Classis of Central California

Classis Minutes

Fall Stated Session

September 22, 2007

 

I.          OPENING OF CLASSIS

 

Opening Prayer:  President Tim Arensmeier opened the Fall 2007 Stated Session at 9:05 a.m. with prayer.

 

II.        PRAISE, CELEBRATION, WORSHIP

 

The Praise Team from The Journey led the delegates and guests in praising God through prayer, singing, and scripture readings.  Pastor Jeff Wenke gave a devotional message based on Hebrews 12:1-2 with the theme: “Keeping the Main Thing the Main Thing”.

 

III.       WELCOMING A NEW CHURCH AS A CONGREGATION INTO THE

            CLASSIS/RCA:  THE JOURNEY

 

President Tim Arensmeier led classis through a formulary for the Organization of a New Congregation (The Journey).  The following elders were ordained and installed: Dave Hasker, Julia Lane, Arlet Veurink, Phil Osuna.  The service concluded with a gathering of the classis delegates around The Journey leadership team for a laying on of hands and prayer.  (Formulary attached as  Appendix A).

 

IV.       ENROLLMENT OF DELEGATES, INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS AND GRANTING THE PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR TO GUESTS

 

·                                The Classis Enrollment Register was passed around for the delegates and guests to register their attendance.   (Appendix B). 

 

·                                President Arensmeier welcomed the delegates and guests and granted the privilege of the floor to all present.  Minister Emeritus Moody Yap was introduced as a special guest.

 

V.        APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES

 

ACTION #1: M/S -- To approve the minutes of the March 10, 07 Stated Session.  CARRIED.

 

VI.       CLASSIS MINISTER’S REPORT

 

Classis Minister Karl Overbeek called attention to the two reports he submitted in the delegate mailing.  He called particular attention to the 100 adult baptisms in classis churches thus far in 2007.  He reminded the delegates of the year-long “missional emphasis” of classis that was kicked off yesterday with the Alan Hirsch forum.  The second event of this emphasis will occur on March 7, 08 with the topic being missional preaching, components of the missional church, and contextualizing ministry.  The third event is scheduled for Sept. 26, 08 when John Krieser will address the topic, Missional Structures.

 

Karl called attention to the “Classis Snapshot” report he put together.  He highlighted the emerging presence of the new Hispanic congregations (4) and the number of adult baptisms occurring in these fledgling churches.

 

Karl also called attention to the Apostolic Regional Ministry proposal that will be addressed later in the session and the need for all classis churches to pledge financial support for this important position.

 

ACTION #2: M/S -- To approve the Classis Minister Report as presented.  CARRIED.

(Full report attached as Appendix C).

 

 

VII.     COMMISSION REPORTS

 

A.  Congregational Development and Renewal Commission – Don Rowe, Moderator

 

Moderator Don Rowe distributed copies of the CD&R Report dated Sept. 22, 07.  He highlighted the information about the implementation of “Partnering Church Model” with Mike Hayes completing a consultation of Living Faith C.C. and Lighthouse C.C.  Meetings with the pastors, leadership teams, and congregation members have been completed, as well as the final report submitted.  Several recommendations designed to improve the overall health of these churches has been submitted to the leadership.

 

Don reviewed the Missional Coaching Strategy for 2007-08.  Training will be conducted for the Regional Point Persons for the five classis regions (Oct. 30, 07 and Dec. 11, 07).  The Regional Point Persons will schedule sessions with their regional groups during the months of November and January.

 

Don also reported that the legal matter between the Classis and Miraloma Community Church continues to be a source of great pain and growing expense.  Our attorney has filed a request for Summary Judgment which hopefully will preclude the need for a jury trial.  Don asked that the classis delegates be in continued prayer over this matter.

 

ACTION #3: M/S -- To approve the CD&R Commission Report as presented.  CARRIED.

(Full CD&R Commission Report attached as Appendix D).

 

B.  Leadership Development Commission – Dwight Bailey, Moderator

 

1. Receiving Ordination Transfer of Tim Ramage.  Tim Ramage requested the transfer of his ordination from the PCUSA to the RCA.  Tim was interviewed/examined by the Servant Team on Aug. 23, 07 and found to be an acceptable candidate for transfer.  Because the PCUSA is a “Formula of Agreement” denomination, the only documentation necessary was a letter from the Presbytery holding Tim’s ordination indicating that he was a minister in good standing.  This letter has been received, as well as the transcripts and diploma from Fuller Seminary.  President Tim Arensmeier led the classis through the Formulary for Reception of a Minister of Word and Sacrament.  Rev. Ramage shared the spiritual pilgrimage that led him to request this transfer.  He is in the initial stages of planting a cell-based church in Visalia under a bi-vocational contract with Tulare Community Church.

 

Tim read the Declaration for Ministers and signed the Classis Declaration Book.

 

Tim Arensmeier and Roger Peterson closed the formulary by leading the classis delegates in a time of prayer and laying on of hands.  (See Formulary – Appendix E).

 

ACTION #4:  M/S --  To accept the transfer of the ordination of Timothy Ramage from the PCUSA to the Classis of Central California/RCA.  CARRIED.

 

2.  Accepting a Student for Ministry (Mario Molina) Under Care.  Richard Everd, Chairman of the Candidate Care Committee, led the delegates through the formulary for accepting Mario Molina under the care of classis as a student preparing for ministry.  Mario shared his spiritual pilgrimage that led to his decision to pursue ordination as a Minister of Word and Sacrament.  (See Formulary – Appendix F).

 

ACTION #5:  M/S – To accept Mario Molina under care of classis as a student preparing for ministry.  CARRIED.

 

3.  Drew Yamamoto, Student Under Care.  Drew spoke briefly of his experience at General Synod as a seminary student.  As a result of this experience he has decided to transfer his studies to Western Theological Seminary’s distance learning program.  He is also sensing God calling him to explore ministry opportunities in Japan during the month of January 08.  Prayers were offered for Drew.

 

4.  Nomination of Doug Morton as Chairperson of the Candidate Care Committee.  Because of Richard Evers resignation as Chairperson of the Candidate Care Committee, effective at the close of the stated session, the L.D. Commission recommends Doug Morton to take over the Chairperson responsibilities.

 

ACTION #6:  M/S – To approve the nomination of Doug Morton as Chairperson of the Candidate Care Committee.  CARRIED.

 

5.   2008 Budget Request.  Dwight reported that the L.D. Commission is recommending a $20,000 budget for 2008.

 

ACTION #7:  M/S – To approve the Leadership Development Commission Report as presented.  CARRIED.  (Full LD Commission Report attached as Appendix G).

 

C.  Church Multiplication Commission – Jeff Wenke, Moderator

 

1.  Name Change.  Moderator Wenke announced that the Commission recommended to the Servant Team that the name of the Commission be changed from New Church Development to Church Multiplication Commission.  The Servant Team approved the name change at its meeting on August 23, 07.

 

2.  Jeff reviewed the progress of 10 current church plants and the 3 new church plants that are on the radar (Visalia, Shafter/Bakersfield, and Sacramento Midtown).

 

3.  Apostolic Regional Missionary Proposal.  Jeff distributed copies of the ARM proposal which calls for the classis to establish an Apostolic Regional Missionary position to guide the Hispanic church plant movement in the Central Valley.  The proposal includes the recommendation to hire Rev. Eddy Aleman for an initial two-year period.  The total financial investment for the 2-year period is $200,000, of which $75,000 must be committed by Oct. 31, 07 to move forward with this proposal ($50,000 from classis churches; $15,000 raised by Eddy; $10,000 from the denomination).  See full proposal, dated June 5, 2007 in Appendix H).

 

ACTION #8:  M/S -- To approve the Apostolic Regional Missionary Proposal as presented in the June 5, 07 “Draft Arm Proposal” paper.  CARRIED.

 

4.  2008 Budget Request.  The Church Multiplication Commission recommends a budget allocation of $30,000 for 2008.

 

ACTION #9: M/S – To approve the Church Multiplication Commission Report as presented.  CARRIED.  (Full C.M. Commission Report attached as Appendix I).

 

 

VIII.        STATED CLERK/TREASURER ‘S REPORT

 

1.  Jan.-Aug. 31, 07 Profit & Loss Budget vs. Actual and Balance Report.  Don pointed out several that the legal expenses in the Miraloma matter were all unbudgeted expenses thus the budget is severely out of balance.  (Statements attached as Appendix J).

 

He reported that the Servant Team is exploring an offer by the denomination to extend a line of credit from them to assist in the legal expenses incurred in the Miraloma matter.  The line of credit would be secured by the Elk Grove property.  The classis would be obligated to pay, on a monthly basis, the interest (approx. 4%) on the amount borrowed, with the balance due when the Elk Grove property sells.

 

ACTION #10:  M/S -- To accept the Jan. – Aug 31, 07 Profit & Loss Budget vs Actual and Dec. 31, 06 Balance Sheet reports as presented.  CARRIED.

 

2.  2008 Salary Scale Report.  Don referred the delegate’s attention to the report that was included in the delegate mailing.  The cost of living adjustment, based on the 12-month period ending July 2007, is 2.4%.  (The minimum base salary figures are included in Attachment K).  The recommended auto mileage allowance for 2008 is $0.485 per mile.

 

ACTION #11.  To approve the 2008 Salary Scale Report as presented.  CARRIED.

                                    

3.  2008 Budget Proposal.  Copies of the 2008 proposed budget were distributed.  Don reported that the General Synod budget decreased by $.95 per member due to the removal of the subsidy for the Church Herald.  The per member assessment for the Far West Region increased by $.85.  The proposed 2008 classis budget calls for $88 per member, which is a $5.00 decrease from 2007.

 

ACTION #12:  M/S – To approve the 2008 budget of $338,800 ($88 per member).  CARRIED.

 

4.  Consistory and Elder Minute Review. Don reported that the following Elder and Consistory minutes were reviewed and found acceptable:

 

Calvary Reformed Church                               Hope Community Church

Christ Community Church                               New Hope Community Church

Church of the Cross                                         Sonoma Valley Community Church

 

ACTION #13:  M/S – To approve the Stated Clerk/Treasurer’s Report as presented.  CARRIED.

 

IX.     ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

General Synod Delegates.  Minister delegates to the 2008 General Synod at Hope College, Holland, Michigan are: Eddie Aleman and Steve With.  Elder delegates: Pedro Sun (Sunrise C.C.) and Chinese Community Church

 

President Tim thanked the prayer intercessors who held the classis meeting up in prayer throughout the day.  He also thanked the staff and congregation of CotC for serving as such gracious hosts and for the snacks, beverages, and the noon meal.

 

XI.       ADJOURNMENT AND CLOSING PRAYER

 

ACTION #14:  M/S -- To adjourn the 2007 Fall Stated Session of Classis.  CARRIED.

 

President Tim Arensmeier closed the 2007 Fall Stated Session with prayer at 12:22 p.m.

 

 

 

 

_______________Tim Arensmeier_______________    _____September 30, 2007______

                                  President                                                                  Date

 

 

 

______________Don Werkhoven________________    _____September 28, 2007______

                              Stated Clerk                                                                 Date

 

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Stated Session Minutes of 9/22/07 | Servant Team Minutes 1/18/08 | ARM Strategy | KLO Pre-Classis Event

Web posted:  February 13, 2008

Updated:  March 4, 2008

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