ir.J. van der Graaf, General Secretary, Gereformeerde Bond in Nederlands Hervormde Kerk Postbus 452, 1270 AL Huizen, NETHERLANDS * O: 035-525 41 91 Rev. Richard S. E. Vissinga, President, Synod of the Gereformeerde Kerken in Nederland Watermunt 11, 8265 EL Kampen, NETHERLANDS Rev. A. Vlietstra, Pastor, Driesum Hervormde Kerk Van Sytzamaweg 31, 9114 RV Driesum, NETHERLANDS * H/O: 0511-42 34 84 ------------------------------------------------ file: /pub/resources/text/reformed: nr96-047.txt .