Resource Browser Page
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| December 13, 2010 |
The Story of the CRC Classical Renewal Ministry TeamClassis Health and Renewal The story of CRMT begins in the late ‘80s when Home Missions invited leaders of each of the classes (6 to 8 per year over several years) to conferences on successful church leadership at Robert Schuller’s Garden Grove Community Church. In 1989, ‘90 and ‘91... |
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| December 13, 2010 |
Reinventing the Judicatory in an Unthinkable WorldClassis Health and Renewal You are probably someone involved in leadership at a national, regional or local level of your denomination and very much aware of the challenges that need to be addressed. Some people are going about talking about a post-denominational North America, a myth created by those... |
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| December 14, 2010 |
Synod: Our Family ReunionClassis Health and Renewal The winds of change continued to blow and the challenge to bring even greater diversity to every level of our church life took on new form in 1996. That was the first year synod allowed members of underrepresented minority groups a place and a voice at synod. Delegating ethnic advisers was a bold new step... |
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| January 17, 2011 |
Ideas for Praying at ClassisPrayer Someone once said: “Ministry without prayer becomes work in the power of the flesh. Prayer without ministry is complacent Christianity..." Praying at classis meetings does not have to be elaborate. We just need to start making prayer a part of the day rather than an afterthought... |
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| January 17, 2011 |
Developing a Vision in ClassisClassis Resources A vision can unify and energize a group. But how do you get started in developing a vision for classis? This document outlines a process that can be used to develop a vision for a classis. |
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| January 17, 2011 |
Classis: Past, Present, FutureClassis Health and Renewal, Mission and Vision A classis is a way of organizing the church so that the church can be governed effectively. Can we effectively describe what it means to be a group of churches together? A dictionary definition will never be able to adequately define being together as a classis. This may be in part because our being together as a classis changes as the culture changes ... |
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| January 17, 2011 |
Six Principles for Leading Adaptive WorkClassis Resources Classis is not a problem to be solved but a structure to be used and developed. Innovative approaches to change are necessary in this type of environment. Adaptive work and leadership gives space for change to happen in a creative, healthy way. |
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| May 9, 2012 |
Our Confessional CrisisMission and Vision We needed to pay more attention to our confessional identity if we want to have a voice in our missional future. Is our tiny classical liturgy of binary subscription to our Forms of Unity sufficient? |
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| January 17, 2011 |
What is a Classis?Classis Health and Renewal What exactly is a classis? ... Why do we keep having this conversation? Can’t we just figure out what classis is and get on with it? Why do we still talk about classis renewal? |
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| January 17, 2011 |
Do you Take Your Classis to the Doctor?Classis Health and Renewal Over the past several years many churches have had check-ups of sorts to look for points of health and places that need work (Natural Church Development surveys, Healthy Churches surveys, WillowCreek Reveal survey, etc.). But when it comes to classes we often just keep going with the way things have always been. We don’t bother to check the health and vitality of this mid-level of church life. |
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| January 31, 2011 |
Changing Culture through Changing the ConversationClassis Health and Renewal “Many Protestant congregations have become burdened with elaborate, nearly Byzantine organizational structures that have assumed a life of their own but do not effectively further essential ministry or core purpose in this new time... ” |
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| February 7, 2011 |
Continuing the Story of the Classis Renewal Ministry TeamClassis Health and Renewal The CRMT is a group of ministry leaders convened by The Network, who believe that classes are healthiest when they function as communities of fellowship, prayer, and spiritual growth; when they create and sustain healthy congregations; and when they facilitate shared ministry ... |
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| February 14, 2011 |
Restorative Practices at ClassisClassis Health and Renewal Usually our discussion is dominated by five to ten pastors (and maybe one experienced elder) who are comfortable expressing their thoughts. We wondered how to encourage those quiet elders to lend their wisdom to the discussion. |
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| February 21, 2011 |
Classis and Church OrderClassis Health and Renewal Can a church polity (i.e. the Church Order) that was developed in a time when the Christendom world view was fully operational still be relevant in our multi-faith world, where Christianity is just one of many faiths seeking people’s attention? |
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| March 7, 2011 |
Relevant or Irrelevant?Classis Health and Renewal There are a number of people who think that classes have become irrelevant to our congregations. And perhaps overall, there is a waning interest. But I also know that there are many who are working hard at helping classis do things differently in order that they become more relevant and address the needs of leaders and churches. |
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| March 22, 2011 |
Prayer at ClassisPrayer Usually church meetings begin and end with prayer but do not have a focus on prayer. Yet prayer is the way we communicate with God. Shouldn't our church meetings, even business meetings, incorporate prayer throughout the meeting? |
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| April 7, 2011 |
Finding Balance in ClassisMission and Vision Is it right that congregations ask the question about classis: “What’s in it for us?” and then base their participation on the answer? Or should congregations be participating, not for what they can get out of classis, but for what they can contribute? |
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| April 28, 2011 |
Classical ExamsClassis Health and Renewal This examination is the last step in a long process of being declared a candidate. I wonder if it is a bit redundant. Before the classical exam the candidate has been through four years of theological education, been examined and approved by the faculty of the seminary, been examined and approved by the Synodical Candidacy Committee and been approved at Synod. |
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| May 17, 2011 |
Intentionally Diverse and UnifiedMission and Vision Many of our churches are becoming more diverse so we think this will naturally flow to having a more diverse leadership in our churches and then more diversity in our classes and denomination. But it isn't happening naturally. It seems like if we are to become more diverse... we will need to become more |
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| May 31, 2011 |
Classis - An Extended FamilyClassis The local church's need for classes and the denomination is a bit like a believing family's need for a congregation. A believing family should not just be content with worshiping and studying together, they need a church to attend, a gathering of other believers where they can worship, study, learn and hold each other accountable together. The same is true for churches. |
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| June 7, 2011 |
Denominations - An Extended FamilyClassis Health and Renewal We need denominations and yet they are flawed human creations. Bullard does not think that we can exist as churches without the denomination around us because “without them and without the ways they allow us to be people of faith together, we have no access to a God any larger than the God of our self.” |
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| June 14, 2011 |
Classis: The Right Tool for Three Important NeedsClassis Health and Renewal Reformed polity locates authority in three different assemblies: the local council, the synod and the classis. It is my assertion that the classis is the least valued, the most neglected, the most poorly resourced and the least utilized level of the three. |
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| June 20, 2011 |
Why Synod Needs ClassisClassis Structure, Mission and Vision No more "exceptional gift" entry for Ministers of the Word (Article 7) by Classis. In 2010 Synod discouraged affinity classes. In 2011 Synod didn't like ratifying confessional changes at Classis. It's not difficult to see within these debates the tension between uniformity and diversity, between trust and control. |
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| June 27, 2011 |
Reporting at ClassisClassis Structure At most classis meetings, CRC agencies and other ministries and organizations that are affiliated with the classis report in. Classis meetings are often seen as a good way of getting their information out to the churches. But is this type of reporting really the best way to get the information out? |
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| June 29, 2011 |
Classis Hamilton - A New WayClassis Health and Renewal, Classis Structure Until spring of 2010 Classis Hamilton had been following a 1950’s model of church governance which was heavy on administration and maintenance leaving churches feeling isolated from each other. Through the re-visioning process Classis Hamilton wanted new values of ministry, mission, and community to emerge with less administration, less maintenance, and less isolation between churches. |
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| July 3, 2011 |
The World CafeClassis Resources I have been reading The World Cafe: Shaping Our Futures Through Conversations that Matter. I was introduced to this book and this method of planning earlier this year. As I watched Synod last month, it struck me how different this method of planning and discussing an issue really is. I can't help wondering if there is a place for this |
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| July 11, 2011 |
"Talk" With You Later...Over the past six months I've had the opportunity to blog, write articles, and find resources for this online Network about classis. It has been a wonderful way of processing the work that I have been a part of. I've enjoyed getting other's opinions, stories and thoughts about the subject. I've been encouraged and challenged |
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| July 18, 2011 |
Who is Paul Vander Klay and What's He Hoping to Do?Mission and Vision Why do I want to blog about classis? I believe that the continued development of classis will be key for the vitalization of the CRCNA. I think classis is the least supported, most neglected, level of our three tiered system of church structure. I think investment in classis as a tool offers some of the greatest potential |
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Average Rating | |
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| December 13, 2010 |
More Classis Resources from the CRCNAClassis Resources List of all the Classes with links to their websites, list of Stated Clerks, and resources for Stated Clerks and Synodical Deputies. |
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| December 13, 2010 |
Purpose of Classis According to CRCNA Church OrderClassis Resources Classis Grandville's Mission Task Force prepared a useful summary of what the CRC Church Order and Manual of Church Government states about the purpose, authority, delegation, and business of classis. |
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| December 20, 2010 |
Empowering Your Classis Through PrayerPrayer This short document gives important background and ideas for empowering a classis through prayer. |
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| December 20, 2010 |
Congregational Prayer Coordinator: Sample Job DescriptionClassis Resources This sample job description includes mission, management, scope and appointment information from Classis British Columbia NW. |
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| December 20, 2010 |
Strategy for Mobilizing Church Planting and DevelopmentClassis Resources, Mission and Vision In 2007, Home Missions updated its strategy for Classes to use when looking at mobilizing church planting and church development. Although time has passed, this document still is helpful for classes wanting to be strategic about growing their churches. |
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| December 20, 2010 |
Who's Driving the Vehicle?Classis Resources This handout was presented by George Bullard at the CRMT's November 2000 conference. It applies Bullard's congregational leadership map to classis. This resource is a chart that helps visualize how a classis works effectively when a vision is in place. |
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| December 21, 2010 |
Assessing Your Classis HealthClassis Health and Renewal, Classis Resources Based on the 10 Benchmarks of a healthy classis, here is an assessment tool you can use to the health of your classis. |
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| December 21, 2010 |
Evaluating Your Vision StatementClassis Resources, Mission and Vision Once a vision has been produced how do you make sure it stays current and relevant to a classis? This document helps a classis ask the right questions to help keep a clear vision. |
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| December 21, 2010 |
APA: Vision-Casting Exercise for GroupsClassis Resources, Mission and Vision The Achieve-Preserve-Avoid (APA) vision-casting exercise is a tool to assist you with envisioning your classis 5 years from now. The APA can also assist a classis in developing a strategic plan. |
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| December 21, 2010 |
Sample Ministry Developer Job DescriptionClassis Resources Example of a classical ministries staff job description. |
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| December 21, 2010 |
10 Benchmarks of a Healthy ClassisClassis Health and Renewal, Classis Resources What does a healthy classis look like today? 10 Benchmarks of a Healthy Classis provides a way to answer this tough question. These benchmarks are a useful tool for assessing classis health and are also great discussion starters. |
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| December 21, 2010 |
Sample Ministry Coordinator Position DescriptionClassis Resources Example of a comprehensive Ministry Coordinator position description from Classis Niagara. |
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| January 17, 2011 |
How to Select and Empower Your Local Church Prayer LeaderClassis Resources, Prayer The prayer leader should be called of God as one with a special gifting and desire to pray. He/she must exhibit a strong personal prayer life in order to lead with authority. This resource on the Prayer Network lists qualifications and responibilites of the Prayer Leader. |
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| January 31, 2011 |
Changing the ConversationClassis Health and Renewal For congregations—particularly congregations of the mainline Protestant tradition—the way forward has everything to do with changing the conversation. Is a third way possible—a way beyond the polarized alternatives of either liberal or conservative, left or right, red or blue, traditional or contemporary, praise or classical? If it is possible, is a third way merely a compromise between extremes, a muddle in the middle, or is it a vital center and a new framing of the conversation? |
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| February 21, 2011 |
Looking Back, Seeing ForwardClassis Health and Renewal Although many classes have worked to restructure their meetings (with the help of the Classis Renewal Ministry Team) to make them more fellowship oriented, there has not been a significant discussion about the identity and logic of the classis as an organizational entity of the CRC. What are the underlying reasons to keep classis going? In this paper, Craig Van Gelder examines the history and the current context of classes. He encourages the reader to take a look and begin to engage church polity as it interacts with classes. |
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| February 22, 2011 |
Classis Prayer Coordinator Job DescriptionClassis Resources, Prayer This document gives a suggested job description for a Classical Prayer Coordinator. |
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Date |
Average Rating | |
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| December 13, 2010 |
The Alban InstituteClassis Health and Renewal, Classis Resources The Alban Institute website contains a number of resources for classis and congregational health. |
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| December 14, 2010 |
The National Day of PrayerPrayer The National Day of Prayer website has resources to encourage prayer in individuals, churches and denominations. |
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| December 14, 2010 |
Church Prayer Leaders NetworkPrayer The Church Prayer Leaders Networks exists to help individuals (pastors and lay people) who are working to raise up more prayer in their churches. It seeks to encourage, challenge, inspire, and provide resources as you seek to motivate and mobilize your church toward deeper levels of prayer. |
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| December 14, 2010 |
Roxburgh Missional NetworkClassis Resources The Roxburgh Missional Network works alongside leaders, churches, classes and denominations to face the challenges that face churches today. The partners of the Roxburgh Missional Network have worked with classes and denominational leaders in many different contexts around the world. |
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| December 14, 2010 |
Congregational Resource GuideClassis Health and Renewal The CRG strives to point leaders to those materials that can assist them in aiding their congregation's efforts to become healthy bodies of worship and agents of transformation in the communities they exist. |
