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Minutes of the Fourth Synod of the United Reformed Churches in North

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Minutes of the Fourth Synod of the United Reformed Churches in North MINUTES of the Fourth Synod of the UNITED REFORMED CHURCHES in NORTH AMERICA held Tuesday, June 5 through Thursday, June 7, 2001 at Escondido United Reformed Church, Escondido, California Contents Minutes page 1 Reports Calling Church page 28 Treasurers page 29 Stated Clerk a. Report on the New Churches page 32 b. Report page 33 Ecumenical Relations and Church Unity page 44 URCNA-OPC Study Committee page 77 Psalter Hymnal Committee page 100 Biblical and Confessional View of Missions page 101 Missions in Mexico page 115 Canadian Charitable Gifts page 121 Ecumenical Relations with Churches Abroad page 125 Board of Directors a.. United States Corporation page 128 b. Canadian Corporation page 129 Voluntary Retirement Pension Plan a. Canadian perspective page 131 b. United States perspective page 158 Overtures page 160 Classical Request for Advice page 175 Index page 176 A MINUTES OF THE FOURTH SYNOD of the UNITED REFORMED CHURCHES in NORTH AMERICA June 5-7, 2001 held at Escondido United Reformed Church Escondido, California ARTICLE I The Chairman of the Council of the calling church, Escondido United Reformed Church of Escondido, California, Rev. Philip Vos, calls for the singing of Psalter Hymnal Numbers 298, 265, and 13 and leads in opening devotions. ARTICLE II Roll call reveals the following delegates: Abbotsford, BC Immanuel Covenant Reformed Church Rev. William Vander Woerd Alto, MI Grace URC Rev. Peter Adams Marv Mingerink Anaheim, CA Christ Reformed Church Dr. Kim Riddlebarger Rev. Gary Matlack Athens, ON Hope URC Rev. H. J. Moes G. Wiekamp Aylmer, ON Bethel URC Rev. Raymond Sikkema Harry Van Gurp Balmoral, ON Covenant Reformed Church Rev. Brian Schouwstra Mike Doucette Beecher, IL Faith URC Rev. Todd Joling Arthur Johnson Boise, ID Cloverdale URC Rev. Daryl Kats Randy Harris Brockville / Hulbert, ON Ebenezer ORC Rev. John Roke Caledonia, MI Trinity URC Rev. Brian Vos George Jager Calgary, AB Bethel URC Rev. Ed Marcusse William Oostenbrink Cape Coral, FL Trinity Reformed Church Rev. Allen Vander Pol Rev. Richard Gainer Chino, CA First URC Rev. Ronald Scheuers Ronald Verhoeven Clinton, ON Grace ORC Rev. Peter J. Vellenga DeMotte, IN Immanuel URC Rev. Thomas Wetselaar Doon, IA Doon URC Rev. Larry Johnson Dunnville, ON Grace Reformed Church Rev. Ed Korevaar Rick Schotsman -1- Edmonton, AB Orthodox Reformed Church Rev. William Pols Ed Spronk Escondido, CA Escondido URC Rev. Philip Vos Rev. R. S. Clark Fresno, CA Covenant URC Rev. Paul Lindemulder Daniel Anrig Grand Rapids, MI Walker URC Morris Versluis Grande Prairie, AB Covenant Reformed Church Rev. Bill DeJong Menno Klunder Hamilton, ON Rehoboth URC Harry Nieboer Peter Westerterp Highland, IN Community Reformed Bible Church Rev. W. Jason Tuinstra Dr. Nelson Kloosterman Hills, MN Hills URC Rev. Keith Davis Wayne Van Wyhe Hudsonville, MI Cornerstone URC Don Van Dyke Dave Van Beek Jenison, MI Bethel URC Rev. Derrick Vander Meulen Gaylord Haan Jordan, ON Immanuel ORC of Niagara Rev. John Bouwers Andy Langendoen Kalamazoo, MI Covenant URC Henry Knibbe Gerrit Kalkman Kansas City, MO Covenant Reformed Church Ed Wierenga Wil Postma Lansing, IL Oak Glen URC Rev. Paul Ipema Rev. Mark Vander Hart Leduc, AB Grace Reformed Church Rev. Timothy Kolkman Lethbridge, AB Trinity Reformed Church Rev. John Barach Dick Vander Molen London, ON Cornerstone URC Rev. Dennis Royall Henry Nieboer Loveland, CO Calvary URC Rev. Dale Piers Les Dalby Lynden, WA Lynden URC Melvin Dotinga Nelson De Ruyter Lynwood, IL Lynwood URC Roger Gritters Neerlandia, AB Emmanuel Reformed Church Rev. Theo G. Hoekstra Jerry R. DeVries Newton, NJ Covenant Reformed Church Rev. Mark Stewart Leonard Van Wingersen New Haven, VT New Haven URC Rev. Frederik Harms Jake Gosliga Olive Center, MI Faith URC Rev. W. H. Oord Ontario, CA Ontario URC Rev. Randal Lankheet Paul Huizenga -2- Orange City, IA Redeemer URC Rev. Ralph Pontier Harlyn Jacobsma Oro-Medonte, ON Grace ORC Rev. Ancel Merwin Pantego, NC Covenant URC Rev. Calvin Tuininga Bernard VanEssendelft Pasadena, CA Pasadena URC Rev. Movses Janbazian Dr. Sarkis Baltayian Phoenix, AZ United Reformed Church Rev. Bradd L. Nymeyer Jonathan Gross Pompton Plains, NJ Pompton Plains Ref. Bible Church Rev. Dale Van Dyke Rich Ritsma Ponoka, AB Parkland Reformed Church Rev. Henry Van Olst Roelof Hoogkamp Ripon, CA Zion URC Rev. Alrick Headley Dan Sonke St. Catharines, ON Trinity ORC Rev. Albert Bezuyen John Van Dyk Salem, OR Immanuel’s URC Rev. William Renkema Leonard Poot Sanborn, IA Cornerstone URC Henry Hofland Dick S. Hofman Santa Ana, CA Saigon Ref. Presbyterian Church Dr. Bao Xuan Nguyen Sheffield, ON Zion URC Rev. Christo Heiberg John Saliba Smithers, BC Bethel Reformed Church Rev. Barry Beukema Dick Adema South Holland, IL Bethany Covenant Ref. Church Rev. Kevin J. Hossink Edward Kramer Strathroy, ON Providence URC Rev. Harry Zekveld Jake Feddema Surrey, BC Surrey Covenant Reformed Church Rev. A. Korvemaker J. Kleingeltink Telkwa, BC Faith Reformed Church of Telkwa Rev. Jim Klazinga Don Tuininga Toronto, ON Covenant Reformed Church C. Loopstra William Buikema Walnut Creek, CA Trinity URC Rev. Joghinda Gangar Jack Kamphuis Waupun, WI Grace URC Rev. Peter Kloosterman Wayne, NJ Preakness Valley URC David L. Boardman Nicholas Lindemulder Wellandport, ON Orthodox Reformed Church Rev. Joel Dykstra Cope Gritter West Sayville, NY West Sayville Ref. Bible Church Rev. Donald Hoaglander Jacob Klaassen -3- Winnipeg, MB Providence Reformed Church Rev. Fred Folkerts Henry Nagtegaal Woodstock, ON Bethel URC Rev. William Van Hal Arie DeHaan Wyoming, MI Bethany URC Rev. Casey Freswick Gerald Rozema Wyoming, ON Covenant Christian Church Rev. Richard Wynia T. Korvemaker NOTE: The following churches, members of the federation, do not have delegates present: Allendale, MI, Coopersville, MI, and Wellsburg, IA. The following Ecumenical Observers are present: Canadian Reformed Churches Prof. Dr. J. De Jong and Rev. W. den Hollander Christian Reformed Church in Puerto Rico Rev. Edgardo Rodriquez and Prof. Carlos Cruz Orthodox Christian Reformed Churches Rev. Donald Van Dyken Reformed Church in the United States Rev. James Sawtelle and Rev. Vernon Pollema Reformed Churches in South Africa Dr. M. J. du Plessis Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America Rev. James D. Carson The following churches have Official Observers present: Ancaster, ON Independent Christian Reformed Rev. Martin Vogel Henk van Veen Pella, IA Covenant Reformed Marvin Van Haaften Marvin Zylstra Chuck Meuther ARTICLE III The Credentials Committee reports that the credentials are in good order and brings the following recommendations: A. That Rev. Ray Sikkema be seated as a delegate from Aylmer, ON, since he is serving the church and requested by the Consistory to be their delegate. Adopted B. That we take note of the letter form the Consistory of Waupun, WI, expressing regret in not being fully represented. So ruled C. That we note with regret the absence of full delegations from a number of churches. Adopted ARTICLE IV Synod is declared constituted after the delegates assent to the Form of Subscription. -4- ARTICLE V The following New Congregations are ratified by motion and their delegates assent to the Form of Subscription. Byron Center, MI Covenant United Reformed Rev. Steve Mc Gee Dutton, MI Dutton United Reformed Rev. Paul Murphy Don Verduin Kennewick, WA Grace United Reformed Rev. Craig Davis Rev. Russell St. John Wellsburg, IA United Reformed no delegates Adopted ARTICLE VI It is moved that we take note with joy the addition of the following congregations to our federation: Abbotsford, BC Immanuel Covenant Reformed Classis Western Canada Surrey. BC Surrey Covenant Reformed Classis Western Canada Adopted ARTICLE VII It is moved that we take note with joy that since our last synod meeting two new congregations have been organized: Fresno, CA Covenant United Reformed Classis Southwest U.S. Pasadena, CA Pasadena United Reformed Classis Southwest U.S. Adopted ARTICLE VIII The acting chairman welcomes the delegates, Ecumenical Observers, and guests. ARTICLE IX Time schedule A. Motion to adopt the time schedule as printed. B. Motion to amend the schedule by providing only one hour for lunch and one hour for dinner. Adopted C. The motion as amended is Adopted The time schedule now reads as follows: Tuesday, 1:30 - 6:00, Evening inspirational meeting, 7:30 P.M; Wednesday and Thursday, 8:30 - noon, 1:00- 6:00, 7:00 - 9:00. Fifteen minute breaks at 10 A.M. and 3 P.M. Sessions may be extended by vote, if necessary. -5- ARTICLE X Election of officers is held. The following are elected: Chairman: Rev. Ralph Pontier Vice-Chairman: Rev. Dennis Royall The acting chairman turns the chair over to Rev. Ralph Pontier. ARTICLE XI Report of the Calling Church: A. Mr. Huibert den Boer presents the report of the committee. B. The list of committees is presented for approval. 1. It is moved that we amend the list by adding the name of Rev. Harry Zekveld to Committee 3. Adopted 2. It is moved that we amend the list by adding the name of Rev. Peter Adams to Committee 5. Adopted 3. The committees as amended are adopted as follows: Committee 1 Materials: Overtures 2, 3, 7, Classical request for advice Rev. Bill De Jong, Rev. Henry VanOlst, Rev. P. Kloosterman, Rev. William Van Hal, Rev. Dale Van Dyke, Rev. B. Nymeyer, Nelson DeRuyter, Gerrit Kalkman, H. Jacobsma, Peter Westerterp, Leslie Dalby. Committee 2 Materials: Overtures 6, 11, 12 Rev. Theo Hoekstra, Rev. D. Vander Muelen, Rev. T. Wetselaar, Rev. J. Bouwers, Rev. Donald Hoaglander, Rev. Kim Riddlebarger, Rev. Al Bezuyen, Melvin Dotinga, Don Verduin, Rev. M. Vander Hart, Arie De Haan, Jacob Klaassen, Ronald Verhoeven. Committee 3 Materials: Overtures 5, 8, 10; Reports 1, 2 Rev. Fred Folkerts, Rev. Casey Freswick, Rev. W. J. Tuinstra, Rev. Henry Moes, Rev. Frederik Harms, Rev. R. Scheuers, Rev. Dale Piers, D. Tuininga, Henry Knibbe, Dr. N.
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