Date: Sat, 21 Jun 1997 06:51:22 -0400 (EDT)
From: Darrell128@aol.com
Subject: NR 97077: No Theological Classes Allowed for CRC Conservatives
NR #1997-077: No Theological Classes Allowed for CRC Conservatives
Would allowing Christian Reformed opponents of women's ordination to have
their own theologically-identified classes be a "terrible thing and a death
blow to the church" or a way for conservatives and progressives to live with
each despite their disagreements? Those two visions led to heated debate at
synod June 19 on a proposal that approximately four dozen conservative
churches be allowed to organize four new classes which would remain members
of the CRC but adopt a set of conservative theological affirmations on such
subjects as gay marriage, women's ordination, worship, and feminine language
for God. Numerous delegates warned that failure to grant theological classes
could lead to even more secessions from a denomination that has lost over
30,000 members in the last five years. In the end, synod rejected the
proposal to create theologically-identified conservative classes on a voice
vote. Others reminded synod that only one day earlier they had approved
transferring three churches from one classis to another for reasons other
than theology. An earlier procedural motion showed a 125 to 59 margin against
considering a report favoring theological classes.
NR #1997-077: For Immediate Release
No Theological Classes Allowed for CRC Conservatives
by Darrell Todd Maurina, Press Officer
United Reformed News Service
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (June 19, 1997) URNS -- Would allowing Christian Reformed
opponents of women's ordination to have their own theologically-identified
classes be a "terrible thing and a death blow to the church" or a way for
conservatives and progressives to live with each despite their disagreements?
Those two visions led to heated debate at synod June 19 on a proposal that
approximately four dozen conservative churches be allowed to organize four
new classes which would remain members of the CRC but adopt a set of
conservative theological affirmations on such subjects as gay marriage,
women's ordination, worship, and feminine language for God.
Numerous delegates warned that failure to grant theological classes could
lead to even more secessions from a denomination that has lost over 30,000
members in the last five years.
"I came inclined to vote against theological classes, but you have convinced
me we need each other," said Rev. Larry Meyer of Faith Community CRC in
Beaver Dam, Wisconsin.
"If we do not make room for those on the right, I am afraid we are going to
lose that voice," said Meyer. "I fear that if we do not make room for those
on the right we will make a hard turn to the left."
Elder Marlin Van Schepen of Classis Minnesota South urged delegates to
consider the consequences. "I think all of us realize we are at something of
a defining moment for the Christian Reformed Church," said Van Schepen,
noting that some churches believed they were not being served effectively by
their current classical affiliation and looked to theological classes as an
alternative to denominational realignment.
That reasoning didn't appeal to Dr. Jeff Weima of Calvin Seminary, who said
one delegate had told him he would be voting for the proposal to stave off a
secession despite believing the proposal was a bad idea. "I am firmly
convinced that theological classes are a terrible thing and the death blow
for the church," said Weima. "We either are a model of the family and work
through our differences or we aren't."
Others reminded synod that only one day earlier they had approved
transferring three churches -- including Pine Creek CRC of Holland which
opposes women's ordination and Trinity CRC of Mt. Pleasant which wants to
ordain its female pastor -- from one classis to another due to factors
unrelated to geography. "The mechanism is in place; if churches want to go to
a classis that is of lie mind, the mechanism is there and in place," said
Elder Larry Baar of Classis Muskegon.
In the end, synod rejected the proposal to create theologically-identified
conservative classes on a voice vote. An earlier procedural motion showed a
125 to 59 margin against considering a report favoring theological classes.
Cross-References to Related Articles:
#1995-070: Christian Reformed Classes Permitted to Declare Church Order Ban
on Women's Ordination "Inoperative"; Synod Decision Given Immediate Effect
without Two-Year Ratification Process
#1996-076: CRC Synod Rejects 25 Overtures and Communications Calling for End
to Classical Option on Ordination of Women
#1996-077: Churches Allowed to Switch Classes for Theological Reasons
#1996-117B: Separation Without Secession: Interclassical Conference Urges
Christian Reformed Synod to Create New Conservative Classes
#1997-008: Classis Zeeland Votes by 72% Margin to Receive Pine Creek
Christian Reformed Church Pending Synodical Approval
#1997-010: Classis Holland Acquiesces in Pine Creek Request to Transfer to
Classis Zeeland Due to Opposition to Women in Office
#1997-011: Classis California South Endorses Classes Grouped by Theological
Affinity Instead of Geography; Organizers Hope a Tenth of CRC May Join New
Conservative Classes
#1997-029: Classis Muskegon Admits Trinity CRC of Mt. Pleasant; Vote Allows
Ordination of Mary-Lee Bouma as Third Christian Reformed Woman Pastor
#1997-047: Classis Zeeland Endorses Theological Classis Proposal
#1997-059: Classis California South Adopts South Holland Affirmations
#1997-063: Christian Reformed Synod 1997 Faces Crossroads Decision: Will
Seceding Churches Keep their Property?
#1997-065: Orthodox Presbyterian General Assembly Breaks Longstanding
Christian Reformed Fraternal Relationship
#1997-066: Presbyterian Church in America General Assembly Cuts Ties with
Christian Reformed Church Over Women's Ordination
#1997-068: Christian Reformed Synod Convenes Today in Grand Rapids; Major
Issues to Include Feminine Language for God, Abortion, Interchurch Relations,
Local Church Property Issues, Theologically-Defined Classes
#1997-075: Calling God "Mother," Theological Classes to Headline Thursday's
Christian Reformed Synod
TO REACH DELEGATES DURING SYNOD 1997 (June 14-21, 1997):
Synod News Office, Fine Arts Center, Calvin College, 3201 Burton St. SE,
Grand Rapids, MI 49546
Prerecorded Synod News Message: (616) 224-0841 or (888) 277-9663
Synod Office: (616) 957-8650
News Office: (616) 957-8652
FAX: (616) 957-8659
TO REACH DELEGATES AFTER SYNOD:
Rev. Zachary (Zack) Anderson, Pastor, Pine Creek Christian Reformed Church
663 Riley St., Holland, MI 49424
O: (616) 399-1413 * H: (616) 399-2016
Miss Mary-Lee Bouma, Expounder, Trinity Christian Reformed Church
211 W. Broomfield, Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858
O: (517) 772-0664 * H: (517) 772-1029
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. Larry Meyer, Pastor, Faith Community Christian Reformed Church
408 Stark St., Beaver Dam, WI 53916
O: (414) 887-8577 * H: (414) 887-8309 * E-Mail: LLMeyer@aol.com
Elder Keith Vander Pol, Theological Classis Committee Chairman,
Interclassical Conference
1725 Bear Valley Parkway, Escondido, CA 92027
O: (619) 480-8474 * FAX: (619) 480-0252
Dr. Jeffrey A.D. Weima, Professor of New Testament, Calvin Theological
Seminary
3233 Burton St. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546-4387
O: (616) 957-6019 * H: (616) 285-5834 * FAX: (616) 957-8621 * E-Mail:
WEIMJE@luther.Calvin.edu
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