From: Darrell128@aol.com Date: Wed, 19 Mar 1997 17:19:08 -0500 (EST) Subject: NR 97031: RCA's 2nd and 3rd largest classes affirm salvation thru Christ alone NR #1997-031: Reformed Church in America's Second and Third Largest Classes Vote to Affirm Salvation Only Through Christ By substantial voice vote margins, the second and third largest classes in the 313,000-member Reformed Church in America have voted to approve a pending amendment to the denomination's book of church order which would require all RCA ministers and churches to annually reaffirm that salvation is through Christ alone. In separate meetings on the evening of March 18, the RCA's Classis of Zeeland and Classis of South Grand Rapids voted to ratify the amendment, which will go into effect if passed by a two-thirds majority of all 46 RCA classes and by a simple majority of the upcoming General Synod in June. NR #1997-031: For Immediate Release Reformed Church in America's Second and Third Largest Classes Vote to Affirm Salvation Only Through Christ by Darrell Todd Maurina, Press Officer United Reformed News Service WYOMING, Mich. (March 18, 1997) URNS - By substantial voice vote margins, the second and third largest classes in the 313,000-member Reformed Church in America have voted to approve a pending amendment to the denomination's book of church order which would require all RCA ministers and churches to annually reaffirm that salvation is through Christ alone. In separate meetings on the evening of March 18, the RCA's 17,038-member Classis of South Grand Rapids and the 15,682-member Classis of Zeeland voted to ratify the amendment, which was proposed by a 148-112 margin last June at the RCA's 1996 General Synod. The RCA's largest classis is the 21,995-member Classis of California, almost half of whose members belong to the 9400-member Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, California, pastored by televangelist Rev. Robert Schuller. The California vote was not yet available, but passage is likely in that classis as well. The California Classis submitted three overtures to last year's General Synod asking the denomination to reaffirm "the words of Acts 4:12 [that] 'there is salvation in no one else [except Christ], for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved,'" as well as the denomination's "historic position that the Bible is the Word of God, our only rule of faith and life" and "that Scripture is the foundation of the RCA's response to persons of homosexual orientation and Scripture does not condone a continuing homosexual practice." According to RCA denominational rules, amendments to the book of church order must be proposed by a simple majority at one General Synod, submitted to each of the denomination's 46 classes for ratification, and then voted on a second time at the next year's General Synod. If ratified by two-thirds of the denomination's 46 classes and passed a second time by a simple majority at this summer's General Synod, scheduled to meet in June, the Reformed Church in America will require each of its ministers and churches to inform classis each year on whether "the doctrines of the gospel [are] preached in your church in their purity in conformity with. the truth that divine redemption from sin is only by grace through faith in the perfect work of the Lord Jesus Christ alone, the only mediator between God and humankind." If ratified, the new question would follow up on two "constitutional inquiries" that each RCA classis is already required to ask each year to all ministers and elder delegates to classis. Currently, each church must inform classis on whether the doctrines of the gospel are preached in conformity with "the Word of God" and "the Standards of the Reformed Church in America," namely, the Heidelberg Catechism, Belgic Confession, and Canons of Dort. The church order amendment originated with an overture from the Classis of Northern Michigan, which cited the views of Rev. Richard Rhem of Christ Community Church in Spring Lake, Michigan, as grounds for its overture. Rhem initially attracted fire in the Muskegon Classis for allowing a predominantly homosexual congregation, the Muskegon Metropolitan Community Church, to meet on his church premises; the classis later focused on Rhem's views of Scripture and belief that affirmation of Christ is not necessary for salvation. In an interview prior to the meetings, the author of the overture argued that passage of the amendment was a matter of simple integrity for the Reformed Church in America. "We need to either come out and openly say that the doctrinal standards are worthless pieces of paper or some people need to leave," said Rev. Patrick Shetler, pastor of First Reformed Church of Grant, Michigan. "Really what I see coming out of this is a reading of what the RCA's heart and soul is and that we really are a church with two theologies, we really are a house divided," said Shetler. Division was clearly present when the South Grand Rapids Classis convened at Grace Reformed Church in the Grand Rapids suburb of Wyoming. Elder Lee DeYoung, vice president for broadcasting ministries of the RCA's Words of Hope radio ministry, argued that passage of the amendment was necessary to show solidarity with the persecuted church in hostile countries. "This zeroes in on the heart of our faith," said DeYoung. "I spent a week with two people who were kicked out of their homes and hunted down because they believe in Christ. They know what they believe, and so should we." However, Rev. Richard Heusinkveld of Immanuel Reformed Church in Lansing, Michigan, said the amendment was both unnecessary and inappropriate. "This is redundant; it is rather clear that this is a knee jerk reaction to the situation with Dick Rhem," said Heusinkveld. "If the guy is so much of a threat he should have been tried for heresy." Rev. Kenneth Westrate of Eighth Reformed Church in Wyoming, Michigan, said that even if the amendment was redundant it was necessary. "Redundancy is a very small price to make clear that we know where we stand," said Westrate. Rev. Robert Baird, chairman of the classical nominations and judicial business committee, reminded the delegates that a "no" vote didn't necessarily mean the classis opposed the theology of the amendment. "If this fails that doesn't mean we have become universalists," said Baird. Baird's concern about misinterpretation of a negative vote proved unnecessary, however. When the amendment came up for a vote, it passed by a comfortable voice vote margin. The Zeeland Classis vote at Harlem Reformed Church north of Holland was still stronger in favor of the amendment. While the vote wasn't unanimous - Rev. John Schmidt of Second Reformed Church in Zeeland and others argued against the amendment - it passed by an overwhelming margin in the RCA's third-largest classis. Cross-References to Related Articles: #1996-013: Special Meeting of RCA's Muskegon Classis Discusses Homosexuality, Scripture, Salvation Apart from Christ #1996-023: Muskegon RCA Classis: No Room for Pastor Questioning Salvation Apart from Christ, Authority of Scripture #1996-086: Muskegon Classis Rebukes Rhem for "Heretical" Views, Restarts Negotiations "to Reach a Mutually Acceptable Separation Agreement" with Christ Community Church #1996-091: Rhem Conflict Leads to Homosexuality Debate in Muskegon #1996-092: Back to the Drawing Board: Muskegon Classis Tables Proposed Settlement with Pastor of RCA's Fourth-Largest Church #1996-093: Dr. Jonathan Gerstner on Rhem: "Tragedy is the Only Word" #1996-094: Second RCA Minister Faces Discipline for Theological Views #1996-103: Classis Muskegon Averts Heresy Trial, Completes Separation Agreement with Richard Rhem, Christ Community Church #1996-110: Appeal Stalls Settlement Agreement on Rev. Richard Rhem; Protests Greet Upcoming Rhem Keynote Speech for RCA Regional Synod of the Mid-Atlantics on "The Church in Conflict... Can Non-Believers be Saved?" #1996-118: Rhem to Reformed Church in America: "The Bible is a Wax Nose" #1997-001: Muskegon Classis Suspends Separation Agreement Until Regional Synod Adjudicates Appeal on "Gross Sexual Misconduct" Allegations Against Richard Rhem #1997-002: Rhem's Attorney Responds: "Classis. Has Engaged in Conspiratorial Actions Which Were Maliciously Calculated to Damage Rev. Richard Rhem and Christ Community Church" #1997-007: Appeal of Charges Against Rhem Sent Back to Committee by RCA's Regional Synod Executive Committee; Van Hoeven Appeal to Proceed with Recommendation of Dismissal #1997-019: Reformed Church in America Classes Poised to Vote on Church Order Change: Should All RCA Ministers and Churches Annually Reaffirm that Salvation is Through Christ Alone? #1997-026: SW Michigan Becomes First RCA Michigan Classis to Ratify Church Order Amendment on Salvation Through Christ Alone #1997-027: "Kindred Spirits Gathering" of RCA Progressives Meet in Holland to Discuss Direction of Reformed Church in America #1997-028: Rhem Case on Hold; Muskegon Classis Affirms Salvation Through Christ Alone Contact List: Rev. E. Wayne Antworth, Director, RCA Stewardship & Communication Services 475 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10115 O: (212) 870-2954 FAX: (212) 870-2499 Rev. Richard Baukema, Stated Clerk, Classis of Zeeland (RCA) 5166 Ottogan St., Holland, MI 49423 O: (616) 396-7071 H: (616) 396-0216 Rev. Robert Baird, Pastor, Hope Reformed Church 2010 Kalamazoo Ave. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49507 O: (616) 241-3421 H: (616) 361-3673 Elder Lee DeYoung, Vice President for Broadcasting Ministries, Words of Hope 700 Ball NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 O: (616) 459-6181 Ms. Pamela DeWeendt, Stated Clerk, Classis of South Grand Rapids (RCA) 2030 Denwood SW, Wyoming, MI 49509 H: (616) 452-3768 Rev. Richard Heusinkveld, Pastor, Immanuel Reformed Church 3200 Delta River Dr., Lansing, MI 48906 O: (517) 321-2495 H: (517) 321-2001 Rev. Richard Rhem, Senior Pastor, Christ Community Church 225 East Exchange St., Spring Lake, MI 49456 O: (616) 842-1985 H: (616) 846-7777 F: (616) 842-3476 Rev. Robert H. Schuller, Senior Pastor, Crystal Cathedral 12141 Lewis St., Garden Grove, CA 92640 O: (714) 971-4075 The Rev. Vernon Hoffs, Stated Clerk, Classis of California 11010 E. Artesia #201, Cerritos, CA 90703 O: (310) 402-2699 H: (909) 792-3401 Rev. John Schmidt, Pastor, Second Reformed Church 225 E. Central, Zeeland, MI 49464 O: (616) 772-2153 H: (616) 392-8308 Rev. Patrick Shetler, Pastor, First Reformed Church 271 E. State Rd., PO Box 365, Grant, MI 49327 O: (616) 834-8668 H: (616) 834-7246 Rev. Steve Smallegan, Stated Clerk, Muskegon Classis 3025 Glenside Blvd., Muskegon, MI 49441 O: (616) 759-3238 H: (616) 755-8446 Rev. Sherwin Weener, Synod Minister, Regional Synod of the Great Lakes 4500 - 60th St. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49512 O: (616) 698-7071 H: (616) 457-3572 Rev. Kenneth Westrate, Pastor, Eighth Reformed Church 841 Burton St. SW, Wyoming, MI 49509 O: (616) 452-9417 H: (616) 243-7005 ---------------------------------------------------------- file: /pub/resources/text/reformed/archive97: nr97-031.txt .