Can’t Afford CRC Curriculum? Introducing ‘DWELL Assist’

Nicole, a curriculum consultant for the CRC, loves assisting church members who coordinate Sunday school and children’s ministry programs. But there’s one thing she hears from time to time that just doesn’t sit well.

It’s when a Christian Reformed Church says to her: “We can’t afford curriculum.” Or “We can only afford leader guides, so we make-do without the pieces for kids and families.”

There’s something not right about that. After all, the DWELL curriculum is owned by the CRC and is the curriculum most-used by our churches. It’s infused with a distinctively Reformed worldview, hits the key points CRCs care about (see this comparison chart), and is designed to support faith nurture at home. So it doesn’t seem right when one of our churches can’t afford to fully use what is, essentially, their curriculum.

So today we’re excited to introduce DWELL Assist.

DWELL Assist is a financial assistance program for Christian Reformed churches in North America who are not using the DWELL curriculum because their church can’t afford it.

We don’t want cost to be a barrier that prevents our own churches from using the denominational curriculum. It’s true that DWELL is used by churches from many different denominations (about half of sales are to non-CRC churches, in fact). But DWELL is owned by the CRC and we don’t want cost to prevent CRCs from using it.

Last year, we introduced a new “CRC Discount” that helps all of our churches with the cost of materials, including DWELL. But for some churches in very difficult financial situations, even that is not enough.

So starting today, Christian Reformed churches who are unable to afford DWELL can submit an application to have their cost reduced through the DWELL Assist program. Applications will be reviewed and prioritized based on need and financial hardship of the church, as well as the funds available. As part of the application, churches are asked to contribute as much as they are able toward the cost of their curriculum.

DWELL Assist recognizes that that some of our churches don’t have to worry much about finances, while other churches struggle to pay their pastor. But we’re all in this together, seeking kingdom impact in every corner of North America. And we want kids across our entire denomination to be learning and growing in their faith.

Please apply by June 15 to be considered for the 2017/18 church year. Applications will be accepted throughout the year, but subject to remaining funds.

Today we’re also introducing the DWELL Assist Fund. As you might guess, this is a way for individuals or churches to help support the curriculum cost for these churches who otherwise could not afford it. If you believe that ALL kids in our denomination should have access to quality children’s ministry curriculum, regardless of financial situation, please contribute to the DWELL Assist Fund. The more that is received, the more churches we can help.

There are about 1,000 churches in the CRCNA. Regardless of their financial situation, every church is impacting lives for Christ and helping shape the lives and faith of children. We hope that DWELL Assist will allow more of these churches to afford the best faith-forming materials we have to offer.

If your church isn’t using DWELL because of cost, please apply for financial assistance.

If you or your church can support this effort, please donate using this form (and choose "Dwell Assist Program" from the list).