Jack De Vries was hired on by the Christian Reformed Churches of Australia and began his work as Ministry Training Coordinator in January 2008. In 2012 this role shifted to that of Ministry Development Coach.
Jack came from Canada where he pastored three Christian Reformed churches: Alliston CRC, Alliston, Ontario(1983-87), a church plant:...
Jack De Vries was hired on by the Christian Reformed Churches of Australia and began his work as Ministry Training Coordinator in January 2008. In 2012 this role shifted to that of Ministry Development Coach.
Jack came from Canada where he pastored three Christian Reformed churches: Alliston CRC, Alliston, Ontario(1983-87), a church plant: New Life Community Church, Pickering, Ontario(1987-95), and Bethel CRC, Listowel, Ontario (1995-2007). Jack is a graduate of Calvin Theological Seminary (Master of Divinity - 1983) and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (Doctor of Ministry - 2003) Jack and his wife Jeannie currently live in Petrie, a northern suburb of Brisbane in Queensland. They attend and are members of Bray Park Community Church. They have four adult children and seven grandchildren living in the USA and Canada.
In Isaiah 58:11 we read: "The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail." Australia has seen times of drought and floods. There is another type of drought in Australia; there is a spiritual drought. But God promises to provide refreshing rain, a never ending supply of refreshing water. The water he provides will satisfy the needs of all Australians. As we take up the missional vision God has given us we extend the life changing invitation of Jesus: "Come! Whoever is thirsty, come, and take the free gift of the water of life!" (Revelation 22:17)
Bulls do not belong in a china shop! Can you just imagine the disaster and damage that would occur? I love looking for unusual gifts in stores. When I shop I often wear a backpack. I am so cautious knowing that a quick turn here or there could topple some items off the shelves. A bull left alone in a china shop is a whole different story. If you want to be a good leader in...
When it comes to making decisions, are you impulsive or are you cautious? As a person? As a leader? Recently I texted a church leader and followed up with a phone call. I was asking him to make a leadership decision. This is what leaders are often called to do. People expect leaders to make decisions, often on the spot. But this church leader, after hearing my request, deferred judgement. He told me he wanted to...
At Synod 2022 that just met in Launceston (TAS), 1-6 May 2022, I gave my final report to Synod in my current role as Ministry Development Coach. I have been serving the CRCA in this role since 2007 as part of Ministry Formation. In my final report I not only summarized what Christ has been doing in and through the churches over the past decade and a half. I also looked forward and suggested three things...
Church leaders receive a lot of inside information. Having been in ordained ministry for almost forty years, I could tell you story after story about the personal lives of people. People have allowed me as a pastor into their homes, into their lives, and into their personal spaces. But would I share these stories? Absolutely not. We having been looking at eight often-overlooked characteristics that effective church leaders share.1 In this article we will consider how...
Nobody likes conflict. And people deal with conflict in many different ways. Some people avoid conflict at all costs. Others respond with unbridled anger or hurtful words or actions. Too many people bottle up their feelings and any feelings of hurt or anger are turned inwards. Then there are those who deal with conflict by lovingly confronting those who they are in conflict with. These people attempt to deal with conflict in a way that builds...
