From: Darrell128 Date: Tue, 28 Apr 1998 16:40:09 EDT April 28, 1998 * Contents: NR #1998-024: It's Not Over Until It's Over: Timmer Signs $30,000 Settlement with Muskegon Classis Over Rhem Sex Charges Last December, the Reformed Church in America's head offices in New York City announced that the RCA's Muskegon Classis and Christ Community Church of Spring Lake "have agreed to a settlement of all the issues in the dispute between them." However, according to internal documents obtained by United Reformed News Service, that wasn't the end of the story. Despite the public announcement that "all the issues" had been settled, the New York City press release failed to mention that Timmer still had a second charge pending. On May 4, the Regional Synod of the Great Lakes would have dealt with her appeal 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." Instead of that, at meetings held in January and February, the Muskegon Classis worked out a proposal offering the Timmer family up to $20,000 for legal fees and $10,000 for counseling if they signed documents releasing the classis "from any further legal or financial responsibilities in this matter." Classis approved the settlement proposal on March 3 and Timmer has since agreed to its terms, thus removing the appeal from the agenda of the Regional Synod. NR 1998-024: For Immediate Release It's Not Over Until It's Over: Timmer Signs $30,000 Settlement with Muskegon Classis Over Rhem Sex Charges by Darrell Todd Maurina, Press Officer United Reformed News Service (April 28, 1998) URNS - Last December, the Reformed Church in America's head offices in New York City announced that the RCA's Muskegon Classis and Christ Community Church of Spring Lake "have agreed to a settlement of all the issues in the dispute between them." However, according to internal documents obtained by United Reformed News Service, that wasn't the end of the story. Christ Community pastor Rev. Dick Rhem was originally accused of and formally rebuked on heresy charges stemming from his denial of salvation through Christ alone. During the process, Christ Community member Jan Timmer filed additional ecclesiastical charges against Rhem on which he was eventually tried and found guilty of "gross sexual misconduct." During the process, Rhem's church filed a lawsuit against the classis and the classis countered by declaring that it would exercise its right to seize the church property if the church didn't agree to a negotiated settlement. The December settlement, arrived at by "facilitated mediation" between the classis, the church, attorneys for both sides, and six denominational representatives including the top RCA official, general secretary Rev. Wesley Granberg-Michaelson, stipulated $400,000 in payments by the church to the classis over the next ten years. In return, the classis released the congregation and property of Christ Community Church from the denomination so it can continue ministry in its current location and building. Despite the public announcement that "all the issues" had been settled, the New York City press release failed to mention that Timmer still had a second charge pending. On May 4, the Regional Synod of the Great Lakes would have dealt with her appeal 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." Last year, the regional synod cited "failure to consider the second charge" as one of the procedural errors made by the Muskegon Classis and forced the classis to reconsider the charges against Rhem. That reconsideration prompted a furious reaction by Christ Community Church, whose attorney at the time, Roger Boer, issued a statement that "my clients have been advised that the word and integrity of Classis Muskegon RCA is suspect." Boer also warned that "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." After being ordered to re-examine the case, the Muskegon Classis found Rhem guilty of "gross sexual misconduct" but still didn't deal with Timmer's charge against the church board. In the meantime, Christ Community Church filed a civil lawsuit against the classis seeking to have the secular courts order the classis to release the church property from the RCA. The church withdrew its lawsuit after the classis and church agreed to the $400,000 property settlement. That matter continued to be considered by the Muskegon Classis' executive committee, however. At meetings held in January and February, the Muskegon Classis worked out a proposal offering the Timmer family up to $20,000 for legal fees and up to $10,000 for counseling if they signed documents releasing the classis "from any further legal or financial responsibilities in this matter." Classis approved the settlement proposal on March 3, voting down an amendment which would have requested but not required Timmer to drop her appeal before paying the money. Classis also adopted an amendment to send a letter that "speaks to our understanding of the issues we have faced and the Muskegon Classis position on these matters" directly to Timmer rather than to the Church Herald, the RCA denominational magazine. Classis will be receiving assistance in paying the Timmer settlement and its own legal bills. According to the February executive committee minutes, the RCA General Synod Council and the Regional Synod of the Great Lakes have each committed $10,000 toward the $30,000 payment; the first payment from Christ Community Church of $10,000 will be used to pay the classis' share of the Timmer settlement. In addition, classis' $43,000 legal bill will be paid 50% by the RCA General Synod Council and 25% by the Regional Synod. Classis president Rev. Mark Nieuwsma declined comment on the specifics of the settlement between classis and Timmer but said he was happy the controversy had been settled. "We just want to bring closure to this whole issue, and part of the process of coming to some kind of closure is respecting the confidentiality, that's all a part of the equation," said Nieuwsma. "I think classis has done everything possible to help Jan Timmer and it's been very long and painful for all involved. If it becomes public at regional synod next week Monday, so be it." Rev. Sherwin Weener, synod minister of the Regional Synod of the Great Lakes, expressed similar sentiments. "I can simply say she has withdrawn her appeal, and we are grateful for that," said Weener. "We continue to have a pastoral concern for her and her family, they've been deeply hurt by this whole situation." According to Weener, the regional synod wants procedures to make similar situations less likely in the future. "There will be some recommendations coming from our Overtures and Judicial Business committee to the synod assembly, and most of those have to do with what have we learned and what can we do to prevent this from happening again," said Weener. Timmer declined to speak on the record and Christ Community spokesman Ron Zoet declined specific comment on the settlement. "This really does not affect us," said Zoet. "It is an ongoing issue between Ms. Timmer and the 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 #1997-028: 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" #1997-045: Reformed Church in America Regional Synod of the Great Lakes Sends Rhem "Gross Sexual Misconduct" Case Back to Muskegon Classis for Investigation, Possible Trial #1997-046: Rhem's Attorney Responds: "The RCA in Western Michigan [is] Truly a Dysfunctional Family" #1997-057: RCA's Muskegon Classis Calls Special Meeting to Consider Trial for Richard Rhem on Sexual Misconduct Charges #1997-058: Reformed Church in America's Muskegon Classis to Investigate Sexual Misconduct Charges Against Rhem #1997-079: Muskegon Classis to Meet June 24 for More Inquiry on "Gross Sexual Misconduct" Charges Against Rev. Richard Rhem; Classis Also Asked by Regional Synod to Consider Charging Rhem's Church with Leaking Documents to News Media #1997-080: Muskegon Classis Seeks to Avoid Media Exposé; Votes to Try Rhem on "Gross Sexual Misconduct" Charges #1997-083: Christ Community Church Sues RCA Classis; Asks Civil Court to Order Classis to Let Church Depart with its Property #1997-086: Reformed Church in America's Muskegon Classis Finds Rev. Richard Rhem Guilty of "Gross Sexual Misconduct" #1997-094: Muskegon Classis Responds to Christ Community Lawsuit #1997-104: RCA's Muskegon Classis Votes to Seize Christ Community's Property Unless Rhem's Church Negotiates with Classis #1997-132: Rhem Fight Ends: Christ Community Church, RCA Muskegon Classis Agree on Settlement of Lawsuit and Property Fights 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. Wesley Granberg-Michaelson, General Secretary, Reformed Church in America 49 Yawpo, Oakland, NJ 07436 O: (212) 870-2845 Rev. Mark Nieuwsma, President, Muskegon Classis 704 South De Spelder, Grand Haven, MI 49417 O: (616) 842-4170 * H: (616) 842-2984 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 * E-Mail: SGLMusk@aol.com 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 * FAX: (616) 698-6606 * E-Mail: RSGLWeener@aol.com Ron Zoet, Director of Operations, Christ Community Church 225 East Exchange St., Spring Lake, MI 49456 O: (616) 842-1985 * F: (616) 842-3476 * RLZoet@aol.com ---------------------------------------------------------- file: /pub/resources/text/reformed/archive98: nr98-024.txt .