By Lis Van Harten

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

Continuing education (CE) is a very important component of sustaining pastoral excellence. Pastors need opportunities to take time out of their regular schedules to refresh their minds and spirits with new learning. The CE events funded by the SPE program are aimed at doing just that. 

There have been 12 CE grants awarded to date which will result in 30 learning opportunities for CRC pastors. These events are presented in various formats:  one-day conferences, overnight retreats, and monthly seminars. Topics are varied and include marriage and divorce, prevention of pastoral burnout, church re-development, leadership, and worship. These opportunities are available in eight states and one province. (See the resources page on our website for details www.crcna.org/pastoralexcellence )

In October 2003, a two day conference entitled The Church: A CRC Leadership Conference was held in Lake View Terrace, California. This event was hosted by Calvin Theological Seminary and the Christian Reformed Home Missions Ministry Center in Bellflower, CA.  Its purpose was to explore issues of leadership in the church from biblical and theological foundations to practical ministry issues.

This event, which focused on non-Anglo pastors and ministry staff, was attended by almost 100 persons. The sessions led by ten presenters were either translated into or presented in Korean and Spanish. Conferees said that they “know and feel the CRC better” and that they “got insight on Reformed history and things we need to do in this culture”.

Kathy Smith, one of the event coordinators stated, “They (the attendees) gained a better understanding of the pastor’s role and the skills needed to survive long and well in the CRC which is especially important for those who are new to the denomination and often run into difficulties due to lack of understanding about issues such as church polity.”