Classis of Central California

Classis Minutes

Spring Stated Session

March 9, 2002—Hope Community Church--Sacramento

I. OPENING OF CLASSIS

Worship & Celebration: President Dwayne Decker opened the Spring 2002 Stated Session at 9:05 a.m. with prayer. He then led the singing of several praise songs and presented a devotional meditation based on Exodus 3:1-4 & 4:17. The theme of his message centered on God’s preparation of those He calls. Our response as a “called people” is to be faithful and have a willing heart.

II. ENROLLMENT OF MEMBERS, INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS,

AND GRANTING THE PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR TO GUESTS.

· The Classis Enrollment Sheet was passed around for those present to register their attendance. The Classis Enrollment Sheet is attached as Attachment A. Requests for Leave of Absences were received from Warren Bovenkerk, David Chu, Earle Hall, Jeff Kreiser, and Russ Siders. A request for early departure was received from Tim Boeve.

· The following guests were introduced: Jhonny Alicea-Baez, Jan Arensmeier, Craig & Christa Hollander, JoAnna Lougin, Charles Wagner, George and Carol Walker.

ACTION #1: M/S -- To grant the privilege of the floor to all guests present. CARRIED.

III. APPOINTMENT OF TEMPORARY COMMITTEES

· Tellers – Hope Community Church delegates.

· Leave of Absence – Rev. Tim Boeve.

IV. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES

Copies of the minutes of the Stated Session, dated Sept. 21, 2001 and the Special Session, dated January 17, 2002, were included in a mailing to all delegates. No additions, deletions, or corrections were noted.

ACTION #2: M/S -- To approve the Minutes of the Fall Stated Session, dated Sept. 21, 2001 and Special Session, dated January 17, 2002. CARRIED.

V. PRESIDENT’S REPORT

President Dwayne Decker presented an overview of the “State of the Classis.” We are praising God for pastors in each of our 16 churches (including two newly installed pastors since our last stated session: Ed Yee at Chinese Community Church, Sacramento and Beryl Banks at Miraloma Community Church, San Francisco). In addition, a new church has been planted, “The Journey,” in South San Jose, under the leadership of Jeff Wenke. Dwayne cited the implementation of five “regional clusters” and participation in the NCD profiles by most churches. He reported the following data gleaned from 14 out of 16 churches reporting their 2001 congregational statistics: The total number of confessing members remains about the same as 2000, however, there was a 23% increase in new members received by confession and a 30% increase in adult baptisms over last year. Praise God for this positive indication of “conversion growth.” Six churches also reported significant growth in worship attendance.

ACTION #3: M/S -- To accept the President’s report as presented. CARRIED.

VI. SERVANT TEAM REPORT

President Decker briefly reviewed the Servant Team minutes dated Oct. 11, 2001 and January 17, 2002. Stated Clerk Werkhoven called attention to the $4,500 matching grant provided to Miraloma Community Church that resulted in the installation of two stair-lifts in time for the “Praise, Prayer and Power Festival 2002” held on Feb. 24. He also reported that the $40,000 “bridge-loan” for the Bible Institute construction project in Puerto Lempira, Honduras, approved by the Servant Team on Oct. 11, 2001, has been suspended pending a complete accounting of money sent to Honduras thus far and a verified estimate for the building costs. It is very likely that this “loan” is no longer needed.

ACTION #4: M/S -- To accept the Servant Team Report as presented. CARRIED.

VII. CLASSIS MINISTER REPORT

Classis Minister Tim Vink called the delegates attention to his self-assessment report for 2001. He highlighted his calling as “steward of the classis vision” and his activities, averaging 11 hours per week, during 2001. His major focus during 2001 was establishing the NCD training cycle with consultant Dr. Gary Reinecke, including three classis NCD training events. He reported that five NCD coaches have been raised up and five cluster groups have been formed and are meeting on a regular basis. He also shared his goals and objectives for 2002, which are outlined in his report.

A question was raised regarding what action has been taken in response to the letters written to the classis by Rev. Earle Hall and Rev. Beryl Banks concerning the evolution and development of the “Mobilizing Leaders” proposal. Tim responded that the Classis Servant Team directed him to form a temporary committee to flesh out the issues raised in these letters. He reported that Rev. Beryl Banks, as Moderator of the Congregational Development and Renewal Commission, has agreed to head up this committee. Tim also distributed copies of a chronological history of the Mobilizing Leaders proposal that he recently prepared.

ACTION #5: M/S: To accept the Classis Minister’s Report as presented. CARRIED.

VIII. 1^ST READING OF BYLAW AMENDMENT

Stated Clerk Don Werkhoven read, verbatim, the proposed amendment that would add Appendix B to the classis bylaws. The proposed Appendix B is entitled: Ordaining of a Commissioned Pastor (see Attachment B of these minutes for the text of the proposed amendment). Questions and discussion of each paragraph occurred and several suggested wording changes were offered. Don indicated that these suggested wording changes would be incorporated into the amendment, with a 2^nd reading scheduled for the Fall Stated Session, at which time a vote will be taken for adoption of the amendment (2/3 majority of delegates present required for adoption).

ACTION #6: M/S-- To receive the 1^st reading of the proposed amendment to the classis bylaws, known as: Appendix B: Ordaining of a Commissioned Pastor. CARRIED.

IX. CELEBRATION LIFE MINISTRIES UPDATE

NCD Moderator Dave Schutt introduced Dan Reyneveld, an elder at Celebration Life Ministries. Dan presented an update on the ministry at CLM and some of the preliminary planning and thinking regarding future buildings on their property site. At present they are maxed out, especially for church school space. Under consideration is the possibility of selling a portion of the property to finance a building program. A master site plan and land use strategy is being developed, however, Dan emphasized that they are still in the planning and proposal evaluation stage and no decisions have been made to date.

X. EXAMINATION OF CONSISTORY AND ELDER MINUTES REPORT

Tim Boeve reported that he examined the consistory and elder minutes from the following churches and found them to meet acceptable standards: Celebration Life Ministries-Elk Grove, Community Reformed-Oakland, Chinese Reformed-Sacramento, Miraloma Community-San Francisco, and Church of the Chimes-San Jose.

XI. REFORMED CHURCH OFFICE OF WOMEN REPORT

Carol Walker, a representative of the Reformed Church Office of Women, presented a report on the newly established Office of Women. She reported that an effort is underway to raise $4.5 million to finance the office and staff. She encouraged churches and individuals to consider this cause as future budgets are developed.

Duane Laman offered a prayer for the efforts of the RCA Office of Women and their fund drive efforts and for a blessing on the meal.

ADJOURNED FOR LUNCH

President Decker reconvened the afternoon session with a prayer at 1:05 p.m.

XII. COMMISSION REPORTS

Leadership Development Commission – Jerry Davelaar, Moderator

Jerry shared briefly the progress made in organizing five regional clusters, each meeting on a regular basis with a trained NCD coach.

Nominations Committee Report – The nomination committee placed into nominations the following persons:

President – Jay Zwagerman

ACTION #7: M/S -- To approve the nomination of Jay Zwagerman to a 2-year term as President of Classis. CARRIED.

Vice President – Jim Schoon

ACTION #8: M/S -- To approve the nomination of Jim Schoon to a 2-year term as Vice President of Classis. CARRIED.

Moderator of the Congregational Development and Renewal Commission – Beryl Banks

ACTION #9: M/S -- To approve the nomination of Beryl Banks to a 2-year term as Moderator of the Congregational Development and Renewal Commission. CARRIED.

ACTION #10: M/S -- To accept the Leadership Development Commission Report as presented. CARRIED.

New Church Development Commission – Dave Schutt, Moderator

Jeff Wenke provided an update on the new church start in South San Jose, named “The Journey.” He is very encouraged by the worship attendance, with new faces showing up each week. Jeff reported that a worship leader, Chip Pryor, has been hired.

ACTION #11: M/S -- To place the new church start, “The Journey,” in the RCA Denominational Plan. CARRIED.

Moderator Schutt called the delegates attention to the NCD meeting minutes, dated Jan. 24, 2002. He reported that Dale Adema, Calvary-Ripon, is meeting weekly with a group of approximately 25 people to discuss church planting possibilities within a 10-15 mile radius of Ripon. He also reported that a church planting team at Christ Community-Carmichael is developing a plan for planting a new church in the North Natomas area of Sacramento. Also, a group from Church of the Chimes-San Jose continues to explore the possibility of planting a church in the Morgan Hill area.

ACTION #12: M/S -- To receive the NCD Commission Report as presented. CARRIED.

Relationship Development Commission – John Oldenburger, Moderator

Copies of the Relationship Development Commission report, dated March 9, 2002, were distributed.

John passed along a message from Pastor Earle Hall that he is praising God for his recovery from kidney transplant surgery that was performed on January 30, 2002. Earle is eagerly looking forward to returning to the pulpit on Easter Sunday. The entire classis body joins Pastor Earle, his family, and the congregation of Community Reformed Church, Oakland in thanking God for the miracle of transplant surgery and for the positive reports of Earle’s recovery.

John reported the following changes of status for churches and pastors since the Fall Stated Session:

Rev. Beryl Banks was installed into the Office of Minister of the Word and Sacrament of the Miraloma Community Church, San Francisco on Sunday, October 28, 2001.

Rev. Ed Yee was installed as the Called Pastor of the Chinese Community Church, Sacramento on Sunday, Dec. 2, 2001.

Rev. Tim Arensmeier continues to serve the Sonoma Valley Community Church as Pastor on Contract.

New Hope Community Church, Fremont celebrated its 20^th Anniversary on Sunday, Nov. 11, 2001.

Reports of Specialized Ministries, Retired Ministers, Ministers without Charge, and Associates in Ministry:

Rev. Tim Boeve reported on his activities as Director of Sonoma Valley Education Foundation over the past year. No other reports were given.

Pastor Jim Schoon offered a prayer of thanksgiving that all the churches within our classis now have a pastor and for the gift of transplant surgery for Rev. Earle Hall and good report on his recovery.

ACTION #13: M/S -- To accept the Relationship Development Commission Report as presented. CARRIED.

Congregational Development and Renewal Commission – Beryl Banks, Moderator

We thank Beryl for consenting to serve as moderator of the Congregational Development and Renewal Commission.

Stated Clerk Werkhoven reported that an application for a Far West Region/RCA Ministry Development Grant was submitted by Miraloma Community Church. The grant-funding request for the first year is $12,100 from the following sources: $5,000 from the Far West Region; $5,000 from the Classis and $2,100 from MCC and other sources. 2^nd year funding request is $18,850 and 3^rd year funding request is $25,450. The grant application targets three areas for development: 1) development of inspiring corporate worship; 2) providing new points of entry by meeting felt needs of the target community; 3) develop and empower commissioned leaders within the congregation.

ACTION #14: M/S -- To approve a matching grant of $5,000 for first-year funding of the Far West/RCA Ministry Development Grant, contingent on receiving requested grant funds from the Regional Synod grant program. Second and third-year funding is contingent on receiving favorable progress reports and approval for funding from the Regional Synod grant program. CARRIED.

ACTION #15: M/S -- To approve the Congregational Development and Renewal Commis-sion Report as presented. CARRIED.

XIII. TREASURER’S REPORT

Treasurer Don Werkhoven distributed copies of the actual v.s. budget balances (cash basis) and the balance sheet (accrual basis) for the budget year ending December 31, 2001. He highlighted the following item: 1) all but $3,926 of the 2001 assessments was received; 2) income exceeded actual spending by $2,169.

Don reported that he recently received a request for a breakdown of the percentage of the annual budget that is devoted to various budget categories. He reported the following data for the 2002 budget year which totals $294,493.

RCA Assessments $104,614 35.4%

Regional Synod Assessments $ 38,520 13.0% ($20,000 of which funds Tim Vink’s Classis

Minister salary).

New Church Development &

Church Planting (The Journey) $ 76,000 25.6%

Classis Administration (S.C. &

Treasurer’s salary, classis travel) $ 27,850 9.3%

Classis Commissions (excluding

NCD). $ 18,975 6.4%

Promissory Note $ 14,644 4.9%

Miscellaneous $ 14,890 5.4%

ACTION #16: M/S -- To accept the Treasurer’s Report containing the 2001 budget year balances as reported. CARRIED.

XIV. ADJOURNMENT

Stated Clerk Don Werkhoven expressed the appreciation of the Classis for the two years that Dwayne Decker served as President. Don noted particularly that Dwayne has “moved up the bar” on the worship portion of the stated sessions and for the “prayerful tone” that the worship times set for the entire session.

Don also extended the appreciation of Classis to Rev. John Oldenburger, Jr. and the congregation of Hope Community Church for serving as excellent hosts for the Spring 2002 Stated Session. A special note of thanks was extended to the ladies of Hope Community who served a wonderful noon meal, as well as arrival and departure snacks.

Don expressed his gratitude to the members of the Classis Servant Team for their visionary leadership, and their commitment and dedication to the work of the classis. He stated that it was a personal privilege to serve the classis with such quality and competent people.

ACTION #17 M/S -- To adjourn the 2002 Spring Session of Classis. CARRIED.

The entire classis delegation gathered around the members of the Servant Team for a season of prayer, with Karl Overbeek adjourning the classis session with closing prayer at 2:35 p.m.

___________________________________________ ___________________________

/s/Jay Zwagerman, President Date

___________________________________________ ___________________________

/s/Don Werkhoven, Stated Clerk Date

Web posted: May 18, 2002

Return to Classis Minutes Page

Return to Classis Home Page

Web servant