Synod Approves Classis Transfer of Three Churches
Anthony Elenbaas, Classis Hamilton: Living with people with whom we disagree forces us into a position of humility.
Karen Huttenga
The body of Christ is better when we work together. That’s why the Christian Reformed Church in North America is designed to encourage cooperation and collaboration at three levels of government: the local church council, the regional classis, and the binational synod. Today, Synod 2018 approved the transfer of three congregations from one classis to another. In two of the cases, the transfer was granted without comment, but the third transfer occasioned a debate about unity and diversity in the denomination.
Churches transfer from one classis to another for a variety of reasons. The first church, Stephenville (Texas), requested the transfer for geographical convenience. They wanted to be part of the same classis as other Texas congregations: Classis Rocky Mountain. Synod granted their request.
The second church, Hope Community (Indianapolis, Indiana), requested a transfer for reasons of theological commitment. The church affirms and has been served by women as deacons, elders, and pastors. The classis of which they were a part does not permit the delegation of women to the classis meetings. The church asked to be transferred to Classis Kalamazoo for this reason, but also for other reasons. Classis Kalamazoo is nearby and seemed to the congregation a better fit in terms of the kinds of congregations included within it. Both classes agree to the transfer, and synod agreed.
It’s the third transfer that occasioned debate. In this case, Peace CRC of Menno, S.D., asked to transfer to Classis Minnkota, located mostly in Minnesota, but also with congregations from as far away as Michigan. For some years, Classis Minnkota has acted as an affinity classis, appealing to conservative congregations. In this case, as in others in years past, the congregation requesting transfer does not believe that women are permitted to serve in church office.
When the classis it was in, Classis Iakota, permitted the delegation of women, the congregation requested a transfer. Classis Minnkota agreed to the transfer, but Classis Iakota did not. The classis asked that the congregation remain while the classis explored ways to accommodate diversity on this issue.
Speaking against the transfer, Anthony Elenbaas, Classis Hamilton, said that when theological diversity in a classis is lessened, “the classis is impoverished.” He thought that the congregation should give the classis that time.
Dayna Vreeken, Classis Alberta North, agreed. She asked whether transfers of this sort will in the end increase or diminish unity. Speaking again, Anthony Elenbaas said that living with people with whom we disagree “forces us into a position of humility.”
Robert Toornstra, Classis Columbia, challenged those opposed the transfer. He said that for the sake of unity “we need to allow congregations to leave.”
Synod granted the permission to transfer by a substantial majority.
For continuous coverage of Synod 2018 including the live webcast, news, video recordings, photos, reports, liveblog, social media links, and more visit www.crcna.org/synod.
