Whether you're a new or experienced elder, let's use this place to compare notes, share experiences, and ask questions about being an elder in the CRC.
Pastor Church 
Larry
Staci
Scott
AndrewGot a question about church ministry? Post it now and see how helpful others can be!
We are looking for insights on changing our current model of Elders to shepherding and administrative....looking for feedback from different churches on the pros and cons.
While we value membership in the CRC, are there any scripture passages that can be used to support membership?
I've heard of councils struggling with the question of how and when to re-open. Sadly, I've also heard of this issue causing pain and division.
Are we approving one's profession of faith, as though we're giving it a pass-fail grade? Might we instead recognize and welcome?
If someone has committed a public sin (eg an affair), are they eligible to be an office bearer in the future or do certain sins prohibit someone from serving in office for the rest of their lives?
Assume that 50 years ago a consistory excommunicated a member for engaging in snowmobile races and missing church on Sundays. Should we apologize for church practices that we would no longer engage in?
Should an individual that has consistently not taken communion be considered for nomination for elder?
Can anyone recommend objective materials that we can use to help present the two sides of the women in office issue?
Have you found any good resources on planning an Inquirers class? Is it still called that?
Does anyone have a good suggestion for a simple and confidential database to track visits with members of their congregation?
I was wondering if the congregation has the right or ability to ask the current elders be removed and new instated?
The current board of elders at our church voted to dismiss our pastor without any say from the rest of the church. Can something be done to reject the elders' decision? Did they have the right to do this?
Can anyone provide a few compelling reasons to convince "adherents" who regularly attend and participate to become members?
About a month ago, we received an email from our Stated Clerk to discuss the 3 Synodical Study Committee reports. My question is: how do I best lead these discussions?
At our elders meeting we were discussing the need to provide leadership training for potential elders or deacons that haven't yet felt qualified or inspired to serve. Do materials exist?
Does anyone know of any short but effective ministry evaluation tools? I would appreciate any suggestions you may have.
I am the newly elected president and one member has raised a concern that our executive committee includes both of our pastoral staff. What is the appropriate membership?
There has been much discussion about what age to begin this process (grade 3) and the resources that should be offered to children and parents as preparation, but what about the older baptized member?
I would like to offer a roundtable on this topic in the Chicagoland area.
I am wondering if anyone knows if there is some sort of records or database regarding how many churches in the CRC have made the transition from a traditional Council structure to a model where Elders and Deacons are split into administrative and pastoral type roles?
We have a family requesting transfer to another CRC they have been attending for 7 years. They were declared lapsed in 2009. Is it still appropriate to send a letter of transfer?
Our Consistory has asked the Council Executive to look into proposing a “policy”, or set of guidelines, that can be implemented in the event of a conflict arising within our community that requires some guidance from outside the conflict to resolve in a pastoral manner.
When a person who has served as in elder in a CRC, and therefore has already signed the Covenant for Office Bearers there, moves to a new CRC and is elected elder, does he need to sign the Covenant for Office Bearers in his new church?
We are looking for a communion liturgy that can be used in homes with members who are homebound due to illness, etc. Has anyone created such a liturgy? If so, would you be willing to share?
Reflecting on all the people in my life who are now with God in Glory, I realise that listening and hearing their life experiences help form my future role as an 'aging' elder.