A local congregation may disaffiliate from the denomination only
according to the following procedure:
a. A church council which adopts a resolution to disaffiliate
from the denomination shall inform its classis of its actions,
ordinarily at the next scheduled meeting of classis. The council
shall provide written grounds for its intention to withdraw.
b. Classis shall appoint representatives to meet with the council
to attempt to dissuade the council from such action.
Representatives of classis shall have the opportunity to meet in
person with the council and to present written rebuttal to the
council’s grounds. Meetings between the council and classical
representatives shall continue no longer than two months unless
both parties agree to a continuation.
c. If the council is not dissuaded by the classical
representatives and wishes to continue the disaffiliation
process, the council shall issue a call for a congregational
meeting. It will present together with this call its written
grounds for disaffiliation and any written rebuttal presented by
the classical representatives.
d. Representatives of classis shall be informed of the time and
location of congregational meetings at which a congregation’s
withdrawal from the denomination is being considered and shall be
given opportunity to persuade the congregation to remain within
the denomination.
e. At the congregational meeting a preliminary vote may be taken
following the discussion. If a majority favors withdrawal, a
second meeting to confirm this decision shall be scheduled no
earlier than one month and no later than one year following.
f. If the second congregational vote favors disaffiliation and
the council follows through on its decision to disaffiliate,
classis shall provide for the pastoral care of those members who
wish to remain within the denomination.
g. If the congregation wishes to disaffiliate from the
denomination, classis (and synod upon appeal) shall settle any
disputes between differing factions within the disaffiliating
congregation. The separation will be complete when classis (or
synod upon appeal) declares it acquiesces in the decision of the
congregation to disaffiliate from the denomination.
(Acts of Synod 1997, pp. 613-14)