CRC Names New Chaplaincy Director
Rev. Ron Klimp has been appointed Director of Chaplaincy and Care Ministries for the Christian Reformed Church in North America by Rev. Jerry Dykstra, executive director of the CRCNA.
Klimp replaces Rev. Herman Keizer, Jr. who retired from the position last year. Rev. Mark Stephenson, Director of the Disabilities Concerns office of the CRCNA, has served as interim director. Klimp's appointment is subject to the ratification of the CRCNA Board of Trustees at their February meeting. Also at that meeting, the office of Chaplaincy Ministries is bringing a recommendation to the Board of Trustees and Synod 2010 for approval of a name change from Chaplaincy Ministries to Office of Chaplaincy and Care Ministry.
"I am surprised, flattered and a bit frightened by the scope of this position," says Klimp.
At the same time, though, he says that he is "excited about chaplaincy and its role in touching people with the love of God and comfort of His grace at critical times in their lives."
Klimp served the past 10 years at Workplace Chaplains U.S. as a chaplain and as its executive director starting in 2004. "This is an important way to minister to people in a more natural setting," he said of the workplace ministry for a story in The Banner, the CRC's monthly magazine. "Many of these are people who don't often darken the door of a church, but they have spiritual needs."
Started with just a few clients, the organization today provides ministry to hundreds of white- and blue-collar employees in more than 20 companies in Michigan and Wisconsin. This factory-floor evangelism, says Klimp, involves listening and being there when an employee has a worry or concern.
Prior to co-founding Workplace Chaplains, he served as a pastor in several CRC congregations, including the one Cadillac that he left to work full-time for Workplace Chaplains. Klimp received his M.Div. from Calvin Theological Seminary in addition to completing multiple units of clinical pastoral education.
Chaplains are pastors who usually serve in specialized settings, such as prisons, hospitals, counseling centers, and on military installations. As specially trained ministers of the gospel, they seek to encourage others in their relationship with Jesus Christ. They seek to minister to the whole person, addressing not only a person's spiritual needs, but also their physical and emotional needs, says the crcna.org website for Chaplaincy and Care Ministry, the office that supports and develops chaplaincy by:
- assisting and supporting prospective candidates through their specialized training
- endorsing chaplains and their ministry
- supporting chaplains and their families
- maintaining links between chaplain and the church through conferences and newsletters
- promoting chaplaincy ministry in the church and community
- participating in national/state/provincial chaplaincy organizations
- educating the church about institutional ministry issues
CRC officials have worked for several months to find the right person to fill the position that Rev. Keizer left for retirement.
"I would like to thank Chaplains Arlo Compaan and Bob Koornneef, as well as Dianne Algera, for serving on the interview team," says Sandy Johnson, director of denominational ministries for the CRCNA.
"Their insight and passion for chaplaincy ministry was important to this process. I thank you (members of the CRC) for your prayers for this process and for your continued prayers for our chaplaincy ministry. May God use our ‘ministry of presence' and our gift of care to impact His Kingdom."
Klimp says that he looks forward "to working together with others in the denomination to expand and facilitate the role of chaplain's in God's broader Kingdom."
