CLASSIS NIAGARA OF THE CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH Minutes of the meeting of Wednesday, October 19, 2005 Bethany Christian Reformed Church, Fenwick

Officers: Rev. Gerald VanSmeerdyk, Chairman; Rev. Harold Winter, Vice-Chairman; John TeBrake, Stated Clerk

1. Opening: Rev. Walt VanderWerf, Classis Niagara’s Prayer Coordinator, led in a time of opening devotions.

2. Constitution of Classis: Elder George DeRoo of the host church read the names of the churches and their delegates from the assembled credentials. All churches in Classis were represented. The first-time delegates who had signed the Form of Subscription were acknowledged and welcomed. The Chairman, Rev. Gerald VanSmeerdyk declared Classis constituted, and welcomed delegates and guests.

3. Reports of the Classical Interim Committee and the Stated Clerk: The Stated Clerk referred delegates to the reports of the meetings of the Classical Interim Committee and to reports of correspondence and offered opportunity for questions. The report of the CIC also includes the Pulpit Supply schedule for January through May 2006. The reports of the CIC and the Stated Clerk were approved by Classis.

4. Report of the Ad-hoc Committee to clarify the relationship between the Classical Ministries Committee and the Brock and Shalom Chaplaincies and the Classical Abuse Response Teams (pages 9 and 10 of agenda): Frank Engelage, on behalf of the committee, presented the report. The following recommendations were all supported and approved by Classis: a. To discontinue having as separate Classis meeting agenda items reports from committees that fall within the responsibility of the CMC b. To continue to invite both the Brock University and Shalom Manor chaplains to give reports of their work at each meeting of Classis, in the context/as part of the CMC report c. To continue the CART as a stand-alone, independent committee reporting directly to Classis Niagara d. To allow the CMC to appoint the Classical Ministries Coordinator to act as advisor to the Nominating Committee e. That Classis declare the work of the ad hoc Committee to Clarify the Relationship between the Classical Ministries Committee and the Brock and Shalom Chaplaincies and the Classical Abuse Response Team to be finished and dismiss the committee.

The Chairman clarified that this means that certain items will no longer appear separately on future Classis agendas.

5. Report of Church Plant Team (pages 13-16 of agenda): Ken VanDyke and Hilda VanderKlippe reported on behalf of the Church Plant Team. They informed Classis that to date the councils of Covenant (St. Catharines) and Smithville CRCs have committed to being partners in the parenting team; three other councils have expressed an interest. The motion: That Classis Niagara agree to financially support the work of the church plant task force and the network of parent churches with the amount of $5.00 per member of Classis Niagara to begin in January of 2006 was carried.

6. Report of Classis Niagara Chaplains (pages 17 and 19 of agenda): Rev. George VanArragon (Shalom Manor Chaplain) indicated that the more major changes during the last three years have been in the management, as opposed to the facility itself, of Shalom Manor. At present 4 of 7 senior management staff are not members of the Christian Reformed Church. He expressed hopes that the heritage of Shalom can be maintained into the future.

Dr. André Basson (Brock University Chaplain) informed Classis of increasing contact with students and faculty and of the successful Thanksgiving dinner a few weeks ago. He is planning a series of talks (eg. stem cell

Classis Niagara CRC – October 19, 2005 – Page 1 of 4 research) for the church community. He appreciates and welcomes opportunities to preach in the churches of Classis.

Rev. Harold Winter offered a prayer of thanks for the chaplains and their work.

7. Report of Nominating Committee (page 8 of agenda): The recommendation of the Nominating Committee to appoint Rev. Derek Bouma to the Classical Interim Committee to replace Rev. Robert Loerts was approved.

8. Nominations for Board of Trustees of CRCNA: Classis supported the reelection of Rev. Andrew Beunk for a second three-year term. Classis recommended Rev. Harold Winter and Rev. Jim Dekker as possible alternate Classis Niagara trustee.

9. Report of Student Fund Committee (not in agenda): Rev. Gerald VanSmeerdyk reported that the support to be provided is essentially the same as was approved at the May meeting of Classis. The Committee recommended that the Student Fund transfer $4,657.50 US to Classis Hamilton for student D.J. deKlerk. This student is a former member of a Classis Niagara church, and Classis Hamilton is currently supporting 10 students. The recommendation was approved by Classis. Classis also approved the work of the Student Fund Committee.

10. Report of the Classical Ministries Committee (pages 10-12 of agenda): Brian VanStaalduinen provided a brief back-ground of this committee and its functions. He presented the motion, in the form of a proposal as outlined in the report, to expand the position of Classical Ministry Coordinator to three days per week as of January 1, 2006. A current overview of the position was provided, and after some discussion the motion was defeated. The work of the Classical Ministries Committee was approved by Classis.

11. Report of the Finance Committee (pages 4-7 of agenda, with revisions provided at the meeting): Treasurer Emma Winter presented the committee’s report and the proposed budget for 2006. The budget and Classical ministry shares were approved as presented, adjusted for (a) to add $5.00 per member for the church plant team, item 5 above; and (b) to reduce the classical ministry coordinator remuneration to reflect one day per week, item 10 above. (The 2006 Classical Ministry share will be $55.44; the treasurer will communicate details to church treasurers). Classis approved the work of the Finance Committee.

12. Report of the Credentials Committee: Delegate Elder Louis DenBak reported that the Covenant CRC had passed in Council, and to be ratified by its membership motions (a) that Covenant would offer to take the role of lead parent church in the church plant proposal, and would provide such assistance, leadership, and commitments required for this role; and (b) to encourage and invite the participation of other churches in Classis Niagara in the church plant. There were no other items of information on the credentials. Furthermore, there were no irregular responses to any of the CO Article 41 questions.

13. Report from the President of Redeemer University College (page 29 of the agenda): Dr. Justin Cooper brought greetings from Redeemer. For the first time in its history, Redeemer’s enrollment declined from that of the previous year, due to a variety of reasons, likely including increasing costs and a lessening commitment. 45% of the students are Christian Reformed, another 15% come from other Reformed denominations. There are currently some 25 Roman Catholic students as well, who are enrolled mainly in the newly accredited Teacher’s program. There are 55 students from Classis Niagara, and at least one from each church in Classis Niagara. Dr. Cooper also noted that from all of Ontario and Eastern Canada, Classis Niagara has the highest number of students per church. He thanked Classis for its support and requested our prayers.

14. Report of the Classical Abuse Response Team (CART) (page 8 of the agenda): Rev. Harold Winter reported that the members of the CART had attended a denomination training conference, and the CART is now qualified to act in that capacity. Rev. Winter will provide details as to how to access the CART at the February 2006 meeting of Classis. The purpose of the CART is to deal with people in authority in a church who are alleged to have abused either before or while they were in an authority position. Rev. Winter also pleaded for more members from among the churches to serve on the CART.

Classis Niagara CRC – October 19, 2005 – Page 2 of 4 15. Reports of Church Counselors: Church Counselors reported as follows: (a) Jubilee Fellowship: Rev. Lloyd Burghart reported that his work as Counselor would be complete Candidate Duane VanderLaan had accepted the call extended to him (b) Grace: Rev. Derek Bouma reported that Grace had extended a call to Candidate Ryan Braam who had also accepted (c) Mountainview: Rev. Andrew Beunk reported that this church would be voting to approve to extend a call to a pastor in the near future (d) Providence: Rev. Harry VanderWindt reported that this church too has received a new pastor in Candidate Steven deBoer (e) Rehoboth: the delegates reported that this church is in the process of seeking potential pastors to call (f) Bethany: the delegates reported that this church has an active search committee that has a candidate in mind who plans to come to preach and visit at Bethany in the near future.

16. Report of the Regional Pastor: Regional Pastor Rev. Peter DeBruyne reported that Classis Niagara has about 25 ordained pastors, half of whom are active, the others are retired. Each of the three new pastors will require a mentor. If there are not sufficient mentors, options include having pastors mentor two new pastors, or to seek mentors from other classes. There are nine mentoring seminars being planned this year and it is hoped that one would be in Ontario.

17. Report of the Shalom Manor Chaplaincy Committee: Rev. DeBruyne also reported on behalf of this committee, which is dealing with concerns with respect to the spiritual direction of Shalom. In particular, three senior staff members are leaving/retiring, and the committee is concerned that the CEO hire the right people to fill their places to maintain the current spiritual atmosphere.

18. Reports of Church Visitors: . Burghart/Witvoet: reported on visits to Smithville (March 1); Fruitland (March 16) . Dekker/DeRoo: reported on visits to Rehoboth (July 6); Trinity (September) The delegate from Rehoboth clarified that this church does not depend on Dr. André Basson to the extent that they believe the report indicates.

One delegate asked if in the future reports could be printed in the agenda rather than require to be read at meetings. The chair ruled that the Classical Interim Committee review church visitor reports in the future and if there are no sensitive matters that they be included in the agenda. However, this ruling was challenged, discussed, and defeated. The current practice of reading the reports at meetings will continue.

19. Report of the Overture Advisory Committee (Overture on page 21 of agenda) : Rev. Lloyd Burghart reported on behalf of the Advisory Committee. The overture from Mountainview CRC was: The Council of Mountainview CRC overtures Classis Niagara to: 1) consider and recommend ways that the congregations of Classis Niagara can implement the recommendation of Synod 2003 which reads that ‘CRC church councils develop and promote plans for congregational financial support of Reformed Christian day school education.’ (Acts of Synod, 2003, p. 626), 2) articulate a rationale for the approach it recommends, and 3) report back to the subsequent Classis meeting.”

The Advisory Committee recommended that Classis Niagara not accede to the overture from Mountainview in its present form. This resulted in the overture taking precedence, and the Mountainview delegates were given an opportunity to respond. After some discussion a motion to amend the overture to include the appointment of an ad-hoc committee to consider and recommend, and to change the word “the” in point 3) to “a”, was carried.

The chairman invited the submission of possible names for this ad-hoc committee during the dinner hour. It was subsequently announced that the following would be asked to serve on this committee: Henry Koorneeff, Hilda VanderKlippe, Tony Kamphuis, and Karen Gerritsma. P.J. Vermeer was appointed as alternate.

Classis Niagara CRC – October 19, 2005 – Page 3 of 4 20. Report of Board of Trustees of the CRCNA: Trustee for Classis Niagara Rev. Andrew Beunk provided details with respect to: . The resignation of Rev. Cal Bremer as Executive Director designate of the CRCNA; he has since been suspended as a minister of the Word in the CRCNA . A committee being established to have oversight of the process of the ordination of ministers who seek the ministry through alternate routes . The denomination’s upcoming sesquicentennial in 2007. The theme is “Grace Through Every Generation”; denomination-wide and local celebrations are planned.

21. Examination of Candidates for Minister of the Word in the CRCNA: Candidates Ryan Braam and Duane VanderLaan were scheduled to be examined as requested by the Grace and Jubilee Fellowship churches respectively. The two candidates were examined simultaneously

The Stated Clerk confirmed that the required documentation had been provided as required.

Synodical Deputies present were Rev. Jacob Kuntz, Classis Toronto; Rev. Dan Tigchelaar, Classis Chatham; and Rev. Bernie Bakker, Classis Quinte. Rev. VanSmeerdyk introduced them to the Classis.

The examination followed the steps as outlined in Appendix IV of the Rules and Procedures. . Rev. Derek Bouma conducted the Practica portion. . Rev. Walt VanderWerf reported that he and Rev. Jim Dekker had attended the service at which Candidate Braam had preached his assigned-text sermon, and he gave an evaluation of that service as well as of two other submitted sermons. Similarly, Rev. Greg Fluit reported that he and Rev. Peter DeBruyne had attended the service at which Candidate VanderLaan had preached his assigned-text sermon, and he gave an evaluation of that service as well as of two other submitted sermons. . Rev. Andrew Beunk conducted the Biblical and Theological position portion. . After each section both, the Synodical Deputies and the delegates were provided an opportunity to ask further questions.

An executive session was declared.

Upon return to regular session, Rev. VanSmeerdyk informed Ryan and Duane and the re-assembled general session, that they had been admitted to the Ministry of the Word in the CRCNA, with the concurrence of the Synodical Deputies. He invited all to congratulate Ryan and Duane and their wives at the conclusion of the meeting.

22. The meeting was closed with the singing of the Doxology.

23. Next meetings: Date: February 15, 2006 Agenda Deadline: January 3, 2006 Location: Trinity CRC, St. Catharines Chairman: Vice-chairman: Rev. Gerald Van Smeerdyk Credentials: Jubilee Fellowship (to chair) and Maranatha Overture Advisory: Trinity (to chair) and Smithville

Following meetings: May 17; October 18, 2006

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