George Vander Weit

I already apologized to Bill Vis, the stated clerk of Classis Grand Rapids North, for what he considered an "insult to his classis," but I need to do it again--a double apology!!  I know you're sick of retired people telling you how busy they are, but I've attempted to do these posts in a schedule that's already pretty full. Last night on a plane back from Texas I reread Overture 20 which is asking for an amendment of Church Order Article 47.  It's obvious that this refers  to the Belhar Confession. I missed that and broadened the reference to the revision of the three Confessions.  Mea culpa.

I still believe that synod should defeat this overture, but it's obvious that its sole reference is to the Belhar (and to any other confessional matters).

On the plane I also read something that is relative to another post I wrote.  The post was online for a half day or so, but I asked that it be pulled so I could revise it.  Credibility is enhanced  when it's evident that you're accurate about  what you're talking about!! :-)

Fernando, is there anything specific that makes you say "Could it be this 'people of color' issue is aggravating leadership & political dynamics in our spiritual church body?"

Fernando, you did more than wonder.  You led us in a specific direction when you said, '"Could it be this 'people of color' issue is aggravating leadership & political dynamics in our spiritual church body?"  That's why I asked if you had anything specific that made you say this.   It sounds as if you're playing the race card.

It sounds so wonderful to say "Scripture alone should be our guide."  Would any Christian deny that?   Difficulty arises because various people say, "This is what Scripture says."   The result is that there are multiple assertions about what Scripture says.  In the face of that reality, it's pretty meaningless to say, "Scripture alone should be our guide."  What Scripture are  we then talking about--interpretation A, B, C, D or my own interpretation?

Some folks object to creeds and say, "No creed but Christ!"  When you ask them what they believe about Christ, they say: He is the divine Son of God who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, buried, resurrected, sits at God's right hand and is coming again."  In other words they construct what we know as the Apostles' Creed.

The church adopts creeds and confessions, not to supplant Scripture, but to say, "We believe this is what Scripture says."The Belgic Confession says that Scripture is the supreme authority in a Christian's life.  To say "I subscribe to that" in no way takes away from the authority of Scripture.

The committee that designed the one-week synod recommended that the 12 people who received the highest nominating votes of the delegates be placed on the ballot.  In an overture to synod Classis Lake Erie observed that this would almost certainly guarantee that all the officers would be ministers since ministers are more well known denomination wide than are elders.  The overture asked that three elders be placed on each ballot no matter how their vote totals compared to those of ministers.  Thus, three elders who receive the highest number of nomination votes are placed on each ballot.  If three elders are not nominated by the delegates, ministers are added so each ballot has 12 names.  This has made a big difference in the leadership of synod because since this provision has been in place elders have served regularly as one of synod's officers.