Meet Katie Roelofs, Your Worship Consultant!

What is a Thrive Ministry Consultant?

Ministry Consultants bring together a wide array of experiences and expertise that allow them to serve congregations with wisdom and compassion. They are practitioners, pastors, and seasoned ministry leaders who are eager to develop tools or serve as resources for the wellbeing of your congregation.

In what areas of ministry do you encourage and equip congregations? 

“The worship consultant only deals with music, right?” 

A common question, but not a correct assumption! While the worship of God’s people does include the musical offerings we lift up before God each week, one of my deepest goals and hopes in this role has been to broaden leaders’ understanding of the multifaceted nature of our worship life together. Worship intersects not only with every other aspect of church ministry, but also with who God calls and equips us to be in our daily living and in community with others. Sunday’s worship should form and shape us for every other hour and encounter of our week. 

In my role, I engage in the practical work of answering questions, providing resources, and giving tangible support. I also hold many roundtable-type discussions to bring worship leaders and pastors together to build community and share resources. I take on larger projects with more of a research focus to help leader’s think through some of the most pressing issues facing worship leadership today. I love a cup of zoom coffee with CRC leaders to hear how God is moving in their church through worship. I learn something new every day - what a gift!

How did you come into your role? 

I often tell people that my involvement and love for the church is rooted in the fact that from my earliest memories, I have known that I am not only a welcomed member, but a needed participant in the worshiping life of the church. As a child, I was not simply “tolerated” in adult worship services. I was invited to share my gifts and lead the church in age-appropriate, faith forming ways. The church saw my passion and spoke into a calling I did not even yet know existed as they encouraged me and allowed me to experience leadership in an authentic and Spirit-led way. 

At Gordon College and later Calvin University, I got a degree in music and worship. During these years I had the opportunity to intern at the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship and Faith Alive publishing. That was my first experience in denominational ministry, working with Joyce Borger to publish the children’s songbook “Sing With Me.” My husband and I moved out to the Baltimore/Washington DC area where I began work at the Washington DC, Christian Reformed Church. I had the privilege of serving there as their Minister of Music and Worship for almost 18 years. I was hired as a worship catalyzer for the office of Worship Ministries in 2022 and now serve as the worship consultant for Thrive. 

What brings you the most joy as you journey alongside churches and ministry leaders? 

As each new day begins, I take a few moments to look through my calendar, reflect on what is scheduled, and say a prayer over the work of my hands (or zoom screen…). There are days where meetings fill me with wonder and gratitude about what God is doing in our CRC churches and leaders through the faithful worship of God’s people. I hear these stories and rejoice with these leaders, dreaming about what the future might hold, pointing them to resources and new collaborations. There are also days where consultations are quiet and tearful as leaders share stories of struggles, conflict, burnout, and deep division. It is a sacred privilege to hold this space - sometimes sharing words of encouragement, but more often than not, simply listening. At the end of the day, I close down my calendar grateful for the worship leaders and pastors that serve CRC churches in joyful and difficult seasons. It’s my hope and prayer that they know and remember that their labor is not in vain. 

How can congregations connect with you?

Visit the Thrive website at crcna.org/thrive/consultants