1. GENERAL RULES
    
2. PREPARATORY MEASURES
    
3. OFFICERS OF CLASSIS
    
4. DUTIES OF OFFICERS
   A. The President
   B. The Vice President
   C. The Stated Clerk
    
5. DUTIES OF OTHER CLASSICAL FUNCTIONARIES
   A. Classical Treasurer
   B. The Reporter
    
6. MATTERS LEGALLY BEFORE CLASSIS
    
7. COMMITTEES OF CLASSIS
   A. GENERAL PROVISIONS
   
   B. STANDING COMMITTEES
   Classical Interim Committee
   Classical Home Missions Committee
   Classical Finance Committee
   Campus Ministry Committee (McMaster)
   Church Visitors
   Counselors
   Shalom Manor Chaplaincy Committee
   Student Fund Committee
   Classical Diaconal Ministries Committee
   Classis Hamilton Abuse Response Team Mandate
   Youth Ministry Committee
   Delegates
   Functionaries

   C. ADVISORY COMMITTEES
   Committee A (Credentials Committee)
   Committee B (Minutes Committee)
   Committee C (Overtures and Appeals Committee)
   Committee D (Balloting Committee)
   Committee E (Nominations Committee)

   D. STUDY COMMITTEES
   E. ELECTIONS

VIII) CLASSICAL PULPIT SUPPLY

IX) RULES OF ORDER
          Main Motions
          Amendments
          Tabling
          Withholding Action
          Challenging the Chair
          Protesting and Recording of Negative Votes
          Dividing the Question
          Reconsidering Decided Matters
          Rescinding a Previous Decision
          Decorum
          Manner of Voting

X) EXAMINATION OF CANDIDATES
          A. Preliminary Matters
          B. Organizational Arrangements
          C. Classical Examination
                1. Practica
                2. Sermon Evaluation
                3. Biblical and Theological Position
                4. Classical Deliberation and the Admittance to Ministry

XI) EXAMINATION ACCORDING TO ARTICLE 7 OF THE CHURCH ORDER
          A. Preliminary Examination
          B. Organizational Arrangements
          C. Classical Examination
                1. Practica
                2. Sermon Evaluation
                3. Biblical and Theological Position
                4. Classical Deliberation

XII) COLLOQUIUM DOCTUM

XIII) LICENSURE TO EXHORT

XIV) SUSPENSION OF CLASSICAL RULES OF PROCEDURE

1. The officers of Classis shall be
   - the President
   - the Vice-President
   - the Stated Clerk
   
   

2. Through alphabetical rotation, in sequence of the churches as listed under Classis Hamilton in the Yearbook of the Christian Reformed Church, a president, a vice president, and a reporter shall be provided for each meeting of Classis. The reporter of one meeting shall function as the president of the next meeting, who shall then, in turn, serve as the vice-president of the following meeting. These officers shall normally be ministers, but may also be elders.

1. Shall be elected for a three-year term of office, and shall be eligible for re-election. An alternate Treasurer shall be elected to a term of office, which shall coincide with the term of the Treasurer. The alternate Treasurer shall carry out the tasks of the Treasurer when the latter is not able to do so.
    

2. Shall accept funds only for those causes which are denominationally or classically approved, disbursing them on a quarterly basis, except in instances of emergency causes when the funds shall be remitted upon receipt.
    

3. Shall maintain an accurate record of all incoming and outgoing transactions, providing receipts for all funds received.
   
   

4. Shall give a financial statement at each classical meeting and provide Classis with an annual statement at the May meeting. The annual statement shall contain a complete itemization of all receipts and expenditures including a statistical comparison to the previous year.
    

5. Shall submit all student fund contributions to the Controller of the Christian Reformed Church office in Canada on a quarterly basis. The Controller shall be responsible for administering the student fund according to the decisions of the Student Fund Committee as approved by Classis.
    

6. By the fifteenth day of October the Treasurer shall provide every church council with the denominational and classical ministry share assessments for the coming year, including the recommended amount for Redeemer University College. He shall also inform the councils that the deadline for the submission of the ministry shares for the current year is January 15^th of the following year.
    

7. Shall, in conjunction with the Classical Interim Committee, be responsible for acquiring adequate financial bonding commensurate with the amount of money he handles for Classis.
    

8. Shall receive an honorarium for his services, which shall be reviewed annually by the Classical Interim Committee.
    

9. Shall request Classis at its May meeting to appoint two people to review the Treasurer's work. These reviewers shall report at the September meeting of Classis.

The Reporter shall prepare an appropriate report of the happenings at the meeting, and shall submit it for publication to every church of Classis and to the church publications during the week that Classis meets.

1. Overtures from councils
   - Substantive overtures appearing on the credentials of the delegates shall normally be referred to the next meeting of Classis
   
   

2. Reports of classical delegates to denominational boards and of representatives of other agencies.
    

3. Reports of standing committees, advisory committees, and study committees.
    

4. Appeals and protests by church members or councils when all the pertinent Church Order provisions have been met.
    

5. All matters from church councils as they appear on the credentials of the delegates - Significant and substantive requests for action, requiring the consideration of all councils, shall normally be referred to the next meeting of Classis.
    

1. The committee shall consist of three members and one alternate. The alternate member shall actively participate in the committee's ongoing work when one of its members is unable to do so.
    
2. The mandate for this committee shall be to carry out the tasks Classis assigns it, and also to facilitate classical business when Classis is not meeting.
    
3. The committee shall prepare a pulpit supply schedule for classical approval, providing preachers for those churches who are entitled to this service.
    
4. The committee shall present a report of all its activities at every meeting of Classis.

1. The members of the McMaster University Campus Ministry Committee shall be comprised of classically approved members primarily from Classis Hamilton who are committed to a Reformed witness and familiar with the university context. The Committee shall consist of (with at least one of the members being from the calling church):

a)   one Campus Chaplain(s) (non-voting)

b)     two ministers (Classis Hamilton)
c)     up to two McMaster University students
d)     up to two University alumni
e)     one member at large
f)       one treasurer appointed by Classis (non-voting)
g)     up to two non-CRC Christian students actively  participating in the ministry on campus, functioning as associate members.

2. Terms of service:
   1. Members shall normally be elected for a three year term and shall not serve more than two consecutive terms of office. 
   2. Members shall be elected by Classis in May. The committee shall elect its own officers, except the treasurer, who shall be appointed by Classis. 
   3. By the May meeting of Classis, the committee shall recommend to the classical nominating committee the names of people for appointment to the committee.
   4. Associate members shall serve at the determination and request of the committee and its Chaplain for a one year term for up to four years.
                                                                          
3. The committee shall meet regularly to support and supervise, in conjunction with the Regional Director of Home Missions and the Campus Ministry Director, the work of the Campus Chaplain, and to evaluate the campus ministry.
    
4. The committee shall prepare an annual budget for approval by Classis, to be presented at the September meeting. The campus ministry shall be supported by funds from both Christian Reformed Home Missions and Classis Hamilton Ministry Shares.  Classis’ treasurer will remit 25% of the classical contribution quarterly.

 

One of the expressed purposes of the Christian Reformed congregations that make up Classis Hamilton is to partner together in shared ministry.  Classis has agreed to “decide upon and oversee purposeful ministries that reach out to our local communities and region with the love of God. We will prayerfully seek, establish, and maintain these shared ministries as a Classis and, where appropriate, partner in the leadership and financial needs of these ministries.”  The McMaster University CR Campus Ministry is one such  shared ministry of Classis Hamilton.
 

Mission@Mac
The mission of  the McMaster University Christian Reformed Campus Ministry is to bear witness to the Lordship of Jesus within the McMaster community and beyond.
Stated more simply yet: Those who are involved in this Campus ministry are seeking daily to live this motto with integrity:  "We are Christ@Mac."
 

Purposes@Mac
This Mission for CRC Campus Ministry@ McMaster takes on concrete shape as it lives out the following purposes. 

1. Grace - Celebrating:  To celebrate Christ’s creative and renewing grace in the world of higher education.
2. Disciple - Making:  To graciously invite students, faculty and staff to enter into a relationship with Jesus Christ.
3. Fellowship - Fostering:  To eagerly gather students, faculty and staff into a campus community that shares in the life of Jesus Christ.
4. Worldview - Promoting:  To boldly promote the Reformed World and Life View as it reflects the biblical story thereby equipping students, faculty and staff to explore the wonders of God’s creation and serve in His world.
5. Culture - Engaging:  To persistently engage the Spirit and Mind of our culture, exposing the idols of our times and re-aligning our lives toward the coming rule of God so that we might be agents of cultural renewal and world restoration.
6. Church - Equipping: To willingly offer the fruit of what Christ is doing through  McMaster’s Christian Reformed Campus Ministry to the institutional church and the broader Christian Community.

These purposes stated above are essentially re-statements of the Christian Reformed Church’s goals for Campus Ministry. These purposes/goals are to form the primary framework for the on-going evaluation of the CRC Campus Ministry@ Mac and its Chaplain.   

Mandate: To further these purposes of the CR Campus Ministry @Mac, Classis Hamilton employs and mandates a CRC Chaplain (1) to take the lead in being Christ’s witness to the non-Christian faculty, staff, and students on campus and also (2) to disciple, equip and mobilize the Christian community on campus to take up their calling as Christ’s witnesses@Mac.

1. Be a Reformed presence on the McMaster campus by encouraging and presenting the Reformed Christian perspective on campus in speaking/teaching, events, etc. as opportunities arise.
2. Provide pastoral care to students, faculty and administration which may involve administering diaconal ‘deed’ ministry to complement ‘Word” ministry.

3. Host social opportunities for promotion of ministry, encouragement of participation, and to facilitate discussion within the campus community. 

4. Contact and engage Christian Reformed students on campus. 

5. Develop Christian leadership to participate in on and off campus ministries.

6. Interact with other chaplains(s), faculty, and administration.

7. Provide opportunities for worship, Bible study and small group discussions.

8. Identify and implement specific programs in conjunction with other Christian groups on and off campus.

9. Participate in annual evaluation of ministry and opportunities afforded for evaluation offered along all lines of accountability.

Evaluation

1.  The Chaplain shall ordinarily provide a written and verbal report at every committee meeting.  A written report will be provided for every meeting of classis and the chaplain will be present to report verbally to classis once a year.

2.   In addition, the work of the Chaplain and the campus ministry shall be reviewed annually by the Committee and once every three years by the Christian Reformed Campus Ministry.

Preamble
One of the expressed purposes of the Christian Reformed congregations that make up Classis Hamilton is to partner together in shared ministry.  Classis has agreed to “decide upon and oversee purposeful ministries that reach out to our local communities and region with the love of God. We will prayerfully seek, establish, and maintain these shared ministries as a Classis and, where appropriate, partner in the leadership and financial needs of these ministries.”  The McMaster University CR Campus Ministry is one such shared ministry of Classis Hamilton.

Mandate
To further the work of the Campus Ministry and its Chaplain, Classis Hamilton has formed and mandates a committee to support and supervise (in conjunction with the Christian Reformed Home Missions Regional Leader and the Christian Reformed Home Missions Campus Educational Mission Leader) the work of the Chaplain, and to evaluate and establish direction for the campus ministry together.

1. Provide an environment of on-going support for the chaplain, his/her family, the ministry and its core participants through dialogue and prayer. 

2. Provide on-going supervision to the chaplain to ensure that his work is in accordance with expressed purposes of the ministry and in promotion of a life of healthy balance, personal wellness, and spiritual vitality.

3. Engage in annual intentional times of chaplain and campus ministry evaluation and review in order to re-focus the direction of the ministry where/as appropriate to the changing context of the campus.

4. Assist the chaplain in promoting the campus ministry and in sharing the fruit of its cultural engagement with the member churches of the classis.

5. To maintain accurate and up-to-date records of bank accounts, contracts (implied or actual), assets, etc.

6. To attend to the financial sustainability of the ministry

Budget
The committee shall prepare an annual budget for approval by Classis, to be presented at the September meeting.  The campus ministry shall be supported by funds from both Christian Reformed Home Missions and Classis Hamilton Ministry Shares.  Classis’ treasurer will remit 25% of the classical contributions quarterly.

1. Upon request of a church without its own pastor, Classis shall appoint a Counselor to serve the church on Classis' behalf through advice and counsel.
   
2. The Counselor's duties shall include

1. approval or non approval of all nominations for a pastoral call before a call may be issued

2. signing of the "Letter of Call" on behalf of Classis, having been assured that the council has complied with all synodical regulations pertaining to the issuance of a call

3. presiding over the service of ordination/installation of the new pastor, having determined beforehand that all necessary requirements have been met

4. assisting the church, upon request, with pastoral labours if time, distance, and his own health permit

3. The Counselor shall be reimbursed by the Church for his mileage or other expenses.
    

4. The Counselor shall render a written report of his work to Classis upon completion of his task.
    

Classis shall elect delegates to the following agencies and assemblies:

1. Calvin College (represented regionally)
2. Calvin Theological Seminary (represented regionally)
3. Redeemer University College
4. CRC Publications
5. CR Home Missions
6. CR World Missions
7. CR World Relief
8. CRC Synod
9. CRC Board of Trustees of Canada (represented regionally)
10. Back to God Hour (represented regionally)
     

1. The committee shall be composed of one delegation from a church, or two delegates to Classis.
    
2. The mandate of the committee shall be to compare the minutes of the last meeting of Classis with the concept minutes, and present a report of its findings to Classis.
    

1. The committee shall be composed of three delegations from the churches, or six delegates to Classis.
2. The mandate of the committee shall be to advise Classis on the overtures and appeals the churches or church members have presented.
3. The committee shall present a written report and recommendations to Classis.
    

Committee D (Balloting Committee)

1. The committee shall be composed of tellers supplied by the host church.
    

2. The mandate of the committee shall be to distribute and count the ballots when elections take place at the meeting of Classis.
    

3. The committee shall present a report of the balloting results to Classis.
    

1. The committee shall be composed of three members, two of whom will be ministers, who are appointed by the officers of the January Classis meeting to serve for one year.
    
2. The mandate of the committee shall be to prepare nominations when elections are needed.
    
3. The committee shall present a printed ballot to Classis, expediting the election process.
   
   
4. The committee shall present two or more names for each position to be filled, or provide an adequate reason for not doing so.
   

1. Study Committee Members shall be appointed by the officers of Classis.
    
2. The mandate of study committees shall be articulated by Classis when a particular matter requires consideration beyond what can be reasonably provided during a Classis meeting.
    
3. Study committees shall present their reports at a subsequent meeting of Classis, or at such a time as determined by Classis.
    

1. Churches without a minister shall be entitled to request classical pulpit supply for two Sundays per month from September through May.

 
2. A church whose minister is a synodical delegate shall be entitled to classical pulpit supply for one Sunday while its minister attends Synod.
    

3. A church which receives classical pulpit supply shall remunerate the church whose minister provides the service at the rate set by Classis and reviewed periodically. The travel expenses incurred by the guest minister as he fills the classical appointment shall be paid directly to him by the church receiving his services, at a rate determined by Classis.
    

4. The Classical Interim Committee shall be responsible for preparing a pulpit supply schedule for classical approval. The new schedule shall make use of all the parish ministers of Classis in a rotating sequence, including all associate ministers who wish to participate.
    

1. Main Motions

 
1. When a delegate places a request for consideration and action of a particular, defined matter before Classis, the president shall consider it a main motion. Such a motion is properly before Classis when
   
   1. the mover is recognized by the president
   2. the motion is acceptable to the president in its verbal or written form
   3. the motion is seconded by another delegate
       

2. The president shall consider a main motion improper when
   
   1. it conflicts with the Scriptures, the Reformed Confessions, or the Church Order
   2. another motion is being considered at the same time
      
   3. it conflicts with an earlier decision of Classis
      
   4. it interferes with Classis' freedom of action relating to a matter already introduced but not yet completed
      
   5. it is not substantively different from a defeated motion

       

2. Amendments
    
1. When a delegate places before Classis a request to alter the meaning or wording of a main motion before the vote is taken, the president shall consider this secondary motion an amendment to the main motion. Such an amendment is proper when it proposes to strike out, to insert, or to substitute words, clauses, sentences, or paragraphs of the main motion.

 
2. The president shall consider an amendment improper when
   1. it nullifies the main motion
   2. it radically alters the intent of the main motion
   3. it is not germane to the main motion
       

3. When a delegate places before Classis a motion to amend the amendment before the vote on the amendment is taken, the president shall rule such a tertiary motion improper.

    

3. Tabling

   A motion to table or postpone the main motion is proper when the time frame for taking the matter from the table is included in the motion. Such a motion is not debatable.

4. Withholding Action

It is the right of any member to protest against any decision of Classis. Protests should be registered immediately, or during the session in which the matter concerned was acted upon. Protest must be registered individually and not in groups. Members may, if they feel the need, ask to have their negative vote recorded. Such requests must be made immediately after the vote is taken.
 

G. Dividing the Question

 I. Rescinding a Previous Decision

A motion to rescind a previously adopted matter shall only be presented at a subsequent meeting of Classis, and not at the same meeting during which the original decision was made.

Note: Should Classis make a decision which is at variance with a decision of a previous Classis, without having rescinded the earlier decision, the most recent decision shall invalidate all previous decisions.

 J. Decorum

1. A delegate may speak only after being recognized by the president.
   
2. When a speaker fails to adhere to the point under discussion, or becomes unnecessarily lengthy in his remarks, the president shall interrupt and insist on brevity and clarity.
   
   
3. A delegate ordinarily shall speak no more than twice on the same pending issue.

 
4. When the president believes that a motion under consideration has been debated sufficiently, he may propose cessation of debate. If a majority of Classis sustains this proposal, discussion shall cease and the vote shall be taken.
    

5. A delegate may move to cease debate when he considers the issue to have been adequately discussed. Should the motion to cease debate carry, the speakers who have requested the floor shall be allowed to speak, after which the vote on the main motion shall proceed.
    

1. Churches which extend a provisional call to a candidate for the Ministry of the Word shall indicate that the call becomes effective when he has passed his classical examination.
    
2. A candidate normally shall not move into the parsonage of the church whose call he has accepted before he has sustained his classical examination.
    

3. The church to which a candidate has accepted a call shall not publicly announce the candidate’s ordination date until after he has passed his classical examination.

The examination of the candidate shall proceed in the following manner:

1. Classis shall declare "executive session."
2. A motion to admit the candidate to the ministry shall be moved and considered.
3. Prayer for guidance shall be offered.
4. The Synodical Deputies shall leave to prepare their recommendations.
5. Voting on the motion shall take place by ballot.
6. The Synodical Deputies shall offer their written statement, from which it will become evident whether or not they can concur with the decision of Classis.
7. If they do not concur, the Classis and the Synodical Deputies may try to reach a unified decision. If an agreement cannot be reached between them, the matter is automatically referred to the Synod for final adjudication.
8. If the Synodical Deputies concur with the decision of Classis, "executive session" shall end and the candidate shall return to receive the congratulations of Classis and the Classical Diploma.
9. The president shall lead in concluding devotions.
    

1. To proceed toward an examination according to Church Order Article 7, Classis shall require of the applicant a written request for examination and ordination, accompanied by a letter of recommendation from his consistory.
    
2. Classis shall arrange a preliminary examination of the applicant in the presence of the Synodical Deputies in order to determine the nature of the need to ordain this applicant to the ministry of the Word. When Classis agrees that the need exists, and the Synodical Deputies concur with that assessment, Classis shall proceed to schedule an examination of the applicant in terms of his exceptional gifts.
    

1. The Classical Interim Committee shall make all arrangements for the classical examination as follows:
1. Assign a sermon text for the classical sermon to the applicant. The applicant shall distribute copies of the manuscript to the Synodical Deputies and the delegates.
2. Request two other sermon manuscripts from the candidate, one based on a Scripture text (from the opposite Testament as the assigned sermon) and the other on a Lord’s Day of the Heidelberg Catechism.)
3. Arrange for the preaching of the classical sermon in the applicant's home church on the Sunday (morning) before the examination, if possible.
4. Arrange for three synodical deputies to be present at the examination.
5. Arrange for two sermon critics, one examiner in Practica, and one examiner in the applicant's Biblical and Theological position.
    
2. The Stated Clerk shall inform the applicant of the requirements.
    

The examination shall proceed in the following manner:

1. Practica (no time limit)
1. The examiner shall introduce the applicant to Classis.

2. The examiner shall inquire into the applicant's relationship with God, his commitment to the ministry, his understanding of the meaning and relevance of ministry for our times, his loyalty to the church, and other related matters.

3. The Synodical Deputies and the delegates shall have opportunity to ask additional questions.

4. Classis shall vote on a motion to proceed to the next area of inquiry.
   
2. Sermon Evaluation
   1. The evaluation of the classical sermon by the sermon critics shall consist of an examination of the sermon in the context of the worship service in which it was delivered.
   2. The Synodical Deputies and the delegates shall have opportunity to ask additional questions.
   3. Classis shall vote on a motion to proceed to the next area of inquiry. In order to proceed, the motion shall carry with the concurrence of the Synodical Deputies.
      

3. Biblical and Theological Knowledge (minimum 30 minutes)
   1. The examiner shall inquire into the applicant's knowledge of the Scriptures and the confessions, and his theological judgement, competence, and soundness.

   2. The Synodical Deputies and the delegates shall have opportunity to ask additional questions.

4. Classical Deliberation
   1. Classis shall declare "executive session".
   2. A motion to act favorably on the applicant's request (to be declared eligible for a call) shall be considered.
   3. Prayer for guidance shall be offered.
   4. The synodical deputies shall leave to prepare their recommendations.
   5. Voting on the motion shall take place by ballot.
   6. The Synodical Deputies shall offer their written statement, from which it will become evident whether or not they can concur with the decision of Classis.
   7. If they do not concur, the Classis and the Synodical Deputies may try to reach a unified decision. If an agreement cannot be reached between them, the matter is automatically referred to the Synod for final adjudication.
   8. If the Deputies concur, "executive session" shall end and the applicant shall return to receive the results of the examination and to be declared eligible for a call.
   9. The president will lead in concluding devotions.
       

1. A Colloquium Doctum is a friendly interview with a minister from another denomination who wishes to enter the ministry of the Christian Reformed Church.
    
2. Application for a Colloquium Doctum shall be made to the Classical Interim Committee in either of two ways:
1. By the Council that desires to extend a call
2. By the minister himself (if there is as yet no calling church)
    
3. Before a Colloquium Doctum may be scheduled, all synodical regulations pertaining to calling ministers from other denominations must be met, including the matter of determining need. Cf. Manual of Christian Reformed Church Government, 1994 Ed., pp. 88, 89.
    

4. Upon receipt of the application, the Classical Interim Committee shall make all necessary arrangements for the Colloquium Doctum in accordance with synodical and classical regulations. Cf. Acts of Synod, 1984, pp. 641 - 43.
    

5. One minister from Classis shall be appointed to conduct the Colloquy before Classis.
    

6. The remainder of the Colloquium Doctum shall follow the procedure for the "Classical Deliberation and The Admittance to Ministry" found above (cf. XI, C, 4, a - i).
   

1. Licensure to exhort in the churches of Classis may be granted to those who request it, after the need for such service has first been established.
   
   
2. The examination for licensure to exhort shall be limited to members of the Christian Reformed Church who are gifted, well informed, consecrated, and able to edify the churches.
    
3. Classis shall require the following documents from the applicants:
1. A recommendation from the applicant's council
2. Written request for licensure from the applicant, including the reasons for the request
    
4. The Classical Interim Committee shall assign a sermon text to the applicant and arrange for him to lead a worship service in his home church, using that assigned text for the sermon. The committee shall also arrange for two sermon critics who shall attend the worship service and report to Classis.
   
   

5. The Classical Interim Committee shall arrange for an examination of the applicant in the following areas:
   1. Knowledge of the Scriptures, Reformed Confessions, and theology
   2. Sermon evaluation
   3. Practica and Ethics
       

6. Licensure shall be for one year, after which it may be renewed annually at the written request of the exhorter
    

These Rules of Procedure shall apply to all activities of Classis, but upon majority vote, they may be suspended, amended, revised, or abrogated.