Date: Fri, 9 May 1997 01:40:07 -0400 (EDT) From: Darrell128@aol.com Subject: NR 97045: RCA Regional Synod Sends Rhem Case Back to Muskegon for Investigation, NR #1997-045: Reformed Church in America Regional Synod of the Great Lakes Sends Rhem "Gross Sexual Misconduct" Case Back to Muskegon Classis for Investigation, Possible Trial Meeting May 5 at Camp Geneva in Holland, the Reformed Church in America's Regional Synod of the Great Lakes sent a charge against Rev. Richard Rhem of Christ Community Church in Spring Lake back to the Muskegon Classis for investigation and possible trial. The details of the charge have not been publicly released but were described in the public agenda for the January 2 classis as "gross sexual misconduct." Since fall of 1995, Rhem has been under fire in the Muskegon Classis for his views on salvation apart from Christ, homosexuality, and Scriptural authority. In closed session, the regional synod approved a recommendation from its Overtures and Judicial Business committee that the charge, filed by a former organist at Rhem's church, be sent back because classis "did not properly consider" the charges. Errors cited by the regional synod included "failure to gather and consider all written evidence," "potential failure to gather and consider all testimony of witnesses," "failure to consider the second charge" against the church board for "knowing about [Rhem's] improprieties with [the appellant] and alleged other women and not acting in a serious and appropriate manner" and "failure to bring [the appellant's] charges before the full classis." NR #1997-045: For Immediate Release Reformed Church in America Regional Synod of the Great Lakes Sends Rhem "Gross Sexual Misconduct" Case Back to Muskegon Classis for Investigation, Possible Trial * Van Hoeven's complaint against "rebuke" for supporting Rhem denied; will appeal to General Synod * Regional Synod reaffirms salvation through Christ alone, goes on record against "full communion" with United Church of Christ due to homosexual issue by Darrell Todd Maurina, Press Officer United Reformed News Service HOLLAND, Mich. (May 6, 1997) URNS -- Meeting May 5 at Camp Geneva in Holland, the Reformed Church in America's Regional Synod of the Great Lakes sent a charge against Rev. Richard Rhem of Christ Community Church in Spring Lake back to the Muskegon Classis for investigation and possible trial. The details of the charge have not been publicly released but were described in the public agenda for the January 2 classis as "gross sexual misconduct." Since fall of 1995, Rhem has been under fire in the Muskegon Classis for his views on salvation apart from Christ, homosexuality, and Scriptural authority. The sex charges arose as classis was about to approve a separation agreement that would have placed Rhem and his church outside the jurisdiction of the RCA. The classis executive committee initially found insufficient evidence to proceed with a church trial, but when the alleged victim appealed dismissal of her charges, the classis declined to approve a separation agreement with Rhem's church until the allegations were processed. In closed session, the regional synod approved a recommendation from its Overtures and Judicial Business committee that the charge, filed by a former organist at Rhem's church, be sent back because classis "did not properly consider" the charges. Errors cited by the regional synod included "failure to gather and consider all written evidence," "potential failure to gather and consider all testimony of witnesses," "failure to consider the second charge" against the church board for "knowing about [Rhem's] improprieties with [the appellant] and alleged other women and not acting in a serious and appropriate manner" and "failure to bring [the appellant's] charges before the full classis." According to the recommendation -- quoted by Christ Community Church in an open letter to all 77 voting members of the synod and released by the church to the news media three days before the synod meeting -- "if the Muskegon Classis determines that the other testimony causes it to respond to this reasonable person's standard in the affirmative, a trial should be held." In an interview prior to the regional synod vote, Rhem denied all charges and insisted the RCA had no jurisdiction since the church declared its independence from the denomination last July 4, two weeks before the Muskegon Classis "formally rebuked" Rhem for heresy and declared that it "holds him in disrepute before Christ, the Church, and the world" for teaching that belief in Christ is not necessary for salvation. According to Rhem, the Muskegon Classis' decision not to allow his church to leave until the personal misconduct charge was adjudicated was what prompted Christ Community to secede from the RCA. "It became obvious to us that the classis was really not dealing with us in good faith and seemed to be intent on reversing what had been the attempt from the beginning to find a peaceable solution," said Rhem. "At that point we said we would no longer subject ourselves to that kind of dealing and that we would get on with our life." Regional synod officials expressed confusion over Christ Community Church's decision to publicize damaging documents alleging misconduct by Rhem which the regional synod had sought to keep confidential and emphasized that they were not responsible for leaking documents to the media. According to some regional synod delegates, synod officials required delegates to turn in their copies of the documents at the end of the executive session. Rhem was unavailable for comment following the regional synod vote. According to an official statement issued the next day by Rhem's attorney Roger Boer, "my clients have been advised that the word and integrity of Classis Muskegon RCA is suspect." "Witness how on two occasions the resolutions and commitments of that body, March 1996 and October 1996, were ignored and not consummated by its leadership," continued the official statement. "It is clear that the classis agenda is calculated to discredit both Christ Community Church and its pastor." In a subsequent interview, Boer compared the RCA's proceedings against Rhem to the Roman Catholic inquisition and the Salem witch trials "I think churches, based on their history, have to be very circumspect and careful in getting into the business of operating as a court," said Boer. "History shows that when churches did this, such as the Catholic Church in the Inquisition and the witch trials of Salem, that they have been restrictive and inequitable in some of their decisions." While severely critical of the local RCA, Boer noted that his official statement alluded to a public statement by RCA General Secretary Rev. Wesley Granberg-Michaelson that the church would not "do business as usual, nor our usual business." "I think the RCA is a fine and wonderful organization, it is a great church," said Boer. "I think the West Michigan segment of the church has brought basic disruption to that fine reputation." Boer was particularly critical of a published statement by Rev. Steve Smallegan, stated clerk of the Muskegon Classis, that the classis would be pursuing a "game plan." "To use that kind of metaphor of a game in something that is this serious, the man ought to be ashamed of himself," said Boer. Rev. Merwin Van Doornik, ecclesiastical counsel for the alleged victim, said he was pleased by the ruling. "The hope is of course that Pastor Rhem will be tried and found guilty on the charges," said Van Doornik, noting that his client was seeking church discipline rather than civil penalties. "We're not concerned with anybody getting money out of this or anyone going to jail, but with justice being done within the church setting." Smallegan said the classis executive committee would be meeting next Tuesday to decide what to do next. "We have received the decision of the regional synod and we will be meeting next to discuss our options," said Smallegan. "Anything beyond that is premature." Legally, the RCA could and has gone to civil court to seize the property of churches that secede without permission. The Christ Community case is complicated by a mortgage of $1.3 million. "I would simply say if there was an attempt to take over the church the bank would move very quickly to call in the mortgage and I think that would be a difficult thing for the classis to undertake," Rhem said last week. "That fact may have given them some pause." Boer said the "declaration of independence" was not intended to deny the RCA's legal rights over the property. "If the RCA wants to pursue the property issue, tell them to come up with $1.3 million and they own it," said Boer. "We've got a deal with them; on two occasions they've ignored their resolutions and commitments, and they haven't consummated their agreements. I don't care what the polity is, we have a contract, it superseded the polity." Van Hoeven to Appeal Synod Rejection of Complaint One of Rhem's supporters also lost his case at the regional synod. In the same closed session, the regional synod rejected a complaint from retired Western Michigan University campus minister Dr. Don Van Hoeven against his formal rebuke from the Classis of Southwest Michigan for writing articles supporting Rhem in the Holland Sentinel, Kalamazoo Gazette, Muskegon Chronicle, and Grand Rapids Press. According to the classis, these articles "support the proposition that there is salvation apart from Jesus Christ and by so doing question clear biblical authority and the honor of our Lord Jesus Christ." The Van Hoeven recommendation was based on technical grounds involving the difference between an "appeal" and "complaint." The classical rebuke of Van Hoeven stopped short of formal judicial discipline in that it administered a pastoral action of rebuke rather than suspending, deposing, or excommunicating him by judicial process. The overtures and judicial business committee contends that no appeal or complaint is allowed against pastoral actions and that "only actions that change the status of a minister -- suspension, deposition, and excommunication -- are open to appeal, and all of them require a different process than that allowed within an assembly." In a response prepared by Van Hoeven's ecclesiastical counsel, Van Hoeven contends that the narrow interpretation of actions open to "complaint" could allow egregious violations. "Had this complaint been filed by a decision of classis not to install a minister because the minister was Black or Asian, would the Overtures and Judicial Business Committee claim that such a manifestation of bias and prejudice does not give grounds to bring a complaint?" asked Van Hoeven's counsel in the written response submitted to the regional synod. While Rhem wants out of the RCA, Van Hoeven indicated in a statement to the press that he intends to appeal to the General Synod and intends to "continue to seek justice within the church's courts." "I have been wronged by the classis actions which have resulted in my being 'barred' from doing ministry within the church. They have further sought to place a 'gag rule' on my speaking of God's inclusive, saving love, demanding that I 'repent of these vies in order to again be in a right relationship with the classis and our Lord Jesus Christ,'" wrote Van Hoeven. "I cannot and I shall not comply with their silencing of this biblical, Christ centered understanding of God's love. On behalf of all who suffer from the exclusions and intimidations by the classis and synod, I shall continue to seek a redress of these wrongs within the life of our denomination." Is Homosexuality a Salvation Issue? Christian Reformed conservatives have said for years that the argument that women in office "is not a salvation issue" would come back to haunt the church on the homosexual issue. While the Reformed Church in America appears willing to discipline those who believe that non-Christians can be saved, the homosexual issue has also been raised by persons other than Rhem and Van Hoeven. The same committee that recommended further investigation of the charges against Rhem and rejection of Van Hoeven's complaint also recommended that the regional synod approve an overture from the Classis of South Grand Rapids against a proposed "full communion" agreement between the RCA, Presbyterian Church (USA), Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and United Church of Christ because of the UCC's "open and affirming" stance toward homosexual marriages and ordination, while beginning separate talks with the Lutherans to promote closer relations. Rev. David Baak, director of the Grand Rapids Area Center for Ecumenism, strongly argued against the recommendation. "I urge you as strongly as I possibly can to defeat the overture; this issue is at the very heart of the nature of the church," said Baak. Baak noted that none of the four denominations were of a single mind on homosexuality and that minorities in each denomination opposed their denomination's official stance. "In fact there are some in the Reformed Church in America, perhaps some in this room, who disagree with our denomination's official policy, and there are many in the United Church of Christ who disagree with theirs," said Baak. "Homosexuality is a biblical issue, it is a social issue, it is perhaps even an economic and a philosophical issue, but it is not a salvation issue, it is not a preaching Christ issue, and Paul was about preaching Christ." Incoming regional synod president Rev. Burt Twomey argued with equal passion in favor of the overture, arguing that it would create "pseudo-unity" rather than real unity among those who are not truly agreed on crucial issues. "I think the issue of homosexuality to me is probably a hot potato right now, but there are other issues, perhaps a creeping or even rapidly encroaching universalism," said Twomey. "Most of our people, I'm sure, aren't even aware of the relationship we have with the United Church of Christ and the Presbyterian Church (USA)." The vote to support the South Grand Rapids overture places the RCA's largest regional synod, accounting for over a quarter of the denomination's membership, on regard against an ecumenical proposal favored by much of the RCA denominational leadership. In other business, the regional synod approved proposals by synod minister Rev. Sherwin Weener to reaffirm that the regional synod believes salvation is through Christ alone and to create a theological dialogue team composed of members of the Great Lakes Regional Synod and the faculty of Western Theological Seminary to address theological controversies in the RCA. 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 #1997-028: Rhem Case on Hold; Muskegon Classis Affirms Salvation Through Christ Alone #1997-031: Reformed Church in America's Second and Third Largest Classes Vote to Affirm Salvation Only Through Christ #1997-032: South Grand Rapids Classis Overtures Reformed Church in America to Reject "Full Communion" with United Church of Christ Due to UCC Approval of Gay Marriage and Ordination #1997-033: Holland Classis Rejects Church Order Amendment to Require Annual Declaration that Salvation is Through Christ Alone #1997-034: Reformed Church in America Rejects Annual Declaration that Salvation is Through Christ Alone #1997-040: Typo Leads Reformed Church in America to Recommend New Vote on Salvation Apart from Christ #1997-043: RCA Committee Asks Regional Synod of the Great Lakes to Send Rhem "Gross Sexual Misconduct" Case Back to Muskegon Classis for Investigation, Possible Trial #1997-044: Great Lakes Regional Synod Minister: Reformed Church in America not "Dead," but Needs to "Wake Up" #1997-046: Rhem's Attorney Responds: "The RCA in Western Michigan [is] Truly a Dysfunctional Family" 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 Ms. Pamela DeWeendt, Stated Clerk, Classis of South Grand Rapids (RCA) 2030 Denwood SW, Wyoming, MI 49509 H: (616) 452-3768 Ms. Jennifer Liggett, Stated Clerk, Classis of Southwest Michigan 302 Academy St., Kalamazoo, MI 49007 H/O: (616) 349-6260 Rev. Howard Moths, Stated Clerk, Regional Synod of the Great Lakes 2795 Rosewood St., Jenison, MI 49428 O: (616) 669-6690 * H: (616) 669-1983 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 * E-Mail: christcommunity@novagate.com Rev. Steve Smallegan, Stated Clerk, Muskegon Classis 3025 Glenside Blvd., Muskegon, MI 49441 O: (616) 759-3238 * H: (616) 755-8446 Rev. Tom Stark, Pastor, University Reformed Church 231 Oakhill, East Lansing, MI 48823 O: (517) 351-6810 * H: (517) 351-7164 Rev. Burt Twomey, President, Regional Synod of the Great Lakes 1139 E. Front St., Traverse City, MI 49686 O: (616) 947-7082 * H: (616) 946-3908 Rev. Merwin Van Doornik, Counsel for Appellant 1985 Driftwood Dr., Holland, MI 49424 H: (616) 786-9155 * O: (616) 728-9446 Dr. Donald Van Hoeven 1024 Westfall, Kalamazoo, MI 49006 H: (616) 381-8586 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 ---------------------------------------------------------- file: /pub/resources/text/reformed/archive97: nr97-045.txt .