Report of Classis Hamilton meeting: February 16, 2010  at Immanuel CRC, Hamilton, ON

The delegates met with Executive Director Rev. Jerry Dykstra over breakfast. This was concluded with a presentation on the CRCNA Foundation by Dr. Peter Harkema. Rev. Andrew Zantingh welcomed the delegates, after which Hugo Fennema opened with an update on the life of Immanuel Christian Reformed Church. Classis was declared constituted with Rev. Andrew Zantingh as chair, Rev. Mark Knetsch as vice-chair, Rev. Stephen Terpstra as reporter, and Hans VanderStoep as Clerk.

The Classical Leadership Team led an hour long discussion regarding the ongoing shift in emphasis and structure in Classis Hamilton. The new mission is “to be used by God to renew the greater Hamilton region through a gospel movement of healthy and vibrant churches, ministries and members.” This is accomplished through mutual encouragement, mutual accountability, and shared ministry. As a Classis, we want to move from isolation to community, from administration to ministry, and from maintenance to mission. The new structures, including a shift to regional clusters, will aid in this mission. Ed Witvoet, our new Classical Ministries Coordinator, then spoke about his role and plans. The intention is to implement the revised agenda for Classis meetings starting October 2010. The new Classis Ministry Team is taking shape, and will be fully functioning by September 2010. Their future focus will be on: the environments for ministry, the relationships with ministries, and the communication between ministries.

The work of the Classical Interim Committee, the Stated Clerk, and the Classis Leadership team were supported. Rev. Martin Dam reported from the Classical Youth Ministries Committee. Their revised mandate was approved. Classis received their annual report from Diaconal Ministries Canada and the Classis Hamilton Diaconate. They are focusing on the work of equipping deacons, engaging communities, and encouraging justice. The Community Opportunity Scan has been particularly helpful to churches in Canada and in this Classis. Our local deaconates are active and thriving, and their joint work is a tremendous blessing to our region and to all those involved. The Jarvis deaconate shared about their work, including partnering with community organizations like the Jarvis Food-grains Bank, for whom the church now farms 47 acres yearly which has produced (with government grants) over $400,000 for world hunger. We also heard about their Farming in Faith in Uganda program. They are partnering with a community in Uganda to help provide the means and the knowledge for a sustainable local farm.

Classis heard from the planning committee for the All Ontario Youth Convention. Running since 1975, their vision is to impact teens to take Jesus as their Saviour, and equip them for their walk with Him. They are encouraging Youth Leaders to attend with their youth, and for churches and parents to support them in attending on May 21-24.

Classis discussed the evening worship services being held in the local churches, both blessings and challenges. Seven churches have standard evening services, five have mixed events like bible studies and seasonal studies, five have nothing at all. Declining attendance and volunteer availability where key concerns. Various practices and ideas were shared. Perhaps the conversation can continue in regional clusters in the future.
The Credentials committee addressed a question about the New Life church plant and its current status from Simcoe. Classis appointed Rev. John Bowers to find out more information and make contact. They also addressed a request for the Classis to discuss the Belhar Confession. Classis asked the CLT to set aside a time in the next year to discuss the issue.

The following people were appointed by Classis:

• Al Karsten, Dick Kranendonk, Judy Cook, John DenOtter, and Grace VanStaalduinen to the Classical Ministry Team. Elaine Wijngaarden, Steve Flokstra, Jackie Bootsma, and Elizabeth Wagner to the Classis Safe Church Team. Rev. Mark Knetsch was moved from the Classis Youth Ministry Committee to the Classis Home Missions Committee. Jack DeBoer to the Classical Candidacy Committee. Rev. Andrew Zommerman and Heather Luimes to the Classis Youth Ministry Committee. Rev. Jerry Hoytema as a Church Visitor. John Vanamerongen to the Classical Finance Committee. Alice Klamer to a second term on the BTGMI board. Ralph Koops as our Synodical Deputy (Henry Kranenburg remains as the alternate). John Gilson was thanked for his work on the Classis Safe Church Team. Rev. Henry Katerberg was thanked for his work as a Synodical deputy.

• Delegates for Synod 2010: Rev. Stephen Terpstra and Rev. Kevin DeRaaf, with Rev. Ken Benjamins as 1st alternate and Rev. Andrew Zantingh as 2nd alternate. Elder delegates Ministry Associate Tim Sheridan and Mark VanderVliet, with John Vanamerongen as 1st alternate and Ed Scharinga as 2nd alternate. Violet Mutoigo and Peter Kranenburg as Synodical Youth Observers.

Classis will meet next on Tuesday, May 25 at Simcoe Immanuel CRC. Rev. Andrew Zantingh closed the meeting with words of thanks and Prayer.