Classis of Central California

Classis Minutes

Fall Stated Session

Sept. 27, 2003 – Celebration Life Ministries, Elk Grove

I. OPENING OF CLASSIS

Opening Prayer: President Jay Zwagerman opened the Fall 2003 Stated Session at 9:05 a.m. with prayer.

II. 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 to register their attendance. The Register is attached as Attachment A.
• Requests for leave of absence were received from Rev. Warren Bovenkerk, Rev. Earle Hall, Rev. Michael Scott, and Rev. Russ Siders.
• President Zwagerman welcomed the delegates and guest and granted the privilege of the floor to all present.

III. PRAISE, CELEBRATION, WORSHIP, COMMUNION

The CLM Praise Team led the singing of several praise songs. Don Hammond presided over the communion service with the delegation from each church coming forward to share a “Yea God” and a prayer concern and then partaking of communion.

President Jay Z. presented a challenging devotional message based on Romans 12:3-9 and Mark 6:6b-11 on the subject of biblical leadership.

IV. SERVANT TEAM REPORT

1. President Jay Z. briefly highlighted the “Yea God” events that have taken place in the classis since the Spring Stated Session.

2. Celebration Life Ministries Report: Don Werkhoven called the delegates attention to a 2-page written report that includes the following five recommendations:

· Continue classis support of this ministry through prayer and financial gifts.

· Immediately seek pastoral leadership in the form of a 50% contract position.

· Begin a search process for a fulltime called pastor when CLM can demonstrate a financial plan to support such a move.

· Immediately form a consistory comprised of elders and deacons from CLM, augmented by elders and deacons from classis churches that meets CLM bylaw requirements for a consistory.

· That a classis supervisor be appointed to guide this congregation through the revitalization process.

ACTION #1: M/S – To approve and affirm the above five recommendations. CARRIED.

3. RCA Medical Insurance Program. Mr. Jack Dalenberg, Director of RCA Benefit Services, presented a PowerPoint overview of the history, current condition, and proposed modification to the RCA Medical Insurance Program. Mr. Dalenberg emphasized that without a dramatic increase in enrollment, particularly of younger pastors, the current insurance program is not financially viable. He reviewed the action taken by the 2003 General Synod which mandates that “all Ministers of Word and Sacrament serving the church full-time under call or contract participate in the retirement and insurance programs of the RCA.” This action, which proposes to amend the constitution of the RCA, must be approved by 2/3 of the classes. Don Werkhoven reminded the classis delegates that a vote on this matter would be taken at the Spring Stated Session and urged pastors and consistories to thoroughly discuss and pray over this important issue in the coming months.

ADJOURNED FOR LUNCH

V. CLASSIS MINISTER REPORT

Classis Minister Tim Vink distributed copies of his Sept. 2003 report. He highlighted how God is at work in a multitude of areas within our classis, including church planting, mobilizing leaders for mission and ministry, and healing room ministries. He reported that two more candidates have emerged for the Commissioned Pastor route. Tim Voogd, who is pastoring at Lighthouse Community Church in Lathrop and Tim Arensmeier, serving as contract pastor at Sonoma Valley Community Church are in the pipeline for Commissioned Pastor examination.

VI. GENERAL SYNOD PRESIDENT – 10-YEAR RCA GOAL

General Synod President Dave Schutt presented a PowerPoint overview of the Denomination 10-year Goal that was adopted by the 2003 General Synod.

Following Christ in mission together, led by the Holy Spirit, and working with all the partners God provides, we believe that God is calling the Reformed Church in America over the next 10 years to focus its efforts and resources on starting new congregations and revitalizing existing congregations, thereby empowering fruitful and faithful ministries for the glory of God.

President Schutt pointed out that revitalized congregations and new churches won’t happen merely because a 10-year goal has been established. He explained that they will emerge as we center our attention on three foundational principles: Discipleship; Leadership; and Mission. He cited the Classis 20/20 Vision Plan as a leading example of how the denominational goal can be implemented.

President Schutt emphasized that the 10-year goal will be a hollow exercise unless it is bathed in prayer. He talked about regional prayer gatherings, coordinated by the denominational House of Prayer Equipping (HOPE) team, that will encourage classes to gather together to explore, through prayer, how the Holy Spirit desires to lead each classis’ participation in the 10-year goal. He suggested that such a prayer event could be scheduled in our classis in conjunction with the Spring Stated Session in March.

VII. COMMISSION REPORTS

New Church Development Commission – Jim Schoon, Moderator

Moderator Schoon referred the delegates to the NCD Commission Report dated Aug. 28, 03. He invited Dale Adema, Church Planting Pastor, Lighthouse Community Church in Lathrop and Steve With, Church Planting Pastor, Orchard Community Church in Brentwood, to give progress reports on their work.

Moderator Schoon reported that The Journey, under the leadership of Rev. Jeff Wenke, will become self-supporting in 2004 – PRAISE GOD!

Schoon also reported on the ministry possibilities to Hispanics in the Merced area. Eddy Aleman, an intern from Western Seminary, working with Tulare CC began this work this summer and is interested in returning following his graduation from Western in May. To ensure Eddy’s availability, Schoon pointed out that it would be highly advisable to issue a “promise of a call” at this time.

Rev. Larry Dodson from Tulare was introduced. Rev. Dodson recently withdrew from the A.M.E. and resigned as pastor of Brooks Chapel in Tulare. Rev. Dodson is planting a new church on the campus of Tulare Community Church named, New Life Community Church of Tulare, and is in discussions with the NCD Commission about affiliation with the RCA.

Moderator Schoon directed the delegate’s attention to a ‘vision paper’ entitled “2020 Vision Review—Beyond What We Could Imagine.” This paper, authored by Rev. Jeff Kreiser, presents some compelling thoughts, suggestions, and recommendations regarding the next steps in establishing healthy, growing and multiplying congregations and leadership development. Schoon urged the delegates to study and discuss the contents of this paper and to share their observations with the NCD Commission members. The paper calls for seven action steps that will lead to a more refined and defined version which will be formally introduced as a proposal at the Spring 2004 Stated Session.

Schoon informed the delegates of the need to place Lighthouse Community Church and Orchard Community Church in the “Denominational Plan.”

ACTION #2: M/S – To extend a “Promise of a Call” to Eddy Aleman and to place $2,500 in the assessment budget as seed money for a Hispanic ministry to be developed under Mr. Aleman’s leadership. CARRIED.

ACTION #3: M/S – To accept in concept the vision set forth in the paper “2020 Vision Review—Beyond What We Could Imagine” and to approve the suggested seven action steps. CARRIED.

ACTION #4: M/S – To submit an application for Lighthouse Community Church and Orchard Community Church to be placed in the Denominational Plan. CARRIED.

ACTION #5: M/S -- To allocate up to $40,000 from the 20/20 Church Planting Fund for Morgan Hill. Funds are to be distributed only when a church planter is on the scene. CARRIED.

Congregational Development and Renewal Commission – Beryl Banks, Moderator

Moderator Banks referred the delegates to the CD&R Commission Report dated May 27, 03. He expressed a need for developing a more coherent functional relationship between the classis commissions, the Servant Team and the task of planting new churches and developing leaders. He pointed out that although each commission has a defined ‘focus area’ there appears to be some overlap as well as gaps in critical areas. Banks directed the delegate’s attention to a “functional structures diagram” which suggests how the commissions, the servant team and the classis minister might relate to new churches and development of new leaders. He suggested that the “functional structure” issue needs further thought, input, and discussion prior to development of a workable and user-friendly model.

Moderator Banks reminded the delegates of the “Continuing-Ed” day scheduled for Saturday, October 18, at Calvary Reformed in Ripon. He urged classis members to pre-register for the event so provision could be made for lunch and printed resources.

Banks provided an update on the bell tower reconstruction project at Miraloma. He reported that the rust and corrosion damage to the steel superstructure is much more extensive than first thought and stated that it is a miracle that the weight of the bell hadn’t caused a collapse of the entire tower. Banks pointed out that this is an example of how delayed or ignored preventive maintenance could have very serious consequences. He suggested that perhaps the classis should be involved in ensuring that maintenance issues are being addressed in the local churches.

Leadership Development Commission – Jerry Davelaar, Moderator

Keith Poppen, Chairperson of the Candidate Care Committee, presented the Leadership Development Commission Report. Keith directed the attention of the delegates to the Commission Report dated June 24, 2003.

Keith introduced Rev. Joseph Pang, Associate Pastor of Christ Church of the Bay Area. Rev. Pang obtained his M.Div degree from Columbia Bible College and Seminary in South Carolina and has been ministering at various churches since 1990, most recently the S.F. Christian Church. Rev. Pang expressed a great desire to be ordained in the RCA. Poppen recommended that an application for “fast-track” ordination be submitted to the MFCA because of Rev. Pang’s unique qualifications and 14 years of pastoral experience.

ACTION #6: M/S – To approve the submission of an application to the MFCA for ‘fast-track ordination’ of Rev. Joseph Pang. CARRIED.

Keith distributed copies of a proposal to modify the classis examination process for candidates under care of classis. This proposed change would replace academic oral exams with oral case study exams, except in the area of personal piety and preaching. It was suggested that a similar examination process be adopted for examination of commissioned pastor candidates.

ACTION #7: M/S – To modify the examination process of candidates under the care of classis from academic oral exams to oral case study exams in all areas except personal piety and preaching. CARRIED.

The Nominations Committee submitted the name of Ben Sweet, Elder at Calvary Reformed, to the Office of Vice President.

ACTION #8: M/S – To affirm the nomination of Ben Sweet as Vice President. CARRIED.

Relationship Development Commission – John Oldenburger, Moderator

John called the delegates attention to the Commission’s Report dated Sept. 27, 03.

Examination of Consistory and Elder Minutes: John Oldenburger reported that the consistory and elder minutes from the following churches were examined and found to meet acceptable standards: Calvary Reformed, Church of the Cross, Cornerstone Community, Hope Community, New Hope Community, Sonoma Valley Community, and Sunrise Community. Minutes of Living Faith Community and Christ Community were not available for review, thus will be scheduled for review at the Spring Stated Session.

John reported that Rev. Michael DeRuyter has accepted a call to the Midland Reformed Church in Midland, Michigan, where his duties will begin Oct. 1. As a formality the classis must dismiss Rev. DeRuyter from the Classis of Central California so that he may become a member of the Classis of Northern Michigan.

ACTION #9: M/S – To dismiss Rev. Michael DeRuyter from membership in the Classis of Central California so that he might unite with the Classis of Northern Michigan. CARRIED.

John introduced Rev. Charles Blom who is an RCA pastor and currently a member of the Classis of Cascades. Rev. Blom and his wife, Bev, recently accepted a position as Director of Genesee Home in Taylorsville, California. Rev. Blom reported that Genesee Home is a ministry to pastors and spouses in a retreat-type setting. Rev. Blom is requesting that his membership be transferred to the Classis of Central California.

ACTION #10: M/S – To receive Rev. Charles Blom into the membership of the Classis of Central California. CARRIED.

Salary Scale Committee Report. Moderator Oldenburger directed the delegate’s attention to the recommendations from the Salary Scale Committee. The Committee recommended no increase in the 2004 minimum cost-of-living salary scale for ordained pastors.

Years of Ordination

Geographical Area	0-2 Years	3-5 Years	6-10 Years	11+ Years
S.F. Bay Region	$40,755	$43,975	$45,275	$46,930
Sacramento Valley Region	$40,174	$43,340	$44,630	$46,260
San Joaquin Valley Region	$39,595	$42,720	$43,990	$45,595

The committee also recommends that the auto mileage allowance be raised from $0.325 to $0.36 per mile or $4,143 annually. Minimum annual annuity payment is $5,177 based on 11% of the 2004 Estimated Buying Power per Household, which is $47,060. If combined salary and housing is greater than $47,060, the annual annuity payment is 11% of the higher figure.

ACTION #11: M/S – To approve the 2004 minimum salary scale for ordain ministers, the increased auto mileage allowance of $.36 per mile, and the minimum annual annuity payment of $5,177. CARRIED.

ACTION #12: M/S -- To accept each of the commission reports as presented. CARRIED.

A prayer of thanksgiving and praise was offered for the activities and challenges that were raised in the commission reports.

VIII. TREASURER’S REPORT

Treasurer Don Werkhoven distributed copies of the Profit and Loss Budget vs. Actual report for the period Jan. 1 thru Aug. 30, 2003. Don reported that income and expenses were in line with budget projections.

2004 Proposed Budget. Don directed the attention of the delegates to the 2004 budget and highlighted several areas, particularly the NCD budget which represents 38% of all classis assessment expenditures (49% of classis expenditures when 20/20 Church Planting Funds are included).

ACTION #13: M/S – To approve the 2004 proposed budget. CARRIED.

IX. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

ACTION #14: M/S – To approve the minutes of the 2003 Spring Session of Classis.

CARRIED.

X. ADJOURNMENT AND CLOSING PRAYER

ACTION #15: M/S -- To adjourn the 2003 Fall Session of Classis. CARRIED.

Don Werkhoven closed the 2003 Fall Session of Classis with prayer at 3:25 p.m.

/s/ Jay Zwagerman September 27, 2003

President Date

/s/ Don Werkhoven September 27, 2003

Stated Clerk Date

Web posted: October 26, 2002

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