For Counselors

• Review and refer to resources such as the CRC Church Order, the Manual of Christian Reformed Church Government, the Christian Reformed Church Commentary, and More Than A Search Committee. Many Classis Counselors have found these to be useful.
• Consult with experienced Classis Counselors or Thrive if you need guidance dealing with unique or unfamiliar situations.
• Invest in relationship building with the leaders of the church. The more you understand the congregation’s context and culture, the better you will be able to serve them.
• Consider keeping up with what’s going on at the church by reading their bulletins or newsletters, which are often online.
• Connect with the congregation’s Church Visitor to learn more about the backstory of the congregation. This can help you better frame your work within the history of that particular congregation.

For Classis

• Provide a resource pack for Classis Counselors that includes guidance from experienced Classis Counselors in your Classis and materials such as More Than A Search Committee, Manual of Christian Reformed Church Government, and the Christian Reformed Church Commentary.
• Consider having the congregation’s Church Visitor serve as the Classis Counselor.
• Recruit experienced pastors to fill Classis Counselor roles.

Do you have a promising practice for Classis Counselors you’d like to share? Email [email protected]