Date: Thu, 19 Jun 1997 04:46:56 -0400 (EDT) From: Darrell128@aol.com Subject: NR 97074: Severing Ties, Dealing with Seceders Dominate CRC Agenda NR #1997-074: Severance of Ties, Dealing with Seceders Dominate CRC Agenda Wednesday's Christian Reformed synodical agenda planned to focus on the "good news" of world missions, pastoral ministries, and a proposed mission statement. Instead, synod spent most of its time on procedural matters, a complex report on worship, and the fallout from several bitter secessions over women's ordination. Synod also heard the Rev. John Galbraith bring what will be the final fraternal greetings of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church unless the CRC rescinds women's ordination. NR #1997-074: For Immediate Release Severing Ties, Dealing with Seceders Dominate CRC Agenda by Darrell Todd Maurina, Press Officer United Reformed News Service GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (June 18, 1997) -- Wednesday's Christian Reformed synodical agenda planned to focus on the "good news" of world missions, pastoral ministries, and a proposed mission statement. Instead, synod spent most of its time on procedural matters, a complex report on worship, and the fallout from several bitter secessions over women's ordination. Synod also heard Rev. John Galbraith bring what will be the final fraternal greetings of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church unless the CRC rescinds women's ordination. "The Assembly sent me here because it did not want you simply to receive a cold, typed piece of paper informing you of our action, but to tell you also, and personally, of our love for you as Christian brothers and sisters, and our genuine sorrow over their separation," said Galbraith. "I know that you are hurting; hurting because you find a number of Reformed churches differing with you over an important matter and who, like ourselves, are terminating their relationship of ecclesiastical fellowship." After Galbraith's speech, synod approved a letter assuring the OPC that "we hold you in the same esteem as a church of the Lord Jesus Christ" and encouraging discussion of biblical interpretation and interdenominational cooperation. Synod sent a similar letter to the Presbyterian Church in America which also cut ties over women's ordination. Vanden Heuvel Honorable Release Sent Back to Classis Grandville Synod spent much of its time debating what to do with a PCA pastor in Holland, Rev. Thomas Vanden Heuvel of the new Covenant Presbyterian Church, who was "honorably released" by Classis Grandville to join the PCA and begin church planting in Holland. Synod's advisory committee objected, citing two grounds: that synodical deputies were not present for the vote and that Vanden Heuvel's "history of fomenting divisiveness in the denomination would seem to require a different category of release from the ministry than the one the classis chose." The recommendation attracted immediate fire. After a closed session debate, synod sent the report back to committee, which then recommended the matter be sent back to Classis Grandville on the sole ground that the synodical deputies were not present for the debate on granting Vanden Heuvel honorable release. Synod, however, took no action to rebuke Classis Hudson for dismissing Rev. Dan Bratt and honorably releasing Rev. Ronald DeGroot despite the concurrence of one of the three synodical deputies by phone in each case, or to rebuke a number of other classes for acting on requests for ordination or calls to specialized service without the presence of some or all of the synodical deputies. Advisory committee reporter Rev. John Tenyenhuis regretted the initial recommendation but attributed it to Vanden Heuvel's role as editor of the conservative Outlook magazine. "In Holland he is advertising for his former parishioners to come to his church," said Tenyenhuis. "I listened to the testimony of those who didn't agree with his views but spoke well of his person." That explanation wasn't enough for Rev. Ron Meyer of Drenthe (MI) CRC. "I sense that the intent of synod is to punish the synodical deputies for what the synodical deputies did, but I think that Rev. Vanden Heuvel is going to be made to suffer by having his life put into limbo," said Meyer. When Classis Grandville next meets, it must redo its earlier vote. Classis could repeat its earlier declaration that Vanden Heuvel is honorably released but could also declare him released, dismissed, or in the status of one deposed from office. Vanden Heuvel was irritated to learn of the synodical debate. "Never has there been a charge against me of divisive activity," said Vanden Heuvel. "I want to get on with my calling in Holland; I have full confidence in Classis Grandville and my former congregation in Byron Center." "I'm happy they retracted it, but it should not have been brought up in the first place," said Vanden Heuvel. In related business, synod voted to "remind pastors that it is inappropriate" for CRC ministers "to participate in and officiate at the ordination services of officebearers which have recently seceded from the CRC" and to urge church councils to "discourage pastors under their supervision from participating in such services." The action followed explanations of three cases in which Christian Reformed ministers participated in the ordination of officebearers in churches that had seceded from the CRC, sometimes coming in from significant distances to participate. The initial recommendation was even stronger, urging church councils "to prohibit ministers under their supervision from participating in ordination services in seceding congregations." "Hearing these anguished pleas led the Board of Trustees to say some more supervision needs to happen in those consistories," said CRC General Secretary Dr. David Engelhard. "There needs to be more sensitivity to the pain that can be caused by ministers coming in from afar and participating in such services." By a 130 to 55 vote, synod sent the original recommendation back to committee for reworking. The final proposal won the support of most but by no means all of the delegates. "I am pastor of a church that has gone through a painful split," said Rev. Donald Cowart of Riverside CRC in Wellandport, Ontario, who noted that he was trying to mend relations with the local United Reformed congregation that seceded from his church. "If they invite me to an ordination service and ask me to say a word of greeting at the beginning or the end, I would do so." "If the council has agreed to that and especially if the neighboring congregation has agreed to it, I don't see the problem," continued Cowart. Elder Steve Baas of Classis Wisconsin did see a problem. "It's our concern that in many cases even the presence of an ordained minister of the Christian Reformed Church at such an ordination service would be inappropriate and divisive," said Baas. The final recommendation from the advisory committee passed by voice vote, leaving it up to ministers and supervising consistories to decide what to do about participation in such ordinations. Cross-References to Related Articles: #1996-115: Outlook Editor Vanden Heuvel Leaves CRC to Plant Presbyterian Church in America Congregation in Holland #1997-018: Outlook Editor Vanden Heuvel Granted Honorable Release by CRC's Classis Grandville to Presbyterian Church in America; Vanden Heuvel's New Church in Holland Over 100 Attenders on First Sunday #1997-065: Orthodox Presbyterian General Assembly Breaks Longstanding Christian Reformed Fraternal Relationship #1997-066: Presbyterian Church in America General Assembly Cuts Ties with Christian Reformed Church Over Women's Ordination Contact List: TO REACH DELEGATES DURING SYNOD 1997 (June 14-21, 1997): Synod News Office, Fine Arts Center, Calvin College, 3201 Burton St. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 Prerecorded Synod News Message: (616) 224-0841 or (888) 277-9663 Synod Office: (616) 957-8650 News Office: (616) 957-8652 FAX: (616) 957-8659 TO REACH DELEGATES AFTER SYNOD 1997: Rev. Donald Cowart, Pastor, Riverside Christian Reformed Church RR #3, Wellandport, ON L0R 2J0 H/O: (905) 386-7289 * E-Mail: dcowart@freenet.npiec.on.ca 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 Rev. John P. Galbraith, Fraternal Delegate, Orthodox Presbyterian Church Rte 32, Box 204, Owl's Head, ME 04854 H: (207) 594-7772 Rev. John Gorter, Secretary, Classis Grandville Interim Committee 7588 Byron Center Ave., Byron Center, MI 49315 O: (616) 878-1221 * H: (616) 878-1097 Rev. Ronald Meyer, Pastor, Second Christian Reformed Church 6344 Adams St., Zeeland, MI 49464 H/O: (616) 688-5683 Rev. John Tenyenhuis, Stated Clerk, Classis Toronto 213 Mill Rd., Etobicoke, ON M9C 1Y1 O: (416) 622-9647 * H: (416) 620-5538 Rev. Tom Vanden Heuvel, Organizing Pastor, Covenant Presbyterian Church of Holland 2242 Tony Ave., Fennville, MI 49408 H/O: (616) 561-5165 ---------------------------------------------------------- file: /pub/resources/text/reformed/archive97: nr97-074.txt .