From: Darrell128@aol.com Date: Fri, 15 Nov 1996 03:43:59 -0500 (EST) NR #1996-117B: Separation Without Secession: Interclassical Conference Urges Christian Reformed Synod to Create New Conservative Classes Meeting at First Christian Reformed Church in the Chicago suburb of South Holland, 219 conservative ministers, elders, and deacons opposed to the ordination of women convened to consider a proposal made last November to consider seceding from the denomination if Synod 1996 did not overturn the decision by Synod 1995 to allow the ordination of women. Since Synod 1996 not only did not overturn its decision but declared three women eligible for call as ordained ministers, the Interclassical Conference considered the option of secession but voted instead by a 75 to 68 margin to create theologically defined classes composed of conservative churches opposed to the ordination of women. NR #1996-117B: For Immediate Release Separation Without Secession: Interclassical Conference Urges Christian Reformed Synod to Create New Conservative Classes by Darrell Todd Maurina, Press Officer United Reformed News Service SOUTH HOLLAND, Ill. (November 8, 1996) URNS - Since 1993, the Christian Reformed denomination has lost nearly eight percent of its members, largely due to the secession of nearly seventy churches or parts of churches since 1991. Now a group of 219 conservative ministers, elders, and deacons have proposed a way to avoid an even larger secession - though the solution may not be to the liking of the Christian Reformed synod. Meeting on November 7 and 8 at First Christian Reformed Church in the Chicago suburb of South Holland, the Interclassical Conference of Christian Reformed conservatives considered and rejected a proposal to secede from the denomination because Synod 1996 did not overturn the decision by Synod 1995 to allow the ordination of women. Instead, the Interclassical Conference urged the synod to make it possible for conservative opponents of women's ordination to remain in the CRC by allowing them to organize classes which would continue to oppose women's ordination. The narrowness of the 75 to 68 vote in favor of organizing conservative classes virtually ensured that at least some churches will secede anyway. Three dozen representatives of 15 churches met separately during the last hour of the conference to formulate initial secession plans. Last year's Interclassical Conference drew significant interest from the highest levels of the Christian Reformed leadership, including a number of professors from Calvin Seminary in Grand Rapids, staff members of the CRC's Back to God Hour broadcast ministry in suburban Chicago, and CRC General Secretary Dr. David Engelhard who attended as observers. Engelhard was present again this year as an observer, as were several retired Back to God Hour staff. In its Thursday afternoon opening session, the conference heard an address by Rev. Ron Scheuers of First CRC in Chino, California, and elected the officers to lead the remainder of its meetings. The Interclassical Conference reelected Rev. Andrew Cammenga of Escondido (CA) CRC as its chairman, but the rest of the officers are new. Rev. Henry Vanden Heuvel of First CRC in Oak Lawn, Ill., will serve as vice-chairman; Elder Jake Klassen of West Sayville (NY) CRC as reporter, and Elder Robert Den Dulk of Hanford (CA) CRC as vice-reporter. After some initial business and appointment of committee chairman, the meeting adjourned to advisory committees which considered twelve overtures and communications from churches and ministers. Two Different Visions The twelve overtures and communications represented significantly different visions for the future of the conservative movement in the Christian Reformed denomination. Heading up the overtures was the official proposal from the Interclassical Conference interim committee, calling for the formation of "at least four theologically identified classes" within the denomination. Currently the CRC has 47 groups of churches known as "classes" (singular: "classis"), 45 of which are grouped by geographical location and two of which are grouped by ethnicity: Classis Red Mesa for Native Americans in the southwest and Classis Pacific Hanmi for Koreans in California and Nevada. The official proposal asked Synod 1997 to approve the formation of the new groups of churches with the understanding that each would "accept the absolute authority of the Bible as well as the subordinate authority of the Three Forms of Unity as our confessions," "agree in faith and practice to the 'statement of faith' presented by the 1995 Interclassical Conference," "agree to be governed by the Church Order of the CRCNA as it existed prior to Synod 1995 with the exception of recognizing fraternal relations with the GKN" and "agree to remain members of their theologically identified classis (and thus the CRCNA) until at least the conclusion of Synod 2000." The GKN reference is to the CRC's "mother church," the Gereformeerde Kerken in Nederland, which allows the ordination of practicing homosexuals and which has become a focus of conservative criticism in recent years. According to the grounds for the proposal, "the theologically identified classis approach would appeal to the many congregations present at this conference and those not present who are concerned about the issues but are not ready to sever ties with the CRCNA at this point." The grounds also note that Synod 1996 allowed churches to transfer between classes for theological reasons, including support for or opposition to the ordination of women. So far, Classis Northern Michigan has approved the transfer of Trinity CRC of Mt. Pleasant to a classis willing to ordain its female pastor and Classis Hackensack has approved the transfer of Terra Ceia (NC) CRC to a classis opposed to the ordination of women; both decisions await approval by Synod 1997. The official proposal also made clear to Synod 1997 that it will be the last compromise offered to the denomination in an attempt to avoid a further secession. "This motion will allow us to stay together as we seek to honor God while bringing our witness to bear within the denomination," noted the proposal. "Our biblically directed consciences will likely not allow us any other option to remain within the CRC." The official proposal carried with it significant weight: it was forwarded to the Interclassical Conference by Escondido CRC, pastored by Cammenga, chairman of the conference. Two similar overtures were also submitted by Rev. LeRoy Christoffels of Preakness CRC in Wayne, NJ, and Rev. Lawrence Spalink, a CRC missionary to Japan. Other conferees, however, made clear that they believe the time for compromise is over. Newton (NJ) CRC and Rev. Bradd Nymeyer of Phoenix (AZ) CRC submitted calls for secession from the denomination. "Because the Christian Reformed Church continues to practice sin by violating God's Word and its summary in the Three Forms of Unity, the Heidelberg Catechism, the Belgic Confession, and the Canons of Dordt, we declare our intent to secede from the Christian Reformed Church and call all like-minded individuals and congregations to join us in a denomination united by God in Christ in spirit and truth," declared Newton CRC in a four-page document citing detailed objections to Christian Reformed synodical decisions on women in office, feminization of God, creation, abortion, and homosexuality. While the Christian Reformed synod has officially allowed the ordination of women since 1995 and refused to discipline advocates of theistic evolution since 1991, the CRC maintains official objections to abortion, addressing God with feminine language, and homosexual practice. Newton CRC cited a variety of cases in which the CRC has not successfully disciplined prominent members who disagree with the synodical positions on such matters. "These practices destroy our Biblical understanding of the nature of the unity of the church," objected Newton CRC. "They break down the distinction between word and deed. They tend toward denominational idolatry and a hierarchical view of the church. They elevate loyalty to the church to a higher degree than loyalty to God's Word and thereby compromise the Reformation's emphasis on 'sola scriptura' by adding 'et ecclesia.'" "The Christian Reformed Church has tolerated false teachers and at the same time she has disciplined true teachers," concluded Newton CRC - whose pastor, Rev. Casey Freswick, was ejected from the most recent meeting of Classis Hudson because of statements advocating secession made to United Reformed News Service. Both Newton CRC and Nymeyer urged the Interclassical Conference to call for the formation of a new denomination, but both also urged that the new denomination seek to merge with an existing denomination as soon as possible. Nymeyer attached a summary of the positions of four denominations, the United Reformed Churches in North America, the Orthodox Christian Reformed Churches, the Reformed Church in the United States, and the Canadian Reformed Churches, as possible candidates for affiliation. A third set of overtures from First CRC of Chino took a middle road which is not necessarily incompatible with either approach. First Chino called for the Interclassical Conference to issue a set of joint theological affirmations, declare that the CRC "has placed itself in a position which is disobedient to the teachings of the Word of God as historically stated in our confessions," declare that "the sin of schism in the body of Christ is not necessarily committed by the act of leaving the Christian Reformed Church for the purpose of joining a biblically Reformed denomination," and appoint a study committee to "investigate the existing Reformed denominations which may be receptive to accepting potentially separating Christian Reformed congregations." The study committee would report back to a reconvened Interclassical Conference in May of 1997. In the meantime, First Chino's overtures urged "churches not to separate from the Christian Reformed Church before the study committee has a chance to report" and adopt a statement respecting the consciences of those conservatives who wish to remain in the CRC, pledging to pray for those who stay, and requesting the prayers of those who remain in the CRC for those who believe they must leave. Perhaps the most crucial of the First Chino overtures was a proposal that the Interclassical Conference churches, regardless of their position on secession or remaining in the CRC, adopt a set of "United Reformed Affirmations" concerning the authority of Scripture, salvation through Christ alone, worship, women in office, homosexuality, feminine language for God, abortion, and theistic evolution. After extended discussion, the Interclassical Conference adopted a seven-page statement of consisting of affirmations, rejections, and commitments for future action on each topic. Separation, but Not Secession As expected, the advisory committee studying the creation of theological classes and the advisory committee studying secession both issued reports supportive of the respective concepts. The committee studying possible secession from the denomination adopted two crucial items for its report: a declaration calling "upon the churches represented at this conference to repent of their sin in allowing human innovations and laws contrary to the Word of God to bind us and our consciences" and "that is the judgment of this body that it is now time to separate from the Christian Reformed Church in North America" while noting "that some will see that separation coming in terms of a theological classis, that some will see it in terms of forming a new denomination, and others will see it in terms of affiliating with an existing denomination." The advisory committee voted down several attempts to specify that one or more of the three possible forms of separation were preferable to the others. When the secession committee report came to the floor, the delegates adopted its first proposal virtually without dissent, thus putting the conference on record favoring "separation" from the decisions of the Christian Reformed synod and listing the formation of theologically-defined classes, formation of a new denomination, or joining an existing denomination as three options to that end. The conference also voted to "call upon the churches represented at this conference to repent of their sin of allowing human innovations and laws contrary to the Word of God to bind us and our consciences." Formal ecclesiastical separation was an entirely different matter. Rev. Randall Lankheet of Ontario (CA) CRC noted that Synod 1996 had already allowed churches to switch classes for theological reasons. "We have theological classes by affinity already by allowing churches to leave one classis and go to another," said Lankheet. "I would like to propose that Classis California South adopt the United Reformed affirmations and admit other churches. At synod, a progressive brother encouraged California South to admit other churches because the machinery was in place." While not endorsing the theological classis proposal, Rev. Henk Bruinsma of Maranatha CRC in the Toronto suburb of Woodbridge strongly opposed secession. "It is important to draw to mind the historical example of the Hervormde Kerk in the Netherlands; this is the very liberal church out of which Abraham Kuyper came out to form the Gereformeerde Kerken in Nederland about which we now have concerns," said Bruinsma, noting that other conservatives have remained to form the Gereformeerde Bond. "They have maintained their heritage better than anyone else and they did so without forming themselves into a classis or any other way. I believe that is a very valid option, staying until kicked out. This is a noble tradition, the traditon of Martin Luther, John Calvin, J. Gresham Machen, and many others." Others said that asking synod to tolerate conservatives was fine, but doubted whether it would do much good. "If you want to give it one more try that's fine. It does help to prove to your church that the CRC isn't listening to you anymore," said Rev. Zack Anderson, pastor of Pine Creek CRC in Holland, Mich. Still others had more serious problems with the proposal. "This overture is wrong-headed, it is a dead end, we need to stop spinning our wheels," said Rev. Bradd Nymeyer of Phoenix (Ariz.) CRC. "We are placing ourselves in the position of saying it is fine to reman in a denomination which is disobedient to the Word of God. It's fine to pray for them, but we should call them to come out and be in an obedient state." On a roll call vote, the Interclassical Conference first voted to table the relevant portions of the report of the committee advocating secession and then made the report unnecessary by adopting the non-geographical classis proposal. Following the vote, a number of people opposed to the Interclassical Conference decision convened in the South Holland basement and decided to meet together with Newton (CRC) to formulate a secession proposal along the lines of the tabled advisory committee report. "I say that it is sin to put a woman in office, they say that is a sin for me to say that," said Newton CRC pastor Rev. Casey Freswick, defending secession as the only remaining option under the circumstances. "I believe that is the only logical conclusion for the church visitors to take. In like manner if you submit to the Church Order and the decisions of synod, even if you vote no and record a statement in the minutes. If you remain CRC you are in some ways compromising the Belgic Confession." Relations with Other Groups The Interclassical Conference also adopted a proposal by First Chino CRC to create a committee to study various existing denominations to determine which would be receptive to receiving conservative churches from the Christian Reformed denomination. At least two such groups have already expressed interest: the Reformed Church in the United States and the United Reformed Churches in North America, the largest group of conservatives who have already seceded from the CRC. The RCUS and the Lake Michigan Regional Fellowship of the Alliance of Reformed Churches sent observers to the Interclassical Conference; the URC sent an official letter of greeting. In response, the Interclassical Conference voted to send a letter of appreciation to the URC expressing thanksgiving for prayers and support, thanking them for the invitation to join, appreciating the URC acknowledgement of the difficulty faced by conservatives remaining in the Christian Reformed denomination, and noting that the appointed committee to study denominations will include the URC in its evaluation. The Interclassical Conference also voted to send a similar letter to the RCUS. That wasn't enough for some of supporters of the United Reformed Churches, however. "I think this is tragic," said Rev. Clarence Werkema, a retired CRC pastor serving as interim minister of Champlain Valley CRC in Vergennes, Vermont. "Here is a body of men that has been meeting a number of years that have been doing much of the work we have been doing. They are ready to receive us without us doing all of this work and meeting. The church is in mortal trouble and we are going to just dismiss our brethren who have been in this like precious faith with us for so many years?" However, the interclassical conference chairman said a decision by the Interclassical Conference to thank the United Reformed synod rather than joining it was not a negative statement about the URC or a statement that individual churches might not want to join. "I hope you did not get the impression that we are dismissing them," said Cammenga. "We read their letter and are giving a very gracious letter and reply." Cross-References to Related Articles: #1995-082: California South Calls Conference of Christian Reformed Classes, Councils, to Address Women in Office Decision #1995-093: California South Announces Date and Location for Interclassical Conference of Christian Reformed Conservatives #1995-106C: Interclassical Conference Urges Christian Reformed Synod to Lead Denomination in Repentance; Calls for Formation of "Covenant Union" of CRC Conservatives #1996-076: CRC Synod Rejects 25 Overtures and Communications Calling for End to Classical Option on Ordination of Women #1996-088: Interclassical Conference of Christian Reformed Conservatives to be Asked to Create Nongeographical Classes; Minority Urges Immediate Secession from Christian Reformed Denomination #1996-095: Vander Weit Takes on Interclassical Conference Contact List: Rev. Hendrik Bruinsma, Pastor, Maranatha Christian Reformed Church 4561 Langstaff Rd., Woodbridge, ON L4L 2B2 O: (905) 851-0044 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. LeRoy Christoffels, Pastor, Preakness (NJ) Christian Reformed Church 490 Valley Rd., Wayne, NJ 07470 O: (201) 628-1313 * H: (201) 694-1516 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 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. Casey Freswick, Pastor, Newton Christian Reformed Church 47 Condit St., Newton, NJ 07860 O: (201) 383-9635 * H: (201) 383-2263 * E-Mail: cfres@nac.net Elder Jake Klassen, West Sayville Christian Reformed Church c/o West Sayville CRC, 31 Rollstone Ave., West Sayville, NY 11796 O: (516) 589-4688 Rev. Randal Lankheet, Pastor, Ontario Christian Reformed Church 125 East Philadelphia St., Ontario, CA 91761 H/O: (909) 984-8201 Rev. Bradd Nymeyer, Pastor, Phoenix Christian Reformed Church 2434 E. Earll Dr., Phoenix, AZ 85016 O/F: (602) 954-7289 * H: (602) 956-6794 * E-Mail: BLNymeyer@aol.com Rev. Ron Scheuers, Pastor, First Christian Reformed Church 12943 Magnolia Ave., Chino, CA 91710 O: (909) 591-9111 * H: (909) 590-2324 * FAX: (909) 464-9636 * E-Mail: MRenk@aol.com Rev. Henry Vanden Heuvel, Pastor, First Christian Reformed Church 9401 S. 54th Ave., Oak Lawn, IL 60453 O: (708) 422-1428 Rev. Richard S. E. Vissinga, President, Synod of the Gereformeerde Kerken in Nederland Watermunt 11, 8265 EL Kampen, NETHERLANDS Rev. Clarence Werkema, Sr. 14193 - 12th Ave., Marne, MI 49435 H: (616) 677-3750 ------------------------------------------------- file: /pub/resources/text/reformed: nr96-117b.txt .