By Lis Van Harten

(First appeared in the January 2004 issue of Ministry Reports to Classes and Councils)

It’s been one year since the Sustaining Pastoral Excellence (SPE) program was announced. During this time SPE has directly impacted a significant segment of our denomination.

Twelve peer learning groups received funding in May. These groups were composed of 82 pastors, representing 64 congregations from eight states and two provinces. Peer learning offers pastors an opportunity for encouragement, study and support. Rob Jansons, coordinator of The Puget Sound Peer Preaching Group in Washington says, “Some of the guys in our group are somewhat isolated geographically from other CRC churches and really appreciate the time together.” The Hamilton Area CRC Pastors’ Network meets in Ontario. Coordinator Bart Velthuizen reports, “SPE affords us a wonderful avenue to learn together and from each other.”

The Messiness of Marriage and the Knottiness of Divorce is one of five continuing education events funded by SPE. One participant of a recent conference appreciated what he called, “a truly outstanding presentation.” Henry Gunnink, event coordinator for a series of seminars on pastoral ministry in Ontario, says of their first session, “It whet my appetite for more and I'm already eagerly looking forward to our next session.”

In early spring, Calvin senior seminarians met with SPE representatives to discuss the mentoring program they’ll be involved in upon graduation. Roundtable meetings have been held across Canada and the US with pastors currently in mentoring relationships. Recently CRC regional pastors met in Grand Rapids. Pastor Gordon Pols said of the conference, “We were nurtured in our souls, spirits and minds with a rich diet of information and material.”

These programs and events dedicated to pastoral excellence are made possible by funds from Lilly Endowment Inc. For information, call 877.279.9994 (toll free), email pastoralexcellence@crcna.org or on the web www.crcna.org/pastoralexcellence