Date: Sat, 24 May 1997 16:17:35 -0400 (EDT) From: Darrell128@aol.com Subject: NR 97057: Special Meeting to Consider Trial for Rhem on Sexual Misconduct Charge NR #1997-057: RCA's Muskegon Classis Calls Special Meeting to Consider Trial for Richard Rhem on Sexual Misconduct Charges Is the Reformed Church in America making the same mistakes made by the king of England in refusing to recognize the American declaration of independence? That's the position of the attorney for Rev. Richard Rhem of Christ Community Church in Spring Lake, whose church declared its independence from the Reformed Church in America last year in the midst of a conflict with the RCA's Muskegon Classis over Rhem's support for a predominantly homosexual congregation meeting in his church building and Rhem's belief that salvation is possible apart from Christ. The Muskegon Classis and the Regional Synod of the Great Lakes have refused to recognize the declaration of independence; earlier this month, the regional synod directed the classis to reconsider an earlier decision not to proceed to trial against Rhem on separate charges of "gross sexual misconduct" filed by a former organist at the church. The classis will meet in special session on Tuesday, May 27, at Hope Reformed Church of Muskegon to consider further action against Rhem on the sexual misconduct charges; a regional synod committee will meet next month to consider possible discipline of Christ Community Church for releasing over a dozen pages of internal documents pertaining to the sexual misconduct charge to the news media. NR #1997-057: For Immediate Release RCA's Muskegon Classis Calls Special Meeting to Consider Trial for Richard Rhem on Sexual Misconduct Charges * Regional Synod Executive Committee to Consider Discipline of Rhem's Church for Circulating Details of Case to the News Media by Darrell Todd Maurina, Press Officer United Reformed News Service (May 24, 1997) URNS -- Is the Reformed Church in America making the same mistakes made by the king of England in refusing to recognize the American declaration of independence? That's the position of the attorney for Rev. Richard Rhem of Christ Community Church in Spring Lake, Michigan, whose church declared its independence from the Reformed Church in America last year in the midst of a conflict with the RCA's Muskegon Classis over Rhem's support for a predominantly homosexual congregation meeting in his church building and Rhem's belief that salvation is possible apart from Christ. The Muskegon Classis and the Regional Synod of the Great Lakes have refused to recognize the declaration of independence; earlier this month, the regional synod directed the classis to reconsider an earlier decision not to proceed to trial against Rhem on separate charges of "gross sexual misconduct" filed by a former organist at the church. The classis will meet in special session on Tuesday, May 27, at Hope Reformed Church of Muskegon to consider further action against Rhem on the sexual misconduct charges; a regional synod committee will meet next month to consider possible discipline of Christ Community Church for releasing over a dozen pages of internal documents pertaining to the sexual misconduct charge to the news media. Rhem's attorney took strong exception to the special meeting of the classis. "On July 4, 1996 Christ Community Church of Spring Lake, Michigan, declared its independence from the Reformed Church in America," said Roger Boer. "221 years ago, George III of England refused to recognize such a declaration to his detriment." Boer has previously advised Rhem and the church "to have nothing to do with Classis Muskegon RCA" on the grounds that "recent history shows that both the Regional Synod and the Classis are not interested in healing but wish to pursue discord and unrest." Boer also declared that the RCA in West Michigan is a "dysfunctional family" that has "brought basic disruption" to the reputation of the broader RCA. "Any dialogue between the parties must be in recognition of the independent rights and dignity of Christ Community Church," said Boer. "The mere fact that the regional synod fails to recognize the March 1996 action of Classis Muskegon which led to an 87% vote in favor of independence by the members of Christ Community Church, which was also supervised by classis, does not in any way detract from the independent status of that church." According to Boer, the classis has not negotiated with Rhem or the church in good faith. "Muskegon Classis broke its word to Christ Community Church and Christ Community Church must be very careful in the future in its dialogue and in making any agreements with these two entities," said Boer. Boer wasn't any happier with a May 6 letter to the Christ Community board of trustees by regional synod stated clerk Rev. Howard Moths. In the letter, Moths wrote that "we have become aware that the Trustees of Christ Community Church sent an open letter to the delegates of the Synod of the Great Lakes, dated April 25, 1997. We are also aware that you released your letter along with the confidential report of the [Synod of the Great Lakes] Overtures and Judicial Business Committee to the media." Moths' letter cited provisions of the RCA book of church order stating that RCA members or groups may not "circulate, or cause to be circulated, any written or printed arguments or briefs upon any charges before the final disposition of the same, including appeals, if any," and urged the Christ Community board of trustees to keep the details of the case confidential. Moths also warned that the alleged violation of the RCA book of church order could have consequences. "The Executive Committee of the Synod of the Great Lakes and the Classis of Muskegon may consider disciplinary action in response to this violation," wrote Moths. Christ Community has previously noted that independent churches are not subject to the provisions of the RCA church order. Boer reiterated his belief in Christ Community's independent status and lack of jurisdiction by the regional synod. "How a regional synod gets to be a court, I don't know," said Boer. In an earlier interview, regional synod minister Rev. Sherwin Weener emphasized that Rhem and his church remained RCA members whether they liked it or not. "According to our polity no church can unilaterally withdraw from the denomination and no pastor can unilaterally withdraw from the denomination; that would be like one spouse declaring to the other spouse that I am no longer married to you," said Weener. "We are in a covenant relationship and that covenant relationship continues." Moths said Weener's position continues to be that of the RCA. "The position of the Reformed Church has not changed," said Moths. "Nothing has been shown, no arguments have been advanced that would change our opinion." Moths said he was unaware of previous cases in which RCA churches have been disciplined for circulating comments on pending judicial matters to the news media, but that there were precedents short of discipline. "I am aware in the past where documents that have been submitted in such a way to an assembly, delegates have been instructed to ignore them, just as a judge would instruct a jury to ignore documents that would not have properly been submitted," said Moths. "The steps of discipline would begin with admonition and rebuke, and then move on to the others, suspension, deposition, and excommunication," said Moths. "The classis can certainly consider what the church has done in this case as reasons for discipline." When the classis meets on May 27, it must decide whether to follow the directive of the regional synod to investigate Rhem's alleged sexual misconduct or to appeal to the general synod. According to RCA procedures, the classis has twenty days from the official notice of the regional synod action to decide what to do; if it takes no action by May 28, the classis will have no choice but to investigate the charges and make a recommendation on whether or not to conduct a church trial of Rhem on morals charges. "Classis has wide latitude in the remand; the ball's basically in their court," said Moths. "We have not heard officially or have any information from them on what they will do." On the matter of circulating documents to the news media, however, Moths said not just the classis but also the regional synod would be considering possible action. "Discipline is a possibility, and it is something the regional synod executive will be considering, it is on the agenda for our next meeting on June 11," said Moths. Classis representatives could not be reached for comment over the Memorial Day weekend. Rev. Merwin Van Doornik, church counsel for the former organist charging Rhem with sexual misconduct, declined comment until the Muskegon Classis decides whether to proceed to trial. "At the moment it's an issue between classis and the regional synod," said Van Doornik. "If they decide not to do anything with it, she needs to decide whether to appeal to the regional synod and then to the general synod." While Rhem's congregation has been consistently supportive of his ministry, a church trial could affect his ability and that of his church to affiliate with another denomination. The World Council of Churches' news service, the Geneva-based Ecumenical News International, reported on April 23 that Rhem was considering affiliation with the United Church of Christ. "[Rhem] said the congregation might become affiliated with the United Church of Christ (UCC), and that a new member of the congregation's clergy staff would be ordained this spring under UCC auspices," reported ENI. "Also, a UCC clergy couple were being added to the staff." Calls to Christ Community Church staff indicated that discussion of UCC affiliation by the church was premature, but confirmed that church staff members would be ordained under United Church of Christ auspices. The United Church of Christ has come under scrutiny in RCA circles for its "open and affirming" stance toward gay marriages and ordination of practicing homosexuals. This summer, RCA General Synod delegates will vote on a proposal to establish "full communion" between the RCA and three other denominations, including the United Church of Christ. Supporters of the proposal have argued that the RCA already has a loose affiliation with the Presbyterian Church (USA) and the United Church of Christ and that the proposal would simply establish closer ties with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America; opponents have argued that the current relationship with the UCC is ill-defined and should be reviewed in light of its stance on homosexuality and other issues. 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" 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 Roger W. Boer, Esq., Partner, Rhoades, McKee, Boer, Goodrich & Titta, Attorneys at Law 161 Ottawa Ave. NW, Suite 600, Grand Rapids, MI 49503-2793 O: (616) 235-3500 * FAX: (616) 459-5102 Hans Holznagel, Director, Office of Communication, The United Church of Christ 700 Prospect Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115-1100 O: (216) 736-2222 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. Steve Smallegan, Stated Clerk, Muskegon Classis 3025 Glenside Blvd., Muskegon, MI 49441 O: (616) 759-3238 * H: (616) 755-8446 * E-Mail: MuskegonMI@aol.com Rev. Merwin Van Doornik, Counsel for Appellant 1985 Driftwood Dr., Holland, MI 49424 H: (616) 786-9155 * O: (616) 728-9446 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: RSGLWeener@aol.com ---------------------------------------------------------- file: /pub/resources/text/reformed/archive97: nr97-057.txt .