Growing in Character, Skill and Knowledge

In May of 2008 the Staff Ministry Committee finished its work in developing a credentilaing process for church staff ministry leaders who are not ordained. Last week a Credentialing Committee met to interview the first four candidates for the process!

The Credentialing Committee is made up of two people who are experienced ministry staff (after the initial process these will be ministry leaders who have been credentialed), along with one member each of the Staff Ministry Committee, the Office of Pastor-Church Relations, and the faculty or staff of Calvin Theological Seminary or another college or university associated with the CRCNA. The Committee also includes one pastor from the classis of the candidate, though not from the candidate’s congregation.

My interview was at 3:30 pm—an hour I began to regret when at 3:00 afternoon drowsiness hit and my eyelids started to feel heavy! But the interview was friendly and encouraging, with questions about my faith statement, strengths and weaknesses, and why I desire to be credentialed. Over half of the bi-national committee joined us by phone from around Canada and the United States, reminding me of the scope of the credentialing process. Once credentialed in educational ministry, my credentials will hold true for every classis in the CRCNA.

After the interview I received a call from Jeanne Kallemeyn, staff ministry specialist, and member of the Credentialing Committee. She welcomed me into the process and emailed me information on the next steps—choosing a Learning Partner (LP), assessing my current level of skills, knowledge, and character for ministry, and developing an Individualized Learning Plan (ILP) for growth. The credentialing process includes a summary of core requirements in each of these areas that will guide me as I work with a Learning Partner to design an ILP.

This is an exciting process—one that could bless individuals, churches, and the whole denomination as educational ministries are strengthened!

If you’re interested in becoming credentialed in church education contact Jeanne Kallemeyn at jkallemeyn@crcna.org or 616-726-1152 for more information.

written by Jolanda Howe, CRC Educator