Included here is the correspondence (certain names altered to the appropriate aliases) I mentioned in the introduction to the first episode of VeraVox.  Enjoy!  Put a pillow on that desk in case you’re tempted to slam your head.

Sent 8/22/2018

TO: The Council, Aetna Christian Reformed Church

FROM: Rev. Simon Templar

RE: Grounds for Suspension from Office

DATE: August 22, 2018

CC: 12, 11

Gentlemen:

I am in the process of trying to get my ministerial credentials transferred to Classis Z–, and I will soon be meeting with representatives of Classis Northern Michigan in order to accomplish this. Part of this process involves informing the appropriate personnel in Classis Z– of what transpired at the time of my termination from Aetna Church.

At the October 27, 2015 Council meeting, I was suspended from pulpit duties and other pastoral responsibilities and privileges for three weeks. I was also essentially banned from attending my own church. I was not present at the service, but on Sunday, November 1, following the morning service, I understand that all six elders and deacons stood on the platform (presumably as a “show” of unity) and announced my suspension to the congregation. You may remember this occasion. When 11 made the announcement, 42 immediately asked, “On what grounds?” In response, something was said about a “breakdown in communication.”

What I need to know is:

1. What was the official reason for my suspension, and was it grounded in the Church Order?

2. Which local consistory concurred with the suspension? I would need documentation from the consistory that agreed with Aetna’s decision to suspend me, but I don’t know which one it was. I have not been in a service at Aetna Church since October 25, 2015, the week before my suspension from the pulpit began.

Finally, I would like a copy of the minutes recorded at the October 27 Council meeting when I was suspended.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. Please let me know as soon as possible the amount of time you will need to procure this information.

If you have any questions, please contact me:

[phone] / [email]

Thank you,

Rev. S. Templar

Sent 8/29/2018

Hi Simon,

I have attached the minutes of October 6 and 27th meetings.

I do not wish to engage in debate over procedures or church order. As you are aware, I wasn’t on council at the time and when members were commissioned, I agreed to respect their leadership.

I understand that through this whole situation “Church Counselors”,  “Synodical Deputies” and a “Classical Interim Committee” have been involved.

 

I have sent this to you and the stated clerk of classsis.

Sincerely,

76

Sent 9/3/2018

Hello, 76.  Thank you for the minutes from October 6 and October 27 of 2015.  They made for interesting reading.   

With regard to your response:  I have to confess, it’s not clear to me why you included the statement, “I do not wish to engage in debate.”  I went back over my recent letter to the Council (see attached) and read it a couple of times.  I apologize if I wasn’t clear enough.  It certainly wasn’t my intent to debate about the Church Order.  As I stated, I have been in discussion with personnel from Classis Z–, and two of the delegates made inquiry into my suspension from October of 2015.  I am following up based on their interest and because my own curiosity has been piqued. 

I believe my request can be summarized in three questions:

1.  What was the official reason for my suspension?

2.  Was the Church Order used to justify the suspension, and if so, on what grounds?  (See Articles 82 & 83 of the Church Order.) 

3.  Which local consistory concurred with the suspension?

Since I was aware that neither you, nor 77, nor 89 were on Council at the time of my suspension, I copied 11 and 12 on my letter.  I’m sure either one of them would be able to provide you with answers to the above questions.   

I must also admit that I’m puzzled by your reference to Church Counselors, Synodical Deputies, and the Classical Interim Committee.  Would you please explain to me why you mentioned their involvement?  I’m just not clear about how the activities of these denominational officials is relevant to my letter.               

Finally, in your response from August 29, you did not say that you were writing on behalf of the Council.  Were you speaking for the other Council members in your note below, or for yourself alone?  

Thank you once again for sending the minutes last Wednesday.  I apologize for the delay in responding– I had computer problems Thursday night which got fixed on Saturday, and I was busy all day Sunday. 

S. Templar

Sent 9/8/2018

Simon,

I have talked to current and former elders. I will make this brief.

Clearly the reason for the suspension of pulpit responsibility was your response to recommendations made by council. It was that response that that signaled the end of our relationship. To quote one elder “ everyone present was shocked, including Pastors 22 and 21.”

Since this was a temporary relief, as stated in the minutes, it didn’t need concurrence with Prosper CRC.

Since Classis is now handling this, please refer further questions to the CIC.
Thanks, 76 

From the Series The Gospel According to Matthew. (aka ‘That Matthew Stuff!’)

September 7, 2014.

Matt. 17:1-13. (NIV)

After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. ² There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. ³ Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.

⁴ Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.”

⁵ While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”

⁶ When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. ⁷ But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” ⁸ When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.

⁹ As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”

¹⁰ The disciples asked him, “Why then do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?”

¹¹ Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things. ¹² But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they wished. In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands.” ¹³ Then the disciples understood that he was talking to them about John the Baptist.

FEBRUARY 1, 2015 AM: Sit and Be Blessed. (Luke 10:38-42)

Luke 10:38-42 (NIV)

³⁸ As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. ³⁹ She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. ⁴⁰ But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

⁴¹ “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, ⁴² but few things are needed—or indeed only one.^[a] Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

 

Preached exactly 3 years and one week ago at the time of posting.

Phil. 1:9-18 (NIV)

⁹ And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, ¹⁰ so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, ¹¹ filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

Paul’s Chains Advance the Gospel

¹² Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters,^[a] that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. ¹³ As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard^[b] and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. ¹⁴ And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.

¹⁵ It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. ¹⁶ The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. ¹⁷ The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. ¹⁸ But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.

Yes, and I will continue to rejoice…

*No, I’m not kidding. You see, even the charges about the preaching were trumped up.  People repeating the mantra were either confused or lying. -ekk.

Phil. 1:1-11 (NIV)

Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus,

To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons^[a]:

² Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Thanksgiving and Prayer

³ I thank my God every time I remember you. ⁴ In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy ⁵ because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, ⁶ being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

⁷ It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. ⁸ God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.

⁹ And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, ¹⁰ so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, ¹¹ filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.