SMC - Highlights

Highlights of the SMC Meeting held Thursday, April 10, 2008:

The six members of the SMC (Joan Beelen, Brad Bierma, Jeanne Kallemeyn, Laura Keeley, Ruth Ann Schuringa and Norm Thomasma) met for the day in a conference room at Calvin Theological Seminary.

The morning activities included:

• Getting to know each other (this was Brad’s first face-to-face meeting with the group)
• An update on the recent and growing connection between Faith Alive Christian Resources and the Association for Christian Reformed Educators (ACRE). Jolanda Malburg, teacher trainer and consultant for Faith Alive, and Laura Keeley, ACRE Coordinator, led the discussion. For more information about ACRE visit the website at www.churcheducators.org or contact Laura Keeley.
• An update on the recently formed group called “The Link” for CRC youth pastors in the West Michigan area. For more information about how similar groups can be formed in other areas, please contact Kevin VanWyhe, Youth Ministry Director at Ivanrest CRC in Grandville MI, at youthdir@ivanrestcrc.org  
• An update on the credentialing process for church staff ministry people. A report was presented in March and is currently being reviewed by denominational leaders to determine an implementation plan. To request a copy of the report, contact Jeanne Kallemeyn, Staff Ministry Specialist for Pastor-Church Relations, or phone 616-726-1152.

Rev. David Koll, Director of Candidacy for the Candidacy Committee, joined us for lunch. We learned about each other’s ministries and explored ways we could work together in identifying and supporting people seeking ministry positions in CRC congregations.

The afternoon was spent in a re-visioning exercise, led by Joan Beelen. Six priorities for SMC were identified, along with suggestions for how to accomplish them.