There is a long history of working in the countries where we currently are. In 2009 we had to reduce the number of countries in which we worked because of budget considerations. It was a painful process, because we had to leave partners with whom we had been working for many years. In addition, we are always being asked to come into new countries. There are processes in place to help prioritize countries based on needs and opportunities. One of the considerations is whether or not there are other CRCNA agencies working there. The decisions are made by our codirectors, regional team leaders, and board.
As for the overlap question, I made a similar list a few years ago although it is now out of date. However, every country has an annual plan that includes a section on how they will work with the other CRCNA agencies that are in the country. I personally am more familiar with how CRWM and World Renew work together and less so with BTGMI. Perhaps that would make a good topic for a future Network post!
I hope that answers your questions, if not let me know and I will be happy to go into further detail.
Hi Lou, I think those discussions are going on at the upper levels. I haven't heard of anything concrete happening, just meetings. Steve and I are part of an interagency group that works with churches and we meet regularly. We work quite closely to help bring missions to the forefront of churches. On the field, as you probably know, the missions agencies work quite closely as well.
I'd be interested in knowing what sorts of collaboration those "in the pews" would like to see.
I have very much enjoyed reading everyone's comments. I just returned from a trip to Uganda where a church from North America is developing a relationship with a church in Uganda. What struck me most was the similarity between the two churches, even though divided by so much distance. Also how vibrant that church in the "developing world" is!
Regarding engaging businessmen: I hesitate to say that money cures everything. But I do hope that they feel they can get involved through our agencies. What do you think should be done to improve that? What would that look like?
Lou: CRWRC is seeking clarification about fiscal autonomy, as government agencies want to be assured that we have control over our finances and that it's not really controlled by CRCNA. We are still very much committed to partnering with other agencies and we couldn't function without the support and partnership with our churches.
Hi Lou, the "our agencies" with which I hope that business people feel they can engage with referred to CRCNA agencies in general (CRWRC, CRWM, and PWW although it's not an official "agency")
The fiscal autonomy was referencing just CRWRC. I can see where that would be confusing, since in the first paragraph I used "we" as in representing all of CRCNA, and in the second I was referring just to the agency for which I work.
Hello Elizabeth, I was going to suggest Bethany Christian Services, but I notice from your profile that you are already aware of them :-)
In the U.S., CRWRC and the Office of Social Justice partner with Bethany Christian Services' PARA in the area of refugee resettlement, and we encourage our churches to get involved.
In Canada, CRWRC is more actively involved in refugee resettlement since in Canada churches can actually be the sponsoring organization.
Commenters on this topic may be interested in viewing the latest global missions post, "Funding Global Missions." I talk about the changing support models and link to a more in-depth article by Catalyst Services. http://network.crcna.org/content/global-mission/funding-global-missions
I want to thank everyone for their participation in this forum, and encourage lurkers (you know who you are) to join in if you have questions or further ideas.
As Steve alluded, it is very difficult to explain the strategies of entire agencies in sound bites on a forum. I have forwarded a link to this discussion to CRWRC's codirectorate and a few others, and all have said that they are more than willing to talk to anyone who would like to talk more in depth about these issues.
To expand our thinking a bit, I'm sharing (with her permission) Susan Van Lopik's thoughts on the topic. She is our director of program excellence:
Our Reformed WorldView provides the basis for anyone to see their vocation as part of the mission of God. Thanks be to God for pastors, business people, students, social workers, teachers, lawyers, doctors, investors, etc. who understand and accept a call to work in God's Kingdom using the gifts they have been given. Poverty, hunger and injustice are issues that are so complex that many approaches are necessary, and thus the gifts of many are required. While economics plays a very big role in both the cause and solution to poverty, hunger, and injustice, it is not the one and only cause nor solution. While supporting world wide business development can play a part in creating change that is necessary to bring hope to the poor, the hungry and the oppressed, business alone cannot create the change that is needed.
It is ugly to look upon poverty, hunger and injustice, and to grapple with the sin in this world that gives birth to these tragedies. Yet, in the midst of this pain we see people coming together, communities around the world recognizing their own assets, strengths and abilities to create change for themselves. We see local business people in Nigeria who work in peacebuilding and reconciliation, beyond creating financial capital, but building social capital as well. God's mission is 3-D, a world of layers and nuances, there is a place for each of us, a deep place for each of us to bring our gifts in service to God.
I don't know what media you're referring to, but I have seen links to numerous articles (TV shows, newspaper clips) on facebook. The links my friends tend to post are about the attackers getting shot because the intended victim was concealed carrying. So the media I'm coming across IS outraged.
in the U.S., IRS 990 forms provide similar information. Interestingly, when checking on Guidestar, CRWRC's are available but I did not see other agencies or CRCNA.
He is known in secular academic and scientific circles as a buffoon and a chronic liar.
[/quote]
A reminder of the comment policy:
"Address Issues, Not People -- In general, comments should focus on an issue. The Network is a place to talk with others, not about others. If you refer to a person or group, take extra care to be honest, respectful, and polite. Remember that they are your brothers and sisters in Christ, and should not have to join your discussion to defend themselves. Accusations, labeling, or name-calling directed at individuals or groups will not be tolerated."
I did not flag this comment for review but thought a reminder was in order.
Posted in: World Renew's Approach to Funding Missions
There is a long history of working in the countries where we currently are. In 2009 we had to reduce the number of countries in which we worked because of budget considerations. It was a painful process, because we had to leave partners with whom we had been working for many years. In addition, we are always being asked to come into new countries. There are processes in place to help prioritize countries based on needs and opportunities. One of the considerations is whether or not there are other CRCNA agencies working there. The decisions are made by our codirectors, regional team leaders, and board.
As for the overlap question, I made a similar list a few years ago although it is now out of date. However, every country has an annual plan that includes a section on how they will work with the other CRCNA agencies that are in the country. I personally am more familiar with how CRWM and World Renew work together and less so with BTGMI. Perhaps that would make a good topic for a future Network post!
I hope that answers your questions, if not let me know and I will be happy to go into further detail.
Posted in: Concept of a Global Missions' Agency
Hi Lou, I think those discussions are going on at the upper levels. I haven't heard of anything concrete happening, just meetings. Steve and I are part of an interagency group that works with churches and we meet regularly. We work quite closely to help bring missions to the forefront of churches. On the field, as you probably know, the missions agencies work quite closely as well.
I'd be interested in knowing what sorts of collaboration those "in the pews" would like to see.
Posted in: Concept of a Global Missions' Agency
I have very much enjoyed reading everyone's comments. I just returned from a trip to Uganda where a church from North America is developing a relationship with a church in Uganda. What struck me most was the similarity between the two churches, even though divided by so much distance. Also how vibrant that church in the "developing world" is!
Regarding engaging businessmen: I hesitate to say that money cures everything. But I do hope that they feel they can get involved through our agencies. What do you think should be done to improve that? What would that look like?
Lou: CRWRC is seeking clarification about fiscal autonomy, as government agencies want to be assured that we have control over our finances and that it's not really controlled by CRCNA. We are still very much committed to partnering with other agencies and we couldn't function without the support and partnership with our churches.
Posted in: Concept of a Global Missions' Agency
Hi Lou, the "our agencies" with which I hope that business people feel they can engage with referred to CRCNA agencies in general (CRWRC, CRWM, and PWW although it's not an official "agency")
The fiscal autonomy was referencing just CRWRC. I can see where that would be confusing, since in the first paragraph I used "we" as in representing all of CRCNA, and in the second I was referring just to the agency for which I work.
Posted in: Concept of a Global Missions' Agency
Hello Elizabeth, I was going to suggest Bethany Christian Services, but I notice from your profile that you are already aware of them :-)
In the U.S., CRWRC and the Office of Social Justice partner with Bethany Christian Services' PARA in the area of refugee resettlement, and we encourage our churches to get involved.
In Canada, CRWRC is more actively involved in refugee resettlement since in Canada churches can actually be the sponsoring organization.
Here is a link to more information: http://www.crcna.org/pages/osj_refugees.cfm
Posted in: Synod World Missions: Missionaries to Raise 90% of Their Salaries
Commenters on this topic may be interested in viewing the latest global missions post, "Funding Global Missions." I talk about the changing support models and link to a more in-depth article by Catalyst Services. http://network.crcna.org/content/global-mission/funding-global-missions
Posted in: Concept of a Global Missions' Agency
I want to thank everyone for their participation in this forum, and encourage lurkers (you know who you are) to join in if you have questions or further ideas.
As Steve alluded, it is very difficult to explain the strategies of entire agencies in sound bites on a forum. I have forwarded a link to this discussion to CRWRC's codirectorate and a few others, and all have said that they are more than willing to talk to anyone who would like to talk more in depth about these issues.
To expand our thinking a bit, I'm sharing (with her permission) Susan Van Lopik's thoughts on the topic. She is our director of program excellence:
Our Reformed WorldView provides the basis for anyone to see their vocation as part of the mission of God. Thanks be to God for pastors, business people, students, social workers, teachers, lawyers, doctors, investors, etc. who understand and accept a call to work in God's Kingdom using the gifts they have been given. Poverty, hunger and injustice are issues that are so complex that many approaches are necessary, and thus the gifts of many are required. While economics plays a very big role in both the cause and solution to poverty, hunger, and injustice, it is not the one and only cause nor solution. While supporting world wide business development can play a part in creating change that is necessary to bring hope to the poor, the hungry and the oppressed, business alone cannot create the change that is needed.
It is ugly to look upon poverty, hunger and injustice, and to grapple with the sin in this world that gives birth to these tragedies. Yet, in the midst of this pain we see people coming together, communities around the world recognizing their own assets, strengths and abilities to create change for themselves. We see local business people in Nigeria who work in peacebuilding and reconciliation, beyond creating financial capital, but building social capital as well. God's mission is 3-D, a world of layers and nuances, there is a place for each of us, a deep place for each of us to bring our gifts in service to God.
Posted in: The So-Called Knock-Out Game
I don't know what media you're referring to, but I have seen links to numerous articles (TV shows, newspaper clips) on facebook. The links my friends tend to post are about the attackers getting shot because the intended victim was concealed carrying. So the media I'm coming across IS outraged.
Posted in: Leadership or Preaching? What is more important in the CRC?
Why do you have to choose one or the other? I think both are important. The days of one person being able to do it all (the domine) are long gone.
Posted in: Accountability and Clarity in Salary Grid
in the U.S., IRS 990 forms provide similar information. Interestingly, when checking on Guidestar, CRWRC's are available but I did not see other agencies or CRCNA.
Posted in: Creation vs Evolution: Impact on Witness and Faith
[quote=Norm Prenger]
He is known in secular academic and scientific circles as a buffoon and a chronic liar.
[/quote]
A reminder of the comment policy:
"Address Issues, Not People -- In general, comments should focus on an issue. The Network is a place to talk with others, not about others. If you refer to a person or group, take extra care to be honest, respectful, and polite. Remember that they are your brothers and sisters in Christ, and should not have to join your discussion to defend themselves. Accusations, labeling, or name-calling directed at individuals or groups will not be tolerated."
I did not flag this comment for review but thought a reminder was in order.
Posted in: When will we have an article about the tragic losses in Calgary Alberta & area because of the flooding?
World Renew is responding http://worldrenew.net/our-stories/world-renew-responds-alberta-floods