Report Finds SCE Success
A recently completed evaluation report of the Christian Reformed Church's Sustaining Congregational Excellence (SCE) initiative finds that a significant number of smaller CRC churches (churches with 150 active members or less) are fostering health in their congregations as a result of their participation in the SCE program. The assessment was conducted by Adair Lummis of the Hartford Institute for Religion Research at Hartford Seminary.
Just over 100 churches have launched or expanded ministries through Health and Renewal grants awarded by SCE, which began in 2007. In addition, almost one-third of smaller CRCs are more up-to-date technologically as the result of the Technology and Equipment (TE) grants they have received.
"Churches have been creative in their HR proposals. They appreciate the freedom to design their own projects," says Lis Van Harten, director of SCE, which is funded with CRC ministry shares. She also directs the Sustaining Pastoral Excellence program, which is funded by an outside grant.
The technology grants of up to $1,000 for a congregation have helped purchase sound systems, computers, wireless microphones, projection equipment, or such items as camcorders, sound amplification devices for people with hearing impairments, or video cameras.
"These items have enhanced ministry—sometimes in surprising ways," says Van Harten. "The TE application form is easy to complete, which is appealing to churches."
Health and Renewal grant applications are more detailed and require detailed plans for how the grant will foster health in the congregation. (HR grants are not available for construction or improvements to a facility.) But Van Harten is available to help walk churches through the application process, sometimes suggesting what to emphasize in a proposal.
"Our goal is to do whatever we can to help churches," says Van Harten. "Customer service is a high priority for us."
Health and Renewal grants have been awarded for a wide variety of projects focusing on such things as youth ministry (through Hip Hop), worship (creating a CD of original music), leadership (training people for leadership roles), families (offering divorce care classes), and greater unity within the congregation (creating bonds between Korean 1st and 2nd generation members).
One of the most popular grant application subjects is outreach programming. One church used its grant to host a monthly worship event and meal for neighborhood families at a local gymnasium. In that setting, church members and neighborhood families were able to interact and get to know one another.
That church told the SCE evaluator that church members "recognized new people were coming because of these connections. The grant encouraged us to think big—beyond ourselves. What we are asking ourselves is 'What next'?"
The HR grants have even encouraged churches to begin projects that are entirely separate from the grant project. One church, for instance, received a grant to focus on outreach, which in turn spurred men in the church to start a program on their own to provide firewood to those in need.
SCE also offers grants to smaller churches who want coaching as they think through challenges and respond to issues in the church. The office also offers learning events for churches to learn more about SCE and consider how they can bolster the health of their own congregation.
An important outcome of SCE is that smaller churches are able to see that "they are valued by the denomination. It's OK to be a smaller church, to celebrate who you are," says Van Harten.
For more information about the SCE program, contact Van Harten's office via e-mail at [email protected] or by phone at 1-877-279-9994, ext. 0805 (toll free). Information and grant application forms are also available on the SCE website at [email protected].
