CRCNA Ministry Report 2013

Ministry report 2013

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Gather at the River

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xymoron. Strange word. The dictionary says it is “a figure by which a locution produces an effect by a seeming self-contradiction.” That definition is not much help. An oxymoron is, quite simply, a pairing of what seem to be two contradictory terms. Maybe a few examples will help: “friendly takeover,” “jumbo shrimp,” “plastic silverware,” “pretty ugly.”

Kevin Harney, in his book Seismic Shifts, says the following oxymoron ought to rise to the very top of the list: “cheerful giver.”

It’s that oxymoronic time of year when once again we consider this apparent self-contradiction: a cheerful giver. Actually, biblically speaking, there is no other kind. Take the cheerful out and we are no longer giving. The only gifts truly acceptable to God are those offered with a smile.

Now, for a moment let’s switch gears and stand on the bank of our “five streams.” Five streams is a metaphor proposed to and endorsed by Synod 2013 that pictures the foundational ministries of the Christian Reformed Church in North America as intermingling streams of life-giving water.

Those streams have been identified as faith formation, servant leadership, global mission, loving justice and doing mercy, and gospel proclamation and worship.

There is, actually, a connection between the cheerful giver and this flowing water. Consider, for instance, that all of the work of God through the CRCNA can be categorized as flowing primarily in the currents of one or more of those five streams—though they each influence and mingle with the others. This is a vibrant metaphor full of life and movement, lifting, carrying forward, and sustaining the mission of God flowing through us.

And the connection to cheerful giving? Well, it is the sheer pleasure of becoming part of the work of God on this earth locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally. Our giving helps make possible a village Bible study on the other side of the world. It brings the Word to people we will never meet. It enables new farming methods to be brought and taught to those we could never reach. It provides for curriculum we could not possibly generate ourselves.

Our giving allows uncounted millions the opportunity to hear the gospel. It assists in the planting of new churches and the revitalization of those that have stood for decades. It helps provide instruction for students learning how to live fully for God in a world that belongs to him. It helps seminarians prepare for ministry in all its varied forms. It helps us remind our leaders that the power they have comes from God and should be used for him.

Our giving, if it is truly giving, and if we gauge it by comparing it to our blessings, is one of the primary ways God designates for keeping those streams flowing, not from us, not even primarily for us, but through us to the very ends of the earth. And that, I submit, will put a smile on your face that doesn’t originate with your facial muscles but reaches all the way to your heart.

Rev. Joel R. Boot is the executive director of the Christian Reformed Church in North America.

TOGETHERDOINGMORE Cover photo: Synod 2013 endorsed “five streams” as a metaphor for the ministries of the Christian Reformed Church in North America. To learn more about these streams and what they mean, read the column on this page and the story beginning on page 3.

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Redefining Ministry: the CRC at a Crossroads

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ndrew Ryskamp points to an area between two lines crisscrossing on a PowerPoint slide, one representing the declining number of mainline Protestant churches and the other the growth of evangelical churches in the United States.

“When I’m looking at this slide, I see the CRC as being right there in the middle in the space between the two groups,” says Ryskamp, the U.S. director for World Renew who is helping to head up a process of reassessment and realignment that Synod 2013 endorsed for the Christian Reformed Church.

Although the definitions of “mainline” and “evangelical” are not easy to pinpoint, mainline churches tend to be more traditional and evangelical churches less so.

“We have to ask ourselves what are the implications for the CRC to be at this crossroads, in the middle of these two lines,” he said.

The slide is part of a report the Strategic Planning and Adaptive Change Team (SPACT) has been sharing with churches in presentations at regional meetings across North America. The SPACT report offers church members in the U.S. and Canada an overview of the many changes and social forces, both inside and outside the denomination, that are facing the Christian Reformed Church. Participants also have had the opportunity to discuss and respond to the report.

The SPACT team will bring its report to the CRC’s Board of Trustees, which will help to further the realignment and reassessment process.

Ryskamp says the slide showing the intersection between mainline and evangelical churches is only one small part of the report.

There are also slides that chart the overall decline in recent years of people being drawn into, attending, or, in some cases, leaving mainline or evangelical churches.

“We have to ask ourselves, ‘How can the Christian church be relevant to the world

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today? Are there changes we can make as a denomination that can really matter in bringing Jesus into the lives of people?’” says Ryskamp.

According to the SPACT report, the CRC, like other churches, is being buffeted by a complex and diverse mixture of cultural, economic, social and spiritual realities.

Rev. Joel Boot, executive director of the CRCNA, says that while the CRC has many important decisions to make, one of them takes precedence.

“The heart of the question is, ‘How do we survive and be what the church is intended to be as we find ourselves at this crossroads?’” says Boot.

Boot says the CRC—at one time a predominantly Dutch immigrant denomination—has never been at a crossroads such as this. In the past, the denomination has been able to shift

Where the Money Goes The money you give to Ministry Shares provides more than $25 million each year to fund programs that enable your church to send missionaries around the world, start new churches, train pastors and leaders, use media to spread the gospel, and much more. Ministry Shares provide vital support for almost all our ministries.

About 85 cents of every dollar raised through Ministry Shares goes directly into ministry programs. Ministry Shares provides about 40 percent of the budgets for CRC mission agencies, 50 percent of the budget for Calvin Theological Seminary, and between 60 percent and 95 percent of the budgets for CRC Specialized Ministries.

To learn more about how God is using your Ministry Shares to transform lives and communities, visit www.crcna.org/ MinistryShares.

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one way or the other by creating new initiatives and making adaptations.

But the situation is no longer that simple.

The numbers tell the story. For instance, fewer young people are attending church. Churches are cutting programs and personnel because of declining revenue from dwindling membership.

Some churches in the CRC have even closed.

“The unexpected pace of change and the amount of change we are facing is unprecedented. In a sense, much that we have done and how we have been doing it is coming unglued,” Boot says.

“We have to ask ourselves, ‘How can the Christian church be relevant to the world today? Are there changes we can make that can really matter in bringing Jesus into the lives of people?’”

But, he adds, there is reason to have hope.

“This could be the best of times, because we have the opportunity to change if we are courageous enough to follow the road down which God is calling us.”

As it has prepared itself for the difficult and uncertain journey, the CRC has needed to define who and what it is, says Boot.

That began about a year and a half ago, he says, when Synod 2012 created a Task Force on Structure and Culture. After a series of meetings and discussions, the task force came up with a new ministry profile that listed five characteristics—also called “five streams”—defining the church.

CRC staff presented the five streams concept to Synod 2013.

“Synod 2013 agreed and endorsed these five streams as identifying our denominational ministry priorities,” Boot says. “They are our answer to the important question ‘Who are we?”

One of the streams is faith formation; another is servant leadership; another is global mission; another loving mercy and doing justice.

The final stream—which Boot calls “the one that keeps the river flowing” is gospel proclamation and worship.

These streams and what they represent, he says, hold the promise of bringing about healthy change. But the CRC must move with them in creative ways, constantly flowing and adjusting course, venturing forth from the crossroads.

The church must be like Abraham, says Boot, willing to drop everything and move when the spirit of God commands.

In order to help make this happen, the SPACT report says that the Christian Reformed Church needs to examine how its agencies and ministries can work together.

“We want to see stronger collaboration and participation in ministry across the CRCNA as we discern and learn together new ways to address our rapidly changing context,” says Boot in a letter sent to congregations.

“There is a deep conviction that the plans and strategies carried out at a denominational level need to be more closely connected with classes and churches—and vice versa.”

The stream of faith formation is now the object of a pilot project intended to reach out to churches and help them take part in the process of missio Dei, the “the mission of God” by the Father, Son, and Spirit.

“Faith formation takes persons and communities as they are and participates in God’s work of bringing to completion the good work he has begun. Faith formation is missional through and through,” says Rev. Syd Hielema, director of the project.

Churches of all sizes and in a wide range of urban, suburban, and rural locations will have the chance to take part in this project with the help of designated coaches and faith formation materials.

“This project will establish a support structure for coaching congregations to take ‘the next step’ in the process of communal faith formation,” says Hielema.

—Chris Meehan, CRC Communications

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Grant Helps Rice Paddy Flourish Sufil Rahman was not able to grow enough rice on his small piece of property in rural Bangladesh to meet the needs of his family.

The compost Rahman made lacked certain nutrients, which meant his rice yield was not as high as he would have liked.

But then Rahman received training on kitchen gardening, composting, and how to make better use of available resources as part of a program funded by a $7 million grant to World Renew through the Canadian government.

World Renew will use the grant over the next five years to improve the livelihoods of 65,000 people in Bangladesh, Honduras, Mali, Mozambique, and Tanzania.

Through World Renew’s local partner organization, PARI, Rahman joined other men who were meeting regularly for mutual support, joint savings, and training on a variety of topics.

PARI taught Rahman to improve his composting technique to maximize the results of his work in the rice paddy.

“I used the compost once and my yields increased from 140 kilograms to 200 kilograms,” he recalls.

“Now that I have a better understanding of compost, I know my yields will increase.”

Sufil Rahman, shown with his family, is happier since his rice yields have gone up.

Rahman’s rice crop has thrived. He has set aside some of it for his family to eat this year.

The rest has been stored.

“I will wait until the rice price has increased before I sell it,” he explained.

“I will use the money to buy fruit, fish, meat, oil, soap, and good clothes for my family. I will also spend some of the money on school fees for my older two girls who attend school.”

The benefits do not end there. Through the World Renew project, Rahman will receive training on how to farm fish and raise them alongside irrigated rice.

—Kristen deRoo VanderBerg, World Renew

Different Paths to CRC Meet in Dean’s Office Jeff Sajdak, Calvin Theological Seminary’s dean of students, grew up Lutheran and attended his first Christian Reformed church when he and his wife, Karin, moved to Minneapolis.

He eventually went on to study at Calvin Seminary for the pastoral ministry.

Sarah Chun, the seminary’s associate dean of students, emigrated with her family from Korea to the U.S. when she was six years old. Her family joined a CRC at that time.

Chun has remained in the CRC ever since, eventually attending Calvin College and then marrying a graduate of Calvin Seminary. Her husband, Andrew, served three CRC churches before passing away unexpectedly in 2009.

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Jeff Sajdak meets with a Calvin Theological Seminary student.

Three years after his death, Chun accepted the role of associate dean of students at Calvin Seminary. “Coming here felt like coming home in so many ways,” she said.

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Sarah Chun says she is “called to serve” students and their families at Calvin Seminary.

From their diverse backgrounds, Sajdak and Chun arrived to staff the dean of students office at Calvin Seminary roughly one year ago.

They say the seminary has welcomed them warmly. And while they face day-to-day challenges, the rewards have been abundant.

“We have gifted students, and it is a joy to get to know them, to hear their stories, and to help them discern and live into their callings,” said Sajdak.”

Chun says one of the most appealing parts of her job is meeting students and others from North America, Korea, Africa, and elsewhere.

The job “has been everything I expected and so much more,” she said.

When interacting with students, Chun says she often thinks of a phrase President Jul Medenblik used in his inaugural speech: “We are ‘called to serve’.”

She said God has called and equipped her for this role. Having been an immigrant, she can relate to international students as she advises them in the visa process.

Having supported her husband, Andrew, through seminary and in his pastoral ministry, she connects well with seminary spouses and families.

Having been trained in counseling, she is equipped to provide students with the support they need.

“Each piece of the puzzle has fit together to make it happen,” she said. ­—Calvin Theological Seminary

Reaching ‘the Sent People of God’ Martin Contant has taken countless journeys over the last 19 years, crisscrossing a nearly 2,000-mile region that extends from the rainforests of Port Alberni, B.C. on Vancouver Island to the north woods of Thunder Bay, Ontario.

As the regional leader for Home Missions Western Canada, he strongly believes each member of Christ’s body is on a mission, having been dispatched in one way or another to serve God’s people.

“We are the sent people of God,” Contant said. “One of the things I spend a lot of time doing is working with established congregations to help them realize that outreach is not optional. It needs to be much larger in our DNA as Christians.”

Contant, who is studying to become a spiritual director, has over 100 churches, church plants, and campus ministries in his region.

He travels extensively, yet he believes most people are being sent by God just a few steps to their neighbor’s door.

“Many people drive to church for an outreach activity, but they forget that they live as Christians and missionaries in their neighborhoods and jobs,” he said. “They may ignore their next-door neighbor.”

In Western Canada, Contant sees interest in broad spirituality but a cold shoulder toward Christianity. “The ‘soil’ here can be like conMartin Contant crete,” he said. “We need to be more creative about how we engage the culture in a post-Christian country.”

Contant is seeing more of this creativity in the CRC. “I think people (in the CRC) are hungry for a greater sense of what God is up to in our midst,” he said.

“Who is God to us? Who is our neighbor?

Who are we as God’s people, loved by him and sent by him? Those are the important questions we need to ask.”

—Lorilee Craker, Christian Reformed Home Missions

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From Wonder to Joy The most difficult moment in rappelling is when the harnessed adventurer shifts his or her weight from the feet to the harness, says Rev. Norm Thomasma, director of the office of Pastor/Church Relations.

“Once that has happened and the harness and rope prove trustworthy, the fun increases. The movement from high anxiety to significant exhilaration happens after this crucial transition.”

Similarly, in the ministry, making transitions requires skill, and “finding that ministry sweet spot is not always easy,” says Thomasma.

So, why the picture of the pastor rappelling?

For the last five years, Pastor-Church Relations has been partnering with On Point Ministries in Minnesota to provide a vocational assessment for pastors in the context of a wilderness adventure and small group retreat.

This summer, eight CRC pastors participated in this Pastors On Point experience near Buena Vista, Colo., during which they completed a vocational assessment.

“It can be a scary thought to wonder if you are in the place of God’s call where ministry gifts and ministry needs wonderfully intersect,” says Thomasma. “But shifting the weight from status quo to prayerful discernment can be an opportunity to trust God more fully to guide us to a solid place of flourishing.” ­—Chris Meehan, CRC Communications

TLT Strengthens Church Christian Reformed churches in the Dominican Republic began to grow in the 1970s.

Over the years, members of these churches—many of them Haitian sugarcane workers—were eager to know Christ but lacked solid leadership.

The Timothy Leadership Training program (TLT) stepped in a few years ago to fill this need.

“Many people have remarked that the Timothy program is well suited to their needs,” says Christian Reformed World Missions missionary Betty Wood, who began facilitating TLT along with her husband, Rob, in 2011.

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“TLT does not involve a deep theory, but rather the application of simple Bible teaching.”

TLT has inspired many individual church members to reach out to their neighbors, such as a TLT participant who helped a neighbor decide against suicide.

Meanwhile, the wider Christian Reformed Church in the Dominican Republic (CRCDR) has also bolstered its outreach. It has also created new health and agricultural initiatives.

Due to a declining sugarcane industry, many CRCDR members are unemployed or underemployed.

Adoni Guerrero, a TLT participant, grew up in a batey―a sugarcane workers’ village.

Now he helps carry out the CRCDR’s health program in other bateyes. He receives training in first aid, appropriate hygiene practices, nutrition, and other health matters. Then he teaches the material in communities he serves.

“TLT has met a need in the churches and given them a sense of direction,” says Betty Wood.

—Christian Reformed World Missions Ministry Report 2013 7

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‘More Than Just a Party’ “At CenterPointe, we’re all about reaching beyond our walls. It seems logical that the first step is getting to know our neighbors and building connections with them,” said Ruth Kelder, spiritual development coordinator at CenterPointe Church in Plainfield, Ill. “Our block-party trailer has provided a vehicle that people can use in starting those connections.”

Earlier this year, CenterPointe received a Health & Renewal grant through the CRC’s Sustaining Congregational Excellence (SCE) program.

Grant funds were used to stock a block-party trailer with a variety of supplies including a large grill, tables, yard games, hot and cold trays, and a jump house. The trailer and its contents enable members to host neighborhood block parties.

“Some of the biggest success is in the planning,” explained Kelder.

CenterPointe CRC members use a “party package” to reach out to neighbors.

Church members have experienced a significant change in their relationship with their neighbors by inviting them and others outside the church to assist in the planning. “The block party is not the end in itself. The goal is to start conversations that will continue.”

Pastor Fred DeJong agrees. “The block-party trailer has really given us the opportunity to develop these contacts and make a spiritual connection with people right around us. It has become a centerpiece of who we are as a church.”

—Holly Koons, Sustaining Congregational Excellence

Pushpa’s Miracle When Pushpa contracted leprosy, she was thrown out of her home and community in the Dogri area of northern India. Her condition became worse almost by the day until she was completely broken in body and spirit. Three times she tried to end her life by taking poison.

Then some Christians told Pushpa about Jesus, who had loved and healed people with leprosy. They began praying for her. They also gave her a radio and introduced her to a program produced by Back to God Ministries partners in India.

As Pushpa listened to the messages she became convinced that Jesus Christ loved her and could help her. She started praying for healing for her body and soul.

After a few weeks, she told ministry leaders, she noticed her sores healing, and one month later she was cured of her leprosy. She regained strength and was able to move about.

Pastor Sadiq Masih baptizes Pushpa Devi.

The people of Pushpa’s village were surprised to see her healed and whole again.

Pushpa gives all the glory to the Lord. She says she is living proof of God’s love and care for his children.

—Nancy Vander Meer, Back to God Ministries International

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Back to God Ministries International

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or more than 70 years, God has provided Back to God Ministries International with resources and gifted media leaders to share the gospel with people around the world.

We continue to see God working through our 10 ministry teams that produce audio, video, print, and online resources that proclaim the Word of God to millions of people.

HIGHLIGHTS Our Arabic ministry launched a new online radio program designed to reach a younger audience, especially Muslim seekers. Through text-messaging and Skype conversations, staff and volunteers disciple those who want to know more about the Christian faith.

Our Chinese outreach launched the new Bible and Women program to reach listeners in China who struggle with balancing family, career, and church life. In mainland China, our outreach team printed and distributed 20,000 copies of the “Walking with Jesus� devotional.

They also distributed 600 flash drives containing information that introduces seekers to our programs and websites.

The launch of a new Walk the Way website has allowed churches to use our videos and podcasts for discussions in worship and small group meetings. With each of our English programs we are finding social media to be a natural and increasingly effective way to engage people in challenging faith-centered conversations. This has multiplied the number of people with whom we are able to share the gospel through media.

Working in partnership with Words of Hope, the media ministry associated with the Reformed Church in America, we expanded outreach in seven Indonesian tribal languages through translations of our programs and discipleship ministries. We provided initial and advanced leadership training to increase the number of listener communities to more than 250. These groups proBTGMI Income Clavin College vide a faith community for at least 15,000 seekers and new Grants & Misc believers throughout Indonesia.

6% Estates As a result of ongoing training events offered for station Ministry 14% Shares managers in Latin America, the number of radio stations 38% BTGMI Clavin College that carry our Spanish programs for free increased to more Donations 42% than 500. This saves an estimated half-million dollars in broadcast fees each year and allows us to share the gospel with an even larger audience.

Total $9,425,000 Please visit our new prayer page, BackToGod.net/Pray, and join us in praying for our listeners and thanking God for his work in their lives.

Expense Support Services 26% Program Services 74%

Contact info: Website: www.BackToGod.net United States: 708.371.8700 or 800.879.6555 Canada: 905.336.2920 or 800.263.4251 Email: info@BackToGod.net

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Total $9,852,000 World Missions

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Calvin College

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alvin College is recognized as a center of faith-anchored liberal arts teaching and scholarship.

The college offers its 4,000-plus students—who hail from 46 U.S. states, 55 countries, and six Canadian provinces—a campus environment that is just as academically challenging as it is Christian.

Calvin’s core curriculum is built on knowledge, skills, and character development to provide a solid foundation for students studying in the college’s 100-plus majors and programs.

Founded by the Christian Reformed Church and named for the 16th-century reformer John Calvin, the college strives to prepare students not only for their first job, but also for a lifetime of success and service.

HIGHLIGHTS

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Enrolled 1,000-plus new students in 2013—the largest incoming class since 2007.

Ranked second nationally among baccalaureate institutions by the Institute of International Education for the total number of students who study abroad; ranked fifth in same category for number of international students studying on campus.

Named to the 2013 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll—the highest federal recognition a college or university can receive for its commitment to service learning and civic engagement.

Three Calvin students received Goldwater Scholarships in 2013. Since 2008, Calvin students have received the premiere undergraduate research award more often than students at any other liberal arts college.

Twenty-four students graduated in the inaugural class of Calvin’s recently added master of speech pathology and Income Estates 1% audiology program.

Donations Set a league record by claiming 12 athletic champion3% Ministry ships in an academic year.

Shares 3% Provided the January Series to 37 remote sites across Tuition & BTGMI Clavin College Calvin Theological Sales 88% North America and abroad. The three-week awardwinning lecture series drew more than 35,000 attendees.

Grants & Misc 5% The Calvin Institute of Christian Worship sponsored its second annual Symposium on Worship in Hong Kong Total $106,360,000 and 26th annual Symposium on campus.

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TOGETHERDOINGMORE Support Services 38%

Contact info:

Website: www.calvin.edu 616.526.6000 or 800.688.0122 Email: info@calvin.edu

Program Services 62%

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Total $104,360,000

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Calvin Theological Seminary

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alvin Theological Seminary has been serving churches, both in the CRCNA and beyond, for more than 137 years. As a learning community in the Reformed Christian tradition, we form church leaders who cultivate communities of disciples.

Through this work of service to over 300 students every year, the seminary itself is formed by the church, God’s agent of hope for the world he so loves.

HIGHLIGHTS

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President Jul Medenblik welcomed 84 new semiPresident Jul Medenblik listens to narians in August with the invitation to explore second-generation Calvin Seminary their own “burning bush” encounters (Ex. 3) with student Karis Mpindi talk about his God. calling to ministry.

In July our new academic dean team began their leadership service: Dr. Ronald Feenstra and Dr. Mary Vanden Berg assumed new roles as academic dean and associate academic dean, respectively.

Dr. Lyle Bierma, the seminary’s scholar of the Heidelberg Catechism, was invited to present at five different international conferences, including two in Heidelberg, Germany. He and other scholars joined with Reformed churches around the world in celebrating 450 years of “Lord’s Day” preaching and formation through the Heidelberg Catechism.

Fourteen students traveled with Prof. John Rottman in January to Angola Prison where they saw the power of the gospel to transform the lives of prisoners on death row and in maximum security.

Thirty high school and pre-college students lived and worked in Austin, Tex., Portland, Ore., or Chicago, Ill. as part of the Facing Your Future 2013 summer program of ministry exploration and experiIncome ence.

Estates 4% Through the Institute for Global Church Planting and Tuition & Sales Renewal, Rev. Keith Doornbos has launched the pilot 31% Donations Grants & phase of The Renewal Lab for local churches. This series 12% Misc BTGMI Clavin College Calvin Theological Home Missions 16% Ministry of eight learning laboratories over two years equips Shares 37% church teams (pastor and lay leaders) to chart a churchspecific course for revitalization.

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Please offer special prayers for students planning to graduate in May 2014, that they may seek and find ministry positions of service for which they have been formed through their seminary experience.

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Expense Support Services 32%

Program Services 68%

Contact info: Website: www.calvinseminary.edu 616.957.6036 Email: info@calvinseminary.edu

Total $7,520,000

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Christian Reformed Home Missions

Members of Open Door Church, which is supported by Home Missions, gather before a hip-hop celebration in East Harlem.

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ome Missions joins all of the CRCNA in longing for God’s name to be spread into the world. We work toward this goal by starting and strengthening missional churches and campus ministries that bring praise to God by transforming lives and communities.

Ministry teams led by regional leaders, together with ethnic leaders and advisers, coordinate and support the work of joining God’s mission at the local level so that people come to Christ and are welcomed into our community of faith.

HIGHLIGHTS 1,080 churches served 100+ ministries funded in the U.S. and Canada Seven regional offices, four ethnic leaders, and four ministry resource leaders who train, equip, support, and encourage others 47 classes connections through regional, ethnic, and ministry resource leaders Income Grants & Misc 55 new churches receiving financial assistance s n 7% o Agencyissi 30 campus ministries supported Service eM om HRevenue 1% 10 Leadership Development Networks and pastor/minisMinistry Shares try team clusters Estates al c 59% i 4% BTGMI Clavin College Calvin Theological HomeDonations Missions log More than 500 Christian Reformed churches and eo nearly h T 29% n i lv Ca 400 congregations from other denominations active in Coffee Break and other Home Missions-supported small e group ministries.

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Support Services 25%

Website: www.crhm.org United States: 800.266.2175 or 616.224.0772 Canada: 800.730.3490 or 905.336.2920 Email: crhm@crcna.org

Program Services 75%

Total $6,280,000

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Christian Reformed World Missions

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or 125 years, Christian Reformed World Missions (CRWM) has been helping Christian Reformed churches to fulfill the Great Commission. Today, CRWM has more than 200 missionaries serving in over 40 countries, and through partnerships our work extends to more than 50 countries.

We focus our efforts around the world on multiplying believers and churches, equipping and connecting leaders, reaching teachers and students with a biblical worldview, and strengthening churches and organizations.

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HIGHLIGHTS The Spirit moved more than 24,000 people to commit their lives to Christ in the last year through the work of CRWM missionaries and partners.

Nearly 3,420 new worshiping communities were established last year.

Over 18,500 people participated in CRWM-related leadership training programs.

Over 200 local ministry leaders are partially supported through CRWM grants to partner organizations.

CRWM appointed 18 new partner missionaries and served a variety of countries, including Austria, Japan, Kenya, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, and Slovenia.

Sixty-seven teachers and administrators served in international schools through CRWM. A total of 433 volunteers served through CRWM in various countries.

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Further information about CRWM’s 125th anniversary can be found at www.crwm.org/125.

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Ministry Shares 35%

Grants & Misc World Missions 5%

Contact info: Website: www.crwm.org Canada 800.730.3490 905.336.2920 Email: crwm@crcna.ca United States 800.346.0075 616.224.0700 Email: crwm@crcna.org

Estates 4%

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Total $14,004,000

Expense Support Services 16% Program Services 84%

Total $14,609,000

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orld Renew is compelled by God’s deep passion for justice and mercy to respond to poverty, hunger, disaster, and injustice around the world in Jesus’

Photo by Sean Hawkey

World Renew

name.

Preliminary data shows that during 2012/2013 World Renew walked alongside Christian leaders World Renew helps communities work from 78 local churches and community organizatogether to overcome disasters and find tions in 24 of the world’s poorest countries to equip lasting solutions to poverty. These womthem to recognize and respond to needs in their en are pumping water from a borehole communities. that their community built with support As a result, 462,061 individuals and their families from World Renew.

BTGMI Clavin College Calvin Theological improved their lives through community-based programs that enabled them to work toward their God-given potential. Because of this, ministry was carried out with and through the local church and the witness of Christ’s love was strengthened.

World Renew also continued to respond to disasters and crisis situations as they arose, including Hurricane Sandy; severe flooding in High River, Alberta; and the ongoing conflict in Syria.

Every time a need arose, members of the CRC responded with generosity, allowing World BT GM Renew to leverage resources through its international alliances to reach disaster survivors with I food, water, shelter, and other emergency aid and rehabilitation programs.

HIGHLIGHTS World Renew served in 35 countries, responding to disaster and providing long-term comCl av in munity programs.

Co lle ge World Renew supported the work of 78 community-based churches and partners to help them improve lives in 3,755 communities.

In total, World Renew’s ministry helped 1,229,536 people.

World Renew’s ministry was supported by 3,429 volunteers who donated 288,876 hours— roughly the equivalent of 139 full-time employees for one year.

World Renew’s Disaster Response Services volunteers assessed the needs of 27,303 North American disaster survivors and repaired or rebuilt 476 homes.

In Canada, World Renew’s refugee sponsorship program helped 31 families (69 people) begin a new life in Canada. World Renew does not World receive Ministry Shares World andRenew relies on gifts, offerMissions Specialized Ministries ings, and government grants to support its work.

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Contact info: Website: www.worldrenew.net United States: 800.552.7972 or 616.224.0740 Canada: 800.730.3490 or 905.336.2920 Email: info@worldrenew.net

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Income Re

Expense

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TOGETHERDOINGMORE Ministry Shares 0%

Grants & Misc 48%

Sp

Donations 36%

Estates 4%

Support Services 10%

Disaster 12%

Total $34,139,000

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Program Services 90%

Total $36,165,000

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Faith Alive

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his has been a year of transition for Faith Alive. In June, the CRC Board of Trustees voted to dissolve the board of Faith Alive Christian Resources, which means Faith Alive is no longer a stand-alone denominational agency. Questions regarding its role remain under discussion.

At the same time, Faith Alive is part of an effort to address the need for publishing, promoting, and distributing faith formation materials that are especially geared to meet the needs of individual churches.

Faith Alive, although it has faced challenges, has had a successful year. For instance, this spring, after several years of work, it published Lift Up Your Hearts, a hymnal for both the Christian Reformed Church and the Reformed Church in America. Response to the hymnal has been enthusiastic and many endorsements have come in, recommending it to others for use.

HIGHLIGHTS Through August, revenue from sales of curriculum (Dwell, Walk with Me, Kid Connection, and others) was slightly ahead of the prior year.

Sales of Lift Up Your Hearts, the new hymnal published by Faith Alive, have exceeded 20,000 units in four months and are exceeding projections.

Some new faith formation-focused publishing continues as Faith Alive transitions. Faith Alive’s popular Seeking God’s Face prayer book line has expanded to include a large-print edition. This edition joins the already published standard and compact editions.

Contact info: Websites: www.FaithAliveResources.org www.TheBanner.org www.ReformedWorship.org www.LibrosDesafio.org

Mark Rice, director 1.800.333.8300 Facebook: www.facebook.com/faithalive

The Banner

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he Banner, the official magazine of the Christian Reformed Church in North America, continues to enjoy a wide and diverse readership.

As a result, as a denomination we sometimes have our differences when it comes to our perspectives, views, and concerns.

This past year, The Banner has again provided us with a place to keep in touch with each other as we seek to “speak the truth in love” (Eph. 4:15).

HIGHLIGHTS “Together Doing More” provides ongoing monthly updates on the ministries that we engage in together.

Feature articles, news, and a variety of columns, such as “Catch Your Breath” and “Reformed Matters,” round out our synodical mandate to inform, inspire, educate, and challenge our readers.

And, of course, we also get to hear from you, our readers, in “Letters to the Editor,” “IMHO,” and the very lively online discussions in the “Comments” section following each posted article.

Contact info: Website: www.thebanner.org Mail: The Banner, 1700 28th St. S.E., Grand Rapids, MI 49508-1407 Editorial: 616.224.0785 editorial@thebanner.org

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News: 613.330.3145 news@thebanner.org Display Ads: 616.224.5882 ads@crcna.org Classified Advertising: 616.224.0725 classifieds@thebanner.org Ministry Report 2013 15

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Denominational Services

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his ministry office supports the work of synod, the CRCNA’s Board of Trustees, Synodical Services, the office of the executive director, the office of advancement, and specialized ministries such as

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Specialized Ministries

Income

Expense Support Services 2%

Mi nis tr

ies

Agency Service Revenue 5%

Sp e ci aliz ed

Safe Church Race Relations Disability Concerns Social Justice Chaplaincy and Care Pastor-Church Relations The Office of Communications Urban Aboriginal Ministries The Christian Reformed Centre for Public Dialogue

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Donations 11%

Ministry Shares 84%

Total $4,453,000

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Total $4,607,000

Program Services 98%

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Chaplaincy and Care Ministry

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he office of Chaplaincy and Care Ministry enlists, endorses, and encourages chaplains who provide crisis care in hospitals, hospice agencies, prisons, the military, workplaces, and other locations throughout the U.S. and Canada (with some military personnel serving overseas).

Most of these chaplains are ordained clergy with additional specialized training called Clinical Pastoral Education.

The number of chaplains has grown steadily since chaplaincy began over 72 years ago. Of current chaplains, 97 work full time, 21 part time, and 7 are endorsed but not currently employed.

In addition, Chaplaincy and Care Ministry is tasked with encouraging churches and classes to recognize and support the chaplains in their area while also prompting chaplains to share their pastoral care expertise with the local church.

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HIGHLIGHTS Every week our 125 CRC chaplains touch the lives of thousands of individuals in crisis, often ministering to their families as well.

Because chaplains are paid by the institutions for which they work, every dollar invested through donations and Ministry Shares may yield more than $50 in ministry.

65 chaplains work in hospice, health, or long-term care centers.

22 serve in the military (Canadian or U.S.—active, reserve, or National Guard) or VA centers.

13 work as pastoral counselors or clinical supervisors.

25 work in corrections, workplaces, with seafarers, and in other agencies.

In addition, 23 individuals are currently involved in chaplaincy-oriented training.

TOGETHERDOINGMORE Contact info:

Website: www.crcna.org/chaplaincy Rev. Ron Klimp, director 616.224.0733 (office) 616.295.8686 (cell) Email: chaplain@crcna.org

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Pastor-Church Relations

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he staff of Pastor-Church Relations is available to help pastors, church staff, ministry leaders, councils, and congregations with intervention, consultation, education, team building, and staff support.

HIGHLIGHTS The Specialized Transitional Ministry (STM) program continues to be a hope-giving dimension of our work. Currently there are 17 seasoned and trained pastors endorsed by our office.

STMs normally serve for 10-20 months and are well suited to help a congregation adjusting to the departure of a long-tenured pastor or to help a congregation that has had some difficulty or conflict in recent years.

The PCR staff was invited by the CRCNA’s Board of Trustees to propose strategies for more timely involvement with churches in order to promote better congregational health and earlier interventions. One important feature will be the resourcing of key classis personnel such as church visitors, regional pastors, synodical deputies, and stated clerks.

A training tool for councils and pastor search committees has been completed. More than a Search Committee can be downloaded at www.crcna.org/pcr. Printed copies are available for the price of shipping from Faith Alive Christian Resources at www.faithaliveresources.org.

Pastor-Church Relations has joined Sustaining Congregational Excellence, Sustaining Pastoral Excellence, Safe Church Ministry, and the Staff Ministry Team in a ministry clustering that, for now, is being called “Congregational Life.” This grouping is intended to provide a more effective use of personnel and financial resources.

Contact info: Website: www.crcna.org/pcr Rev. Norm Thomasma, director 616.224.0764 Email: nthomasma@crcna.org Rev. Cecil VanNiejenhuis, pastor/congregation consultant 616.224.0746 Email: cvanniejenhuis@crcna.org

Denise Posie, congregational consultant 616.224.0762 Email: dposie@crcna.org Jeanne Kallemeyn, staff ministry specialist 616.726.1152 Email: jkallemeyn@crcna.org Laura Palsrok, ministerial information coordinator 616.224.0837 Email: lpalsrok@crcna.org

Sustaining Congregational Excellence (SCE)/ Sustaining Pastoral Excellence (SPE)

S

CE offers grant opportunities and learning events for smaller congregations as they seek to foster health in their ministry setting. SPE supports and encourages pastors and pastors’ spouses through pastor peer group grants, pastors’ spouses’ conferences, and pastor-couple learning events.

Contact info:

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Websites: www.crcna.org/spe www.crcna.org/sce

Lis Van Harten, program director 877.279.9994 ext. 2805 Email: lvanharten@crcna.org Holly Koons, administrative coordinator 877.279.9994 ext. 2267 Email: hkoons@crcna.org

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Race Relations

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he Office of Race Relations seeks to promote biblical reconciliation and racial unity within the church. We encourage Christian Reformed churches to embrace their identity in God’s diverse and unified family through workshops we offer, such as the Dance of Racial Reconciliation (DORR), Widening the Circle (WTC), and Cultural Intelligence Building.

HIGHLIGHTS The 2013 Multiethnic Conference was a success, with over 100 conferees from all over North America representing various ethnic groups. This year’s theme was “The Question Is . . . Am I Welcome?”

Approximately 14 students attending CRC-sponsored educational institutions have received scholarship money from offerings in response to All Nations Heritage Sunday.

The ministry will offer a new workshop this year called Cultural Intelligence Building. Please contact us for more information.

Contact info: Website: www.crcna.org/race Rev. Esteban Lugo, director 877.864.3977 Email: elugo@crcna.org Jan Ortiz, administrative assistant Email: jortiz@crcna.org

Viviana Cornejo, advocate Email: vcornejo@crcna.org Humberto Lopes, coordinator Email: hlopes@crcna.org Rudy Gonzalez, advocate Email: rgonzalez@crcna.org

Disability Concerns

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ed by Disability Concerns, Synod 1993 made the landmark decision to call all Christian Reformed churches to do two things: eliminate disability discrimination and provide reasonable accommodation so that people with disabilities can participate fully in church life.

Reasonable accommodation includes changes to buildings, communications, attitudes, and practices that exclude people who have disabilities.

Disability Concerns assists churches in this work through our network of disability advocates, through our communications, and through consultations with ministry leaders.

HIGHLIGHTS Because Synod 2013 saw the need for churches both to be intentional about disability ministry and to have someone carry the torch for disability issues, it decided to “encourage all Christian Reformed churches to adopt a church policy on disability and to appoint at least one person in the congregation to serve as a church disability advocate.”

In partnership with the Reformed Church in America Disability Concerns ministry, we released the second edition of the Inclusion Handbook in June.

TOGETHERDOINGMORE Contact info:

Website: www.crcna.org/disability Rev. Mark Stephenson, director 888.463.0272 Facebook: www.facebook.com/disabilityconcerns Network: network.crcna.org/disability Email: disabilityconcerns@crcna.org

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Office of Social Justice

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he Office of Social Justice (OSJ) educates CRC members on social justice, encourages and supports their engagement, and occasionally is involved in direct advocacy.

HIGHLIGHTS OSJ offers many ways for people to stay connected with social justice. Our most-read newsletter, OSJ Prayers, is a weekly digest of the most pressing justice issues around the world. It’s great for use in small groups or for personal or congregational prayer.

For a comprehensive overview of various social justice issues, visit www.crcjustice.org.

We also have an active presence on both Facebook and Twitter for those who prefer shorter, more immediate updates.

Visit our Action Center at www.crcjustice.org to discover effective ways to defend marginalized people and learn more about issues such as Middle East peace, immigration reform, and global poverty. Don’t know how to advocate? We can help with that too.

Our congregational mobilizers are happy to speak or preach on any justice issue or to give a general introduction to social justice.

We’re talking justice on our new blog called Do Justice! Join the conversation at crcna.org/dojustice.

Contact info: Website: www.crcjustice.org Peter Vander Meulen, coordinator 616.224.0807 Email: pvandermeulen@crcna.org

Safe Church Ministry

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afe Church Ministry provides leadership in abuse awareness, prevention, and response. We respond to more than 1,000 requests for information from churches each year.

HIGHLIGHTS Safe Church staff members facilitated training events hosted by Safe Church Teams in six different classes and have also made classis presentations in four other classes. More than 300 Safe Church team members receive monthly “Safe Church News You Can Use” communications and additional resources to equip them to be effective representatives in their churches.

Our website, www.crcna.org/safechurch, is continually improving, with a new format and new resources.

See a new Safe Church video at vimeo.com/70689186.

New Safe Church training presentations are available on our website to help build awareness in your church.

Safe Church has a presence on the Network. Visit us at network.crcna.org/safe-church.

Abuse Awareness Sunday is the fourth Sunday in September. The topic for 2013 was “Criminal Sexual History and Involvement in Church.”

More than 40 churches have signed on to the “Circle of Grace” safe environment program for grades K-12. Find out more at www.crcna.org/SafeChurch.

Contact info: Website: www.crcna.org/safechurch Bonnie Nicholas, director Email: safechurchministry@crcna.org 616.224.0735 (office) 616.485.4595 (cell)

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Canadian Ministries

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e’ve been privileged to walk a journey of reconciliation in partnership with indigenous peoples in recent years. We have seen churches embracing the sacred responsibility of forming renewed relationships with our indigenous neighbors.

HIGHLIGHTS Indigenous perspectives on Canadian history have been shared through the Blanket Exercise.

The reForming Relationships Art Tour continues to celebrate indigenous gifts to the church through indigenous art.

We’ve been drawing attention to the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) through various communications.

The three Urban Aboriginal Ministry Centres provide a compassionate ministry with aboriginal persons in Regina, Edmonton, and Winnipeg.

As this journey of reconciliation gains momentum, the Canadian government is considering ways to make First Nations education more just and equitable, especially in the wake of the TRC hearings on Indian residential schools.

In the coming year, the CRC’s Centre for Public Dialogue anticipates a major campaign to mobilize churches and citizens for reconciliation in First Nations Education. Watch for the launch of our blog “Do Justice” for more information on this campaign.

Contact info: Website: www.crcna.org/canadianministries 1.800.730.3490 Ben Vandezande, interim director

ServiceLink

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erviceLink is the volunteer services program of the Christian Reformed Church in North America. It serves the denominational agencies and ministry programs as well as churches across Canada and the United States. The vision for ServiceLink is two-fold.

First, ServiceLink promotes volunteer opportunities and the placement of CRC members as they offer time, talents, and treasure for meaningful involvement in ministry both at home and abroad. They join with agencies and other CRC ministries, helping the CRC to expand its mission in transforming lives and communities worldwide.

Additionally, ServiceLink works with churches to provide resources and training that will enhance the volunteer experience and build effective ministry teams.

Contact info: Website: www.crcna.org/servicelink 800.730.3490 905.336.2920 Carol Sybenga, program manager Email: csybenga@crcna.org

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Christian Reformed Church Foundation

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he Christian Reformed Church Foundation serves the denomination by funding priorities that enable the CRC to focus on its mission.

The Foundation strengthens the capacity of the agencies and educational institutions to develop innovative initiatives. It also encourages generosity and stewardship on their behalf and works in partnership with them to add resources rather than compete for charitable gifts.

Though the Foundation may partner with an agency to develop financial resources, it primarily seeks funds to develop new ideas and start-up programs that fall outside denominational agency mandates. integrate program resources on behalf of the denomination as a whole. support innovative efforts that are not funded through synod, classes, or agencies.

The Foundation works under the authority of the CRCNA Board of Trustees. It is legally established in the United States and Canada.

Contact info: Website: www.crcna.org/foundation 616.224.0817 or 877.272.6299 Email: foundation@crcna.org

CRC Loan Fund

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he CRC Loan Fund extends loans to organized Christian Reformed churches in the U.S. for the acquisition or construction of church facilities.

Loans are also made for remodeling, improvements, and repairs to church properties.

Loans are usually made at interest rates that are more favorable than rates offered by traditional lenders such as banks and credit unions.

The primary source of funding for our loans is money invested in the Loan Fund by members, churches, and classes of the CRCNA as well as related organizations.

HIGHLIGHTS 2013 marks the 30th anniversary of the CRC Loan Fund. Over the years, we have made nearly 200 loans totaling close to $70 million.

In fiscal year 2012, the Loan Fund closed $2.75 million in new loans.

Financial performance continued to be strong in 2012.

We are currently in a record-high cash position, providing us with significant lending capacity.

Contact info: Website: www.crcna.org/LoanFund 616.224.0829 or 800.332.0012 Email: crlf@crcna.org

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CRC Communications

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RC Communications supports the churches and ministries of the CRCNA by keeping our members connected and informed.

We do this in many ways, using the Internet, print, photos, video, email, social media, and more. Following is a list of the services we provide and tips for how you can connect.

crcna.org Our new website serves as a hub for CRC news and information. It’s now phone- and tablet-friendly and also connects you to blogs from pastors, missionaries, and a variety of CRC-related websites including crcna.org/MinistryShares, a site where you can find information and stories about Ministry Shares.

crcna.org/subscribe There’s a lot happening, and our weekly CRC News email delivers it in a concise format to your inbox every Wednesday. It features the latest news, new posts to The Network and The Banner’s website, upcoming webinars and events, and more.

thebanner.org/together CRC Communications partners with The Banner to keep church members updated on the impact they are having across the world through our denomination’s ministries. Every month, the “Together Doing More” section features stories about how God is using the people and resources of our denomination to build healthy churches and transform lives and communities worldwide.

crcna.org/network The Network is one of the CRC’s most popular websites. Built around dozens of ministry areas, The Network connects church members with each other across the CRC. Here you can read blogs, ask questions, and compare notes about the nuts and bolts of ministry.

crcna.org/webinars Through the church year we offer webinars on a wide range of ministry topics. These one-hour learning events make it easy for pastors, staff, and volunteers to get training without the time and expense of travel. They’re free and only require an Internet-connected computer.

crcna.org/pray This webpage features a daily prayer guide you can receive online, by email, or in a print-ready format for distributing to your church members.

CRC Communications also provides churches with weekly bulletin announcements and a quarterly and annual Ministry Report that provides a snapshot of what’s happening with all the CRCNA ministries.

In addition we offer a weekly enewsletter that connects pastors with thought-provoking blogs, key announcements, and links from across the Internet.

If you have an idea for how we can connect CRC members and churches, please send us a note at communications@crcna.org or connect with us on Twitter (@crcna) or on Facebook.

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Ministry Shares Receipts and Gift Income Summary

2013 2012

Back to God Ministries Ministry Shares Gift and offerings Estate Gifts Total

3,548,000 4,021,000 1,262,000 8,831,000

3,596,000 4,217,000 1,943,000 9,756,000

Calvin College Ministry Shares Gift and offerings Estate Gifts Total

2,571,000 3,244,000 1,405,000 7,220,000

2,653,000 2,950,000 956,000 6,559,000

Calvin Seminary Ministry Shares Gift and offerings Estate Gifts Total

2,864,000 976,000 277,000 4,117,000

2,900,000 805,000 85,000 3,790,000

Faith Alive Ministry Shares Gift and offerings Estate Gifts Total

1,173,000 303,000 0 1,476,000

1,017,000 317,000 0 1,334,000

Home Missions Ministry Shares Gift and offerings Estate Gifts Total

3,757,000 1,856,000 234,000 5,847,000

3,792,000 1,677,000 1,213,000 6,682,000

World Missions Ministry Shares Gift and offerings Estate Gifts Total

4,848,000 7,829,000 510,000 13,187,000

4,946,000 7,566,000 1,716,000 14,228,000

World Renew Gift and offerings Disaster Gifts Grants Estate gifts Total

12,315,000 3,924,000 16,521,000 1,379,000 34,139,000

12,510,000 6,652,000 21,184,000 2,524,000 42,870,000

Specialized Ministries Ministry Shares Gift and offerings Estate Gifts Total

3,879,000 483,000 4,000 4,366,000

3,614,000 629,000 4,000 4,247,000

Denominational Services Ministry Shares Gift and offerings Estate Gifts Total

2,862,000 31,000 23,000 2,916,000

3,337,000 99,000 0 3,436,000

Foundation Gift and offerings Estate Gifts Total

1,175,000 0 1,175,000

1,718,000 0 1,718,000

Special Assistance Fund Ministry Shares Gift and offerings Total

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34,000 0 34,000

37,000 0 37,000

Gift Summary for Fiscal 2013 God has once again showered the Christian Reformed Church with the generosity of all those who support the church with their financial gifts. Even with the economic uncertainty around the world, the ministries of the denomination’s agencies, institutions, and specialized programs continue to receive the strong support of dedicated members and friends.

Though Ministry Shares were down by over $350,000 compared to the previous year, they still generated more than $25.5 million in revenue. The denomination continues to do a tremendous amount of ministry with these gifts that cost almost nothing to administer.

We thank all the churches—large and small, both in Canada and in the U.S.— that help to provide this vital base of revenue. Special church offerings and individual gifts (not including support for disaster response projects) generated $34.5 million in support, an increase of over $1.5 million from the prior year.

World Renew (formerly CRWRC) received $3.9 million in designated disaster relief funding from churches, members, and other supporters. World Renew also received more than $15.4 million in grant funding. These grants include funds designated for various areas of their global ministry, including community development and disaster relief work.

In addition, the CRC was blessed with gifts of over $4.6 million from those who included the church in the distribution of their estates.

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CRC Agency 2012-13 Ministry Shares Received Back to God Ministries International $3,548,000 Calvin College $2,571,000 Calvin Seminary $2,864,000 Faith Alive $1,173,000 Home Missions $3,757,000 World Missions $4,848,000 World Renew $0 Ministers’ Special Assis. Fund $34,000 Synodical Admin. Services $2,862,000 Specialized Ministries $3,879,000 Total: $25,536,000

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World Renew Ministers Special Assistance Fund

Synodical Administra1ve Services

Specialized Ministries

Back to God Ministries Interna1onal

Calvin College Calvin Theological Seminary

World Missions Home Missions

FACR

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