From: Darrell128@aol.com Date: Mon, 27 Jan 1997 10:33:45 -0500 (EST) Subject: NR 97014: Lane Avenue CRC of Kansas City Secedes NR #1997-014: Lane Avenue CRC of Kansas City Secedes (January 27, 1997) URNS -- As of January 17, Lane Avenue CRC of Kansas City, Missouri, is no longer a member of the Christian Reformed denomination. "Our church has been studying for two years what has been going on in the denomination," said Lane Avenue pastor Rev. Stuart Pastine. "Our elders felt it was time to do something; they determined there was sufficient reason to leave the Christian Reformed denomination." NR #1997-014: For Immediate Release Lane Avenue CRC of Kansas City Secedes by Darrell Todd Maurina, Press Officer United Reformed News Service (January 27, 1997) URNS -- As of January 17, Lane Avenue CRC of Kansas City, Missouri, is no longer a member of the Christian Reformed denomination. "Our church has been studying for two years what has been going on in the denomination," said Lane Avenue pastor Rev. Stuart Pastine. "Our elders felt it was time to do something; they determined there was sufficient reason to leave the Christian Reformed denomination." When the Lane Avenue members held a congregational meeting to debate the proposal from the elders, the congregation concurred with only one dissenting vote. According to Pastine, the church's reasons for leaving the CRC were similar to those cited by other conservatives who have left the denomination in recent years. "Basically this whole thing was done to preserve the confessional integrity and spiritual vitality of our congregation," said Pastine. "We also studied the biblical authority of the local church and were convinced we had authority as well as sufficient reason to act." "We felt there was sufficient reason to do this and would encourage other congregations in the CRC to consider this matter seriously and perhaps follow our lead," said Pastine. "In our letter to classis and the churches of classis we said that our action is no condemnation of any church or of any individuals. They will have to exercise their responsibility and we can't do that for them, but we have exercised ours." Pastine said the 101-member church would be considering options for future denominational affiliation but would be careful in doing so. "We understand the sufficiency that Christ has given to the local congregation," said Pastine. "We plan to attend the meetings of the United Reformed Churches, and perhaps some other groups as well, to see what they are doing." Cross-References to Related Articles: #1996-076: CRC Synod Rejects 25 Overtures and Communications Calling for End to Classical Option on Ordination of Women #1996-104: New Denomination Born: Most Christian Reformed Seceders Organize as "United Reformed Churches of North America" #1996-088: Interclassical Conference of Christian Reformed Conservatives to be Asked to Create Nongeographical Classes; Minority Urges Immediate Secession from Christian Reformed Denomination Contact List: Dr. David Engelhard, General Secretary, Christian Reformed Church in North America 2850 Kalamazoo Ave. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49560 O: (616) 246-0744 * H: (616) 243-2418 * FAX: (616) 246-0834 Rev. Jack Gray, Stated Clerk, Classis of the Heartland 708 - 5th St., Orange City, IA 51041-1804 O: (712) 737-2797 * H: (712) 737-2997 Rev. Stuart Pastine, Pastor, Lane Avenue Christian Reformed Church 9519 Lane Ave., Kansas City, MO 64134 O: (816) 765-0882 * H: (816) 763-8432 ---------------------------------------------------------- file: /pub/resources/text/reformed/archive97: nr97-014.txt (corrected) .