by Ruth Donker
(First appeared in the May 2004 issue of The Banner.)
Classis Greater Los Angeles is providing a new source of support and mentoring to Christian Reformed pastors in the Los Angeles area. Rev. Sid Sybenga, pastor of Hope Community Christian Reformed Church in Arcadia, Calif., is the new Peer Relations Developer—a part-time position he took on last fall.
The position was created by the classis “to help pastors aspire to their God-given potential as leaders by developing strong and supportive collegial relationships and mentoring networks . . . so that every pastor is part of a support system through which they feel valued, connected, and contributing,” according to the mission statement.
Sybenga’s job is to form relationships with all pastors in the classis, to encourage them, and to tend to their spiritual needs. It’s a tall order, but Sybenga enjoys it immensely. The best part, he says, is hearing the stories of pastors and churches. Because his wife, Adriana, is co-pastor of Hope Community, he is free to spend half his time visiting pastors. Sybenga met with 50 pastors in the past three months and finds his work exciting and rewarding. He views it as an “encouragement” ministry, one that holds pastors accountable but mainly gives them the opportunity to share their problems, joys, and successes.
Sybenga hopes to form groups of ministers who will meet together with him for fellowship as well. For example, when he extended an invitation to see a play in Hollywood, 24 pastors and their spouses responded.
The Sustaining Pastoral Excellence program of the CRC, funded by a Lilly Foundation grant, gave Classis Greater Los Angeles a three-year declining grant to support this position. The classis pays the reminder and is looking for others ways to continue funding the position.
Carl Kromminga Jr., pastor at New City CRC in Long Beach, Calif., is enthusiastic about Sybenga’s work. “Our classis is changing and growing so much that it’s important to have a networking system. It’s a wonderful way to stay connected with one another,” he said.
