Two or three times each year, Christian Reformed churches send representatives to their classis, a regional group of churches. Many of the actions taken by classes are governed by the CRC’s Church Order, the rules that govern denominational life. Here are some of the actions by classes in the past few months.
Those welcomed into ministry in the Christian Reformed Church include seminary graduates Beverly Weeks, Nicole Veenkamp, and Paul Minbo Shim. (Church Order Articles 6 and 10).
Those welcomed into ministry in the CRC from other denominations, following a satisfactory colloquium doctum (doctrinal conversation) establishing soundness of doctrine, sanctity of life, and knowledge and appreciation of Christian Reformed practice, include John-Peter Mukendi and Daniel Choi. (Church Order Art. 8, p. 23).
Rev. Daniel Rhee was declared eligible for call.
Ministers loaned: Daniel Jin Su Hwang to Korean Christian Church; Tony Meyer to International Church, Madrid, Spain. (Church Order Art. 13b)
Ministers released from a congregation: Rev. Robert Know, from Hope Fellowship CRC (Denver, Colo.); Rev. Nick Hopkins, from Shawnee Park CRC, (Grand Rapids, Mich.). (Church Order Art. 17a, p. 34).
Leaving ministry in the CRC
Churches and classes make a declaration reflecting a resigned minister’s status that is appropriate to the way and spirit in which the minister acted during the time leading up to and including resignation from office. Those designations are as follows: honorably released, released, dismissed, or in the status of one deposed (Church Order Art. 14, p. 22).
Rev. John Burden and Gregory Cumberland were honorably released.
Rev. Steve Wolma was released.
Commissioned Pastors
The following people were approved as commissioned pastors, called to specific roles within their classis: Angela Elliot (Classis British Columbia North-West), Jason Romine (Classis Hudson), Ricardo Tranquini (Classis Holland); Ben Buckley and Bryan Lanting (Classis Pacific Northwest). (Church Order Art. 23)
The following people are ending their service as commissioned pastors: Charlie Phim (Classis Yellowstone); Randy Freeland (Classis Red Mesa); Jon Vugteveen and Dean Sinclair (Classis Grand Rapids North).
New Ministries and Ministry Changes
An emerging (unorganized) church does not have its own council and is under the care of a council of a neighboring CRC. An organized church has its own council. (Church Order Art. 38, p. 74)
Churches declared emerging: Mision de Fe McAllen (McAllen, Tex.)
About the Author
Gayla Postma retired as news editor for The Banner in 2020.
