Newly Updated CRCNA Resources Available
Three newly updated Christian Reformed Church in North America resources are now or will soon be available. The Commissioned Pastor Handbookand the Journey Toward Ordination booklet are available for free download, courtesy of the CRC’s Candidacy Committee. In addition, the Manual of Christian Reformed Church Government, including updates through Synod 2019, will be available soon.
David Koll, director of the Candidacy Committee, said the new Commissioned Pastor Handbook and Journey Toward Ordination help to clarify the role of commissioned pastors and help to explain the various approved paths to pastoral ordination in the CRC.
Synod 2019 approved significant updating of the handbook regulating the relatively new office of commissioned pastor. “The office of commissioned pastor has evolved significantly in the past decade,” said Koll.
“The Commissioned Pastor Handbook now places in one document all that synod has approved regarding this office. The format helps users answer commonly asked questions and points to additional material that will be helpful. The handbook will also be further updated each year or as needed.”
Koll also explained that the Journey Toward Ordination update addresses in detail the various routes to ordination that are being used in greater variety as the denomination moves forward today.
“The Journey document and related tools help people keep up to date and help them know what their role is,” said Koll, adding that the tools are in electronic form (PDF) and can be downloaded and printed readily from the Candidacy website.
Dee Recker, director of Synodical Resources, added that the updated Manual of Christian Reformed Church Government will be completed and posted soon. “It will be available in the CRC’s Digital Library as well as for purchase in digital and print-on-demand formats through Faith Alive Christian Resources.
“We are grateful to Dr. Henry DeMoor, retired professor of CRC polity at Calvin Theological Seminary, for updating the Manual of Christian Reformed Church Government, which now incorporates the decisions of CRC synods through Synod 2019,” said Recker.
Complementary to the CRC Church Order and Its Supplements 2019, the Manual, by way of commentary, provides "information and perspective on important decisions of past synods that are regulative for the future,” according to its foreword.
“This invaluable resource provides a helpful tool for CRC congregations, classes, and their functionaries as they go about the work of the church,” said Recker.
