SMC - Initiatives

• In April of 2004 SMC was awarded a grant from the CRC Foundation to fund its work. The funds were used to conduct a professional survey of all CRCNA churches and to fund face-to-face meetings of SMC enabling the members who are not from West Michigan to attend.
• In June of 2004 SMC contracted with the Center for Social Research (CSR) at Calvin College to design and implement a survey that was sent to all the Christian Reformed Churches in North America, asking them to identify all paid ministry staff in their respective churches. A follow up letter was sent to almost 800 ministry staff confirming the information that we received, informing them of SMC’s work and asking them to share what things were important to them. As of spring, 2008, that number has increased to over 1,200 ministry staff which are included in SMC’s database.
• In April of 2005 an in-depth, on-line survey (also created with the help of the CSR at Calvin) was posted on the CRC web site and the 800 ministry staff were encouraged to complete it. That survey remains on-line and can be accessed at www.crcna.org/staffministry/survey (when asked for a staff code, enter “9999”) The many responses received have helped us greatly as we interpret the data and determine specific action steps to take. Related story in The Banner: CRC Aims to Support Church Staff
• Early on SMC recognized the value of collaborating with existing groups already representing individual disciplines. Our relationship with ACRE (Association of Christian Reformed Educators has grown with the addition of Laura Keeley, its coordinator, to SMC. In the spring of 2008, ACRE joined with Faith Alive Resources in several initiatives aimed at church educators. A long established connection with ARYP (Association of Reformed Youth Pastors) continues with the recent addition of Brad Bierma, Director of Student Ministries at New Life CRC in Grand Junction, CO to SMC. In the spring of 2008, SMC is pleased to recommend the newly formed group for youth pastors called “The Link.” Information can be gotten from Kevin VanWyhe, Youth Ministry Director at Ivanrest CRC in Grandville MI at youthdir@ivanrestcrc.org
• In October of 2005 SMC was asked by the Denominational Ministries Plan Scorecard (MPS) to develop a process whereby ministry staff in the CRC could attain a credentialed status. SMC accepted this mandate as a Deployment Team of the MPS. In March of 2008 they presented the final report. Currently the credentialing process is being reviewed by denominational leaders for implementation. A copy of the report can be requested from Jeanne Kallemeyn, Staff Ministry Specialist, Pastor-Church Relations Office or phone 616-726-1152.
• SMC desires to include non-ordained church staff ministry leaders in the larger conversation regarding leadership development and options for ministry within the churches of the CRCNA. SMC is working with Rev. David Koll, Director of Candidacy for the Candidacy Committee in this regard. For more information about the Candidacy Committee, please visit their website at www.crcna.org/pages/smcc.cfm

As a committee, we are eager to continue the work we’ve begun and invite you to participate. If you have comments, ideas, concerns, or questions, please contact us Jeanne Kallemeyn or phone 616-726-1152. We’d love to hear from you and we covet your prayers!