Date: Tue, 04 May 1999 00:10:19 -0400 From: Darrell Todd Maurina Reply-To: Darrell128@aol.com Organization: Christian Renewal/United Reformed News Service Subject: NR 99041: RCA Reverses Classis Verdict Against Van Hoeven NR #1999-041: Great Lakes Regional Synod Reverses Classis Verdict Against Controversial RCA Pastor Dr. Donald Van Hoeven In an unexpected about-face, the Reformed Church in America's Regional Synod of the Great Lakes voted May 3 to reverse a 1996 vote of the Classis of Southwest Michigan "to admonish and rebuke Rev. Dr. Donald Van Hoeven for the public statements he has made on his views of salvation apart from Christ which were published" in the Kalamazoo Gazette, Holland Sentinel, Muskegon Chronicle, and Grand Rapids Press. The Van Hoeven case attracted widespread media attention because Van Hoeven was rebuked for articles he wrote in mass-circulation daily newspapers reaching most of the RCA membership in Michigan. In those articles, Van Hoeven defended controversial RCA minister Rev. Richard Rhem, then facing charges by the RCA for his views on homosexuality, salvation apart from Christ, and the nature of biblical authority. Rhem was later deposed from the RCA on unrelated sexual misconduct charges, but Van Hoeven has refused to leave and has appealed his case for the last three years to the regional synod and general synod. NR #1999-041: For Immediate Release: Great Lakes Regional Synod Reverses Classis Verdict Against Controversial RCA Pastor Dr. Donald Van Hoeven by Darrell Todd Maurina, Press Officer United Reformed News Service HOLLAND, MICH. (May 3, 1999) URNS -- In an unexpected about-face, the Reformed Church in America's Regional Synod of the Great Lakes voted May 3 to reverse a 1996 vote of the Classis of Southwest Michigan "to admonish and rebuke Rev. Dr. Donald Van Hoeven for the public statements he has made on his views of salvation apart from Christ which were published" in the Kalamazoo Gazette, Holland Sentinel, Muskegon Chronicle, and Grand Rapids Press. The Van Hoeven case attracted widespread media attention because Van Hoeven was rebuked for articles he wrote in mass-circulation daily newspapers reaching most of the RCA membership in Michigan. In those articles, Van Hoeven defended controversial RCA minister Rev. Richard Rhem, then facing charges by the RCA for his views on homosexuality, salvation apart from Christ, and the nature of biblical authority. Rhem was later deposed from the RCA on unrelated sexual misconduct charges, but Van Hoeven has refused to leave and has appealed his case for the last three years to the regional synod and general synod. The article in question drew fire for a number of reasons, among them sentences declaring that "Rev. Rhem's position is biblically correct, and I agree with him," that "the oppressiveness of the church's stand regarding homosexuality is a clear violation of God's graceful and inclusive love," and questions such as "must all Christians believe that God's saving grace is available only through Jesus Christ, consciously embraced by the believer? or may I, as a Christian, believe that God is truly known in a saving way by others in their own respective religious traditions?" Van Hoeven also wrote that "I do not believe that non-Christians are "condemned to hell,' second class." However, the Classis of Southwest Michigan didn't formally cite any of these statements as offenses warranting disciplinary action. Furthermore, the classis acted only in its capacity as a legislative "assembly" rather than formally declaring itself to be a "judicatory" to hear evidence and accept testimony. That distinction turned out to be crucial, and led to a decision by the regional synod's Overtures and Judicial Business Committee to recommend overturning the classis vote. In an impassioned speech to the regional synod, overtures and judicial business committee chairman Rev. Patrick Shetler -- himself a strong foe of the views expressed by Rhem and Van Hoeven -- argued that procedural errors gave the committee no choice but to recommend overturning the admonition and rebuke against Van Hoeven. "Discipline occurs so rarely in the Reformed Church that you'd better be very, very careful when you do it," warned Shetler. "If you're going to engage in discipline which could affect the career and reputation of a minister or an elder, you'd better do it right, I can't say it strongly enough." "As an Overtures and Judicial Business Committee, we deal with procedures and there is very little that can go wrong procedurally with a legislative matter," said Shetler. "In 1997 we decided not to hear this case because we did not believe there were procedural errors. In 1998 the General Synod told us to go back and look at it again." "We began an intensive search of RCA historical precedents in discipline cases; we went all the way back to the 1792 disciplinary procedures of the Reformed Church, but we also went to the 1950 Constitution," said Shetler. "We were wrong, and when you are wrong, the best thing to do is come back and say "We were wrong.'" "This is not a mild thing, this is a very serious matter, it has affected Don Van Hoeven and his whole family," warned Rev. John Hubers of University RCA in Ann Arbor. "This has resulted in his shunning and is known throughout the entire Reformed Church." Dr. Marvin Hoff, retired president of Western Theological Seminary in Holland, warned that the precedent of disciplining a minister without a formal trial or hearing would lead to serious abuse throughout the RCA. "Every one of us as ministers and elders will be open to all kinds of unsubstantiated charges if this action is allowed to stand," said Hoff. The church counsel for the Classis of Southwest Michigan tried but failed to argue that the classis did follow correct procedure. "You are not here to decide what the Bible says about salvation through Christ, you are not here to decide what you think about homosexuals," said Elder Carl Ver Beek of Third RCA in Kalamazoo. "You are here to decide how complicated it should be for a classis to admonish and rebuke a minister." Pointing to the hotly disputed effort to impeach President Clinton, Ver Beek warned the regional synod that there needed to be less severe options to deal with a minister regarded as offensive by his classis. "The result is that local churches are denied the opportunity to administer a lower form of discipline, a measured response that does not require a formal trial," said Ver Beek. "I don't think anyone disputes that excommunication, deposition, and suspension require a trial, but do all forms of pastoral admonition and rebuke require a full trial?" The regional synod vote was close but finally sustained the position of the overtures and judicial business committee. Unless the Classis of Southwest Michigan or another concerned person appeals the decision within 20 days, the May 3 vote will require the classis to either let the matter rest or begin a formal trial against Van Hoeven. Jennifer Liggett, stated clerk of the Classis of Southwest Michigan, attended the regional synod but said she could not comment on possible classis response to the decision. Van Hoeven said he was pleased by the regional synod action. "My feeling is a feeling of relief; I'm pleased that our efforts to clarify our case are complete," said Van Hoeven. "This will be good news for many people who have been concerned about these actions and want for there to be more understanding within the church and acceptance within the church." Regional synod stated clerk Rev. Howard Moths urged that the decision not be misunderstood. "It's important for people not to interpret the vote as an endorsement of any views that have been expressed by Don Van Hoeven; it's an important step in clarifying the procedure used in discipline," said Moths. "If anyone wants to know what the Reformed Church is saying on the theological issue, they should go not to Don Van Hoeven but to the reports adopted by General Synod." Cross-References to Related Articles: #1997-007: Appeal of Charges Against Rhem Sent Back to Committee by RCA's Regional Synod Executive Committee; Van Hoeven Appeal to Proceed with Recommendation of Dismissal #1997-045: Reformed Church in America Regional Synod of the Great Lakes Sends Rhem "Gross Sexual Misconduct" Case Back to Muskegon Classis for Investigation, Possible Trial; Van Hoeven's Complaint Against "Rebuke" for Supporting Rhem Denied, Will Appeal to General Synod; Regional Synod Reaffirms Salvation Through Christ Alone, Goes on Record Against "Full Communion" with United Church of Christ Due to Homosexual Issue #1998-051: Van Hoeven Wins Unexpected Victory: RCA Fails to Discipline Minister Who Supported Rhem in Local Papers Contact List: Rev. E. Wayne Antworth, Director, RCA Stewardship & Communication Services 475 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10115 O: (212) 870-2954 * FAX: (212) 870-2499 * E-Mail: ewantworth@worldnet.att.net Rev. Wesley Granberg-Michaelson, General Secretary, Reformed Church in America 49 Yawpo, Oakland, NJ 07436 O: (212) 870-2845 Dr. Marvin Hoff 313 Glengarry Court, Holland, MI 49423 H: (616) 355-4370 Rev. John Hubers, Pastor, University Reformed Church 2683 Dexter Ave., Ann Arbor, MI 48103 O: (313) 662-3153 * H: (313) 327-9323 Jennifer Liggett, Stated Clerk, Classis of Southwest Michigan 302 Academy St., Kalamazoo, MI 49007 H: (616) 349-6260 Rev. Howard Moths, Stated Clerk, Regional Synod of the Great Lakes 2795 Rosewood St., Jenison, MI 49428 O: (616) 669-6690 * H: (616) 669-1983 Rev. Richard Rhem, Senior Pastor, Christ Community Church 225 East Exchange St., Spring Lake, MI 49456 O: (616) 842-1985 * H: (616) 846-7777 * F: (616) 842-3476 * E-mail: christcommunity@novagate.com Rev. Patrick Shetler, Pastor, First Reformed Church 271 E. State Rd., PO Box 365, Grant, MI 49327 O: (616) 834-8668 * H: (616) 834-7246 * E-mail: grantreformedchurch@worldnet.att.net Rev. Donald Van Hoeven 1024 Westfall, Kalamazoo, MI 49006 H: (616) 381-8586 Rev. Sherwin Weener, Synod Minister, Regional Synod of the Great Lakes 4500 - 60th St. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49512 O: (616) 698-7071 * H: (616) 457-3572 * FAX: (616) 698-6606 * E-mail: SGLSherwin@aol.com ---------------------------------------------------------- file: /pub/resources/text/reformed/archive99: nr99-041.txt .