A Continuing Call

Across the Christian Reformed Church in North America, the conversation around women in ministry continues to grow, not only in terms of participation but also in how the church offers meaningful support.

Nearly three decades after the denomination opened all ecclesiastical offices to women, leaders across the CRC are asking: What does it look like for women in ministry not just to serve but to flourish?

A Growing Presence and Persistent Need

Women serve in a wide range of leadership roles across the denomination as ministers of the Word, commissioned pastors, elders, deacons, and more. Yet their experiences can differ significantly depending on context. Many navigate challenges such as isolation, heavy ministry demands, and uncertainty about support systems.

As Rev. Ben Van Arragon, the pastoral well-being consultant for Thrive, noted, the broad challenges of ministry are often intensified for women. “We can simply assume that ministry is hard for our women pastors,” he said. “It's incumbent on all of us to foster an atmosphere of empathy and understanding for our female leaders; to respect the CRC’s position on women and ministry; to work to affirm the gifts and protect the dignity of women serving in any office; and to celebrate women’s gifts throughout the church.”

In response to an ever-growing need to support women in leadership roles, the CRC has increasingly emphasized not just access to ministry roles but developing and supporting intentional structures of pastoral care for women in ministry leadership.

Building Spaces of Support and Formation

One of the most meaningful developments has been the growth of mentoring groups and formation-based communities.

Susan LaClear, director of Candidacy for the CRCNA, has seen firsthand how these groups shape women’s experiences in ministry. Reflecting on her own participation in a mentoring group, she described it as “such a strengthening experience,” in which female pastors engaged in honest check-ins, shared struggles, and practiced spiritual disciplines together.

These spaces are not just about professional development; they are also focused on spiritual growth. Participants often engage in practices such as prayer, silence, and reflection with one another while also supporting one another through the realities of their calling in ministry.

More recently, LaClear helped form a new group of women pastors after noticing a growing sense of isolation among the CRCNA’s female pastors. What began as a simple invitation to meet for coffee quickly revealed a deeper need.

“They all did feel a great need for this kind of connection,” she said.

The group has continued to grow, offering regular fellowship, guided discussion, and plans for retreat. For many participants, it has become a vital source of encouragement and belonging.

Addressing Barriers to Calling

For women discerning a call to ministry, the challenges often begin long before ordination.

LaClear noted that many men in ministry can point to a moment when someone encouraged them to pursue pastoral leadership. Women, however, often lack those same affirmations. “Most people have only male models of church leadership in their minds,” she explained.

As a result, women may struggle to imagine themselves in pastoral roles or feel hesitant to step into visible leadership. Questions about how they will be received and whether they will be supported are common. In response, the CRC’s candidacy process has increasingly emphasized both theological clarity and relational support. Participants are encouraged to engage deeply with the biblical foundations for differing perspectives on women in office while also learning to navigate those differences with humility and respect.

Formed through Calling

LaClear’s own journey into ministry reflects some of these dynamics. She shared that she did not initially envision herself as a pastor, having grown up in contexts where she “never heard the biblical case for women in office.”

Instead, her call emerged gradually as she found herself doing pastoral work and discerning God’s leading along the way. Looking back, she now encourages women to intentionally explore their calling in environments that offer strong support for women to explore their calling.

“Seminary gives people time to grow deep roots before they launch,” she said, pointing to the value of theological education, mentorship, and spiritual formation. She specifically encouraged women to consider Calvin Theological Seminary as a place where they can “find excellent support and formation.”

Her experience also shapes how she walks alongside women today. While acknowledging that not every woman’s experience has been the same, LaClear described her own time in ministry as one marked by “rich community . . . with both men and women.” She encourages women entering ministry to move forward with humility and resilience, recognizing both the challenges and the formative nature of the journey.

“They will be going against the grain of culture to become a pastor,” she said, noting that this reality requires both courage and a deep grounding in one’s identity in Christ. At the same time, she emphasized the importance of grace, both toward others and oneself, as women navigate moments of misunderstanding or resistance.

Practical Resources for Sustaining Ministry

Alongside mentoring groups, Thrive has expanded practical resources designed to support women throughout their ministry journey. These include coaching, spiritual direction, and grant-funded leadership assessments. For anyone feeling overwhelmed, Thrive leaders often recommend starting with coaching or spiritual direction.

“A coach can be very helpful in exploring workload, work-life balance, and ministry fatigue,” said Van Arragon. “A spiritual director can help us reconnect with our passion for ministry and the heart of our calling.”

Notably, these resources are designed to be accessible and responsive. Women who reach out to Thrive can expect a prompt response and a meaningful initial conversation focused on their needs and next steps. “No woman leader in the CRC should have to navigate a ministry challenge or difficult season alone,” Van Arragon emphasized.

A Community That Supports Calling

Despite recent challenges within the denomination, LaClear emphasized that support for women in ministry remains strong. For any woman who is discerning her call to or within denominational ministry, “I would want her to know that there are many people in this denomination, both women and men, who will love and support her,” she said.

She also noted that some narratives about declining support have been overstated, at times discouraging women unnecessarily. “Some have started running away when no one is chasing them,” she added.

For women seeking connection, the first step can be simple, said LaClear. It may involve reaching out to a pastor, contacting a classis leadership team, or even inviting a few others to gather informally. “It can also be as easy as asking a few women if they want to have coffee,” LaClear said.

As the CRCNA continues to discern its shared life together, the support of women in ministry remains a vital part of that story. More than programs or policies, this work is dedicated to cultivating a culture in which women are encouraged in their calling, supported in their leadership, and sustained through the challenges of ministry. At its best, that support reflects the broader calling of the church itself: to recognize gifts, nurture leaders, and walk alongside one another in faith.

For many women in the CRC today, leaders added, that journey is no longer one they have to walk alone.

Interested in accessing any of the resources mentioned above? Start by checking out the Network page dedicated to resources for women in leadership. You can also reach out to [email protected] to connect with staff who will help put you in touch with what you are looking for.