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Updates 2005
Last Updated on July 7, 2005
July 7, 2005
Total grants awarded at the half way point of the SPE project
- Peer Learning Grants–$254,468
- Continuing Education Grants–$147,550
- Regional Pastors Grants–$81,075
- Grand Total - $478,093
SPE articles recently published:
- Art Schoonveld has been contracted to provide an evaluation of the SPE project to date.
- Persevering in Ministry, a collection of ten stories written by CRC pastors, has been sent to every: CRC council, ministry associate, person in specialized ministries, ministry candidate and those in the leadership development networks. This volume is available for purchase through Faith Alive.
- Effective Leadership in the Church, a training tool to help congregations, pastors, and other church leaders effectively work together to accomplish God?s mission, will be published by end of the summer.
- Work continues on a retirement training tool which will help pastors in the final years of ministry to finish strong and to help them plan for retirement.
- A Sustainability Task Force is currently exploring options for the future of the SPE project.
- The Spouses of Pastors Task Force has been formed to encourage and support CRC pastors–spouses. More details will be available in the months to come.
- Nine proposals for peer learning received funding in May:
- Asian-American Pastoral Ministry—MN, CA, CO, MI, NJ, ON, WI
Focus: preparing for the future of Asian churches in the CRCNA
- CNY Explorers–NY
Focus: developing pastoral identity, insight, and sustainability
- CRC Laotian Pastors–Group—IA, MN, CA, FL, MI
Focus: training in the Reformed faith and communication of the Gospel
- Interior BC Pastors–Leadership Network - BC
Focus: BC interior pastors sharing, praying, encouraging and equipping for effective ministry
- Manitoba Pastors–Peer Learning Group - MB
Focus: effective ministry and spiritual disciplines
- Ohio Pastors Exploring Ministry-Setting-Specific Missions—OH, KY
Focus: explore general issues of ministry-setting-specific missions
- Spiritual Direction and The Soul Care of Pastors - AB
Focus: engage in Spiritual Direction
- The Technology in Ministry Group - MI
Focus: effective use of Libronix Software for Biblical study and sermon preparation Funded by the Center for Excellence in Preaching
- Urban Mission in the CRC–NJ, IL, OH, IN, ON
Focus: explore cutting edge urban ministry models
- Nine proposals for continuing education events received funding in June:
- Chicago Christian Counseling Center–IL
"Being a Compass: Navigating the Perils of Adolescence"
For more information contact: Michelle VanNoord
Event to be held: July 11, 2005
- Christian Reformed Campus Ministry Association— IL
”The Mindful Minister: Pastoring the University Parish“
For more information contact: Tim Bossenbroek
Event to be held: May 17 &18, 2006
- Christian Reformed Home Missions - Great Lakes - MI
"Healthy Congregations"
For more information contact: Ben Becksvoort
Event dates to be determined
- Classis Chatham–ON
”Accepting the Call to Personal and Congregational Transformation“
- Classis Grand Rapids South Spiritual Growth and Prayer Committee–MI
”Learning to Recognize the Voice of God“
- Immanuel CRC–MI
Seminars from the Church Communication Network
For more information contact: Bob Huisman
Event dates to be determined
- Office of Race Relations, CRCNA - MI
"Workshop on Reconciliation"
For more information contact: Esteban Lugo
Event to be held: September 23-25, 2005
- Quiet Waters Ministries—ON, BC
"Leading with Courage through Congregational Conflict"
For more information contact: Jim Schlottman
Event dates to be determined
- The Church Connection Initiative at Trinity–IA
"Faith Engaged: The Church in Today’s World"
For more information contact: Jane Voss
Event to be held: October 5, 2005
Reminder of proposal deadlines:
- Regional Pastor Proposals: October 1
- Peer Learning Proposals: November 1
- Continuing Education Proposals: December 1
March 4, 2005
- Sustaining Pastoral Excellence at CTS published in the Forum by Kathy Smith.
- Healthy Congregations Head Outwards published in the Christian Courier by Jim Dekker.
- Are We Looking For and Developing Leaders? published in the Christian Courier by Jim Dekker.
- Peer Learning Groups Help Provide "Pastor Care" published in the Christian Courier by Rachel Boehm Van Harmelen
- Survey to assess the impact of the SPE program sent to 871 CRC pastors and clerks
- 51% of 40 peer learning groups funded by SPE will continue after their grant concludes
- To date, more than 450 pastors and 390 churches have been involved in the SPE program
- Work has begun on a second book – The first book, Persevering in Ministry, is a collection of ten stories written by CRC pastors.
- Mentoring Advisory Group has begun to meet – This group of five pastors will be a resource for the mentoring program.
- Peer Learning and Continuing Education application forms have been revised
- Twenty-eight group coordinators attend gathering in Grand Rapids, MI
- New pages added to website – Bibliography of SPE Published Materials - Grants Awarded
- Stories of grant recipients will be posted twice a month
- Pastor and spouses’ retreat available www.broomtreeministries.org - at no cost to the pastor couple
- The National Clergy Renewal Program offers grant awards of up to $45,000 to Christian congregations and their pastors to design a Sabbath renewal program that benefits and energizes the pastor and the church for their shared ministry. Deadline for applications is June 10, 2005. For more information on this program visit www.clergyrenewal.org
- Four proposals for continuing education events received funding in December:
- Calvin Theological Seminary/Pastor-Church Relations - MI
"Leading Congregations Through Change"
For more information contact: Kathy Smith
616-957-6043
Event to be held: October 25, 2005
- Classis Eastern Canada - ON
"Seeking Shalom – Caring For the Soul Through the Storms and Challenges of Ministry"
- Classis Greater Los Angeles - CA
"The Wolf Shall Dwell with the Lamb"
- Institute for Christian Studies - ON, AB
"Preaching and Teaching Good News Between the Times: The Promise of Truth in a World Adrift"
For more information contact: Leanne Maas Fernhout
416-979-2331 x235
Events to be held: April 26 and May 3, 2005
- Ten proposals for peer learning received funding in November:
- Exploring Healing to Build Healthy Churches – WA
Focus: how to minister holistically to those in need
- Good Shepherd’s Association – CA
Focus: personal development and ministry effectiveness in the church
- North Jersey Leadership Group – NJ
Focus: to become better Ephesians 4:12 leaders which will create healthier, growing churches
- Nurturing Committed Individuals II – NC, GA, FL
Focus: creating an environment of support and accountability while facing the challenges of ministry
- Second Chance – IN, MI, CA
Focus: spiritual wholeness in the midst of busy ministry
- 16 Lead-Changes This Half – MI
Focus: the development of a Biblical and Reformed understanding of pastoral leadership that will serve the church effectively in a 21st century context
- The Cultural Exegetes – AB, BC
Focus: to deepen the awareness of God’s common and saving graces in the post-modern culture and to expand homiletical capacity to proclaim these graces on terms set by the culture
Funded by the Center for Excellence in Preaching
- The Lunch Bunch – ON
Focus: growing together in character and spiritual formation
- The Revelation 7 Group – CA
Focus: to learn about the CRC in order to participate in it and to bond together in the Lord as pastors of their local region
- Toward Developing a Hispanic Pastoral Theology – PA, NJ
Focus: interpreting and applying God’s Word to the Hispanic context
- Reminder of proposal deadlines:
- Regional pastor proposals: April 1
- Peer learning proposals: May 1
- Continuing education proposals: June 1
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