Date: Sat, 24 May 1997 16:11:02 -0400 (EDT) From: Darrell128@aol.com Subject: NR 97056: Classis Holland Rejects Conservative CRC Realignment Proposal NR #1997-056: Classis Holland Rejects Conservative Christian Reformed Church Realignment Proposal Classis Zeeland narrowly voted on May 7 to ask the 1997 Christian Reformed synod to allow churches to reorganize themselves by theology rather than geography. A week later, Classis California South voted to adopt a series of conservative "affirmations of faith," in effect declaring itself to be a theological classis. Now Classis Holland has asked Synod 1997 to reject the whole proposal, arguing that the "scheme" advocated by CRC conservatives "would provide a breeding ground for schismatic activity, create a climate of ecclesiastical chaos, and militate against the good order of the church." The May 22 vote by Classis Holland won't overturn its decision last January asking synod to let Pine Creek CRC of Holland transfer from Classis Holland to Classis Zeeland because of the church's opposition to women's ordination. Classis Holland noted that "synod already permits a process for individual congregations to request transfer to another classis as long as there is not a significant departure from the Reformed principle of geographic proximity." Synod adopted that compromise last year when churches opposed to women's ordination demanded to be allowed to leave classes which allow women to be ordained. Pine Creek and other churches have walked out of classis meetings in protest when women were seated as delegates; classes elsewhere have explicitly banned women's ordination and one has "reserved the right" to discipline churches electing women elders. NR #1997-056: For Immediate Release Classis Holland Rejects Conservative Christian Reformed Church Realignment Proposal by Darrell Todd Maurina, Press Officer United Reformed News Service HAMILTON, Mich. (May 22, 1997) URNS -- Classis Zeeland narrowly voted on May 7 to ask the 1997 Christian Reformed synod to allow churches to reorganize themselves by theology rather than geography. A week later, Classis California South voted to adopt a series of conservative "affirmations of faith," in effect declaring itself to be a theological classis. Now Classis Holland has asked Synod 1997 to reject the whole proposal, arguing that the "scheme" advocated by CRC conservatives "would provide a breeding ground for schismatic activity, create a climate of ecclesiastical chaos, and militate against the good order of the church." The May 22 vote by Classis Holland won't overturn its decision last January asking synod to let Pine Creek CRC of Holland transfer from Classis Holland to Classis Zeeland because of the church's opposition to women's ordination. Classis Holland noted that "synod already permits a process for individual congregations to request transfer to another classis as long as there is not a significant departure from the Reformed principle of geographic proximity." Synod adopted that compromise last year when churches opposed to women's ordination demanded to be allowed to leave classes which allow women to be ordained. Pine Creek and other churches have walked out of classis meetings in protest when women were seated as delegates; classes elsewhere have explicitly banned women's ordination and one has "reserved the right" to discipline churches electing women elders. Elder Cal Hoogstra of Prospect Park CRC in Holland was one of the few delegates to speak against the proposal. "I wouldn't look forward to theological classes where a church in Hawaii has to meet with a church in Massachusetts, but if it has to be to save the Christian Reformed Church I would go along with it," said Hoogstra. "I guess my question is how far do we bend to preserve the unity of the church?" Hoogstra cited similar compromises by other denominations, including the Reformed Church in America's "mother church" in the Netherlands which allowed a group of strongly conservative churches and ministers to form the "Gereformeerde Bond" as an alternative to secession. Rev. Michael de Vries of Pillar CRC in Holland concurred with Hoogstra's desire to preserve the unity of the CRC, but noted that the Gereformeerde Bond churches still belonged to their geographical classis. Dr. David Schuringa, senior pastor of Bethany CRC which submitted the overture, said he was pleased both by the Classis Holland decision and by the overwhelming vote. "We believe that the theological classis idea would mean the death of the CRC as we know it," said Schuringa. "History has been a clear indicator that this kind of idea splits churches." According to Schuringa, a theological classis is unnecessary in the CRC. "Our classes are already theologically identified by the [CRC's doctrinal standards], and historic Reformed polity only allows classical divisions based on geography or language," said Schuringa. In other business, classis adopted a proposal from Pillar CRC urging all member churches in the Holland area to partcipate in a July 27 Sunday evening worship service requested by Holland mayor Al McGeehan. The ecumenical service commemorating the founding of Holland by the Rev. Albertus Van Raalte, to be held at 6 pm in the Holland Municipal Stadium, has already received the support of approximately half of Holland's 23 Christian Reformed congregations. Cross-References to Related Articles: #1995-070: Christian Reformed Classes Permitted to Declare Church Order Ban on Women's Ordination "Inoperative"; Synod Decision Given Immediate Effect without Two-Year Ratification Process #1996-076: CRC Synod Rejects 25 Overtures and Communications Calling for End to Classical Option on Ordination of Women #1996-077: Churches Allowed to Switch Classes for Theological Reasons #1996-078: Synod Approves Korean Classis with 15-Year Time Limit #1996-080: Record of Previous Synodical Votes on Women in Office #1996-088: Interclassical Conference of Christian Reformed Conservatives to be Asked to Create Nongeographical Classes; Minority Urges Immediate Secession from Christian Reformed Denomination #1996-117B: Separation Without Secession: Interclassical Conference Urges Christian Reformed Synod to Create New Conservative Classes #1996-123: Pine Creek CRC Petitions to Leave Classis Holland for Zeeland#1997-008: Classis Zeeland Votes by 72% Margin to Receive Pine Creek Christian Reformed Church Pending Synodical Approval #1997-009: Classis Zeeland Overtures Christian Reformed Synod to Reaffirm Opposition to Abortion and Send Letter to Congress; Classis Rejects Abortion-Nazi War Crimes Comparison by 18-13 Vote #1997-010: Classis Holland Acquiesces in Pine Creek Request to Transfer to Classis Zeeland Due to Opposition to Women in Office #1997-011: Classis California South Endorses Classes Grouped by Theological Affinity Instead of Geography; Organizers Hope a Tenth of CRC May Join New Conservative Classes #1997-012: Classis Hudson Refuses Apology to Rev. Casey Freswick #1997-013: No Transfer for Terra Ceia to Classis Hudson #1997-020: Christian Reformed Membership Loss Speeds Up: 30,551 Members Lost in Five Year Slide #1997-025: Christian Reformed Church's Classis Muskegon to Vote March 6 on Admitting Church with Woman Minister #1997-029: Classis Muskegon Admits Trinity CRC of Mt. Pleasant; Vote Allows Ordination of Mary-Lee Bouma as Third Christian Reformed Woman Pastor #1997-047: Classis Zeeland Endorses Theological Classis Proposal Contact List: Rev. Zachary (Zack) Anderson, Pastor, Pine Creek Christian Reformed Church 663 Riley St., Holland, MI 49424 O: (616) 399-1413 * H: (616) 399-2016 Rev. Michael De Vries, Pastor, Pillar Christian Reformed Church 2190 Lakeridge Dr., Holland, MI 49424 O: (616) 392-8686 * H: (616) 399-4067 * FAX: (616) 392-8686 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@crcna.org Elder Cal Hoogstra, Prospect Park Christian Reformed Church c/o Prospect Park CRC, 533 Central Ave., Holland, MI 49423 H: (616) 392-4044 Rev. James Howerzyl, Stated Clerk, Classis California South 1317 Ivy, Escondido, CA 92026 H/O: (619) 741-5319 Dr. H. David Schuringa, Senior Pastor, Bethany Christian Reformed Church 27 E. 32nd St., Holland, MI 49423 O: (616) 392-3293 * H: (616) 396-7196 * FAX: (616) 392-8343 Rev. Steven Sytsma, Stated Clerk, Classis Zeeland 4452 - 38th St., Hamilton, MI 49419 O: (616) 688-5290 * H: (616) 688-5603 Elder Keith Vander Pol, Theological Classis Committee Chairman, Interclassical Conference 1725 Bear Valley Parkway, Escondido, CA 92027 O: (619) 480-8474 * FAX: (619) 480-0252 Rev. Peter Winkle, Stated Clerk, Classis Holland 533 Central Ave., Holland, MI 49423 O: (616) 396-8811 * H: (616) 394-4728 ---------------------------------------------------------- file: /pub/resources/text/reformed/archive97: nr97-056.txt .