Dirk van der Vorst
Master of Divinity (M.Div) Board Certified Chaplain with the Association of Professional Chaplains. (BCC) Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (B.A.) Bachelor of Religious Education. (B.R.E.) Ordained Minister. Endorsed by CRC Chaplaincy Ministries of the CRCNA. Ministerial credentials held with the CRCNA at First CRC, Denver.
Posted in: Changed Requirements for Clergy Residence Deduction (Canada)
Bruce:
Do you know of the impact these modified requirements have on ordained ministers who work in specialized ministry settings such as Canadian Chaplains?
Posted in: Pastors Supporting Pastors
How sad that the institution that is suppose to train leaders and pastors in "formation for ministry" graduates candidates that have not been mentored in the practice of ministry. This is why I believe, at minimum, one unit of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) should be required for every Calvin Seminary Graduate. This experience-based action / reflection model is a place were students are challenged to form their pastoral identity, face their fears, weakness and short-comings and under the supervision of a spiritual director who sets a clear direction to engage their talents, gifts and abilities to work for clear personally -tailored learning goal & outcomes. In the CPE context one also learns the value of peer groups and mutual accountability & encouragement. Others can shed light on our blind spots.
I am part of a professional interfaith chaplain peer group and I count it among one of the most valuable supports in ministry. These are our ground rules:
We meet quarterly, do check in and any member can bring any issue to the group as they please. –we never lack for volunteers. Currently we have about 8 chaplains/spiritual care providers in our group.
Every pastor should be part of a peer support group.