NR #1996-039: Arizona Asks Synod to Rebuke Interclassical Conference Is it true that a letter sent by the Interclassical Conference of conservative Christian Reformed churches calling the denomination to repent of allowing women in office "falsely claims the clarity of Scripture," "takes a matter that is indifferent and makes it into a divisive issue," and that "the assertions made in the letter and the threat to form a new denomination greatly damages the flock of the CRC"? That's what the March 2 meeting of Classis Arizona told the Interclassical Conference officers in a communication to Synod 1996. NR #1996-039: For Immediate Release Arizona Asks Synod to Rebuke Interclassical Conference by Darrell Todd Maurina, Press Officer United Reformed News Service (March 20, 1996) URNS - Is it true that a letter sent by the Interclassical Conference of conservative Christian Reformed churches calling the Christian Reformed denomination to repent of allowing women in office "falsely claims the clarity of Scripture," "takes a matter that is indifferent and makes it into a divisive issue," and that "the assertions made in the letter and the threat to form a new denomination greatly damages the flock of the CRC"? That's what the March 2 meeting of Classis Arizona told the Interclassical Conference officers in a communication to Synod 1996. According to Classis Arizona, "neither side in this debate has shown a low regard for the text of Scripture." "If it were really so clear, the church would not have discussed this for the past quarter century," said Classis Arizona. "To apply the perspicuity (clarity) of Scripture to the matter at hand is not consistent with the Reformed teaching on the perspicuity of Scripture which is taught with respect to the knowledge necessary to the way of salvation, not with respect to our theological debate over women in office." Citing a Classis Grand Rapids East communication to Synod 1995, a 1991 "white paper" by Calvin Seminary professor Dr. John Cooper, and numerous prior synodical study committee reports on women in office, Classis Arizona argued that the principles of biblical interpretation used by the Interclassical Conference to say that Scripture is clear on the issue of women in office are contrary to those of Louis Berkhof. Recognizing that its delegates are not agreed on the issue of women in office, Classis Arizona made clear that its model arguments in favor of women in office are not persuasive to all delegates. "We put this position forward, not because all within our classis are compelled by it, but because we affirm that this position models both a high view of Scripture and a proper use of Reformed doctrine," said Classis Arizona. "Though not all find it compelling, we at least allow people to hold this view without questioning their view of Scripture." "The perspicuity of Scripture may only be applied to this issue if this debate is part of the knowledge necessary unto salvation," said Classis Arizona. "Would anyone claim that salvation depends on the answer to the question of whether women may serve in the office of elder and minister in the CRC? We think not." When the communication came to a vote, Classis Arizona adopted it by an overwhelming margin: only 4 of the 18 delegates opposed submitting it to synod. Ironically, before coming to Classis Arizona, the communication had to be processed through the consistory of a church pastored by Rev. Bradd Nymeyer, the son-in-law of Interclassical Conference chairman Rev. Andrew Cammenga. The author of the communication, Rev. Jon Westra, pastors Celebration Community Church of Phoenix - a mission work sponsored by Nymeyer's church, Phoenix CRC. "I think it put the Phoenix consistory in a tough spot; I don't think they agree with the communication, and I know Bradd doesn't, but they handled it correctly and amiably," said Westra. "I have no other recourse to classis than through my sponsoring church," noted Westra. "I basically assumed that they would not pass it. Bradd and I had E-Mailed each other a couple of times, we did not want it to become a problem between the two of us or between our two churches and I think we navigated that quite well." Nymeyer agreed that the communication put his church in a difficult position. "It was actually a bit confusing because we wanted to deny his request but still allow him access by appeal to classis, so we tried to keep a good relationship between his church and our church, assure him proper process but to register our disagreement with the communication," said Nymeyer. "We disagree strongly on the women in office issue but in spite of that I have a lot of respect for him as a pastor." Cammenga had stronger words for the Classis Arizona communication regarding the conference he chaired. "In their letter they say we falsely apply perspicuity to the women in office issue; Synod 1994 applied perspicuity to that issue and the church for 1800 years applied it to that issue so I don't understand why they are saying we falsely apply the doctrine of perspicuity," said Cammenga. "We believe that obedience to Scripture is never a matter of indifference and if it is a matter of indifference to them, then maybe they should treat us as the weaker brothers and respect our scruples." Cammenga also criticized the Classis Arizona communication for a reductionistic view of the clarity of Scripture. "We don't believe in a reduced view that the only thing clearly taught in Scripture is the work of Christ on the cross," said Cammenga. "We certainly believe that infant baptism is clearly taught, election is clearly taught, male headship is taught, all of those things are clearly taught in Scripture." While the communication definitely represents the views of a decided majority of Classis Arizona about the Interclassical Conference, the classis also adopted an overture by Phoenix CRC asking Synod 1996 to "alter Synod 1995's action which allows the word 'male' in Article 3 of the Church Order to be declared 'inoperative.'" The overture passed on a voice vote - but only after classis deleted a ground specifying that "Synod 1995's action ignored the Scriptural grounds set out by Synod 1994 that demonstrated that women may not serve in the offices of minister and elder" and then failed on a tie vote to adopt an amendment specifying that classis' intent was to set aside the decision of 1995. The effect is that Classis Arizona's overture says the 1995 decision should be altered but does not specify what alteration should be made. "This was perceived as a procedural overture, as it was intended to be," said Nymeyer. "While we may not all agree on women in office, we all do agree that if we are going to allow women in office it should not be done by ignoring the church order." Cross-References to Related Articles: #1995-070: Christian Reformed Classes Permitted to Declare Church Order Ban on Women's Ordination "Inoperative"; Synod Decision Given Immediate Effect without Two-Year Ratification Process #1995-081: Classis California South Calls Special Meeting to Discuss Christian Reformed Women in Office Decision #1995-082: California South Calls Conference of Christian Reformed Classes, Councils, to Address Women in Office Decision #1995-106C: Interclassical Conference Urges Christian Reformed Synod to Lead Denomination in Repentance; Calls for Formation of "Covenant Union" of CRC Conservatives Contact List: Rev. Andrew Cammenga, Pastor, Escondido Christian Reformed Church 1850 N. Broadway, Escondido, CA 92026 * H/O/FAX: (619) 745-2324 * E-Mail: ACAMMENGA@aol.com Rev. Bradd Nymeyer, Pastor, Phoenix Christian Reformed Church 2434 E. Earll Dr., Phoenix, AZ 85016 * O/F: (602) 954-7289 * H: (602) 956-6794 * E-Mail: BLNymeyer@aol.com Rev. John Westra, Church Planter, Celebration Community Christian Reformed Church 1314 East Utopia Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85024 * O: (602) 971-4080 * H: (602) 516-1736 ------------------------------------------------ file: /pub/resources/text/reformed: nr96-039.txt .