The office of Ministry Associate is a localized pastoral ordination for a particular ministry that is approved at the classis level. General qualifications for the office are presented in the CRC Church Order Supplement, Article 23a. This document is intended to help individuals, ministries and classes in developing a learning plan that will address these qualifications. It is the intention of the Candidacy Committee to update this document annually, using suggestions that it receives from classis leaders. We are eager to welcome you to this conversation!
Instruction Methods
The Candidacy Committee is convinced that accountability and partnership are key values in any learning plan. Reading of books has value, but the value is very limited unless combined with learning strategies that involve others. The following list cites instructional methods that can be used, in combination, for an effective learning plan:
Small Groups
Mentoring
Peer Learning
Christian College or Seminary Courses
Various On-Line Resources
Supervised Internships
Focused and Directed Local Church Service
There is certainly an overlap in these methods, yet the point is made that a variety of instructional methods is optimal. There is a difference between experience and learning as a person prepares for ministry, and the goal of a learning plan is learning.
In many regions there are informal learning programs already in place, called LDNs (Leadership Development Networks) operated by the classis. With the proper focus, these may be a means of training people for service to the church as ministry associates. There are also existing academic institutions and other educational programs that a classis may judge to be helpful in training those seeking to be appointed as ministry associates. Any training offered should be carefully designed taking into account the particular candidate and the ministry situation.
Books for Possible Use in Ministry Associate Learning Plans
It is with a certain amount of hesitance that the Candidacy Committee offers a recommended book list. First, as stated above, books alone, by themselves, have extreme limits in the learning process. Second, any list that is made will by its nature appear exclusive, as there are countless excellent books that could be cited. Finally, any list given will soon be out of date. However, in spite of these hazards, it is a significant service to the church to provide a well considered list of books currently available for use in learning plans for Ministry Associates. The following lists are grouped according to the “qualification guidelines” cited in the CRC Church Order Supplement, Article 23a. (p. 47-50 of the 2008 edition)
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Qualification
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Possible Books
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Character: The ministry associate is mature in Christ. “Christ-likeness” covers all of what it means to be godly. The following guidelines suggest many aspects of godly character:
1. Devoted to Jesus
2. Committed to the church and its mission
3. Called and gifted
4. Filled with love
5. Possesses the fruit of the spirit
6. Possesses the qualities of an officebearer
7. Has a servant’s heart
8. Possesses wisdom
9. Manages life well
10 Eager to learn
[Note: More complete descriptions of each of these, along with illustrative scripture references, are presented in the Church Order text of Article 23a Supplement.]
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Ordering Your Private World. Gordon Mac Donald.
So Much More: An Invitation to Christian Spirituality. Debra Reinstra
Too Busy Not to Pray: Slowing Down to Be With God. Bill Hybels
Working the Angles: The Shape of Pastoral Integrity. Eugene Peterson
The Divine Conspiracy. Dallas Willard
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Biblical Knowledge: The ministry associate has a working knowledge of the Bible in his/her native language and:
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1. Is able to identify Scripture’s main themes (covenant, kingdom of God, missio Dei, etc.), and to locate their place in the redemptive history that is centered in Christ;
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Encountering the Old Testament. Bill Arnold and Bryan Beyer.
Encountering the New Testament. Walter Elwell and Robert Yarbrough.
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2. Has command of the divisions of Scripture (Law, prophets, gospels, epistles, etc), the historical and literary contexts of each biblical book, and basic hermeneutical principles required to interpret them;
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A Basic Guide to Interpreting the Bible. Robert H. Stein
How to Read the Bible for All It’s Worth. Gordon D. Fee
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3. Is able to demonstrate knowledge of key Scripture passages, and to apply them appropriately to life and ministry.
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Based on the above is able to prepare and preach/teach meaningful and motivational messages/lessons that are true to Scripture. The ministry associate is able to communicate clearly the gospel to unbelievers and believers.
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Biblical Preaching: The Development and Delivery of Expository Messages.
Haddon W. Robinson
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Theological Knowledge
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1. The ministry associate has knowledge of doctrinal standards and systematic theology at the level of Berkhof’s Manual of Christian Doctrine. this would include knowledge of Reformed systematic theology, the Ecumenical Creeds, and the three confessional standards of the Christian Reformed church. Furthermore, the ministry associate is able to differentiate and defend the reformed faith biblically from other systems of thought, both Christian and non-Christian. She/he is able to reflect from a biblical perspective on the cultures, circumstances, and events of everyday life and ministry.
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Ecumenical Creeds and Reformed Confessions
Faith Unfolded. Jim Oosterhouse
Reformed. Robert DeMoor
Speaking of Comfort. Scott Hoezee
Speaking as One Scott Hoezee
The Promise of Baptism. James Brownson
Engaging God’s World. Cornelius Plantinga, Jr.
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2. The ministry associate has a basic knowledge of church history (including Christian Reformed Church history and culture) and is able to apply its lessons to present reality and ministry.
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Grace Through Every Generation. Scott Hoezee
“What It Means to Be Reformed” (Faith Alive brochure)
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Skill – Practice of Ministry: Ministry associates give evidence of ministry skills. The skills necessary for ministry are many, and not all ministry associates possess them in the same measure. Someone in a ministry position will be expected to demonstrate skills in relation to the particularity of her/his position. Ministry associates, whether in specialized ministry within an organized congregation or in new church development, use skills to lead the church of Jesus Christ to fulfill the new Testament purposes of outreach, worship, fellowship, discipleship, and service. Some necessary ministry skills are:
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1. Leadership and Administration: The ministry associate is able to help people and the church move from where they are to where God wants them to be. To do this, ministry associates possess such skills as: casting vision; creating ownership; creating functional organizational systems; developing and mentoring leaders; and managing time, money, and people (according to principles of CRC polity).
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The Leader’s Journey: accepting the Call to Personal and Congregational Transformation. Jim Herrington.
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2. Outreach: The ministry associate is able personally to share(witness); to defend (apologetics) the faith; and to lead the church in reaching out to the lost, in receiving them, and in developing new churches.
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Christian. Alfred Mulder.
Becoming a Contagious Church: Increasing Your Church’s Evangelistic Temperature. Mark Mittelberg.
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3. Worship: The ministry associate is able to prepare and deliver messages/teach lessons (homiletics), administer the sacraments, and lead in worship and prayer.
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Discerning the Spirits. Cornelius Plantinga and Sue Rozeboom.
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4. Pastoral Care: The ministry associate prosesses relational skills that enable her/him to provide personally and through the church (corporately) pastoral care, visitation, small groups, youth ministry, spiritual counsel, and conduct weddings and funerals
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Caring for God’s People. Melvin Hugen
The Compassionate Congregation. Karen Mulder and Ginger Jurries
The Elder’s Handbook. L Tamminga
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5. Fellowship: The ministry associate is able to foster a nurturing Christian community
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6. Discipleship: The ministry associate is able to raise up, teach, and nurture disciple-making disciples.
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Teaching the Christian Faith. Robert DeVries
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7. Service – The ministry associate is able to respond to personal and community needs by mobilizing the church for ministry.
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With Justice for All: A Strategy for Community Development. John Perkins
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8. Specialized: The ministry associate has any necessary skills specific to her/his particular calling within the church.
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Summary of Possible Books
A Basic Guide to Interpreting the Bible. Robert H. Stein
Becoming a Contagious Church: Increasing Your Church’s Evangelistic Temperature. Mark Mittelberg.
Biblical Preaching: The Development and Delivery of Expository Messages. Haddon W. Robinson
Caring for God’s People. Melvin Hugen
Christian. Alfred Mulder (Faith Alive)
Discerning the Spirits. Cornelius Plantinga and Sue Rozeboom (Faith Alive)
Ecumenical Creeds and Reformed Confessions. (Faith Alive)
Encountering the Old Testament. Bill Arnold and Bryan Beyer.
Encountering the New Testament. Walter Elwell and Robert Yarbrough
Engaging God’s World. Cornelius Plantinga, Jr. (Faith Alive)
Faith Unfolded. Jim Oosterhouse (Faith Alive)
Grace Through Every Generation. Scott Hoezee (Faith Alive)
How to Read the Bible for All It’s Worth. Gordon D. Fee
Ordering Your Private World. Gordon Mac Donald.
Reformed. Robert DeMoor (Faith Alive)
So Much More: An Invitation to Christian Spirituality. Debra Reinstra
Speaking of Comfort. Scott Hoezee (Faith Alive)
Speaking as One, Scott Hoezee. (Faith Alive)
Teaching the Christian Faith. Robert De Vries*
The Compassionate Congregation. Karen Mulder and Ginger Jurries (Faith Alive)
The Divine Conspiracy. Dallas Willard
The Elder’s Handbook. L Tamminga (Faith Alive)
The Leader’s Journey: accepting the Call to Personal and Congregational Transformation. Jim Herrington
The Promise of Baptism. James Brownson (Faith Alive)
Too Busy Not to Pray: Slowing Down to Be With God. Bill Hybels
With Justice for All: A Strategy for Community Development. John Perkins
Working the Angles: The Shape of Pastoral Integrity. Eugene Peterson
“What It Means to Be Reformed” (Faith Alive brochure)
*These two booklets are available free in electronic form through the Timothy Institute. Go to their web site to make a request: http://timothyinstitute.calvinseminary.edu
Additional Reading for Those Being Trained for Preaching
(in addition to Biblical Preaching, by Hadden W Robinson)
The Four Pages of the Sermon: A Guide to Biblical Preaching. Paul Scott Wilson
Additional Reading for Those Being Trained for Evangelism and Outreach
(In addition to Becoming a Contagious Church, by Mark Mittelberg)
Just Walk Across the Room. Bill Hybels
The Reason for God. Timothy Keller
Resources for Mentoring
The Mentor’s Guidebook – a 20 page manual available for free in electronic form. Contact famskip@juno.com.
Toward Effective Pastoral Mentoring – a free resource by CRC Pastor-Church Relations, available free by request from Faith Alive.
An Invitation
The Candidacy Committee hopes that the material presented on these pages will help classes develop learning plans for their ministry associates. These suggestions may also prove helpful for leaders of LDNs and other programs that want to serve the church with training for ministry associates. The Candidacy Committee desires to serve synod by being a resource for classes in offering a list of specific training programs that are being used, and in offering a list of specific materials that classes are finding to be helpful in addressing the training needs of ministry associates according to the “qualification guidelines” that have been specified. Toward that end, we welcome questions, suggestions and evaluations from those who are training Ministry Associates. We pledge to maintain a current list of ideas that are benefiting the church.
You can offer your suggestions, your training programs, and your questions by sending an email to dkoll@crcna.org. Keep an eye on these pages for future updates based on your input!
