How Your Church Can Support the Work of Thrive

Late last year I was asked how a local church could support the work of Thrive, how Thrive serves CRC churches and a few more questions.  Your church council might have the same questions and I thought I would share this in case that's true. If something is unclear or you'd like more clarification on any issues I'm glad to connect you with a Thrive staff member that can help!

How would you describe the Goal of Thrive:
Thrive is  one of 3 CRC agencies that are under the care and oversight of the CRC Council of Delegates (COD) and the US ministry boards.  Thrive's goal is to equip and encourage congregations and facilitate congregational renewal across the CRCNA.

What is Thrive?

Thrive is the congregational support agency of the CRCNA. Though its roots are in the nine ministries formerly known as Congregational Ministries, it no longer operates as nine separate ministries with nine separate departments. When Thrive was created, the vision was to support churches in a way that reflects real-life ministry — which is holistic, layered, and far more interconnected than the old structures allowed. A few quick examples:

When a church is working toward better accessibility, that often touches worship, faith formation, disability inclusion, and sometimes justice. Or when someone asks about discipleship, the answer may draw on faith formation, worship, and chaplaincy together.

Can I Give to a particular focus area?

If your congregation desires to take a designated offering to a specific focus area, you are welcome to do so. Just note it in the memo line and we’ll honor that gift. Here’s the full list of areas churches can designate toward:

• Thrive - Where Needed Most
• Thrive (disability access)
• Thrive (chaplaincy)
• Thrive (pastor and church resources)
• Thrive (diversity)
• Thrive (safer churches)
• Thrive (justice)
• Thrive (faith formation)
• Thrive (race relations)
• Thrive (worship)

What's Thrive's Mission and Vision Statement?   

VISION
That all Christian Reformed congregations will faithfully and holistically embody the good news  of Jesus Christ within their particular contexts.

MISSION
Thrive engages and accompanies Christian Reformed congregations as they seek to embody the gospel faithfully and holistically in their respective contexts.

Thrive's mission and calling falls in alignment with the denominational mission and calling statement found here.

Why does Thrive exist?
Thrive operates under a mandate of Synod: “...to provide expertise, wisdom, and compassionate support to congregations while remaining attentive to a wide range of opportunities and challenges facing the church today.”

Thrive exists to equip churches and ministry leaders with the tools they need to flourish. Thrive has a team of seasoned ministry professionals whose experiences and expertise allow them to serve congregations with wisdom and compassion. Thrive staff are practitioners, pastors, and ministry leaders who are eager to develop tools or serve as resources for the wellbeing of congregations like yours across the CRCNA.

What's Thrive's Current Financial Situation? Does Thrive have specific needs?
Thrive is tackling a huge project for congregational renewal and strengthening across our denomination.
You can learn more about it here. Only half of these funds are being supplied through an external grant. The other half must be raised from churches and individuals. We believe that this 5-year project will  help churches discover or rediscover who they are and why they exist, sparking meaningful conversations about how God is calling them to serve in their unique context.

Are there ways our members can plug into your ministry?
The best way that someone from your congregation can get involved is to sign up for the Thrive newsletter www.crcna.org/thrive . There is a subscribe option in the top right corner of the page.

Thrive has also developed many of the faith formation resources that CRC churches across North America use on a weekly basis.

Many of those resources are available here:
www.crcna.org/thrive/resources
And all Dwell children's ministry resources are developed, updated and managed by the Thrive team.
dwell.faithaliveresources.org/

Congregants also can be involved through a number of volunteer roles, including becoming a Disability Advocate for their congregation, a member of the CRCNA’s Dignity Team, or a Safe Church Coordinator.

There is a Thrive regional connector for your area. These area connectors can help connect your members into the work of Thrive. www.crcna.org/thrive/regional-connectors

Besides financial support - are there ways our church can support the work of Thrive?
Prayer!  Specifically for Thrive’s Congregational Renewal Project