Drenthe Christian Reformed Church

Narrative

Our Story & Character

Ecumenical Activities

Our church is active in community programs such as:

Right to Life

Zero Gravity – Bible studies for upper elementary students

Gideons Bible Ministry

Campus ministry at Grand Valley State University

Food Resources Bank

The Way Church

Feeding America

Family Life Center

Strengths & Gifts

01Rely on strong Biblical preaching and youth

02Do very well nurturing our children with many programs

03Have a sense of unity, feels like family.

04Are very supportive in times of crisis or need.

05Very mission minded.

Passions

Taking care of those in our church community

Missionaries and mission work projects

Supporting local and global missions

God centered worship.

The youth

Congregational Struggles

Witnessing right in our local community.

We desire to be in more of a growing mode.

Mission / Vision

Recently articulated mission/vision for ministry: Yes

Most Interesting / Challenging Events (last 3 years)

New Fellowship Center

Concerns regarding recent Synod decisions around Human Sexuality

The thinning and closing of neighboring churches

Major Goals

There is a desire to become more active in the local community.

Keeping our young people active and involved in our church community so they desire to remain a part of the church as they grow older.

Add a college/career group

Continue to grow the small groups

Christians of Reformed Accent

As a church we believe in the sovereignty of God and that he can be seen in all aspects of life. We also promote it through encouraging the Christian Education of our children.

Relationship with the CRC Denomination

We respect the denomination and functions they perform on our behalf and for us as a local church. We participate fully with our local classis and the work they do.

Cultural Challenges Facing Christians Today

Same sex marriage

Using the Bible to fit their individual needs

Immigration and what is proper or not proper.

Life becoming too busy for families and church being secondary.

Three Most Important Events in Church History

Over 150 years ago the founding fathers of our church started a church in Drenthe and they passed down their faith. This has continued from generation to generation until today. Many family members of those original founders are still a part of our church and many new members have become a part of who we are today. Our prayer is that this heritage continue long in to the future until Christ's return.

Church Characteristics

Where We Stand

The highlighted option indicates the church's selection.

Presently, the FOCUS OF OUR CHURCH'S MINISTRY is

✔Community exclusively

✔Community primarily

✔Community & current members/participants equally

✔Current members/participants primarily

✔Current members/participants exclusively

In our church, the WORSHIP SERVICE IS DESIGNED FOR

✔Designed for unchurched

✔Emphasis on unchurched

✔Unchurched and believers

✔Emphasis on believers

✔Designed for believers

In our church, the STYLE OF MUSIC used in the worship service is

✔Contemporary

✔Mostly contemporary

✔Blended

✔Mostly traditional

✔Traditional

In our church, LEADERSHIP is generally provided by the

✔Predominantly lay leaders

✔Frequently lay leaders

✔Lay leaders & pastoral staff share leadership

✔Lay leaders function under pastoral staff

✔Predominantly pastoral staff

Our church seeks to ENCOURAGE SPIRITUAL GROWTH through

✔No specific ministries (Informal)

✔Ministries for a few groups

✔Ministries for selected groups

✔Ministries for most groups

✔Ministries for all groups (Formal)

In our church, EVANGELISM STRATEGIES AND METHODS are

✔Unplanned

✔Predominantly unplanned

✔Generally unplanned

✔Equal emphasis

✔Generally planned

✔Predominantly planned

Our church is representative of the ECONOMIC DIVERSITY of our community

✔Strongly representative

✔Mostly representative

✔Moderately representative

✔Mildly representative

✔Weakly representative

Our church is representative of the ETHNIC DIVERSITY of our community

✔Strongly representative

✔Mostly representative

✔Moderately representative

✔Mildly representative

✔Weakly representative

Our church's RESPONSE TO COMPASSION, MERCY, AND JUSTICE NEEDS is

✔Commitment to church-based action

✔Encouragement of church-based action

✔Church-based and personal action

✔Encouragement of personal action

✔Commitment to personal action

Our church's MISSIONAL FOCUS is

✔All local

✔Mostly local

✔Equally local and global

✔Mostly global

✔All global

Pastor Job Description

Drenthe Christian Reformed Church

Purpose Summary

The pastor serves Christ by equipping Drenthe CRC to fulfill Christ's mission in the community of Drenthe.

[cf. Form of Ordination, church Order, Art. 11]

Responsibilities

1 — Ministry of Prayer

Pray for the spread of the gospel through his own life and ministry, Drenthe CRC's life and ministry, and the community of Drenthe (Acts 6:4).
Work with the elders to equip the congregation to pray for the same (Colossians 4:2-6).

2 — Ministry of Word and Sacrament

Preach and teach in the Spirit's power (1 Corinthians 2:4) in ways which are a faithful witness to the gospel and kingdom of Jesus Christ (Acts 8:12, 1 Corinthians 1:23); call people to profess and demonstrate their trust in Jesus Christ (Acts 16:30-21); and equip members for good works by revealing truth and lies, right and wrong, obedience and rebellion (2 Timothy 3:16-17, 4:2).
Work with the Music Directors, Tech Director & Looking Up committee to lead Drenthe CRC in weekly worship.
Work with the Education Directors & Growing Deep committee to equip leaders and members to grow in grace and in knowledge of the Lord and Savior (2 Peter 3:16).
Work with the Reaching Out Committee to actively engage in personal evangelism (2 Timothy 4:4).
Work with elders to administrate the sacraments of baptism and the Lord's Supper (1 Cor. 11:2-34).
Work with council to ensure the Drenthe CRC's ministries are in good order and in line with the gospel (Col 2:5; Gal. 2:14).

3 — Ministry of Leadership (Shepherding)

Vividly and consistently convey Drenthe CRC's God given mission (Matthew 28:19-20).
Identify, equip and encourage present and emerging leaders (particularly elders, deacons, and ministry directors) in the use of their gifts for Drenthe CRC's purposes (Ephesians 4:11-13).
Work with the elders to lead members into gospel service using the gifts the Spirit has given (Romans 12:6-8, 1 Corinthians 12:1-6).

4 — Ministry of Care (Shepherding)

Follow up and meet with those who visit Drenthe CRC's worship services.
Work with elders to regularly express Christ-like love and hospitality to members.
Work with elders to regularly counsel and discipline (i.e. guide, encourage, warn) members.
Work with elders to visit the sick in order to pray for and with them (James 5:13-16). [cf. Form of Ordination, church Order, Art. 12]

Character Required

Belief

Demonstrated knowledge of the Scripture, gospel truth, and Reformed confessions (Titus 1:9).

Demonstrated confidence in the power of the gospel (Romans 1:16, 1 Corinthians 1:18).

Demonstrated dependence on the Holy Spirit to guide and empower for ministry.

Practice

Demonstrated accountability for life-transformation through consistent scripture reading, prayer, and confession.

Demonstrated ability to teach, privately and/or publicly (1 Timothy 3:2).

Demonstrated ability to lead his family, if applicable (1 Timothy 3:4).

Attitude

Displayed fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control).

Sacrificial love for Christ's sheep (Acts 20:28)
Gentleness (1 Timothy 3:3)
Self-controlled (1 Timothy 3:3)
Hospitality (1 Timothy 3:2)
Maturity and security in the faith (1 Timothy 3:6)
Respect to those outside the faith (1 Timothy 3:17)
Courage to contend for gospel truth (Titus 1:9)

Competencies Involved Gifts & Skills

Leadership Ability (Romans 12:8)

Preaching & Teaching (Ephesians 4:11)

Faith (1 Corinthians 12:10)

Discernment (1 John 4:1)

Shepherding Ability (1 Peter 5:2)

Encouragement (Romans 12:8)

Vision

Time Requirements

Full-time — 40–50 hours per week

Length of Service

Continuous until another pastorate is accepted

Accountability

Called by the congregation.
Accountable to council generally and elders directly for the fulfillment of his responsibilities.
If the council deems that the pastor is unwilling or unable to fulfill his responsibilities, develop required character traits, or lacks competencies to lead Drenthe CRC, the pastor agrees to actively pursue another call.
Works closely with elders, deacons and other ministry leaders.

Training and Development

The pastor is encouraged, with approval of the elders, to seek out professional and personal development seminars. He is also urged to spend much time in Bible reading and prayer.

Continuing Education Funds provided by approval of council.

Specific Duties

Preaching

Will be responsible to preach morning and evening Sunday services with up to two services per month off.
Will be responsible to preach local church recognized holidays and prayer services (Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's, CRC recognized prayer days, etc.).
Will be required to perform council approved weddings and funerals if requested by members of the congregation for members of the congregation.

Administrative

Will be responsible to provide reports and information as requested by the elders/council.
Will submit a monthly report to the elders reporting on that month's activities. To be presented at the monthly elders meeting.
Will be responsible to represent the Drenthe CRC at the meetings of Zeeland Classis whenever they are required.
Will oversee the work of the music director to assure that worship music and worship services are set up in such a way as to be honorable to worshiping God.
Will oversee the work of the Education Directors.

Teaching

Will be responsible for the overseeing of the teaching of 11th and 12th grade Catechism.
Seniors Bible Study (combined men and women).
Will work with and assist individuals who have a desire to make profession of faith.

Shepherding

Will be required to visit the shut in's quarterly (can be done by doing communion along with an elder).
Will be required to visit those who are hospitalized for surgery or injuries:
- Will meet with family prior to an extended stay surgery at home, at the hospital the day of the surgery and at the hospital after the surgery if the member remains in the hospital over 5 days.
- Out patient surgery will require a phone call asking if they desire a visit.
- Will make an attempt to visit families of the congregation who have had babies while in the hospital or within a week after the child's birth at their home.
Will be required to visit monthly those in extended care facilities for rehabilitation.
Will be required to visit members who are incarcerated yearly or as often as the elders deem necessary.
Will be required to meet and counsel any of the members requiring spiritual support.
Funeral and visitation requirements: for the death of a non-member of our congregation the pastor shall be required to visit the local funeral home if that non-member has an immediate family member who belongs to Drenthe CRC (ex: father, mother, brother, sister, child).

Name	Drenthe Christian Reformed Church
Location	Zeeland, MI 49464
Classical Counselor	Jon Bosema
Community Setting	Rural
Function	Agricultural
Growth	Growing
Community Population	~11,000 – Zeeland Township

Denomination	Christian Reformed Church in North America
Facilities	150-year-old building, upgraded and remodeled several times — last major renovation in the 1980s. Buildings are adequate for all ministries.
Parsonage	Yes — provided for the pastor
Building Program	Not currently projected
Office / Study	Separate education unit building

Council Members	12
Term Length	3 years
Full Council Meets	Monthly

Name	Aaron Arendsen
Address	1974 88th Ave, Zeeland, MI 49464
Cell	(616) 283-2363
Email	drenthesearch@gmail.com

Drenthe Christian
Reformed Church