NR #1996-081: Tempers Flare as Christian Reformed Synod Appoints Committee to Restudy Homosexuality Ever since gay Christian Reformed minister Rev. Jim Lucas announced his homosexual orientation in a 1992 speech at Calvin College, conservatives in the Christian Reformed denomination have been charging that the principles of biblical interpretation used to allow women in office would inevitably lead to gay marriages. Whether that charge proves true will depend in large measure on the work of a committee appointed by Synod 1996 to restudy the issue of homosexuality. Even the committee membership was controversial, leading to two consecutive roll call votes, the first declining to add Lucas as a committee member and the second rejecting the entire committee membership. Synod finally assigned appointment of committee members to the denominational board of trustees. NR #1996-081: For Immediate Release Tempers Flare as Christian Reformed Synod Appoints Committee to Restudy Homosexuality * Motion to place gay Christian Reformed minister Rev. Jim Lucas on committee rejected by 75-91-15 vote * Entire proposed committee membership rejected by 84-89-2 vote following questions about members' views on homosexuality * California minister warns of possible secession, apologizes to synod after threats of synodical censure by Darrell Todd Maurina, Press Officer United Reformed News Service GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (June 19, 1996) URNS - Ever since gay Christian Reformed minister Rev. Jim Lucas announced his homosexual orientation in a 1992 speech at Calvin College, conservatives in the Christian Reformed denomination have been charging that the principles of biblical interpretation used to allow women in office would inevitably lead to gay marriages. Whether that charge proves true will depend in large measure on the work of a committee appointed by Synod 1996 to restudy the issue of homosexuality. Synod had to deal with three overtures this year directly dealing with the issue of homosexuality. Classis Wisconsin asked synod "to declare that confessing members are delinquent in doctrine and are on that account subject to the admonition and discipline of the church if they deny that the Bible condemns, without exception, homosexual activity." Borculo CRC asked synod to adopt four items addressing pastoral care and theological issues, including a requirement that "confessing members who condone homosexual orientation and/or activity themselves or in others are in conflict with the clear teaching of Scripture and therefore should be shown Christ's liberating love as he exercises it through admonition and discipline by the organized church" and that "classes that currently have homosexual support groups begin acting immediately to examine whether these groups are functioning in a manner consistent with the aforementioned declaration." On a different tack, Classis Chatham adopted an overture to synod from First CRC of London, Ontario - one of the churches that has a gay support group - asking synod "to give direction about and for pastoral care of homosexual members in a manner consistent with Synod 1973." According to the overture, "since these recommendations are now a generation old, we believe it is time to review how effectively they encourage the churches in providing ministry to their homosexual members." Classis Chatham also noted that the church council of First CRC in London and three classes - Alberta North, Grand Rapids East, and Toronto - have conducted studies of the homosexual issue but that that "this issue is too big for any of our churches or classes to deal with individually." Adopted in 1973, the official CRC position includes a clear statement that "homosexualism - as explicit homosexual practice - must be condemned as incompatible with obedience to the will of God as revealed in Holy Scripture" and provides recommendations for pastoral care and ministry to homosexuals. Much of the recent concern about the report has focussed on two areas: objections from homosexual members of the CRC that the denomination has not provided pastoral care and objections from opponents of homosexuality that the report does not give clear guidance on how to deal with homosexuals - including Rev. Jim Lucas - who are themselves celibate but who emphasize providing pastoral care to homosexuals and do not take a position on whether gay marriages are sinful. The synodical advisory committee on pastoral ministries recommended the adoption of most of the Chatham overture with the significant exception of its third ground, that "the Christian Reformed Church has established a long and healthy tradition of involving in synodical studies those people who will eventually be helped by the studies. We encourage those receiving ministry regarding homosexuality to participate in this study." Rev. Cal Compagner of Friendship CRC in Byron Center, Michigan, supported the advisory committee recommendation - with a strong emphasis on certain words. "I certainly want to endorse this, but I want to underscore, put in bold print, capital letters, italics, or whatever, the words 'in a manner consistent with Synod 1973,'" said Compagner. "I also want to ensure that the members of the committee understand and support the guidelines of Synod 1973." Elder Kenneth Andree of Church of the Servant in Grand Rapids asked about the omission from the original Chatham overture. "I'm wondering why ground three of Overture 59 was deleted," said Andree, reading the ground advocating placing people on study committees who receive ministry regarding homosexuality. "That can be taken into consideration when we appoint a study committee but we did not see that as a ground for the adoption of this report," replied advisory committee reporter Rev. John Ooms. "I guess this will satisfy me so long as it is understood," said Andree. Other delegates raised different concerns about the committee membership. "I frankly fear that once we open this up there is grave possibility of weakening our stance in that report," warned Rev. Jeffrey Dykema of Sunshine Community CRC in El Paso, Texas. Rev. Jerald Lion of Tri-Cities CRC in Kennewick, Washington, questioned the intent of the committee. "I want it understood that we are not softening in any way our stand in Synod 1973 but that we are discussing how to pastorally implement the conclusions of that report." Despite the concern, synod adopted the motion to create the study committee by a voice vote in the morning session. When the advisory committee came back in the afternoon, it recommended a study committee membership consisting of Kalamazoo Christian teacher Don Bergman; Orland Park (IL) CRC pastor Rev. Corky De Boer; Han-Bit Korean CRC pastor Rev. Yong-Ju Oh of Troy, Michigan; First London CRC pastor Rev. Peter Hogeterp; Calvin Seminary pastoral care professor Dr. Melvin Hugen, a member of the original 1973 study committee; Elaine Postema, wife of University of Michigan campus chaplain Rev. Don Postema; Annette Tensen Dekker, a therapist in Canada and former columnist for The Banner; Toronto church planter Rev. Fred Witteveen; and Seymour CRC pastor Rev. Gerald Zandstra, chairman of a Classis Grand Rapids East committee studying homosexual ministry. Alternate committee members included King's College professor Dr. Heather Looy and Rev. Herman Van Niejenhuis, pastor of Willowdale CRC in Toronto. Things didn't go as smoothly in the afternoon session. Following up on his earlier concern, Andree moved to add the name of Rev. Jim Lucas to the committee - prompting some of the strongest reactions of the entire synod. "In our committee we were discussing the idea that whoever would be on the committee would maintain the CRC's 1973 position on homosexuality," said Rev. Merlin Buwalda of Lake City (MI) CRC. "I would like to ask that question regarding each member proposed for this committee, including Rev. Lucas." "I don't know the answer to that, we would have to contact them," replied Ooms. The advisory committee reporter's response led to further questions, revealing that the entire committee had not met and that the names had been selected only by the advisory committee chairman and reporter without a formal meeting of the advisory committee or contacting the proposed study committee members to determine their views. That information didn't sit well with a number of delegates. "It has been said that this synod has been marked by sensitivity to various positions," said Rev. Bart van Eyk of San Diego (CA) CRC. "I would consider it extremely unwise, insensitive, and inflammatory to add the aforementioned name to this committee." Other delegates voiced similar but more restrained comments. "I think the Apostle Paul says all things are lawful but not all things are expedient," said Rev. Andrew Vanden Akker of Trinity CRC in Artesia, California. "I have a real struggle with this amendment." However, Pastor George Vander Weit of North Hills CRC in the Detroit suburb of Troy defended adding Lucas' name to the committee. "I think it's very valuable to have him on the committee if we're really serious about being sensitive to the struggles of homosexual members," said Vander Weit. Andree expressed surprise at the negative reaction to his amendment. "Earlier today we said in the words of overture 59 that we would encourage people who are receiving ministry to homosexuals to provide input," noted Andree. When the voice vote on Andree's amendment was too close to call, synod took a rare roll call vote. Of the 183 delegates, 75 voted in favor of adding Lucas, 91 against, with 15 formal abstentions and two delegates not voting. The debate led to another delegate proposing a motion that all committee members be required to subscribe to the 1973 position. "It is the opinion of the officers that this was already part of the motion," said synod president Rev. John Van Ryn. CRC General Secretary Dr. David Engelhard concurred: "If one appointed were unable to work under that 1973 report it would not be well for him to serve on the committee," said Engelhard. The comments by Van Ryn and Engelhard led to further concerns about the views of other committee members besides Lucas. "When the reporter of a committee doesn't know the names he is recommending, and when he and the chair made the recommendations without convening the committee, we have a problem," said Rev. George Vink of First CRC in Visalia, California. After the voice vote on the main motion to select the committee members was also too close to call, synod called the roll again, showing 84 votes in favor of the proposed committee members, 89 against, two formal abstentions, and eight delegates not voting - thus creating an anomalous situation in which synod appointed a committee but rejected the entire proposed membership. Vink then moved to refer the appointment of the committee membership to the denominational board of trustees on the ground that the membership of a committee to study a sensitive matter requires close consideration. Van Eyk spoke in favor of the motion to refer the committee membership to the board of trustees. "I would urge extreme caution in who is put on this committee," said van Eyk. "This is an issue over which many of us would secede, including me and my church," continued van Eyk. "We've dealt with women in office here, and that is an issue over which many of our brothers have departed. This issue will blow the lid off. It is not my intention to blow the lid off, but that is what will happen." While Vink's motion passed, van Eyk's comments prompted more debate. At the beginning of the evening session, van Eyk requested and received permission from the president of synod to address synod. "I had a talk with a brother after the afternoon session; he urged me to address this body, otherwise I would be censured," said van Eyk, who proceeded to apologize to synod for being too hasty in his remarks and improperly claiming to speak for his church. "I'm not sure all of you can appreciate what I'm going home to in southern California; if even a smidgen of truth about the homosexual issue were to get home to southern California I would be on a razor's edge," said van Eyk. "If our church were to go the route of the GKN I would not be able to remain here. This would be the Waterloo for many of us here; we need to be sensitive to that issue here," continued van Eyk. "I'm sorry if I hurt anybody. There was truth to what I had to say, but it was said the wrong way." Synod president Rev. John Van Ryn closed the 1996 debate on homosexuality by accepting van Eyk's apology on behalf of synod. Cross-References to Related Articles: #1993-017: Over 1200 Pack Calvin College Auditorium to Debate Gay Rights; Homosexual Activists Demand Equal Time for Views #1993-019: Anti-Gay Rights Speaker Triggers Uproar at Calvin College; Professor Renews Call for Ban on Outside Funding for College Republicans Lecture Series #1993-021: 3 Million Hear Noebel Counterattack Calvin College Regarding Gay Rights on National Christian Radio Program #1993-023: General Assembly of Presbyterian Church in America Calls Christian Reformed Church to "Repent of Its Sins"; Women in office, homosexuality, theistic evolution, deposition of conservative pastors cited as "departure from the Scriptures in its doctrine and practice" #1993-026: Children at the Lord's Table, Americans with Disabilities Act, Judicial Code Matters, Homosexuality Delay Synod Schedule #1993-031: More Churches Split Following Christian Reformed Synodical Vote Allowing Women Elders and Pastors; Alberta Seceders Protest Homosexuality Report by Classis Alberta North #1994-005: Christianity Today Lists Calvin Among Christian Colleges Strained by Homosexuals Pressing for Acceptance #1994-016: Midwest Classis Asks CRC Synod to Address Homosexuality, Calling God "She," Theistic Evolution, Ordination Process #1994-031: Christian Reformed Synod: Members May Not "Practice or Advocate Homosexualism"; Dr. David Engelhard Approved as CRC's Next General Secretary; Synod Rejects Proposal to End Funding Endorsement for Westminster Seminary #1994-037: Of Garages, Houses, and Women: Synod Keeps "Expounders" and Appoints Committee to Decide What "Expounding" Means; Synod Cites Legal Concerns in Modifying Abuse Committee Report; "Reaffirmation" of Past Decisions on Inerrancy, Creation, Homosexuality Declared Unnecessary by Synod #1994-048: Jim Lucas Hired as Chaplain of "As We Are" Gay Ministry; Ministerial Credentials Extended to Permit Call to Position; Classis Grand Rapids East of the Christian Reformed Denomination Expects Homosexuality Study Committee to Report to January Classis Meeting #1995-043: Committee Divides on Whether Gay Ministries Must Declare Homosexual Activity is Sin; Classis Grand Rapids East Refers Both Reports to Churches for Study #1995-084: Classis Wisconsin Overtures Christian Reformed Synod to Declare that Members who "Deny the Biblical Condemnation of All Homosexual Behavior" are Subject to Discipline #1995-085: Text of Classis Wisconsin Overture re. Homosexuality #1995-100: Grand Rapids East Attempts Compromise on Question of How to Minister to Christian Reformed Gays #1995-101: Text of Classis Grand Rapids East Study Committee Report on Ministry with Persons who are Homosexual #1995-113: Calvin Seminary Professors Urge Classis Grand Rapids East to Affirm CRC Synod's Ruling that Homosexual Practice is Sin #1995-114: Text of Calvin Seminary Faculty Letter on Homosexuality #1996-010: Classis Grand Rapids East Follows Calvin Seminary Faculty Urgings; Reaffirms 1973 CRC Position on Homosexuality 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 Elder Ken Andree, Church of the Servant (CRC) c/o Church of the Servant, 3835 Burton St. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546-5816 * O: (616) 956-7611 Rev. Merlin Buwalda, Pastor, Lake City Christian Reformed Church 403 John St., Box 659, Lake City, MI 49651 * O: (616) 839-4978 * H: (616) 839-4424 * FAX: (616) 839-3099 Rev. Cal Compagner, Pastor, Friendship Christian Reformed Church 348 Sorrento Dr. SE, Byron Center, MI 49315 * O: (616) 281-9651 * H: (616) 281-9535 Rev. Corky De Boer, Pastor, Orland Park Christian Reformed Church 7536 W. Sycamore Dr., Orland Park, IL 60462 * O: (708) 532-4900 * H: (708) 532-4954 * FAX: (708) 532-4971 Rev. Adrian Dieleman, Stated Clerk, Classis Wisconsin 908 Visser Ave., Waupun, WI 53963 * O/FAX: (414) 324-4962 * H: (414) 324-2669 * E-Mail: ADieleman@aol.com Rev. Jeffrey Dykema, Pastor, Sunshine Community Christian Reformed Church 11524 Bobby Fuller Dr., El Paso, TX 79936 * O: (915) 857-5100 * H: (915) 855-1637 * FAX: (915) 857-1767 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@crcnet.mhs.compuserve.com Rev. Peter Hogeterp, Pastor, First Christian Reformed Church 30 Beechmount Cr., London, ON N6E 2J3 * O: (519) 432-7997 * H: (519) 649-2596 * FAX: (519) 432-7613 Dr. Melvin D. Hugen, Professor of Pastoral Care, Calvin Theological Seminary 3233 Burton St. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546-4387 * O: (616) 957-6025 * H: (616) 942-0001 * FAX: (616) 957-8621 Rev. Nicholas Knoppers, Stated Clerk, Classis Alberta North 10736 - 43 St., Edmonton, AB T6A 1V4 * H/O: (403) 469-2993 Rev. Jim Lucas, Chaplain, As We ARE PO Box 7824, Grand Rapids, MI 49510 * (616) 456-6174 * E-Mail: JamesLucas@aol.com Dr. Philip R. Lucasse, Stated Clerk, Classis Grand Rapids East 3096 Old Kent Rd. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49512 * O: (616) 957-6000 * H: (616) 942-1219 Rev. Jerald Lion, Pastor, Tri-Cities Christian Reformed Church 837 N. Neel, Kennewick, WA 99336-2443 * O: (509) 783-3018 * H: (509) 783-6261 * FAX: (509) 783-3018 Dr. Heather Looy, Professor, The King's University College 9125 - 50 St., Edmonton, AB T6B 2H3 * O: (403) 465-3500 * FAX: (403) 465-3534 Rev. Yong-Ju Oh, Pastor, Han-Bit Korean Christian Reformed Church 2642 Aspen Lane, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302 * O: (810) 642-6240 * H: (810) 335-3393 Rev. John Ooms, Pastor, Inglewood Christian Reformed Church 10915 - 141 St., Edmonton, AB T5M 1T3 * O: (403) 455-1066 * H: (403) 454-5934 * FAX: (403) 454-9337 Elaine Postema 1810 Covington Dr., Ann Arbor, MI 48103 * H: (313) 662-2402 Rev. John Tenyenhuis, Stated Clerk, Classis Toronto 213 Mill Rd., Etobicoke, ON M9C 1Y1 * (416) 620-5548 Rev. Andrew Vanden Akker, Pastor, Trinity Christian Reformed Church 18706 Grayland Ave., Artesia, CA 90701 * O: (310) 865-7311 * H: (310) 865-5620 Rev. Harlan Vanden Einde, Pastor, Borculo Christian Reformed Church 6464 - 96th Ave., Zeeland, MI 49464 * H/O: (616) 875-8271 Mr. Jan H.G. Vandergeest, Stated Clerk, Classis Chatham 106 Fairview Ave., St. Thomas, ON N5R 4X6 * (519) 631-5285 Pastor George Vander Weit, North Hills Christian Reformed Church 2901 Waterloo Dr., Troy, MI 48084 * O: (810) 645-1990 * H: (810) 649-5388 * E-Mail: NoHillsCRC@aol.com Rev. Bart van Eyk, Pastor, San Diego Christian Reformed Church 6710 Shannon Ave., San Diego, CA 92115 * O: (619) 469-5218 * H: (619) 460-4466 Rev. Herman Van Niejenhuis, Pastor, Willowdale Christian Reformed Church 76 Chelmsford Ave., Willowdale, ON M2R 2W4 * O: (416) 221-7829 * H: (416) 221-9671 Rev. John Van Ryn, President, Synod 1996 of the Christian Reformed Church 7734 Eastern Avenue SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49508 * O: (616) 698-7930 * H: (616) 698-7884 Rev. George Vink, Pastor, First Christian Reformed Church 3527 W. Victor, Visalia, CA 93227 * O: (209) 625-0444 * H: (209) 738-9512 * FAX: (209) 625-0259 Rev. Fred Witteveen, Home Missionary, Friendship Community Christian Reformed Church 87 Gosford Blvd. #6, Downsview, ON M3N 2G9 * O/FAX: (416) 736-6493 Rev. Gerald Zandstra, Pastor, Seymour Christian Reformed Church 1901 Pokogon Dr. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506 * O: (616) 245-8726 ------------------------------------------------ file: /pub/resources/text/reformed: nr96-081.txt .