NR #1996-077: Churches Allowed to Switch Classes for Theological Reasons While Synod 1996 declined to modify the Synod 1995 decision on women in office, it took a step to make it easier for churches to live with the decision. Responding to five overtures from conservative churches asking synod either to create a new classis based on theological affinity or to declare that classes would "ordinarily" but not necessarily be organized on the basis of geography, synod added a supplement to church order article 39 stating that "any request for transfer to another classis may include grounds that go beyond the sole matter of geographic proximity and that synod is at liberty to consider such grounds in its disposition of the request. NR #1996-077: For Immediate Release Churches Allowed to Switch Classes for Theological Reasons by Darrell Todd Maurina, Press Officer United Reformed News Service GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (June 18, 1996) URNS - When Synod 1995 permitted classes to allow women in office within their boundaries, the decision created a number of difficult situations. In a number of classes, motions to declare the word "male" inoperative passed by narrow margins and led to threats of walkouts by the conservative minority. In others, similar motions failed by narrow margins and led to hard feelings on the part of the minority favoring women in office. In one case, Classis Northern Michigan's vote against declaring the word "male" inoperative will prevent the ordination of Mary-Lee Bouma, who has served since 1993 as the unordained pastor of Trinity CRC in Mt. Pleasant, unless the classis overturns its vote. While Synod 1996 declined to modify the Synod 1995 decision, it took a step to make it easier for churches to live with the decision. Responding to five overtures from conservative churches asking synod either to create a new classis based on theological affinity or to declare that classes would "ordinarily" but not necessarily be organized on the basis of geography, synod added a supplement to church order article 39 stating that "any request for transfer to another classis may include grounds that go beyond the sole matter of geographic proximity and that synod is at liberty to consider such grounds in its disposition of the request." "In overtures 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 the committee senses the struggle of those who deeply desire to stay in the Christian Reformed Church and yet find their consciences bound by their interpretation of scripture, an interpretation affirmed by Synod 1994," reported the advisory committee on church order. "We are sensitive to the deep hurts and we hope this synod can move toward healing." Citing numerous precedents of churches changing their classical affiliations, many of which were submitted by Escondido CRC, the advisory committee also noted that "synod already has a procedure in place for churches to affiliate with a classis more congenial to the congregational temperament." "Since at least 1922, churches have had the freedom to request a transfer to another classis, subject to the approval of synod," reported the advisory committee. "The committee sees as a more effective solution the implementation of current procedures, rather than changing the church order." Advisory committee reporter Rev. Jack Gray, stated clerk of a classis which has recently experienced several secessions and which was intimately involved in a church split in the 1920's, underscored the committee's effort to be sensitive to conservative concerns. "At the time that Second CRC of Sioux Center was organized [in 1922], there were problems and friction between the two churches so synod thought it was more prudent to put it in Classis Orange City where it stayed for about ten years," noted Gray, also citing the transfer of Coopersville CRC, Lamont CRC, and Eastmanville CRC out of Classis Grand Rapids North into Classis Zeeland for reasons which had more to do with theology than geography. Gray drew laughter from some delegates when he cited the precedent of a CRC in El Paso, Texas, transferring between classes because it could get a $36 airfare to classis meetings in one city compared to a $438 airfare to classis meetings in the city where meetings of its previous classis had been held. Some delegates, however, thought the proposed wording could lead to serious problems and proposed that synod specify that any transfer must be to a "neighboring" classis. "I think the reasons that have been cited cite reasons other than theological affinity," said Elder Martin La Maire of Berwyn CRC in the northwest Chicago suburbs. "I think there is a real danger that four or five churches could get together and leapfrog over several classes to go to a classis where they are in a majority." Rev. Kornelis de Koning of Redeemer CRC in Sarnia urged classis to consider a different limitation. "I'm wondering in the light of our earlier discussion about the Korean classis whether the committee has given any consideration to a time limit," said de Koning. However, other delegates strongly opposed motions which would place additional limits on the options available to churches which opposed the position of their classis on women in office. "Earlier when we made that very difficult decision we heard a lot about being compassionate to those who disagree," said Elder Hilbert Rumph, stated clerk of Classis Huron which has declared the word "male" inoperative. "We should show that compassion and vote down this motion." Calvin Seminary professor of church polity Dr. Henry De Moor found himself in the somewhat unusual position of defending the legitimacy of a church order proposal initiated by opponents of women in office. "All we are saying is if a church wants to cite theological affinity as an additional reason, that's okay," said De Moor. "I would remind you that each case would have to be approved by synod; it isn't as if a church would be able to just decide on its own to join another classis." In response to a question from the floor, De Moor said that the normal process for churches changing classes was to have both classes petition synod to make the change. De Moor noted that synods rarely questioned classical transfers if approved by both classes involved. Other delegates asked how broadly the decision could be applied, noting that the church order still defined classes as consisting of neighboring churches. "If a church in Classis California South said our theological affinity is with Classis Atlantic Northeast, synod would certainly say, 'Say, you should find a classis that might be closer,'" said Gray. "We're saying if you really want to stay in the CRC there is a place for you." When synod finally came to a vote on the proposal, the concept of allowing churches to transfer between classes for reasons other than geography was approved by voice vote. Response to the Decision Since the synodical decision allowing churches to change their classes will still have to be implemented on a case-by-case basis by future synods, its effect will depend in large measure on what precedents are set by the next few synods. However, the advisory committee reporter said his committee had given serious consideration to the matter. "Like I said in the opening, we had some people in our committee who are far, far right and far, far left, and there was a night I despaired of bringing a unified report," said Gray. Gray noted that both supporters and opponents of women in office were finally able to come to agreement on the proposal and hoped it would provide an option for both opponents and supporters of women in office located in classes averse to their views. "We looked around the denomination and found that every classis has a neighboring classis except for Florida, so there shouldn't be a problem," said Gray. "If Classis Greater Los Angeles declared 'male' inoperative, they could move to Classis California South if their churches were not in agreement." Pastor George Vander Weit, stated clerk of Classis Lake Erie and author of the original overture to Synod 1990 advocating opening all the offices of the church to women, said the decision crafted as a compromise for conservatives could be useful in his own context. According to Vander Weit, Mary-Lee Bouma of Mt. Pleasant had discussed transferring to Classis Lake Erie. "I wouldn't have a problem with it and I don't think Lake Erie would have a problem with it," said Vander Weit. However, Vander Weit noted that practical considerations could come into play in some cases. "There can be significant ministry factors involved; if you want to use Mt. Pleasant, I don't know if Classis Northern Michigan is supporting it with classical ministry shares," said Vander Weit. "We would have to say, does classis want to support that ministry simply because they want to join our classis?" Elder Robert den Dulk of Hanford CRC in California, the former president of Westminster Theological Seminary in California, also said the decision could be useful. "I think it does give us an opportunity if it's left as open as it's left tonight," said den Dulk. "There is a possibility that churches that have affinity can be in the same classis and that would be at least a step toward keeping us together." Cross-References to Related Articles: #1995-106C: Interclassical Conference Urges Christian Reformed Synod to Lead Denomination in Repentance; Calls for Formation of "Covenant Union" of CRC Conservatives #1996-026: Northern Michigan: No Ordination for Mary-Lee Bouma #1996-038: California South Kills Key Interclassical Conference Overture #1996-076: CRC Synod Rejects 25 Overtures and Communications Calling for End to Classical Option on Ordination of Women Contact List: NOTE TO EDITORS: Most synodical delegates are staying on the campus of Calvin College. To reach delegates in their dormitory rooms during Synod 1996, expected to adjourn on or before June 20, call Calvin College at (616) 957-0000 or contact the synodical news office at the following numbers: Synod News Office: Press Officers Rev. Robert De Moor and Rachel Boehm Van Harmelen O: (616) 957-8652 * F: (616) 957-6469 Pre-Recorded Synod News Hotline: (616) 224-0841 or toll-free (888) 277-9663 Miss Mary-Lee Bouma, Expounder, Trinity Christian Reformed Church 211 W. Broomfield, Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858 * O: (517) 772-0664 Rev. Andrew Cammenga, Pastor, Escondido Christian Reformed Church 1850 N. Broadway, Escondido, CA 92026 * H/O/FAX: (619) 745-2324 * E-Mail: ACAMMENGA@aol.com Rev. Kornelis de Koning, Pastor, Redeemer Christian Reformed Church 2433 Hamilton Rd., Bright's Grove, ON N0N 1C0 H/O: (519) 869-6885 * FAX: (519) 869-2328 * E-Mail: ndekonin@ebtech.net Dr. Henry De Moor, Professor of Church Polity, Calvin Theological Seminary 3233 Burton St. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546-4387 O: (616) 957-7194 * H: (616) 940-0513 * FAX: (616) 957-8621 * E-Mail: DEMH@Calvin.edu Elder Robert den Dulk, Past President, Westminster Theological Seminary in California c/o First CRC, 2175 Leoni Dr., Hanford, CA 93230 * O: (209) 584-2235 Rev. Jack Gray, Stated Clerk, Classis of the Heartland 708 - 5th St., Orange City, IA 51041-1804 * O: (712) 737-2797 * H: (712) 737-2997 Elder Martin LaMaire, Berwyn Christian Reformed Church 1040 Erie St., Oak Park, IL 60302 * H: (708) 383-9199 Elder Hilbert Rumph, Stated Clerk, Classis Huron Box 215, Drayton, ON N0G 1P0 * H/O: (519) 638-2053 * FAX: (519) 638-2239 Pastor George Vander Weit, Stated Clerk, Classis Lake Erie 2901 Waterloo Dr., Troy, MI 48084 * O: (810) 645-1990 * H: (810) 649-5388 * E-Mail: NoHillsCRC@aol.com ------------------------------------------------ file: /pub/resources/text/reformed: nr96-077.txt .