In its report to Synod 2009 the Candidacy Committee offers the Christian Reformed Church a variety of suggested initiatives to support and honor those serving as Ministry Associates. A number of these initiatives are articulated here with the hope that they will spur congregations, classes, and the denominational ministries as a whole to give appropriate honor and support to Ministry Associates.
1. Acknowledging Retirement
Our church order has an entire Article (Article 18) that deals with giving honor to those who retire as Ministers of the Word and regulates their care and service. Although it is likely not necessary to make an exactly similar set of denominational rules and regulations in this area for Ministry Associates, the Candidacy Committee does believe it would be fitting to honor retiring Ministry Associates in some way. Thus, the Candidacy Committee encourages classes to acknowledge and honor those completing service as a Ministry Associate when such a person reaches retirement age, or who because of physical or mental disability is incapable of performing the duties of the office. Appropriate announcements can also be made to the rest of the denomination through our denominational publications.
2. Advocate for More Exposure
Those serving as Ministry Associates and the ministry they represent are often anonymous and un-noticed. Certainly this is a characteristic of any “servant calling”, yet there are opportunities to encourage and support Ministry Associates and their ministries that are worthy and proper. Well written articles in the Banner, a celebration at the classical or congregational level, a prayer moment on the floor of synod – all these and more are simple yet meaningful ways that Ministry Associates can be supported. The Banner is likely to allow classes to announce the ordination of Ministry Associates into ministry in the same way they announce the ordination of Ministers of the Word.
The Candidacy Committee, therefore, encourages synodical ministries, classes, and local churches to make a concerted effort to highlight the work being done by Ministry Associates who serve among us, through use of publications and corporate moments of celebration.
3. Creation of a denominational “Ministry Associate Profile Information Service”
Those serving as Ministry Associates and those who wish to serve lack a formal “networking” mechanism within our denomination. Such a network would be of help to potential and existing Ministry Associates, and also to ministries who are seeking such persons. The Candidacy Committee feels this could be a project assigned by Synod to the Pastor-Church Relations Office, which handles the current Minister Information Service, and to the Staff Ministry Committee, which is already gathering information about existing persons serving as ministry associates. The Director of Candidacy is in discussion with the Director of pastor Church Relations regarding the feasibility and implementation of this profile and information database. Those interested in the progress being made in this initiative can contact the CRC Pastor-Church Relations office.
4. A Summary Report at Synod
Finally, Ministry Associates can be more “honored” at Synod. As Synod’s practice of recognizing the candidates for Ministry of the Word each year is a highlight for candidates as well as for many synodical delegates, similar recognition can be given to those ordained to the office of Ministry Associate. With the conscientious help of the clerks of each classis, a list could be made each year listing all those who have been ordained to the office of Ministry Associate in the past year, along with the task to which they have been ordained. This same report could note those who have retired in the past year (as was mentioned in item B-3 above). Such a report could be received as information, accompanied with a moment of celebration and prayer for any new or retiring Ministry Associates who are present. By doing so we would do a more effective job of celebrating the work God is doing through Ministry Associates.
