I have been a member of Classis Chicago North for nearly four years, and though I have often been tempted to write publicly on the matter of the so-called “Timothy-Lawndale” struggle, I have refrained from doing so for several reasons. Primarily because I did not want to write anything that would aggravate an already explosive situation.
My hesitancy, however, has not been shared by many others outside the Cicero community who have debated this issue in other church and college papers, newspapers, and in public forums. It is most heartening that some who have previously gone into print all the matter, after visiting locally and conducting their own investigation, have not only refrained from writing further but have experienced a change of heart. It is to be understood, therefore, that I now write in response to the request of the Editor.
“We are seeking to provide a spiritual foundation upon which subsequent actions on the part of all concerned may be brought to a satisfactory conclusion.” Classis adopted the recommendations of the committee and implemented them immediately as follows:
“1. That Class is state its sorrow that this problem evolved and has reached the dimensions that it has, and that it has had such adverse implications for our denomination and for the kingdom of God.
“2. That Classis in its session today have a season of prayer that tlle Holy Spirit may give us guidance and direction in the proper solution of this problem.
“3. That the Pastors, Consistories, and Congregations engage in public and private prayer that a spirit of love and understanding may prevail for the solution of this problem.
“4. That due to the importance of this matter, a special session of Classis be called on November 10, 1970 to deal more fully with the Synodical declaration to Classis.
“5. That Classis appoint a committee to advise Classis at its special session as to how best respond to the Declarations of Synod of 1970.”
Classis met in special session on November 10, 1970. Howcver, before the Classis could receive, discuss, and deal with the report of the Advisory Committee we were informed that the Consistory of the Lawndale Christian Reformed Church had chosen not to send delegates to the meeting. This most irregular procedure only heightened the tensions already present. Classis found it necessary to remind the Lawndale Consistory of this violation of Article 40 of the Church Order which states: “The Consistory of each church shall delegate a minister and an elder to the c1assis.”
Classis adopted the recommendation of the Advisory Committee: “That Classis acknowledge its guilt and sorrow in failing to act in accord with the declarations on race of the Synods of 1968 and 1969 concerning the Timothy-Lawndale issue.” Classis declined to declare “that the practice of excluding black covenant children from the Timothy Christian School (Cicero) out of fear is disobedient to Christ.” However, Classis did appoint a committee of three to write a pastoral letter to the Timothy Christian School Board imploring it “to no longer countenance the exclusion of children of black Christians from its Cicero school.”
Classis also adopted an overture from the Elmhurst Consistory that Classis “appoint a committee for the purpose of negotiation.” The charge of this committee would be to call together representatives of the Lawndale Church and the Garfield Chapel, and representatives of the Timothy Christian School Board to discuss the problems confronting each in regards to the education of black children. “The goal of this committee is to help resolve the differences of the parties involved and develop a workable solution to the problems.” Committee members appointed were: Rev. O. Breen, Rev. A. Mulder, and Mr. J. Sharpe.
Classis met again on January 20, 1971. The Lawndale Consistory again refused to delegate representatives. They informed Classis that they would not “be able to participate meaningfully and fruitfully in Classis Chicago North as long as she stands in open disregard of the teachings of the Christian Reformed Church.” Rev. James La Grand of the Garfield Chapel was also absent from the session as he had separated himself from the Classis at the afternoon session on November 10, 1970. Classis again found it necessary to remind these brethren of their violation of the Church Order.
Classis also received an official reply from the Timothy Christian School Board to its pastoral letter. In response to the Board’s letter Classis decided to declare:
1. We are convinced that the Timothy Board is not excluding black children from its Cicero School because of racial prejudice.
2. We are convinced that the Timothy Board is sincere in its attempt to provide Christian education for all covenant children.
3. We are convinced that the Timothy Board has made progress in accommodating all covenant children. Grounds:
a. The Junior High School was moved from Cicero to Elmhurst and integrated (September 1970).
b. The Timothy Board is cooperating with the negotiating committee of Classis.
Classis also adopted and forwarded to Synod an Overture from the First Cicero Consistory, which requests clarification of the statement of the Synod of 1968 that members of the Christian Reformed Church who advocate the denial of full Christian fellowship and privilege in the church or in related organizations must be “dealt with according to the provisions of the Church Ordcr regarding Admonition and Discipline.” Classis now requests Synod to give assistance as to just how this decision is to be implemented in a case which involves a non-ecclesiastical organization, and when the Church Order recognizes that the task of admonition and discipline is the work of the local Consistory, and not Classis or Synod.
Classis also seeks clarification from Synod as to the meaning and interpretation of the phrase: “Be considered in contempt of Synod,” as used by the Synod of 1970.
Improvement to report – These are the decisions and actions of Classis Chicago North since the Synod of 1970, as the public record of the Minutes of Classis indicate. Classis Chicago North can report to Synod that the situation has improved in several important respects.
The Timothy Christian School Board has indicated its willingness to provide Christian education for children of all races from kindergarten through high school. Three of the four Timothy Christian School facilities are available for integrated education. Only the grade school in Cicero remains closed to black covenant children for the present. Classis has judged that the School Board has complied with the mandate of both the Classis and Synod.
Classis has also noted the openness and willingness of the Timothy School Board to negotiate. However, it must be admitted that the negotiating sessions have come to a stalemate after one meeting as the Lawndale-Garfield representatives refuse to attend.
Synod’s role – Neither have we detected throughout the struggle that the Synod desires to assume the necessary role of “mediator.” The members of the Timothy Christian School Society have not yet detected that the Synod wishes to deal with them in Christian love. It is most unfortunate that Synod willfully chose to use purely legal phraseology in adopting the phrase, “in contempt of Synod.”
Research in the Acts of Synod of many, many years has failed to bring to light ONE instance where previous Synods ever used language that clearly belongs to the world of jurisprudence. However, if the Synod of 1971 desires to maintain the use of that most unfortunate expression, it will resolutely remind those who have as far back as September 1970 privately and publicly judged Classis Chicago North “in contempt of Synod” that they do NOT know their courtroom procedures!!! Petitioners do NOT find respondents “in contempt” in any court in our land! It is the petitioner who must show just cause why the respondent in any legal action should be found “in contempt”—but the Court makes the judgment not the petitioner!
Does the Synod of the Christian Reformed Church as the highest assembly of the denomination wish to sit in judgment as a COURT OF LAW? If so, Synod will without any question have to find the Lawndale Consistory in contempt of the Classis for failure and refusal to delegate representatives to its sessions, and participate in its negotiations. Also, Synod will have to spell out concretely something that has also never been done before, just what effect such “contempt” judgment has on a Classis and its member churches.
Synod will also be hard put to answer a question which has been constantly asked and left unanswered since the decisions of the Synod of 1968 re the discipline of a non-ecclesiastical organization. The published record of the discussion of the Synod of 1963 on this matter which was left unchallenged demonstrates that the Synod was severely warned not to go in the dangerous direction of legislating things into future problems. (Cf. Torch and Trumpet, September, 1968, pages 11-13.) To my knowledge not one authority on Reformed Church Polity can be cited in support of Synod’s declaration.
If such support can be found it will be of great assistance to the Classis in its wrestling with the question of its jurisdiction over members of a private, not parochial, school hoard, of which NOT all are members of the Christian Reformed Church. What we do know “Church-Order” wise is that the 1968 Declarations on Race got to Synod in a most irregular manner which completely violated the regulations of the Church Order of the Christian Reformed Church, and so Synod acknowledged! (Cf. Acts of Synod 1968, Art. 36, IV., B. 1, pg. 18.) It is also true, however, that Classis Chicago North failed the Synod and the church at large in not seeking clarification of this matter as far back as the Synod of 1969.
In God’s providence the Synod of 1971 will be faced with this problem and the report of the Committee on the “Investigation of Membership Losses.” At a time when the Synod has expressed its concern over the transfer of members to other denominations, it will be interesting to see if Synod demonstrates the same concern toward the churches and the 6000 members of Classis Chicago North. At a time of great unrest in the denomination it is hoped and prayed that this forthcoming Synod will recognize that this is a problem not confined to Cicero, Illinois, or Classis Chicago North, or the Timothy Christian School Association, and work in love toward the lessening, not the heightening of the tensions and problems.
Garrett H. Stoutmeyer, pastor of the Christian Reformed Church of Elmhurst, Illinois, has kindly complied with the editor’s request that he provide the following on the Timothy-Lawndale situation.
My hesitancy, however, has not been shared by many others outside the Cicero community who have debated this issue in other church and college papers, newspapers, and in public forums. It is most heartening that some who have previously gone into print all the matter, after visiting locally and conducting their own investigation, have not only refrained from writing further but have experienced a change of heart. It is to be understood, therefore, that I now write in response to the request of the Editor.
“We are seeking to provide a spiritual foundation upon which subsequent actions on the part of all concerned may be brought to a satisfactory conclusion.” Classis adopted the recommendations of the committee and implemented them immediately as follows:
“1. That Class is state its sorrow that this problem evolved and has reached the dimensions that it has, and that it has had such adverse implications for our denomination and for the kingdom of God.
“2. That Classis in its session today have a season of prayer that tlle Holy Spirit may give us guidance and direction in the proper solution of this problem.
“3. That the Pastors, Consistories, and Congregations engage in public and private prayer that a spirit of love and understanding may prevail for the solution of this problem.
“4. That due to the importance of this matter, a special session of Classis be called on November 10, 1970 to deal more fully with the Synodical declaration to Classis.
“5. That Classis appoint a committee to advise Classis at its special session as to how best respond to the Declarations of Synod of 1970.”
Classis met in special session on November 10, 1970. Howcver, before the Classis could receive, discuss, and deal with the report of the Advisory Committee we were informed that the Consistory of the Lawndale Christian Reformed Church had chosen not to send delegates to the meeting. This most irregular procedure only heightened the tensions already present. Classis found it necessary to remind the Lawndale Consistory of this violation of Article 40 of the Church Order which states: “The Consistory of each church shall delegate a minister and an elder to the c1assis.”
Classis adopted the recommendation of the Advisory Committee: “That Classis acknowledge its guilt and sorrow in failing to act in accord with the declarations on race of the Synods of 1968 and 1969 concerning the Timothy-Lawndale issue.” Classis declined to declare “that the practice of excluding black covenant children from the Timothy Christian School (Cicero) out of fear is disobedient to Christ.” However, Classis did appoint a committee of three to write a pastoral letter to the Timothy Christian School Board imploring it “to no longer countenance the exclusion of children of black Christians from its Cicero school.”
Classis also adopted an overture from the Elmhurst Consistory that Classis “appoint a committee for the purpose of negotiation.” The charge of this committee would be to call together representatives of the Lawndale Church and the Garfield Chapel, and representatives of the Timothy Christian School Board to discuss the problems confronting each in regards to the education of black children. “The goal of this committee is to help resolve the differences of the parties involved and develop a workable solution to the problems.” Committee members appointed were: Rev. O. Breen, Rev. A. Mulder, and Mr. J. Sharpe.
Classis met again on January 20, 1971. The Lawndale Consistory again refused to delegate representatives. They informed Classis that they would not “be able to participate meaningfully and fruitfully in Classis Chicago North as long as she stands in open disregard of the teachings of the Christian Reformed Church.” Rev. James La Grand of the Garfield Chapel was also absent from the session as he had separated himself from the Classis at the afternoon session on November 10, 1970. Classis again found it necessary to remind these brethren of their violation of the Church Order.
Classis also received an official reply from the Timothy Christian School Board to its pastoral letter. In response to the Board’s letter Classis decided to declare:
1. We are convinced that the Timothy Board is not excluding black children from its Cicero School because of racial prejudice.
2. We are convinced that the Timothy Board is sincere in its attempt to provide Christian education for all covenant children.
3. We are convinced that the Timothy Board has made progress in accommodating all covenant children. Grounds:
a. The Junior High School was moved from Cicero to Elmhurst and integrated (September 1970).
b. The Timothy Board is cooperating with the negotiating committee of Classis.
Classis also adopted and forwarded to Synod an Overture from the First Cicero Consistory, which requests clarification of the statement of the Synod of 1968 that members of the Christian Reformed Church who advocate the denial of full Christian fellowship and privilege in the church or in related organizations must be “dealt with according to the provisions of the Church Ordcr regarding Admonition and Discipline.” Classis now requests Synod to give assistance as to just how this decision is to be implemented in a case which involves a non-ecclesiastical organization, and when the Church Order recognizes that the task of admonition and discipline is the work of the local Consistory, and not Classis or Synod.
Classis also seeks clarification from Synod as to the meaning and interpretation of the phrase: “Be considered in contempt of Synod,” as used by the Synod of 1970.
Improvement to report – These are the decisions and actions of Classis Chicago North since the Synod of 1970, as the public record of the Minutes of Classis indicate. Classis Chicago North can report to Synod that the situation has improved in several important respects.
The Timothy Christian School Board has indicated its willingness to provide Christian education for children of all races from kindergarten through high school. Three of the four Timothy Christian School facilities are available for integrated education. Only the grade school in Cicero remains closed to black covenant children for the present. Classis has judged that the School Board has complied with the mandate of both the Classis and Synod.
Classis has also noted the openness and willingness of the Timothy School Board to negotiate. However, it must be admitted that the negotiating sessions have come to a stalemate after one meeting as the Lawndale-Garfield representatives refuse to attend.
Synod’s role – Neither have we detected throughout the struggle that the Synod desires to assume the necessary role of “mediator.” The members of the Timothy Christian School Society have not yet detected that the Synod wishes to deal with them in Christian love. It is most unfortunate that Synod willfully chose to use purely legal phraseology in adopting the phrase, “in contempt of Synod.”
Research in the Acts of Synod of many, many years has failed to bring to light ONE instance where previous Synods ever used language that clearly belongs to the world of jurisprudence. However, if the Synod of 1971 desires to maintain the use of that most unfortunate expression, it will resolutely remind those who have as far back as September 1970 privately and publicly judged Classis Chicago North “in contempt of Synod” that they do NOT know their courtroom procedures!!! Petitioners do NOT find respondents “in contempt” in any court in our land! It is the petitioner who must show just cause why the respondent in any legal action should be found “in contempt”—but the Court makes the judgment not the petitioner!
Does the Synod of the Christian Reformed Church as the highest assembly of the denomination wish to sit in judgment as a COURT OF LAW? If so, Synod will without any question have to find the Lawndale Consistory in contempt of the Classis for failure and refusal to delegate representatives to its sessions, and participate in its negotiations. Also, Synod will have to spell out concretely something that has also never been done before, just what effect such “contempt” judgment has on a Classis and its member churches.
Synod will also be hard put to answer a question which has been constantly asked and left unanswered since the decisions of the Synod of 1968 re the discipline of a non-ecclesiastical organization. The published record of the discussion of the Synod of 1963 on this matter which was left unchallenged demonstrates that the Synod was severely warned not to go in the dangerous direction of legislating things into future problems. (Cf. Torch and Trumpet, September, 1968, pages 11-13.) To my knowledge not one authority on Reformed Church Polity can be cited in support of Synod’s declaration.
If such support can be found it will be of great assistance to the Classis in its wrestling with the question of its jurisdiction over members of a private, not parochial, school hoard, of which NOT all are members of the Christian Reformed Church. What we do know “Church-Order” wise is that the 1968 Declarations on Race got to Synod in a most irregular manner which completely violated the regulations of the Church Order of the Christian Reformed Church, and so Synod acknowledged! (Cf. Acts of Synod 1968, Art. 36, IV., B. 1, pg. 18.) It is also true, however, that Classis Chicago North failed the Synod and the church at large in not seeking clarification of this matter as far back as the Synod of 1969.
In God’s providence the Synod of 1971 will be faced with this problem and the report of the Committee on the “Investigation of Membership Losses.” At a time when the Synod has expressed its concern over the transfer of members to other denominations, it will be interesting to see if Synod demonstrates the same concern toward the churches and the 6000 members of Classis Chicago North. At a time of great unrest in the denomination it is hoped and prayed that this forthcoming Synod will recognize that this is a problem not confined to Cicero, Illinois, or Classis Chicago North, or the Timothy Christian School Association, and work in love toward the lessening, not the heightening of the tensions and problems.
Garrett H. Stoutmeyer, pastor of the Christian Reformed Church of Elmhurst, Illinois, has kindly complied with the editor’s request that he provide the following on the Timothy-Lawndale situation.