CRNA Request for Survey for Covenant CRC

CRCNA Church Survey. The denomination is seeking input as it continues to make plans for the future through the visioning process called ‘Our Journey 2020’. Covenant church has been randomly selected as one of the congregations for which they are asking that no less than 30 members complete this survey. More than 30 is better. This is an on-line survey only and can be accessed at crcna.org/survey/9010 Survey will take 20-30minutes to complete. CRCNA requests that the survey be completed by March 10/17. Please see Jake Veenstra if you have any questions.

New Mission Agency Update – for Home Missions and World Missions

New Mission Agency Update

Home Missions and World Missions will be completing this fiscal year (ending in June 2017) as two separate agencies with two separate budgets. Both agencies still have financial and ministry commitments this year, and Synod 2017 is expected to give final approval of the transition to a new mission agency. Behind-the-scenes work to bring the two agencies together is continuing, but a lot of important steps need to be completed before making the “official” transition—such as selecting a name, designing a logo, finalizing new ministry leaders, and searching for new ministry opportunities.

We see this joining as a time to work together in new ways and identify new ministry opportunities that may not have been possible before. We hope to continue current ministry and grow new ministry, and we pray that churches and individuals like you will join us in supporting that growth through your continued prayers and financial support for Home Missions and World Missions ministries.

Home Missions and World Missions have identified as opportunities to expand ministry as a result of joining together: Arab/Muslim outreach, partnering with local ministries, and diaspora ministries.

Initative 1: Arab/Muslim/Middle East Outreach
Missionaries in the Middle East and staff in North America who work among Muslim groups have been meeting regularly to share best practices, experiences, and struggles. Together they are finding common themes and applying what they discuss for more effective ministry. 

Initative 2: Partnering with Local Ministries
We recognize that grassroots ministries led by national leaders have a better understanding of the needs of their community. We see opportunities for partnership with these local organizations by complementing their strengths and working toward a common goal where possible. Mission Montreal is one such example of how this partnership can work.

Initative 3: Diaspora Ministries Outreach
Many opportunities to start new churches and ministries with people groups from different countries exist right in North America. We hope to use the gifts and knowledge that missionaries gain while living in the international mission field to more effectively reach out to immigrants from these countries who want to partner in ministry in North America. Immigrants like Pastor Siang Lian Hup.

Church Resources for your local ministry

Serving your ministry in Southern Ontario

Your Southern Ontario Connections Project team is here to provide tools and resources, coaches and learning events, to support and assist congregations in classes Hamilton, Huron, Niagara and Toronto.
Below you will find highlights of what is already taking place, and opportunities for you and your ministry leaders to become part of this shared-learning journey with other Christian Reformed churches.

To learn more about the Connections Project in Southern Ontario, please visit:
www.crcna.org/SCE/connections-project
or contact:
Ken Bosveld, Resource Catalyzer, Southern Ontario
kbosveld@crcna.org
Lesli van Milligen, Resource Coach, Classes Huron and Toronto
lvanmilligen@crcna.org
Marian Lensink, Resource Coach, Classes Hamilton and Niagara
mlensink@crcna.org

Hamilton and Niagara

Conversations have taken place with a number of pastors and churches in both Classes, and I still arranging to make connections in a number of Classis Niagara churches. I welcome conversations with anyone who is interested in learning about a specific aspect of ministry, through new resources, connections with others, and coaching. Here is a sample of what is beginning to come together:
Strategic Planning Group:  A group of four pastors/ministry staff have been sharing stories of what God is showing them as they engage in new ministry plans.  As strategic plans have been developed, this conversation focuses on the ongoing learning in the midst of adapting to the dynamics of change.
Small Group Ministry:  A group of ministry volunteers and staff from a number of churches are gathering together periodically, in person and on-line video conferencing, to learn more about small group ministry.  Each gathering focuses on a segment of group learning as well as opportunities to share what God is doing in local ministry.
Young Adult Ministry:  Some Classis Hamilton pastors have expressed a void in the area of young adult ministry.  Initial conversations are focused around gathering leaders together to encourage each other in the development of a ministry for this often overlooked demographic in our churches.
Please let me know if you are interested in joining in any of these conversations or have an idea for something that would enhance your ministry.  I am happy to engage in one-on-one conversations, provide coaching, suggest resources or connect you with others on a similar journey.
Marian Lensink, Resource Coach (Hamilton/Niagara)
905-220-0457
mlensink@crcna.org

Huron and Toronto

Youth Ministry Cohort – Part peer mentoring and part peer learning group, Youth Directors/Pastors in Classis Huron meet monthly over lunch to share ministry best practices and program ideas.  This group also reflects on books and articles about youth ministry in order to keep current.  Leadership themes and spiritual health round out our regular discussion topics. This group is suitable for both volunteer and paid youth workers.
Please contact Lesli van Milligen if you would like to know more, or join this group.

Other fledgling cohort groups that are just starting up include a group on strengthening congregational prayer practices and a gathering of churches interested in navigating “staff-led ministry in a council-based system.”
Please contact Lesli van Milligen if you would like more information on either of these groups.

Turn Ministry Volunteers into Leaders

We have received feedback from churches that are struggling with volunteer leadership development, particularly with aligning volunteers around areas of giftedness or replacing long-time ministry leaders who are retiring, aging or possibly taking a break.
Churches were asking for ideas, suggestions and best practices on how to ensure volunteer leadership can be successfully transitioned to the next generation.
If your church finds itself in a similar situation, here are some resources you may find helpful:

  1. Next Generation Leaders
  2. Reach More Volunteers
  3. 50 Ways to Increase Active Engagement
  4. Lessons on Engaging Young Adults Effectively
  5. Creating Transformative versus Transactional Volunteer Experiences
  6. A great book your church may want to purchase is called “The New Breed – understanding and equipping the 21st century volunteer” by Jonathan McKee and Thomas W. McKee. It will help you understand the differences in recruiting and engaging Millennials for ministry as opposed to Baby Boomers.

If you are interested in additional resources, coaching in the area of Volunteer Ministry Development, or in being part of a Volunteer Ministry Cohort where you can learn from others and share best practices, please contact:

Carol Sybenga, Program Manager, ServiceLink
csybenga@crcna.org
800-730-3490 ext. 4249

FREE resources from Faith Alive

The Digital Library makes hundreds of books and resources available for free to CRC members.

This includes such informative titles as:

and hundreds of additional titles and resources to support your local ministry.
It’s easy to register.  We invite you to start browsing the Digital Library to discover all of the great resources available to you!

Congregational Updates about Timothy Christian School

The Annual Christmas Bazaar update:  We are thrilled to announce that our bazaar raised over $35,000 this year thanks to an incredibly supportive community!!  A sincere thank you to all of you who participated in our Bazaar Fundraiser, it was an amazing day and our school has been blessed with another successful accomplishment….thank you!

TCS Annual Drive is ongoing for this 2016-2017 school year
Timothy Christian School is currently running it’s Annual Drive and allocating these funds to operating costs that run over and above our tuition revenue. If you are considering donating, this is a great time of year before fiscal year end.
Our goal for our Annual Drive this year is $160,000. Would you please consider supporting TCS, your donations will help next year to be a great success. Thank you in advance!

 UPCOMING TCS EVENT: Scrapday 2017
If you love to build memories through photos, crafts and scrapbooking, join us on SATURDAY, JANUARY 21ST, 2017 from 9am to 8pm for a day devoted to gathering with friends, collaborating great ideas, enjoying some meals together and getting some scrapbooking DONE!  Tickets are on sale now for $45, which includes a continental breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, gift bag, raffle & door prizes!  Tickets are selling fast, so contact the office at 705.726.6621 or email: scrapday@timothychristianschool.ca

INSPIRE Bursary Campaign has been launched!
Within the Strategic Plan of Timothy Christian School, it has been determined that a Bursary Plan was an important part of making Christian Education more accessible to everyone. We need to build that fund, so we can assist families in the future. Global tuition assistance can only cover a portion and further bursary funds may be necessary.
Would you join us as we develop our Bursary fund through the” INSPIRE BURSARY CAMPAIGN” ?
Our goal for this Campaign is $250,000…join us as we build our children’s legacy.

 

Christmas Eve – Memorial Square

2016-one-church-christmas-poster

One Church Barrie Christmas Eve Service at Fred Grant Memorial Square at 7 p.m. This Christmas tradition was started by Bethel Community Church some 27 years ago as a result of their not having a building to celebrate Christmas Eve service. Bethel has always been open to having others celebrate with them, and so last year the evening “officially” becaome a One Church Barrie event.

If you have any questions, please contact Bethel Community Church by telephone at 705-722-5221 or Stephan Bauer via email at pastorstephan@bethelbarrie.ca