CRCA Restructure - Have Your Say!
The CRCA Synod 2006 recognised that the task of alignment is a continual process. For this reason Synod decided to adopt TASK FOUR: “to reform continually the life of the denomination (including our church ethos, customs, church order, use of resources, denominational committees, support staff and agencies) to encourage and enable the fulfilment of the fundamental aim.” Synod 2006 further instructed the Ministry Formation Workgroup during the past Synodical period (2006-2009) “to continue to evaluate the effectiveness of current synodical structures, their contribution to the mission, and how their programmes or organisations might be made more effective.”
Synod 2009 has now decided that in order to continue to move towards fulfilling the fourfold task, structural realignment of the CRCA denomination is required. The goal is to assist local churches, area Classes, and the denomination as a whole to grow in their effectiveness in fulfilling our Gospel calling. The full report has now gone out to all churches and classes for feedback. The report can also be accessed from the Ministry Formation website. So here is the deal: what do you think about the proposal? Is the nature of the restructure clear? Is there anything that appears to be missed? Is anything in the wrong place? Have your say!
About the author
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)
