Date: Tue, 7 Oct 1997 10:14:24 -0400 (EDT) From: Darrell128@aol.com Subject: MA 971007: Muskegon Classis to Debate Christ Community Lawsuit, Discipline of Church Board... Media Alert: Today's Muskegon Classis to Debate Christ Community Church Lawsuit, will Consider Discipline of Church Board for Alleged Failure to Properly Process Sex Charges Against Rhem When the Muskegon Classis of the Reformed Church in America meets today for its regularly-scheduled fall session, much of the meeting will address a topic that has consumed much of the classis' time since 1995: the longrunning case of Rev. Richard Rhem, senior pastor of Christ Community Church of Spring Lake. Rhem has already been deposed from the RCA ministry by the classis on charges of "gross sexual misconduct." However, today's session, meeting at Laketon Bethel Reformed Church on 1568 West Giles Road in Muskegon, will deal with a second charge against the church board of Christ Community Church alleging that the church leadership failed to responsibly deal with the charges against Rhem despite knowing of them. Classis will also deal with a pending civil lawsuit by the church against the classis and could begin procedures to seize the property of the church. Media Alert: For Immediate Release Today's Muskegon Classis to Debate Christ Community Church Lawsuit, Will Consider Discipline of Church Board for Alleged Failure to Properly Process Sex Charges Against Rhem by Darrell Todd Maurina, Press Officer United Reformed News Service (October 7, 1997) -- When the Muskegon Classis of the Reformed Church in America meets today for its regularly-scheduled fall session, much of the meeting will address a topic that has consumed much of the classis' time since 1995: the longrunning case of Rev. Richard Rhem, senior pastor of Christ Community Church of Spring Lake. Rhem has already been deposed from the RCA ministry by the classis on charges of "gross sexual misconduct." However, today's session, meeting at Laketon Bethel Reformed Church on 1568 West Giles Road in Muskegon, will deal with a second charge against the church board of Christ Community Church alleging that the church leadership failed to responsibly deal with the charges against Rhem despite knowing of them. Classis will also deal with a pending civil lawsuit by the church against the classis and could begin procedures to seize the property of the church. Despite pastoring classis' largest church, Rhem came under fire after his church allowed the predominantly homosexual Muskegon Metropolitan Community Church to meet in their building. Classis later focussed on the issue of Rhem's views on the authority of Scripture and salvation apart from Christ, which prompted a proposal from the Classis of Northern Michigan to require all RCA ministers and churches to annually reaffirm that salvation is through Christ alone. The proposed amendment to the RCA's book of church order passed at General Synod 1996 and gained a majority of votes from the denomination's 46 classes but not the 2/3 majority necessary for passage. General Synod 1997 voted in June to resubmit the proposal for a second vote due to technical problems with incorrect wording sent out by the General Synod office. Rhem was formally rebuked last summer by the classis for his theological views. However, after the classis resumed an investigation into charges of "gross sexual misconduct" filed against Rhem by a former organist at the church, the church declared its independence from the RCA effective July 4, 1996. Despite a civil lawsuit filed by Christ Community Church against the classis, classis subsequently deposed Rhem from the RCA ministry after finding that "the accuser did prove the truth of her allegations with a high degree of probability." "Richard A. Rhem refused to attend the trial or accept the offer of counsel to speak on his behalf. He also refuses to repent of his past conduct," wrote classis in its official August 5 decision. "Therefore, the discipline in this case is not suspension from office but deposition from the office of Minister of the Word and Sacrament." Classis officials have consistently declined on-the-record comment regarding the "gross sexual misconduct" charges and on August 5 ordered all members present at the classis meeting to have no comment on classis proceedings to the media. Christ Community Church spokesman Ron Zoet said two of the church's associate pastors, Rev. Robert Kleinheksel and Rev. Peter Theune, would be attending the morning session of classis but would not attend the afternoon closed meeting to discuss Christ Community matters. Both ministers retained their RCA ordination despite the withdrawal of Christ Community Church and are entitled to vote at classis. "Bob and Pete are going as members of the Reformed Church in America but they're serving an independent congregation and in that capacity the congregation is not represented," said Zoet. While concerned about possible classis actions, Zoet said he was somewhat optimistic about what the classis might do. "I'm confident that a spirit of grace will prevail at the classis today, and that spirit will promote resolution of extremely difficult issues," said Zoet. Cross-References to Related Articles: #1996-013: Special Meeting of RCA's Muskegon Classis Discusses Homosexuality, Scripture, Salvation Apart from Christ #1996-023: Muskegon RCA Classis: No Room for Pastor Questioning Salvation Apart from Christ, Authority of Scripture #1996-086: Muskegon Classis Rebukes Rhem for "Heretical" Views, Restarts Negotiations "to Reach a Mutually Acceptable Separation Agreement" with Christ Community Church #1996-091: Rhem Conflict Leads to Homosexuality Debate in Muskegon #1996-092: Back to the Drawing Board: Muskegon Classis Tables Proposed Settlement with Pastor of RCA's Fourth-Largest Church #1996-093: Dr. Jonathan Gerstner on Rhem: "Tragedy is the Only Word" #1996-094: Second RCA Minister Faces Discipline for Theological Views #1996-103: Classis Muskegon Averts Heresy Trial, Completes Separation Agreement with Richard Rhem, Christ Community Church #1996-110: Appeal Stalls Settlement Agreement on Rev. Richard Rhem; Protests Greet Upcoming Rhem Keynote Speech for RCA Regional Synod of the Mid-Atlantics on "The Church in Conflict... Can Non-Believers be Saved?" #1996-118: Rhem to Reformed Church in America: "The Bible is a Wax Nose" #1997-001: Muskegon Classis Suspends Separation Agreement Until Regional Synod Adjudicates Appeal on "Gross Sexual Misconduct" Allegations Against Richard Rhem #1997-002: Rhem's Attorney Responds: "Classis... Has Engaged in Conspiratorial Actions Which Were Maliciously Calculated to Damage Rev. Richard Rhem and Christ Community Church" #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 #1997-019: Reformed Church in America Classes Poised to Vote on Church Order Change: Should All RCA Ministers and Churches Annually Reaffirm that Salvation is Through Christ Alone? #1997-026: SW Michigan Becomes First RCA Michigan Classis to Ratify Church Order Amendment on Salvation Through Christ Alone #1997-028: Rhem Case on Hold; Muskegon Classis Affirms Salvation Through Christ Alone #1997-031: Reformed Church in America's Second and Third Largest Classes Vote to Affirm Salvation Only Through Christ #1997-032: South Grand Rapids Classis Overtures Reformed Church in America to Reject "Full Communion" with United Church of Christ Due to UCC Approval of Gay Marriage and Ordination #1997-033: Holland Classis Rejects Church Order Amendment to Require Annual Declaration that Salvation is Through Christ Alone #1997-034: Reformed Church in America Rejects Annual Declaration that Salvation is Through Christ Alone #1997-040: Typo Leads Reformed Church in America to Recommend New Vote on Salvation Apart from Christ #1997-043: RCA Committee Asks Regional Synod of the Great Lakes to Send Rhem "Gross Sexual Misconduct" Case Back to Muskegon Classis for Investigation, Possible Trial #1997-044: Great Lakes Regional Synod Minister: Reformed Church in America not "Dead," but Needs to "Wake Up" #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 #1997-046: Rhem's Attorney Responds: "The RCA in Western Michigan [is] Truly a Dysfunctional Family" #1997-057: RCA's Muskegon Classis Calls Special Meeting to Consider Trial for Richard Rhem on Sexual Misconduct Charges #1997-058: Reformed Church in America's Muskegon Classis to Investigate Sexual Misconduct Charges Against Rhem #1997-079: Muskegon Classis to Meet June 24 for More Inquiry on "Gross Sexual Misconduct" Charges Against Rev. Richard Rhem; Classis Also Asked by Regional Synod to Consider Charging Rhem's Church with Leaking Documents to News Media #1997-080: Muskegon Classis Seeks to Avoid Media Expose; Votes to Try Rhem on "Gross Sexual Misconduct" Charges #1997-083: Christ Community Church Sues RCA Classis; Asks Civil Court to Order Classis to Let Church Depart with its Property #1997-086: Reformed Church in America's Muskegon Classis Finds Rev. Richard Rhem Guilty of "Gross Sexual Misconduct" #1997-094: Muskegon Classis Responds to Christ Community Lawsuit 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 Rev. Mark Nieuwsma, President, Muskegon Classis 704 South De Spelder, Grand Haven, MI 49417 O: (616) 842-4170 * H: (616) 842-2984 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. Steve Smallegan, Stated Clerk, Muskegon Classis 3025 Glenside Blvd., Muskegon, MI 49441 O: (616) 759-3238 * H: (616) 755-8446 * E-Mail: SGLMusk@aol.com Rev. Merwin (Mike) Van Doornik, Counsel for Appellant 1985 Driftwood Dr., Holland, MI 49424 H: (616) 786-9155 * O: (616) 744-4781 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 * E-Mail: SGLSherwin@aol.com Ron Zoet, Director of Operations, Christ Community Church 225 East Exchange St., Spring Lake, MI 49456 O: (616) 842-1985 * F: (616) 842-3476 ---------------------------------------------------------- file: /pub/resources/text/reformed/archive97: nrma97-6.txt .