From: Darrell128 Date: Mon, 11 May 1998 18:42:58 EDT Subject: NR 98029: Classis Zeeland Asks Synod to Overturn CRC Property Rules NR #1998-029: Classis Zeeland voted May 6 to ask the Christian Reformed synod not to ratify a 1997 decision that local church articles of incorporation should specify that "all real and personal property shall be exclusively in furtherance of the purposes of this church as a member church of the Christian Reformed Church in North America." The new articles of incorporation, drafted in response to a wave of secessions and the loss of almost twelve percent of the denomination's membership since 1997, would be mandatory for all churches receiving denominational funding and for new churches entering the denomination, but only recommended for current congregations that don't receive financial assistance. That idea didn't go down well with North Street CRC of Zeeland. "This turns over a judicial authority to classis and to synod which has not been a part of our polity historically," said North Street pastor Rev. Bernard Tol. "We think that should be looked at and revised." NR 1998-029: For Immediate Release Classis Zeeland Asks Synod to Overturn CRC Property Rules by Darrell Todd Maurina, Press Officer United Reformed News Service ALLENDALE, MICH. (May 6, 1998) URNS --Classis Zeeland voted May 6 to ask the Christian Reformed synod not to ratify a 1997 decision that local church articles of incorporation should specify that "all real and personal property shall be exclusively in furtherance of the purposes of this church as a member church of the Christian Reformed Church in North America." The new articles of incorporation, drafted in response to a wave of secessions and the loss of almost twelve percent of the denomination's membership since 1997, would be mandatory for all churches receiving denominational funding and for new churches entering the denomination, but only recommended for current congregations that don't receive financial assistance. Other parts of the proposed rules state that only those church members who "according to the exclusive determination of the classis (or synod on appeal) remain true to the purposes of this church as a member church of the Christian Reformed Church in North America" are to "have the exclusive right to hold and enjoy the real and personal property of this church." That doesn't automatically mean people leaving the CRC lose their church building: the proposed rules state that classis may determine "that more than one group of confessing members of this church are each a lawful congregation" and divide the assets between the two groups. That idea didn't go down well with North Street CRC of Zeeland. "This turns over a judicial authority to classis and to synod which has not been a part of our polity historically," said North Street pastor Rev. Bernard Tol. "We think that should be looked at and revised." Rev. Zack Anderson of Pine Creek CRC in Holland seconded Tol's concern. "We as a church had considered from time to time going to the denomination for funds to assist us in doing ministry," said Anderson. "As we understand it, if we did that, we would have to change our articles of incorporation." However, Dr. James De Vries of Second CRC in Allendale, a member of the synodical study committee which produced the revised articles of incorporation, thought differently. "The changes in the articles of incorporation are a direct result of what happened when Eastmanville CRC left our classis," said De Vries. "We found some weaknesses in the articles of incorporation which apparently allowed them to do what they did." De Vries noted that the currently-recommended articles of incorporation for local churches -- which provide for a proportional division of assets if a church leaves the CRC or splits -- dates back only to 1970. "Unless we move in this direction we would be doing ourselves harm," said De Vries. Delegates were almost evenly split on the matter, but sent narrowly sent the North Street CRC overture to synod while rejecting two similar overtures asking for more specific refinements of the procedure for churches to withdraw from the denomination. Classis Zeeland's overture will join four other overtures on the synodical agenda, making property ownership overtures the most frequent subject of concern coming to Synod 1998. In other business, Classis Zeeland voted to grant "honorable release" to two ministers leaving the CRC for churches largely composed of members that have seceded from the CRC. Rev. Bill Renkema of Cooperville CRC has taken a call to Immanuel's United Reformed Church of Salem, Oregon; Rev. Andy Van Schouwen, a retired minister in Zeeland, has transferred his membership from North Street CRC of Zeeland to Messiah's Independent Reformed Church of Holland. Cross-References to Related Articles: #1997-063: Christian Reformed Synod 1997 Faces Crossroads Decision: Will Seceding Churches Keep Their Property? #1997-073: Synod Modifies Local Church Property Rights #1998-005: Classis Zeeland Rejects Ban on Women's Ordination #1998-007: Chatham Rejects Effort to Revise Property Rules #1998-022: Church Property Rights Focus of Four Synodical Overtures Contact List: 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. Zachary (Zack) Anderson, Pastor, Pine Creek Christian Reformed Church 663 Riley St., Holland, MI 49424 O: (616) 399-1413 * H: (616) 399-2016 * E-Mail: pinecreek@i2k.com Rev. Bernard Tol, Pastor, North Street Christian Reformed Church 333 Valley Dr., Zeeland, MI 49464 O: (616) 772-1545 * H: (616) 772-9356 Rev. James De Vries, Pastor, Second Christian Reformed Church 11342 Brown St., Allendale, MI 49401 O: (616) 895-4533 * H: (616) 895-7694 Rev. Steven Sytsma, Stated Clerk, Classis Zeeland 4452 - 38th St., Hamilton, MI 49419 O: (616) 688-5290 * H: (616) 688-5603 ---------------------------------------------------------- file: /pub/resources/text/reformed/archive98: nr98-029.txt .