Seldom do delegates look back on a day of reports, discussion and decisions and describe it as an adventure. But this winter meeting of Classis Hamilton was just that, said our chairman, Rev. Gordon Pols. He was right. Delegates were encouraged by reports of active and substantial ministry by representatives of Redeemer University College, the Classical Abuse Response Team, our campus chaplain at McMaster, and Calvin Seminary. We were also challenged to move boldly forward by the Home Missions Committee, the report of the Canadian Ministries Forum, the adhoc committee on Article 41 (the questions asked in the classical credentials), and by creating a Classis Hamilton web-site. And each challenge was met with approval. And behind it all was the awareness of and dependency on the faithfulness of our covenant God, a reality celebrated before lunch in highlighting the 50th anniversary edition of the Classis directory. Special thanks was given to the 50th anniversary committee Jerry Hobers, Margaret Tigchelaar and Hans Vanderstoep.
Redeemer University College reports that 300 new students will be admitted in 2003-4 based on a first come-first-served basis. Get your applications in early. New plans include adding a full-time chaplain, a major fund raising drive ($12 million dollars) and the hope to receive accreditation by the Ontario College of Teachers. The annual minister's conference will be held there March 11th, 2003 with ICS alumni Nancy Pierce speaking.
Classical Abuse Response Team member John Gilson offered two policy papers, distributed to all the churches, regarding policy towards children, children who are not minors (under 16) as well as purported victims and offenders over 18 years of age.
Our Classis Hamilton Home Missions Committee, represented by Rick Verkerk, Rev. Kevin DeRaaf and Ben Vandezande, presented a proposal to begin a church plant in north Burlington called, "The Orchard." The four-year plan included a three-way support system, denominational Home Missions, three local churches (Faith and New Street Burlington and Bethel Waterdown) and the Classis as-a-whole ($2.00 per member this year, $6.00 for the following three years). The plan was received and approved with enthusiasm. Emphasis was placed on the need for continued prayer, in particular as they seek a church planter.
An hour was set aside to review the summary report and goals that came from the Canadian Ministries Forum last year in Alberta. We spent time in small groups discussing what excited and challenged us and we concluded with giving our input on which goals we felt were the most important.
An adhoc committee was struck at the May 2002 Classis to investigate the possibility of expanding the questions on the credentials such that substantial discussion and mutual encouragement would result. The committee proposed that a single question be explored at a first Classis with follow-up at the subsequent meeting. Each council would discuss each question before the first Classis then respond to the recommendations before the second. This proposal was passed. Also a new adhoc committee was struck to deal with the broader idea of classical renewal.
Challenged by an overture received from Jarvis CRC, Classis spent some time discussing how to respond to First CRC Toronto's decision to open ecclesiastical offices to members living in committed same-sex relationships. Classis unanimously decided to let due process take place, giving Classis Toronto the time to deal with the issue when the meet on January 23, 2003. Classis Hamilton also encouraged all churches to address communications directly to First CRC. Also moved and supported was a request that the Day of Encouragement (Fall 2003) include a session on ministry to persons with same sex attraction.
Delegates chosen to attend the 2003 Synod were pastors Ken Benjamins and John Bouwers, with Kranenberg and Janssen as alternates. Elder delegates elected were John Gilson and Bill Wiersma with Al Martens and Jim Lise.
.....Humbly submitted by reporter
Pastor John Bouwers.