CLASSIS ONTARIO Drayton Reformed Church, Drayton … · CLASSIS ONTARIO Drayton Reformed Church, Drayton M ... Guelph Rev Henry deKorte Elder Grace Eisen ... Henk Roos, Jenny Schmid,

CLASSIS ONTARIODrayton Reformed Church, Drayton

MINUTES OF THE SPRING SESSION OF CLASSIS

MARCH 5, 2011 AT 8:30 A.M.

1. CALL TO ORDER The Classis was called to order by its President, Rev Art VanderMeulen at 8:35 a.m.

Worship Service The Classis was led in worship by the Pastors of the Drayton ReformedChurch. Rev Duane Vanderlaan brought us into worship in prayer, using the words of Psalm138:1,2. The congregation in the singing of “We Exalt You.” He continued his prayer with thewords of Psalm 148. The hymn of praise was “Take My Life and Let It Be.” This was followedwith the time of prayers for the meeting which was to follow.

Rev Dirk Jan Kramer led the Classis in the reading of Leviticus 1:1,2a. He spoke about toGod’s call to those who are in ministry. “The Lord called and said to Moses...” God both calledand spoke to his servant. The “calling” reflects relationship, a resuming of contact between Godand Moses. In Numbers 23, in the story of Balaam, the word called is also used, but in a differentsense. There was the difference from integrity. Balaam was a hireling, Moses was the friend ofGod. The latter needs to be our focus, that we be a friend of God rather than a hireling, a personplaying a role.

“The voice still speaks to those who hearts are stilled....” says FB Meyer. Are we able torespond: “Here am I?”

He then led the classis in prayer that this we might be faithful to our calling in both themeeting and beyond.

2. THE ROLL CALL: The following Churches were represented by:Brantford Rev Abram Blaak Elder Fred De VriesCambridge Without Installed Pastor Elder James Taylor

Elder Jim VanDenBergChatham Without Installed Pastor Elder Tom Olson

Elder Fred PoolmanDrayton Rev Dirk Jan Kramer Elder Jack Vanderslikke

Rev Duane Vanderlaan Elder Allan PlatExeter Rev Jim Vellenga ElderGrimsby Rev John DeGiovanni Elder Paul ManicaninGuelph Rev Henry deKorte Elder Grace EisenHamilton Rev Stan Seagren Elder Harmen HuismanKingsville Rev Ken Labbé Elder Cor DemerisLondon Rev Art VanderMeulen Elder Paul MassenMississauga Ebenezer Without Installed Pastor Elder Henry DeCloe

Elder A. RentenaarMississauga New Alliance Rev Humberto Lopes Elder

Classis of Ontario Page 2011 - 3

Springford Rev Adriaan de Groot Elder Jacob BisschopSt. Catharines Rev Art VanSlageren Elder Bill Sliedercht Stevensville Rev Ken Ramsay ElderStoney Creek Without Installed Pastor Elder Mark Heeringa

ElderThorold, Grace Rev Les Boyd ElderToronto LaSenda del Amor Rev Alberto Salazar Elder Toronto, New Life ElderWainfleet Without Installed Pastor Elder N. vanLeeuwen

ElderWelland Rev Carson Culp Elder Rev William WensinkWhitby Rev Don Waterhouse Elder Harry ZylstraWoodstock Emmanuel Rev Peter Burrill Elder Henry Bruines

Other Members of Classis Present were:Rev Henk Bylstra, Rev Janine Dekker, Rev John Drost, Rev John Kapteyn (RSC), Rev Will Kroon,Rev Gordon Ross, Elder Emile Schmid, Rev Clifford Turkstra, Rev Charles Webster, Rev SiebrandWilts.

Classis ParliamentarianElder Carl Visser.

3. STATED CLERK'S REPORT ON EXCUSED AND UN-EXCUSED ABSENCES Absent from the meeting:

Absent With Permission: E.J. deWaard , Rev Greg Girrard (Armed Forces, Kingston), Rev Kenneth Lowe, Rev

Thomas Meyer (Ill), Rev Doug Nieuwstraten, Rev Ceny Tavares, Rev Samuel M Priestley Jr., RevMartyn Van Essen, William VandenBerg, (Ill), Rev Art Zeilstra.

Not present due to distance: Rev Karel Hanhart.

Others Not Present:Rev Peter DeJong, Rev Christiaan Platteel, Rev Pieter Schinkelshoek, Rev John Strik, Rev

Thomas VanderSchaaf, Rev Ronald Van Auken, Rev Jon Van Oostveen, Rev John Verhoog,

The Students of Classis Present were:Mr. John Arthur, Mr. José Garreton, Mr. Paul Menicanin,,Not present were: Mr. Salomon Diaz-Gomez, Ms. Olga Noordam, Mrs. Adriana Ostapenko, Ms.Joellen Poot, Mr. Carlos Rosa, Mrs. Meire Rosa, Ms. Marijke Strong.

The Stated Clerk, Rev Abram Blaak, announced that a quorum was present, and the Presidentdeclared Classis duly constituted.


4. APPOINTMENTS OF SESSION COMMITTEES

Appointment of Session Committees:Temporary Clerk: Rev Janine Dekker

Committee of Statistics and State of Religion: Rev Stan SeagrenElder of the Westdale Reformed Church in Hamilton.

Consistorial Minute Books: Rev Ken LabbéElders of the Kingsville Reformed and Mississauga congregations

The task of this committee is to check the books for the following items in the Minutes ofeach Consistory:opening and closing prayers, the asking of the Constitutional Question, and signatures - aswell as very noticeable irregularities. After the books are checked, the person doing thework needs to sign and date the book at the last set of minutes checked. IF you havequestions, please ask the Stated Clerk.

Accounts Committee: Rev Alberto Salazarand Elder from LaSenda Reformed Church in Toronto

Resolutions: Rev Carson Culp and the Elder from Christ Community Church in Welland

Leave of Absence: The Executive Committee -- see Stated Clerk.

Delegates for the General Synod: Elders: Ministers:Joanne Radstake, Drayton Rev Humberto LopesCorry Demeris, Kingsville Rev Dirk Jan Kramer

The meeting of the General Synod will take place on the campus of Calvin College, GrandRapids, Michigan in June 16-21,2011.The Stated Clerks’ Meetings will be held on June 13-15, 2011 at the College as well.

5. RECOGNITION OF VISITORS AND GUESTS

The following visitors made their attendance known by signing in to the meeting:Wim Akster, Bill Kabbes, Annette Curry, Tim Koetsier, Jerry Koobs, Tim Oomen, TimPartridge, Henk Roos, Jenny Schmid, Marcko Silvo, Grace Slot, Jean Tobben, Arnold VanAnkum, Meine Veldman, Carl Visser, David Zekveld.

6. READING OF THE MINUTES OF PREVIOUS STATED SESSIONS BY TITLE

The Stated Clerk read the Minutes of the Fall Session of Classis held in the First ReformedChurch, Chatham, held on October 23, 2010 at 8:30 a.m. (Pages 2010-22 to 2010-37).Motion that we accept these Minutes as distributed was supported and carried.

7. READING OF THE MINUTES OF SPECIAL SESSIONS BY TITLES

The Stated Clerk also read the Minutes Celebrating the Installation of the Rev Peter Burrill


Friday, February 11, 2011 at 8:00 P.M. at Emmanuel Reformed Church of Woodstock,Ontario (Pages 2011 - 01 to 2011 - 02). Motion that we accept these Minutes as distributed was supported and carried.

8. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

The motion was made that the report from the Church Planning and Development Committee beadded the agenda for the day, and the addendums for the Pastoral Relations Committee be added tothe agenda for the day. The motion was supported and carried. Motion made that we accept the agenda amended, and presented this morning to the Classis. Themotion was made, and supported and carried.

9. COMMUNICATIONS AND REFERRALS

There were none for this meeting that have not been dealt with by Classis Committees or theExecutive of the Classis.

10. ELECTIONS OF OFFICERS

The report was given by Vice President, Rev Ken Ramsay. The following ballot were presented to the Classis:

Rev Stan Seagren for the Regional Synod of Canada. Motion to table the report until the results are given was supported and carried. 11. PRESENTATION OF UNFINISHED BUSINESS

There was none to be presented.

12. REPORTS ON CLASSICAL REPRESENTATION: a. Fraternal Delegates – There were no fraternal delegates at this meeting.

b. General Synod Council – Arnold Van Ankum gave the report to the Classis. He related to us that the Rev Granberg-Michaelson’s father in law had passed away this pastweek. The GSC is encouraging to help set up to the Granberg-Michaelson scholarship forfuture ministry and church leadership. He also gave report about the replacement for RevGranberg -Michaelson

c. Words of Hope – Elder Emile Schmid gave the report to the Classis. He gave report on the ministry, and Dr Bast’s visit to Turkey and the need for prayer due todrought.

Nominations Report: Elections Results The results of the vote taken earlier elected Rev Seagren to the Regional Synod of Canada.

The motion was made, supported and carried to take the Nominations report off the table. The motion was supported and carried. The chair thanked the Rev Stan Seagren for servingin this capacity. The motion was made, supported and carried to destroy the ballots.The motion was made, supported and carried to accept the Nominations Report as a whole.


d Redeemer University College – there was no report given. The Clerk will sent out the reportsas they become available to his office via email to the members of Classis.

e. Regional Synod Report – Rev John Kapteyn gave the report.

His report highlighted the Northern Reflections. His main report was on the MissionalNetwork, and that the church needs to speak to our neighbours what God is doing in ourlives.

f. Ecumenical Report – There was no report.

g. Western Theological Seminary – Rev Abram Blaak gave a short report on the state of theSeminary, and the work that is on going in the formation of the future ministers of thedenomination..

h. Countryside Camp and Conference Centre Association. Tim Partridge gave the report to theClassis. He began his report with the showing of a video about the Camp. The videos were sent tothe churches via the camp representatives. He called on the churches to be in connection withour youth, with message being the same, and using the electronics available to. The “Cookiesfor Christmas” campaign was a great success, as was the Pastor’s Retreat. The retreat willbe available again maybe later this year and next winter. “Stand in the Gap” is available againthis summer. This is the program where a needy child can be sent to camp by a church for$100, and the rest is received by fund raising. There were other things to rejoice in as well. Summer still needs a nurse, and some male counsellors. So far 60 work applications havebeen received at the camp.

The Classis spent time in prayer for the ministries which are listed above, seeking God’s blessingon their work within the Kingdom of Jesus.

i. Others – Hope Prayer Team – There was no report.

13. REPORTS OF CLASSIS COMMITTEES: a. The Executive Committee:

i. The motion was made that we place the report concerning the London Update Reportbe placed on the floor was supported and carried.. Elder Carl Visser led the Classis throughthe report. Rev Ken Ramsay took over the chair position.Rev VanderMeulen was allowed to answer questions concerning this matter, but may not bepart of the discussion, nor vote.The Executive Committee recommends:1. That the church be disbanded at a a date to be determined by the Executive committee inconsultation with the church but not to exceed sixty days and that the trustees of theImmanuel Reformed Church of London appoint the Vice-President, Stated Clerk, andTreasurer of the Classis as trustees for the church.


The motion was made that recommendations of be adopted was supported. There was a question which requested that the Elder from London a speak on this matter. The elder gave an account of the process the church had gone through in the past year, andhow the decision was made by the Consistory and Congregation to close the church. Afterthe discussion the vote was taken. The motion was passed.

The Classis spent 20 minutes in coffee break.

2. That Pastor VanderMeulen receive a six months severance package to be equal in everyrespect of his current salary and benefit remuneration package or at the rate set out in theMinisters Minimum Salary and Benefits Guidelines for 2011 as approved by Classis whichever is greater.The motion was made that recommendation be adopted was supported. After some discussion the motion was made that the Classis go “in camera”. This wassupported and carried. While “in camera”, the motion was made that we amend recommendation # 2 to read:That Pastor VanderMeulen receive a 13 months severance package to be equal in everyrespect of his current salary and benefit remuneration package or at the rate set out in theMinisters Minimum Salary and Benefits Guidelines for 2011 as approved by Classis whichever is greater, and that the severance package to be reduced by the same amount of anyemployment earnings received during the time of the severance package.The motion to accept the amendment was supported and carried. The original motionwas carried..

3. That Pastor VanderMeulen and any members who feel so led to explore opportunities forfuture ministry in London and present a proposal to the CP&D for consideration.The motion was made that this be referred this back to the Executive Committee. Themotion was supported and carried.

The motion was made that we move back into full session was supported and carried.

4. That CP&D consider if future ministry in London with or without the present pastor andmembers in a viable undertaking for the Classis and report back to the Fall 2011 StatedSession of Classis.The motion was made that recommendation be adopted was supported and carried.

5. That the church campus in London be sold.The motion was made that recommendation be adopted was supported. The motionwas carried.

6. That the Classis authorize the treasurer to provide emergency funding should the churchbe unable to pay her accounts. Such funds will repaid to the account from which they are


advanced when proceeds of the property sale are received.The motion was made that recommendation of be adopted was supported. Mr Visserexplained that the expenses incurred will come from the sale of the building.The motion was carried.

Rev VanderMeulen resumed the chair.

ii. The Matter of the Springford Reformed Church.The Executive offers the following recommendation:We recommend that the request of the Springford Reformed Church to withdraw fromthe denomination and unite with the Hersteld Hervormde Kerk and to retain all herreal and personal property be denied. The motion was made and supported.The motion was made that give Elder David Zekveld the floor. The motion was supportedand carried. Elder Zekveld read a letter from the Consistory of the Springford Congregationto the Classis. The discussion on this matter followed.. At the vote the motion was denied.

We recommend that the request of the Springford Reformed Church to withdraw fromthe denomination and unite with the Hersteld Hervormde Kerk and to retain all herreal and personal property be approved. The motion was supported and carried.

Elder Jack Vander Slikke led the classis in our table devotions. His reading was from the Gospel ofLuke and asked God to bless our food and fellowship.

The motion was made that we accept the Executive Report. The motion was supportedand carried.

i. The Statistics and State of Religion ReportThe Report was given by our chair, Rev Art VanderMeulen.There were no recommendations.There was however an invitation for ministers and other interested folks to come to the BethelReformed Church on Wednesday March 30, 2010 to talk, and pray about the ministry, andhow we be the church.Motion was made that this report be received. The motion was supported and carried.

b. The Church Planning and Development Committee:Elder Ben Van Hoeve gave the report. Rev John Kapteyn gave a video presentation dealing with the numbers of membership in ourClassis. Elder VanHoeve encouraged the churches of the Classis churches to seek for helpwhen they need it, and not to wait too long.He had two requests: First that we get involved in the work of the CP&D in sharing ourwisdom, enthusiasm and the things that are working well. Second, that we recognize that itstarts with us, and that we as a classis take time before God in repentance, and recognize thedistress that we have caused in other churches. We need to be as Nehemiah the Prophet was


in coming before God.Motion was made to accept the report as a whole was supported and carried.

c. The Overtures and Judicial Business Committee:Mr Carl Visser gave the report to the Classis.Recommendations:

ITEM 1The Fall 2010 Stated Session referred to your committee from the Executive report concernsregarding the role of an installed pastor in chairing consistory meetings as required by the BCO inlight of civil law. Your committee was asked to communicate a report to the churches as soon aspossible as there was considered to be urgency for the opinion as to ministers serving on churchboards. Your committee considered the matter and sent her report to the Stated Clerk for distributionto the churches. The report follows for information. In response to the referral from theClassis regarding the matter of ministers serving on Consistory we offer the following:

The Canadian Council of Christian Charities will not give its seal of approval to a charity ifa paid employee serves on its board of directors. The question has arisen whether the civil lawpermits the minister to serve on consistory. The question has been confused with the questionof whether the minister should chair the consistory. The civil law makes no distinctionbetween the president or any other member of the board. The question is whether the ministercan serve on consistory at all. This is important for us, because the BCO requires the ministerto serve on the consistory. By definition, the consistory is the installed minister, elders anddeacons. It is not settled that the civil law forbids the minister to serve on the board of the church. Theprovincial government requires charitable corporations to have by-laws that forbid employeesfrom serving on the board of directors of the corporation, but the board of directors of thecorporation is not the same thing as the consistory, even if the church is incorporated.

As a practical matter, we make the following recommendations. Churches that are not incorporated should take care to avoid a conflict of interest bycontinuing the practice of having the minister recuse himself from discussions and decisionson matters affecting his own financial interest, such as compensation. They could also useBCO 1.1.3.4 to delegate administrative and personnel functions to a committee of consistory.Under the BCO, the committee need not include the minister.

Churches that are incorporated should avoid conflict of interest in the same way. They shouldalso ensure that the minister or any other paid employee of the church are not named to theboard of directors of the corporation. To fulfill the expectations of the civil authorities, theboard of directors of the corporation should meet at least once a year and should consider areport from the consistory about the finances of the church. It should pass a resolutionapproving the report or making such other direction as is appropriate. The board should alsoensure that the required returns are made annually, such as the information return requiredby the Corporations Act.


The corporation’s board of directors, however, does not function as the consistory. Theconsistory

functions as provided by the BCO.

We also recommend that the churches review with their solicitors their by-laws and chartersas well as their operating procedures to ensure they are operating within the law as well asfulfilling the mandates of the Book of Church Order.

ITEM 2A request was received from the Executive committee to amend several paragraphs of theRules of Order. The main changes are to clarify the responsibilities of the Executivecommittee as set out on Article VI and are as follows. Changes are in BOLD type.

ARTICLE VI. THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE:

59. The Executive Committee shall consist of the Officers of the Classis, two minister membersat large, and two elder members at large.

60. The officers of the Classis shall serve on this committee according to their terms of office. The members at large shall be elected to a three year term, and may serve for a maximum oftwo consecutive terms. Terms shall be staggered to avoid an entire change in committeemembership at one time. Incomplete terms of less than two years shall not count against re-election. At large members shall be elected at the Fall Stated Session. Terms shall begin andend at the adjournment of the Fall Stated Session. Retiring members may provide advice andattend meetings during a reasonable transition period at the discretion of the committee chair.

61. The Executive Committee shall have the general superintendence of the committees of Classisand shall make certain that the duties of the committees and the directives of Classis arecarried out. The Executive Committee shall be the trustees of the incorporated entityof the Classis. The Executive Committee shall act in any Classis matter that is not theresponsibility of any other person or committee.

61a. The Executive Committee shall consider requests from Consistories and other ClassisCommittees to dissolve or disband a church of the Classis. The Executive Committeeor her representatives shall meet with the consistory and the congregation to seek outthe facts of the request and shall then refer the matter to a Classis or Ad-HocCommittee for consideration if appropriate or to the Classis for a decision to disbandor dissolve the church. If referred to a committee the committee will report her findingsto the Executive Committee within 45 days.

61b. The Executive Committee shall consider requests from Consistories and other Classis

Committees to supersede a consistory. The Executive Committee or her representativesshall meet with the consistory and the congregation if appropriate to seek out the facts


of the request and shall then refer the matter to a Classis or Ad-Hoc Committee forconsideration if appropriate or to the Classis for a decision. The polity of the Book ofChurch order will be strictly observed. If referred to a committee the committee willreport her findings to the Executive Committee within 45 days.

61c. The Executive Committee shall be the coordinating committee in insuring allregulations as set out in the Book of Church Order are observed when a consistory issuperseded or a church is disbanded or dissolved. The Executive Committee mayappoint persons or a committee to assist in this function but shall superintend theactions required. The Executive Committee shall be the trustees of all real and otherproperty owned by the Classis including real and other property that comes under thecontrol of Classis as a result of a church being disbanded or dissolved and shall beempowered to buy, sell, rent or lease, or otherwise encumber such property. TheExecutive Committee shall be empowered to approve day to day matters in maintainingthe real and other properties owned by or under the control of the Classis.

62. In superintending the Classis Committees, the Executive Committee may require reports from

the Classis Committees but shall not usurp the function of any of the Classis Committees. If,after consultation with a Classis Committee and a careful study of a matter, the ExecutiveCommittee concludes that a Classis Committee has been in error, the Executive Committeeshall direct the Classis Committee to reconsider the matter, giving its reasons.

63. When a person serves both on a Classis Committee and on the Executive Committee of theClassis, and an issue dealt with by that Classis Committee comes before the ExecutiveCommittee of the Classis as part of the Executive Committee’s oversight over the ClassisCommittees or as related to a matter before the Executive Committee, a person who hasserved on the Classis Committee which dealt with this issue shall not be permitted to vote onthis issue and may participate only as a witness before the Executive Committee in thediscussion of the issue by the Executive Committee.

64. The Executive Committee shall be responsible for relations with other denominations and withecumenical agencies.

65. The Executive Committee shall approve all nominations to the Board of Countryside Campand Conference Centre Association when requested by that organization.

65a The Executive Committee may appoint a person who is familiar with the Book of ChurchOrder, the Rules of Classis and parliamentary procedure to assist the Clerk and President atthe sessions of Classis. The term of such appointment will be at the pleasure of theCommittee. The parliamentarian shall have the privilege of the floor in matters relating tointerpretation of the rules and parliamentary procedure, but not in matters before the Classisunless asked by the chair of the session or is also a delegate or a minister member of Classis. The parliamentarian shall not have a vote unless also a delegate or minister member entitled


to a vote.

These provisions clarify that the Executive Committee has responsibility to overseedissolutions and supersession of consistories. The object is to provide early notificationto the Executive so that the proper steps can be taken in a timely and orderly fashionand give the Executive the authority to act as required in these matters. Yourcommittee recommends the changes receive first reading and be considered for finalapproval at the Fall 2011 Stated session.

The motion was made that this be accepted as first reading and for final reading in theFall Stated Session in 2011. The motion was supported and carried.

The other changes requested are to paragraph 73.

ARTICLE VIII. THE CHURCH PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE:

73. The Church Planning and Development Committee (CP&D) shall consist of six confessingmembers at least two of whom shall be Ministers and at least two of whom shall be Eldersand the Treasurer of the Classis. A member of the Church Planning and DevelopmentCommittee of the Regional Synod of Canada shall be an ex-officio member but without theright to vote.The motion was made that this be accepted as first reading and for final reading in theFall Stated Session in 2011. The motion was supported and carried.

9. No person shall serve on more than two Classis committees at the same time.Executive Committee members who serve on a committee by appointment as arepresentative of the Executive Committee as set out in the Rules of Order of theClassis may serve on two committees to which they are not appointed but elected inaddition to the fulfilling such appointments.The motion was made that this be accepted as first reading and for final reading in theFall Stated Session in 2011. The motion was supported and carried.

ITEM 3 Proposed Amendments to the Constitution of the RCA.1. General Synod professor of Theology. (Page 1) Your committee recommendsdisapproval of the proposed amendments.The motion was made that we disapprove this change.The motion was made to give Elder Arnold Van Ankum be given the permission of the floor.Discussion ensued. The motion was supported and was carried.

2. Greater Missional Emphasis for the Classis - First Change. Your committee


recommends disapproval of the proposed amendment.The motion was made that we disapprove this change. The motion was supported and was defeated

3. Greater Missional Emphasis for the Classis - Second Change. Your committeerecommends disapproval of the proposed amendment.The motion was made that we disapprove this change. The motion was supported and was defeated

4. Greater Missional Emphasis for the Church - First Change. Your committeerecommends disapproval of the proposed amendment.The motion was made that we disapprove this change. The motion was supported and was defeated

5. Greater Missional Emphasis for the Church - Second Change. Your committee recommendsdisapproval of the proposed amendment.The motion was made that we disapprove this change. The motion was supported and was defeated.

6. Declaration for Commissioned Pastors. Your committee recommends approval of theproposed amendment.The motion was made that we approve this change. The motion was supported and was carried.

7. Discipline of a Commissioned Pastor. Your committee recommends approval of theproposed amendment.The motion was made that we approve this change. The motion was supported and was carried.

8. Temporary Classis Members Counting Towards a Classis Quorum. Your committeerecommends approval of the proposed amendment.The motion was made that we approve this change. The motion was supported and was carried.

9. Recourse for Dismissal by Committee of a complaint or Appeal. Your committeerecommends approval of the proposed amendment.The motion was made that we disapprove this change.The motion was supported and was carried.

Motion was made to accept the report as a whole was supported and carried.

d. The Pastoral Relations Committee:Rev. Art Van Slageren gave the report on behalf of the committee.


Recommendation #1That we extend the term of Gerben Wynja for one additional year.The motion was supported.The motion was made to set aside the Rules of Order in order to take the vote. The motionwas supported and carried.After some discussion, the original motion was carried.

Recommendation # 2That the Classis of Ontario recognizes and accepts a transfer of the ordination of Rev.Dr. Meine Veldman from the (Eglise Reformade de Quebec) Reformed Church ofQuebec to the Reformed Church in America.The motion was seconded and carried.

Recommendation #3That the Classis recognize the Faculté Théologique Évangélique, Montréal as part ofthe Ministry of the Kingdom of God and, therefore, qualified to be considered aspecialized Ministry and;Furthermore that we provide for the Installation, or commissioning as appropriate, ofRev. Dr. Meine Veldman as a professor of Systematic Theology and a minister of thegospel at the Faculté de Théologie Évangélique.The motion was seconded and carried.Rev Art VanSlageren led the Classis in prayer for grace over Dr Veldman.Recommendation: The motion to receive the report was supported and carried.

e. The Student Care and Examinations Committee:Rev Ken Labbé gave the report to the Classis.There were two recommendations:

R1 – To accept Mr. Al Plat under care of Classis. The motion was made.Mr Plat spoke for a few minutes about his calling, and his desire to minister. The motion was supported and carried.

R2 – That this report be received by the Classis. The motion was made,supported and carried.

f. The Discipleship Committee:Rev John DeGiovanni gave the report to the Classis.MOTION: To accept this report as received as a whole was supported and carried.

g. The Christian Social Action Committee:The Committee has no report.

h. Special and Ad-hoc Committees:There were no reports.


i. General Finance Committee:Mr Jim VandenBerg gave the report on behalf of the committee.Motion that we approve the financial statements and the audit report was supportedand carried.

The recommendation was made that the Classis receives the report as a whole wassupported and carried.

14. REPORTS OF CHURCHES WITHOUT A PASTOR:The following Churches made a written report to the Classis, except for Stoney Creek andChatham who reported orally. The other elders were present for questions if there were anyfrom the Classis floor:Cambridge – James Taylor Chatham – Tom Olson reported that they have just recently become a church without aninstalled pastor.Mississauga – Henry de CloeStoney Creek – Mark Heeringa reported that Rev Bart Keefer has agreed to ministry to thechurch for eight months. They are beginning a new movie ministry to the neighbourhood.Wainfleet – Leonard Van Nieuwen

Rev VanderMeulen gave his thanks to the churches who gave their written reports earlier inthe agenda. The following churches with ministers of the Word reported in written form areBethel Reformed Church, Exeter, Forestview Reformed Church in Grimsby, FaithReformed Church in Kingsville, and Immanuel Reformed Church in London.The motion was made for us to receive these reports was supported and carried.

The motion was made, supported and carried to thank ministers in specialized ministries fortheir report. The motion was made for us to receive these reports was supported and carried.

15. REPORT OF SESSION COMMITTEES: a. Statistics and State of Religion

There was no report.

b. Consistorial Minutes and Board of Elders Minutes:Rev Ken Labbé gave the report. Motion was made that this report for information. The motion was supported and carried.

c. Leave of Absence: The Stated Clerk reported that Rev Turkstra requested to leave after lunch. The Pastor andElder from Woodstock need to leave at three p.m. Emile Schmid left the meeting at threep.m. and the Hamilton delegation left shortly after.

Jacob Bisschop gave a short thank you to the classis on behalf of the Springford congregation.


d. Accounts:Rev Alberto Salazar gave the report. He reported that the Classis expense for this meetingwas $ 2,095.52 The motion was made, supported and carried that these expenses beapproved.

e. Resolutions:The following report was given by Rev Carson Culp .

1. We resolve that from this day forward we will do our best to live a life without regrets in thespirit of Rev. Kramer’s meditation, looking deeply into the Word of God for it’s riches.

2. We resolve to pray & encourage Rev. Stan Seagren in his new role as the Classis of OntarioRegional Synod of Canada delegate, and to pray for a new Treasurer for the RSC so that Rev.Culp doesn’t have to do it anymore.

3. We resolve to pray for the search committee of General Synod as they reach the final stretchof investigation and prepare to come forward with a recommendation as to a replacement forWes Granberg-Michaelson. We know that there is “Many a slip between the cup and the lip”,and we resolve not to “count our chickens before they hatch”.

4. We resolve to pray and support Words of Hope and for the people who serve Words of Hopeat risk to themselves, whether from drought or from hostility towards Christians.

5. We resolve to pray for the Regional Synod of Canada, giving thanks to God for all who serve. We give thanks for the article on various Canadian servants featured in the recent NorthernLights issue, including Bram Blaak who has been the Classis Ontario Stated Clerk forever.

6. We resolve to talk and share news with each other concerning what God is doing in our midstvia technological means which are provided by the Regional Synod of Canada.

7. We resolve to encourage each other to join the missional network and become communityfocused through prayer & intentional outreach beyond the walls of our churches.

8. We resolve to refer potential candidates for ministry in Canada to the Vankyken fund forfinancial aid with the burden of schooling costs and to remember the challenges of studentlife.

9. We resolve to pray for Western Theological Seminary and our three Canadian Students, allof whom are from Drayton, for Tim Brown (President), and the WTS mission focus,symbolized by the upcoming renovations to Mulder Chapel.

10. We resolve to pray for Countryside Camp & Conference Center, their focus on evangelismthrough 42 years of ministry, as we seek creative ways to relate to this technological culture. We will pray for the counselors, staff, and future staff needs for the summer of 2011.


11. We resolve to pray for Christian ministries working in a world which seems to be growing inhostility towards Christians.

12. We resolve to pray for New Brunswick Seminary and MFCA who train up students inpreparation for ministry in a rapidly changing world.

13. W resolve to remember that the church is not bricks and mortar but people, lovers of Jesus,called by God and saved by grace through faith.

14. We resolve to remember in prayer the people at Immanuel Reformed Church in London,Pastor Art and Martha VanderMeulen at the closing of that church, with full confidence thatGod will bring forth new life from the ashes.

15. We resolve to pray for the Springford Reformed Church as we sadly release them to serveGod with a clear conscience. And we resolve to remember that nothing in God’s Kingdomhappens by chance and that God uses all things for the good of those who love Him and arecalled according to His purpose for them.

16. We resolve to give thanks to God for the wonderful lunch prepared with love by our gracioushosts in Drayton and to return again as often as they will have us.

17. We resolve to come before God in prayer as prompted by the President and the CP& DCommittee:

a) To seek direction from God as to what God would like to change in our hearts. b) To seek help from CP&D before our churches are in crisis, as to how best toapproach the making of those changes.

18. We resolve to always remember that in matters of attaining a quorum or voting on the OJBmatters, every vote counts.

19. We resolve to remember that pastoral care is not the job of a single committee but rather isthe job of all of us in the body of Christ.

20. We resolve to give thanks for the Faculte’ de The’ologie E’vangel’ique in Montre’al and therole of Rev. Dr. Meine Veldman in specialized ministry.

21. We resolve to give thanks to God for the bumper crop of people preparing for ministry andfor Mr.Al Plat who now joins the pack, in anticipation of the great things God has coming ourway!

22. We resolve to give thanks to God for Janine Dekker and her faithful service to the MaitlandChurch and the Classis of Ontario, since this could be her last meeting with us.


23. We resolve to give thanks to God for his provision of finances and those who are stewardsof it.

24. We resolve to give thanks to God for church representatives willing to say “hi” to the Classis.

25. We resolve to give thanks to God for minute takers and temporary clerks who tell them whatthey ought to have done.

26. We resolve to give thanks to God for those who wanted to leave early but didn’t.

27. We resolve to drive home safely and to be attentive to the leading of the Holy Spirit as heleads us in mission in this lost and broken world so loved by God. The motion was made, supported and carried to accept these resolutions.

16. CLOSING OF CLASSIS:The Fall Stated Session of the Classis of Ontario will take place at on October 22, 2010 atthe Bethel Reformed Church of Exeter.Motion to adjourn was made.The closing the Classis meeting was entrusted to our President, Rev Art VanderMeulen, whoclosed the meeting with prayer and the benediction of God’s favour.

Humbly Offered:

__________________________________ _________________________________Rev Abram Blaak Rev Art VanderMeulenClassis Stated Clerk Classis President (Chair)

Please note the following: The Student Examination will take place on May 28, 2011.


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Documents

CLASSIS ONTARIO Drayton Reformed Church, Drayton … · CLASSIS ONTARIO Drayton Reformed Church, Drayton M ... Guelph Rev Henry deKorte Elder Grace Eisen ... Henk Roos, Jenny Schmid,