In last Friday’s blog we looked at Moses’ proclamation in Deuteronomy 4.8, “And what great nation is there, that has statutes and rules so righteous as all this law that I set before you today?”

I was amazed to see this truth in action as many members of our church Consistory (elders and deacons) attended the denominational Classis meeting last week.  The particular commandment area we saw was love – love God, love your neighbor, and speak the truth in love.

Our church is moving through the steps of leaving our current denomination.  I confess that our committee leading the process has often worked itself up in anger at the documents we would read about church politics, practices, and statements. Some of us attended a very contentious General Synod meeting in 2012 and prickly Classis meetings the last couple of years. The atmosphere and process were way different Tuesday night as a different church in our Classis had moved ahead of us and reached the stage where a vote was held on whether to allow them to leave.

The other church had set the tone with a well-written petition, telling the differences they have with the denomination, but concentrating on the Book of Church Order phrase “for the good of the kingdom.” The Classis committee that reviewed their petition reciprocated – they appreciated the concerns, expressed their disagreement, but spoke well of the Peace people and process.

There were three settings where I saw and felt the blessings of God’s righteous statutes:

1. Table discussions. This was a good idea to let delegates discuss issues in small groups.  At my table, my preparations paid off when the fellow on my left asked “what are the issues?”  Other delegates did not all agree with my interpretation but we reached an understanding of each position.

2. The parliamentary process discussion was more than collegial; there were wisdom statements about the appropriate way for the Classis group to proceed.  Several people had clearly been thinking and praying about what to say.

3. The votes were astounding – first to eliminate any requirement of a large payment by the church to the Classis, and then to allow them to leave with their building.

The patient approach of the other church was marvelous – striving to be clear, striving not to offend, humbly appealing to the established denominational rules.  It could have been a powder keg, but love and peace reigned.

And, as a bonus, our van stopped at Culvers afterwards for milk shakes.