Date: Fri, 30 Oct 1998 05:38:49 -0500 From: Darrell Todd Maurina Reply-To: Darrell128@aol.com Organization: Christian Renewal/United Reformed News Service Subject: NR 98106: Cl. Michigan Votes Againt "Instructing" Ministers to Produce URC Devotional NR #1998-106: Classis Michigan Votes Against "Instructing" Ministers to Produce Devotional for United Reformed Churches Classis Michigan of the United Reformed Churches won't be instructing its ministers to produce a devotional for member congregations, but it did ask Trinity URC of Caledonia to redraft its overture on the matter for possible submission to synod. That was the final decision at classis' October 6 meeting after an initial vote against the overture from Trinity URC. In its overture, the church asked classis to "to instruct its ministers and/or laymen to begin a daily devotional for distribution among the congregations of Classis Michigan, with possible expansion to other United Reformed Churches." A number of delegates said they used Tabletalk, a daily devotional produced by Dr. R.C. Sproul, Jr., of Ligonier Ministries, and asked why Trinity URC wanted something different. NR #1998-106: For Immediate Release: Classis Michigan Votes Against "Instructing" Ministers to Produce Devotional for United Reformed Churches by Darrell Todd Maurina, Press Officer United Reformed News Service GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. (October 28, 1998) URNS - Classis Michigan of the United Reformed Churches won't be instructing its ministers to produce a devotional for member congregations, but it did ask Trinity URC of Caledonia to redraft its overture on the matter for possible submission to synod. That was the final decision at classis' October 6 meeting after an initial vote against the overture from Trinity URC. In its overture, the church asked classis to "to instruct its ministers and/or laymen to begin a daily devotional for distribution among the congregations of Classis Michigan, with possible expansion to other United Reformed Churches." The church cited three grounds for beginning a new daily devotional: that "there is currently a drought of solidly Reformed family devotionals available," that "many members are currently using devotional material put out by other denominations or organizations (ex. Today, Words of Hope, Tabletalk), while we neglect this need," and that "a daily devotional put together by our ministers would further unity among the United Reformed Churches." A number of delegates said they used Tabletalk, a daily devotional produced by Dr. R.C. Sproul, Jr., of Ligonier Ministries, and asked why Trinity URC wanted something different. "We have been using Tabletalk now for quite some time; we find it to be quite Reformed and good as a devotional," said Elder Claude Wierenga of Zion URC in Grand Rapids. "It does have some shortcomings in that it is only five days per week, not seven. It does not address some of the other matters mentioned here, such as getting to know our ministers, but you'd have to be pretty good to be superior to Tabletalk." Other delegates concurred. The elder from Bethel URC of Jenison said his consistory "felt there are better uses of our minister's time than to do this when here is good material available." Rev. Phil Vos of Covenant URC in Kalamazoo objected to the idea of classis "instructing" ministers to produce a devotional; elder delegates from Cornerstone URC of Hudsonville questioned how much the project would cost and who would edit it. Rev. Fred Gunnink, a retired pastor whose membership is in Trinity URC, said he was currently doing a similar project for his church and that by using Office Depot, he was able to do the project at a copying rate of eight cents per page. Trinity URC pastor Rev. Brian Vos emphasized that he wasn't criticizing Tabletalk. "We did not want to imply that Tabletalk was not Reformed, only that we needed to have something for our own federation," said Vos. Rev. Art Besteman of Beverly URC in Wyoming came to the overture's defense as well. "Some of us are old enough to remember the Daily Manna, which was edited by Martin Monsma," said Besteman. "There were 52 authors, one per week per year, it was solidly Reformed, and helped our people to know our ministers." "We are young, we have to build our unity, we have to establish our relationships," continued Besteman. "Some of us have operated independently too long, and that's not Reformed." Besteman's arguments and those of Trinity URC weren't persuasive to Rev. Joel Vander Kooi of Walker URC. "The main concern is quality, not only the content of it but the appearance," said Vander Kooi. "Our people are used to glossy covers with photos, and if I were put in charge of it, I would feel totally inadequate to the task." Although Vander Kooi didn't support the Trinity URC overture as it stood, after its language was defeated on a voice vote, Vander Kooi moved that classis overture synod "to take the steps necessary to begin a daily devotional for the churches of the URCNA." Classis didn't adopt Vander Kooi's motion either, but voted to send it to Trinity URC for consideration and possible presentation at the special December 1 session of classis. Cross-References to Related Articles: #1998-086: Four of Six United Reformed Classes to Meet in October Contact List: Rev. Art Besteman, Pastor, Beverly United Reformed Church 2420 Avon Ave. SW, Wyoming, MI 49509 O: (616) 532-1708 Rev. Fred Gunnink 6912 Madison SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49548-7747 H: (616) 281-0346 Rev. Joel Vander Kooi, Pastor, Walker United Reformed Church 1985 Randall Ave. NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504-2136 O: (616) 453-8101 ¥ H: (616) 453-5767 ¥ E-Mail: RevJoelvdK@aol.com Rev. Derrick Vander Meulen, Pastor, Bethel United Reformed Church 1950 Cedar Brook Dr., Jenison, MI 49428 O: (616) 457-4001 ¥ H: (616) 457-9652 ¥ E-Mail: derrickvm@juno.com Rev. Brian Vos, Pastor, Trinity United Reformed Church of Caledonia 694 Gardenview Dr. SW, Grand Rapids, MI H/O: (616) 455-2186 ¥ E-Mail: bdvos@juno.com Rev. Phil Vos, Pastor, Covenant United Reformed Church 7724 Hampton Oaks Dr., Portage, MI 49024 O/FAX: (616) 324-5217 ¥ H: (616) 324-5132 Elder Claude Wierenga, Vice-President, Zion United Reformed Church of Grand Rapids 6150 Hanna Lake Road, Caledonia, MI 49316 H: (616) 698-6262 ---------------------------------------------------------- file: /pub/resources/text/reformed/archive98: nr98-106.txt .