MFCA Name Change Possible

If you take a look at the MFCA report in the workbook for this year’s General Synod you will notice that a bulk of the report involves the bylaws. New bylaws are being recommended. The old bylaws have been totally “gutted” in order to create new bylaws which will result with the approval of one simple recommendation. The recommendation is to change the word “coordinating” to “certification” in the name of the agency, thus making the MFCA the Ministerial Formation Certification Agency. This change will remove some major responsibilities from the agency’s mission, including the oversight of Standards and the coordination of theological education between MFCA, New Brunswick Theological Seminary, and Western Theological Seminary. It is our hope that the removal of responsibilities will also remove obstacles in the process that the denomination is attempting to employ in the identification, equipping and employment of future pastoral ordained leaders.
The General Synod Council (GSC) will be asked to create a new organization to take care of the broader responsibilities that were originally assigned to the MFCA. One of the main reasons for going in this direction has been the elimination of the tension created by having the agency responsible for coordination also being one of the components being coordinated. It provided for an awkward situation, not allowing the agency to function properly when each segment, MFCA, NBTS and WTS, had its own unique identity and mission while sharing the formation and education responsibilities for future ministers. The new structure will place each of the agents on equal footing while receiving guidance and support from the denomination around standards for preparation for ministry. The GSC will also seek to monitor and improve the relationships and mutual efforts between the agents and the classes.
The new MFCA will focus its efforts on the two programs that result in the awarding of the Certificate of Fitness for Ministry – the Reformed Candidates Supervision and Care (RCSC) and the Approved Alternate Route (AAR). The preamble of the new bylaws provides the following definition for the newly configured MFCA…
The Ministerial Formation Certification Agency of the Reformed Church in America shall serve the Reformed Church in America (“RCA”) by:
Overseeing the education of, and awarding the Certificate of Fitness for Ministry to, candidates for the ministry who are seeking the degree of Master of Divinity or its academic equivalent from a seminary not officially related to the RCA (a “Non-RCA Seminary”);

Approving means by which candidates for the ministry may meet the requirements for the receipt of a Certificate of Fitness for Ministry (as provided in the RCA Book of Church Order (“BCO”)); and

Consulting with and providing counsel to congregations and classes in the care and nurture of candidates for the ministry who are seeking the Certificate of Fitness for Ministry and who are not attending a RCA Seminary as a matriculated student.

Currently, the RCSC has approximately seventy (70) individuals enrolled, the AAR has twenty-five (25) enrolled, and there are thirty-five (35) active applicants, making for one hundred and twenty-five (125) candidates being processed at any one time. The main program of the MFCA consists of courses that are offered annually. The courses include both residential and distance offerings, covering material unique to the Reformed Church in America (RCA). Courses offered include RCA Polity, RCA Standards, RCA History & Mission, RCA Worship, and, Summary of Christian Doctrine (Credo). The assessment and interview of candidates is a continual process of the agency. Communication with each candidate’s classis takes intentional effort and the electronic data base keeping track of each candidate’s portfolio requires much attention and effort. Access to each candidate’s portfolio is available to every classis that desires to take advantage of this service.