By Lis Van Harten

(First appeared in the May 2005 issue of Ministry Reports to Classes and Councils)

Who pastors the pastor? This is an interesting and important question. Pastors spend a good portion of their time pastoring their congregants. This allows congregants the opportunity to have someone to talk to, to pray for them, and to encourage them. After spending some time with their pastor, they are better able to carry on. Pastors too need someone to talk to, to pray for them and to encourage them. This is part of the regional pastor’s role.

Each classis has at least one regional pastor who, in addition to his full time position as a parish pastor, volunteers to provide support to fellow pastors, their spouses, and their congregations. Classes range in size from 10 to 41 churches. This can result in the regional pastor getting stretched too thin.

The SPE program offers matching grants to classes which enables them to hire a part-time regional pastor whose sole task is to pastor the pastors of the classis. To date five classes have been granted funds for up to three years: Alberta North, Alberta South, Grand Rapids East, Greater Los Angeles, and Southern California.

“The key to successful ministry is collegial relationships with one another. This takes personal contact,” says Gary Stevens, stated clerk for Classis Greater LA. “The deeper the relationships that are formed, the stronger they [pastors] will be in handling their own ministries.”

“One of the intangible benefits is that all pastors know that the regional pastor is available for consultation if they have a matter they wish to discuss,” reports George Vander Weit, stated clerk for Grand Rapids East. “This is something that diminishes the sense of isolation.”

Classes are encouraged to consider this opportunity. Application forms are available on line at www.crcna.org/pastoralexcellence. The next deadline is October 1, 2005