Reese VanderVeen

Church: 
Community CRC in Oakdale, CA
About Me: 

Pastor of Oakdale Community CRC since August, 2010, and previously of Conrad CRC in Montana as my first call after graduating from Calvin seminary in 2007. 

November 20, 2012
Q&A
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Anyone have a well thought out job description for a Small Groups Coordinator?

So, we are way behind the eight ball in giving our small groups ministry some overdue attention. While we have had a pretty vibrant number of small groups meeting together for years to study a wide range of topics, it has been sort of running without any coordinated effort or inter-action across groups. This has worked well since each group enjoyed their little circles and overall were quite good at inviting any newcomers that might be interested. But lately after some unexpected losses from illness and moving, there are groups that are struggling to feel connected. We can't count on it that...
By Reese VanderVeen
Small Groups
March 9, 2011
Q&A
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What mentoring materials or activities do you use with youth and children at your church?

So, we're just beginning with the process of pairing adults and children into mentoring relationships as part of welcoming and guiding them to participate in the Lord's Supper as well as the full ministry life of the church, but we are sorely in need of more options or resources for mentors to draw upon. Currently, the "I Believe" mentoring book from Faith Alive is our only resource for junior high kids...Do you know of others? And what other activities or faith forming events would you recommend besides "going through the book?" Junior-highers are a first priority right now, but the same...
By Reese VanderVeen
Faith Nurture

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  • Thanks Sam,

    I really like the organic gardening image as well.  Although I'm afraid the initial steps for whoever may answer the call to tend our small-group garden may have to coach a...

    posted on: Anyone have a well thought out job description for a Small Groups Coordinator?

  • Boy who would have guessed that there's a whole website domain created just for supporting small groups with a name like that?  Sometimes the answer is so much closer and easier than we can...

    posted on: Anyone have a well thought out job description for a Small Groups Coordinator?

  • I love the ideas of talking "to" & "with" the children/siblings up front and not "at" them so that we do not preach down to them with a sermon, but I still struggle with what we should be ...

    posted on: Baptisms and Faith Formation

  • Thanks Jim, I even have a copy of that resource in my files!  A good place to start I agree.  Have you ever hosted or led any such discussion?  What type of material for guidelines do you cover...

    posted on: Council Retreat & Guidelines Material

  • Hey Joel,

    I'm just getting on board this Network thing and see that your question was posted already back in May.  If you are still looking into the OTC for next year, I highly recommend it...

    posted on: Old Testament Challenge?