Classis Renewal Ministry Team

A Classis is a regional governing body within the Christian Reformed Church. Classis members are representatives sent by local congregations to attend the biannual meetings of a classis. There are currently 47 classes within the United Stated and Canada (see them all and link to their websites).

Classis Renewal is an approach to improving the efficiency and ministry of a classis. Renewal focuses on self-assessment, strategic planning, and determining the mission focus of a classis (by working through differences to create a mission statement). Renewal also means that a Classis meeting is not just a business meeting, but has a ministry function of its own; one which should include prayer and spiritual growth.

The Classis Renewal Ministry Team (CRMT) exists to foster vital, healthy classes within the Christian Reformed Church of North America (CRCNA). It does this consistent with the denomination’s vision of “a diverse family of healthy congregations, assemblies, and ministries expressing the good news of God’s kingdom that transforms lives and communities worldwide.”

The CRMT is a group of ministry leaders convened by The Network, who believe that classes are healthiest when they function as communities of fellowship, prayer, and spiritual growth; when they create and sustain healthy congregations; and when they facilitate shared ministry that is missional and transformational for individuals, neighborhoods and regions. With this in mind, the CRMT partners with classical leaders to pray, think, and plan how their classis can:

• Work purposefully and creatively to be a healthy assembly of the church
• Plan and participate in regional resource networks and other venues of collaboration
• Encourage prayer, spiritual growth and faithful Christian living among leaders and congregations
• Share learning, stories, and helpful practices
• Connect pastoral and other congregational leaders with coaching and other resources
• Advocate that the denomination’s expectations for good order are fulfilled
• Monitor benchmarks of classical vitality and take action as appropriate

CRMT Members

Karl Westerhof, Interim Classis Coach
Jeanne Kallemeyn, Pastor-Church Relations
Doug Kamstra, Classis Grandville
Thea Leunk, Classis Grand Rapids East (Chair)
Andy Ryskamp, Christian Reformed World Relief Committee
Ben VandeZande, Home Missions

Classis Coach

The Classis Coach serves as a resource to the CRCNA Classes to strengthen their health and ministry and supports classis staff through coaching and connecting them to resources. Contact Karl Westerhof to access the resources of the Classis Coach.

The Classis Network

The Network - www.crcna.org/Network - is a site where people around the denomination come to share stories, resources and have conversations about ministry. Classis has its own section, hosted by Paul Vander Klay. It is a one-stop place for everything classis - resources, articles, discussions and much more. Check it out, sign -up and join in the conversation!