Date: Tue, 6 May 1997 15:12:46 -0400 (EDT)
From: Darrell128@aol.com
Subject: NR 97046: Rhem's Attorney Responds: "The RCA in Western Michigan [is] Truly a
Dysfunctional Family
NR #1997-046: Rhem's Attorney Responds: "The RCA in Western Michigan [is]
Truly a Dysfunctional Family"
In a prepared statement, legal counsel for Rev. Richard Rhem and Christ
Community Church of Spring Lake have issued a response to the May 5 decision
of the Great Lakes Regional Synod of the Reformed Church in America. Rhem's
attorney, Roger Boer of the Grand Rapids law firm Rhoades, McKee, Boer,
Goodrich, and Titta, states that "I advise my clients to have nothing to do
with Classis Muskegon RCA. Recent history shows that both the Regional Synod
and the Classis are not interested in healing but wish to pursue discord and
unrest." The complete text of the prepared statement is printed without any
form of editorial comment.
NR #1997-046: For Immediate Release
Rhem's Attorney Responds: "The RCA in Western Michigan [is] Truly a
Dysfunctional Family"
by Darrell Todd Maurina, Press Officer
United Reformed News Service
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (May 6, 1997) URNS -- In a prepared statement, legal
counsel for Rev. Richard Rhem and Christ Community Church of Spring Lake have
issued a response to the May 5 decision of the Great Lakes Regional Synod of
the Reformed Church in America. Rhem's attorney, Roger Boer of the Grand
Rapids law firm Rhoades, McKee, Boer, Goodrich, and Titta, states that "I
advise my clients to have nothing to do with Classis Muskegon RCA. Recent
history shows that both the Regional Synod and the Classis are not interested
in healing but wish to pursue discord and unrest."
The following is the complete text of the prepared statement without any form
of editorial comment. Editors should be advised that the "Classis Muskegon"
word order is incorrect: unlike the Christian Reformed Church, RCA
terminology uses the form "Muskegon Classis" or "Classis of Muskegon."
The Great Lakes Regional Synod's remand of the allegations against Christ
Community Church of Spring Lake, Michigan and its senior pastor Rev. Richard
A. Rhem back to Classis Muskegon is business as usual for the R.C.A. in
Western Michigan. They are truly a dysfunctional family.
The trustees and Rev. Rhem are strongly advised to make no comment on this
action beyond what was contained in the April 25, 1997 letters to both the
Synod and the Classis. In the Synod letter they stated:
"The trustees of Christ Community Church cannot believe that a synodical
body in the Reformed Church in America would remand an accusation of this
nature to Classis, and in so doing, instruct them to act simultaneously as
police, prosecutor, judge, and jury. How can this be done fairly? How can
there be any semblance of due process when Classis has already sentenced our
pastor when they held him up to "disrepute with Christ, the Church, and the
world?"
My clients have been advised that the word and integrity of Classis Muskegon
R.C.A. is suspect. Witness how on two occasions the resolutions and
commitments of that body, March 1996 and October 1996, were ignored and not
consummated by its leadership. It is clear that the Classis agenda is
calculated to discredit both Christ Community Church and its pastor.
It is therefore the conclusion that any interaction between the parties
would exacerbate the situation. I advise my clients to have nothing to do
with Classis Muskegon R.C.A. Recent history shows that both the Regional
Synod and the Classis are not interested in healing but wish to pursue
discord and unrest.
Roger W. Boer
Rhoades, McKee Boer Goodrich and Titta
on behalf of the Trustees
Christ Community Church
Rev. Richard A. Rhem
Cross-References to Related Articles:
#1997-045: Reformed Church in America Regional Synod of the Great Lakes Sends
Rhem "Gross Sexual Misconduct" Case Back to Muskegon Classis for
Investigation, Possible Trial
[See additional articles at crossreference]
Contact List:
Rev. E. Wayne Antworth, Director, RCA Stewardship & Communication Services
475 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10115
O: (212) 870-2954 * FAX: (212) 870-2499
Roger W. Boer, Esq., Partner, Rhoades, McKee, Boer, Goodrich & Titta,
Attorneys at Law
161 Ottawa Ave. NW, Suite 600, Grand Rapids, MI 49503-2793
O: (616) 235-3500 * FAX: (616) 459-5102
Rev. Richard Rhem, Senior Pastor, Christ Community Church
225 East Exchange St., Spring Lake, MI 49456
O: (616) 842-1985 * H: (616) 846-7777 * F: (616) 842-3476
Rev. Steve Smallegan, Stated Clerk, Muskegon Classis
3025 Glenside Blvd., Muskegon, MI 49441
O: (616) 759-3238 * H: (616) 755-8446
Rev. Sherwin Weener, Synod Minister, Regional Synod of the Great Lakes
4500 - 60th St. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49512
O: (616) 698-7071 * H: (616) 457-3572
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