A week in the Life...It has been twenty years that the ministry of the MFCA has been much of my life… On March 7th in 1991 I flew to Chicago from Buffalo to interview with a committee of the board of the Theological Education Agency (TEA). The next day I received a call offering me the position as director of the agency. I won’t go into details other than that the hand of God was in all of this and later in March the Kors family of Dunnville, Ontario, Canada was visiting California so as to find housing, schooling and a church home. By April the five of us had a good idea where we would be living, what schools we would be attending, and where we would be worshipping as a family. Twenty years, three college graduations, and soon to be three grandchildren later have created many memories. The past week has included two major trips and many memories, causing me to reflect on what my life and vocation is truly about. Allow me to share some snippets from what I have done this week and what has introspectively been conjured up from deep within me. • A trip to Ontario always triggers memories and reflection. The minute I cross the border at Buffalo / Fort Erie, numerous childhood memories arise; some creating images in my mind so real that it seems they were created just moments previous. • Passing the cemetery where my father was laid to rest in July of 2000 reminded me of how blessed I was to have had a dad who modeled unconditional love for his children and who faithfully served as an elder at the First Reformed Church of Hamilton. Being an elder did not come without sacrifice on his part since he worked long shifts at the Steel Company of Canada and until being on consistory had never been asked to pray in public. • As I met candidates at Ebenezer Reformed Church in Mississauga, I could not help but remember being dragged to this same church as a kid and sit through the choir festival in which my mom sang faithfully as part of the RCA all Ontario choir festival. • I was able to review ministry opportunities with Marijke as she prayerfully considers life after earning her M.Div. at McMaster Divinity College. I find it difficult not to think about Marijke as the little wiggle worm that sat with Christine and Bart, her parents, in the pew in front of us when we were members of First Reformed Church. • I had the opportunity to be told by John that he and Ruth were again expecting in a coffee shop in the neighborhood where I grew up. John serves a church that stands on the property of Camp Shalom. The camp is where I met Jane, the love of my life and to whom I have been married 34 years as of next week. • I was back in California only three days before I was again at LAX airport on my way to New Jersey. I was able to show my new membership card to the people at the desk of the Red Carpet Club for the first time… the card recognized that I was now a member of the “two million mile club” with United Airlines. I can’t begin to figure out how many hours I have sat in an airplane seat or slept in a hotel bed. • At the desk was Bruce, someone I have gotten to know over the years.For the last few months I have had the opportunity to ask Bruce how his mom in Michigan was doing with her battle with cancer and if there had been any progress with his 31 year old son, Marco, who was struggling with a drug habit. I was able to assure him that he and his family were in my prayers and I left an invitation card with him for Easter services at Emmanuel Reformed Church. This year we are having seven services and I quietly prayed that Bruce and his family would somehow make it to one of those services on Easter Sunday. • A trip to New Brunswick Theological Seminary is always filled with memories and even though they have remodeled the buildings significantly, I can vouch that the floors that Jane and I mopped, and the bookshelves of Gardner Sage Library we dusted, are the same. The only jobs we were able to hold as Canadians were work-study jobs at the school. Thus, we did whatever was asked of us. • What was not the same were the people who walked the halls at NBTS. Few of them looked like me. Almost all the folks I encountered this past week were either African American or Korean. Walking past a classroom with Gregg Mast and Renee House (president and dean of the seminary), I could not help but ask about the commotion in the room? They explained that a class on the Holy Spirit was in session and that there was always a significant portion of time dedicated to prayer in this class. The sounds I was hearing was people speaking in tongues. I can honestly say that this was not my experience when I was at NBTS in the late 70’s. • On Wednesday evening I was able to make it back to NBTS after meeting candidates at Princeton Theological Seminary and be part of vespers. It was a Lenten service and I was touched by the liturgy and the message shared. Good and meaningful worship was happening that evening in the chapel, more affectionately known as the “Dixie Cup.” I was also well aware that the Dixie Cup might well not exist much longer since there is a good chance that NBTS will sell part of the buildings and property. The plan is to create a new facility as well as a future for the seminary through the sale of the property. • While at Princeton I met with Karen in the cafeteria. While Karen was telling me about the many amazing things going on at her supervised ministry site, Highland Park Reformed Church, they were setting up for the “senior banquet” later that evening. I could not help but wonder how many times that had been done in the past and how many individuals had been part of this activity and who were now impacting the world for Christ. • Later, in the same cafeteria, I met with Luke and discussed with him his future, as he was one of the seniors who would be attending the banquet that evening. We talked about many opportunities, including one at City Church San Francisco. Who would have thought, back when I was taking courses at PTS in the 70’s that we would have ministries such as CCSF and Newbigin House of Studies charting new directions for the RCA in 2011. I could go on but will refrain. I am grateful to God that I have been given the opportunity to serve in this ministry called MFCA and in sharing just one week, I hope you have a glimpse of how richly I have been blessed. Cor

 Princeton Theological Seminary

It has been twenty years that the ministry of the MFCA has been much of my life… On March 7^th in 1991 I flew to Chicago from Buffalo to interview with a committee of the board of the Theological Education Agency (TEA). The next day I received a call offering me the position as director of the agency. I won’t go into details other than that the hand of God was in all of this and later in March the Kors family of Dunnville, Ontario, Canada was visiting California so as to find housing, schooling and a church home. By April the five of us had a good idea  where we would be living, what schools we would be attending, and where we would be worshipping as a family.

Twenty years, three college graduations, and soon to be three grandchildren later have created many memories. The past week has included two major trips and many memories, causing me to reflect on what my life and vocation is truly about. Allow me to share some snippets from what I have done this week and what has introspectively been conjured up from deep within me.

·       A trip to Ontario always triggers memories and reflection. The minute I cross the border at Buffalo / Fort Erie, numerous childhood memories arise; some creating images in my mind so real that it seems they were created just moments previous.

·       Passing the cemetery where my father was laid to rest in July of 2000 reminded me of how blessed I was to have had a dad who modeled unconditional love for his children and who faithfully served as an elder at the First Reformed Church of Hamilton. Being an elder did not come without sacrifice on his part since he worked long shifts at the Steel Company of Canada and until being on consistory had never been asked to pray in public.

·       As I met candidates at Ebenezer Reformed Church in Mississauga, I could not help but remember being dragged to this same church as a kid and sit through the choir festival in which my mom sang faithfully as part of the RCA all Ontario choir festival.

·       I was able to review ministry opportunities with Marijke as she prayerfully considers life after earning her M.Div. at McMaster Divinity College. I find it difficult not to think about Marijke as the little wiggle worm that sat with Christine and Bart, her parents, in the pew in front of us when we were members of First Reformed Church.

·       I had the opportunity to be told by John that he and Ruth were again expecting in a coffee shop in the neighborhood where I grew up. John serves a church that stands on the property of Camp Shalom. The camp is where I met Jane, the love of my life and to whom I have been married 34 years as of next week.

·       I was back in California only three days before I was again at LAX airport on my way to New Jersey. I was able to show my new membership card to the people at the desk of the Red Carpet Club for the first time… the card recognized that I was now a member of the “two million mile club” with United Airlines. I can’t begin to figure out how many hours I have sat in an airplane seat or slept in a hotel bed.

·       At the desk was Bruce, someone I have gotten to know over the years.For the last few months I have had the opportunity to ask Bruce how his mom in Michigan was doing with her battle with cancer and if there had been any progress with his 31 year old son, Marco, who was struggling with a drug habit. I was able to assure him that he and his family were in my prayers and I left an invitation card with him for Easter services at Emmanuel Reformed Church. This year we are having seven services and I quietly prayed that Bruce and his family would somehow make it to one of those services on Easter Sunday.

·       A trip to New Brunswick Theological Seminary is always filled with memories and even though they have remodeled the buildings significantly, I can vouch that the floors that Jane and I mopped, and the bookshelves of Gardner Sage Library we dusted, are the same. The only jobs we were able to hold as Canadians were work-study jobs at the school. Thus, we did whatever was asked of us.

·       What was not the same were the people who walked the halls at NBTS. Few of them looked like me. Almost all the folks I encountered this past week were either African American or Korean. Walking past a classroom with Gregg Mast and Renee House (president and dean of the seminary), I could not help but ask about the commotion in the room? They explained that a class on the Holy Spirit was in session and that there was always a significant portion of time dedicated to prayer in this class. The sounds I was hearing was people speaking in tongues. I can honestly say that this was not my experience when I was at NBTS in the late 70’s.

·       On Wednesday evening I was able to make it back to NBTS after meeting candidates at Princeton Theological Seminary and be part of vespers. It was a Lenten service and I was touched by the liturgy and the message shared. Good and meaningful worship was happening that evening in the chapel, more affectionately known as the “Dixie Cup.” I was also well aware that the Dixie Cup might well not exist much longer since there is a good chance that NBTS will sell part of the buildings and property. The plan is to create a new facility as well as a future for the seminary through the sale of the property.

·       While at Princeton I met with Karen in the cafeteria.  While Karen was telling me about the many amazing things going on at her supervised ministry site, Highland Park Reformed Church, they were setting up for the “senior banquet” later that evening. I could not help but wonder how many times that had been done in the past and how many individuals had been part of this activity and who were now impacting the world for Christ.

·       Later, in the same cafeteria, I met with Luke and discussed with him his future, as he was one of the seniors who would be attending the banquet that evening. We talked about many opportunities, including one at City Church San Francisco. Who would have thought, back when I was taking courses at PTS in the 70’s that we would have ministries such as CCSF and Newbigin House of Studies charting new directions for the RCA in 2011.

I could go on but will refrain. I am grateful to God that I have been given the opportunity to serve in this ministry called MFCA and in sharing just one week, I hope you have a glimpse of how richly I have been blessed.

Cor

Confessions Are Good For The Soul

The discussions around the room were not only stimulating; they evoked emotion and passion from the participants. Although not unusual for an RCA Standards class, it appeared the course in San Francisco last week had an extra measure of intensity. There were debates on the formulation of the Trinity and whether or not people today had encounters with angels as portrayed in the New Testament. The need for the confessions and the addition of the Belhar Confession were all part of the discussion and it made for a lively encounter.

Dr. Paul Fries, the instructor of the class, brought some wonderful insights to the dialogue. The addition of Dr. Scot Sherman on Friday morning also contributed to the learning of the group. Given the small class, (eight students) there was opportunity for everyone to participate and have questions answered. When all was said and done there was consensus that much was learned and all gained an appreciation for the RCA’s confessional statements. It was agreed that our lens is unique to us and defines the ministry of the church at large. Taking the rich tradition of the RCA and inviting to the conversation students from California, Iowa and New York, reveals the common understanding we have in the RCA and the distinctions that make us, us.

It is not uncommon for candidates to question the need for taking the RCA Standards course. In particular they ask “What makes the RCA perspective so uniquely different that they must take a whole course on this?” Many consider themselves “reformed” and before taking the course perceive the time and energy asked of them as being redundant and a waste. Once individuals complete the course, many admit much was learned and that the RCA lens does have unique traits and perspectives.  They also realize how important it is that RCA leaders share similar points of view. I believe this is one of the reasons why the recent dialogue about “Reformed and Missional” is receiving attention and emphasis.

Interestingly, the Christian Reformed Church (CRC) is not only debating the adoption of the Belhar Confession this year, but the CRC is also in dialogue about what their perspective (lens) actually looks like today. Two Calvin College religion professors have “published scholarly articles asserting that strong evidence from both biblical studies and science creates conflicts with parts of the historic Reformed confessions.” (The Banner, February 2011, pg. 10) According to the Bannerarticle, the professors may have “violated the Form of Subscription, which requires Calvin College faculty to teach and write in accordance with Reformed confessions.” Obviously, the CRC has created its own “lens” and though it is similar to the RCA, it is none the less uniquely theirs. There are no debates such as what is taking place at Calvin College in RCA circles that I am aware of.

What does seem to be a debate for the RCA is the way a number of our candidates and pastors have adopted the perspectives of the New Calvinism. Our certification committees have encountered individuals who claim teachers such as Mark Driscoll, John Piper and Wayne Grudem as having the most significant impact on their perspective. Labeled as “conservative,” “reformed,” and “evangelical,” much of what these modern day gurus teach is valuable, but does not accurately reflect the RCA perspective (lens). The MFCA is thus confronted with the tensions created when candidates have positions around scripture, baptism and women in ministry that do not line up with positions adopted by the RCA.  Extreme positions held by candidates may even result in situations where the candidate is deemed a poor “fit” for RCA ministry.

The RCA Standards course is partially designed to assist individuals in determining whether or not they are a good fit for RCA ministry. The course is also a building block for the final declaration asked of all RCA candidates who intend to become ordained Ministers of Word and sacrament — the completion of the credo. All this is done with the hope that when we gather to do ministry, we will have certain fundamental understandings about our mission that will allow us to serve effectively and in harmony.

A candidate once wrote the following to Dr. Fries after taking the RCA Standards class and the credo course… “Just a note to say thanks... The opportunities were a gift – to walk through what I believe with other students and theologians was helpful in further discovering and articulating my own theology, especially helpful as I come near to graduation, ordination, and discernment of the next steps of my call.” I hope and pray many more candidates write similar notes in the future.

Cor

Church Unique

I am currently one person of many in the RCA who is reading the book “Church Unique: How missional leaders cast vision, capture culture, and create movement” by Will Mancini. I have not yet finished the book and I realize that I may discover things I do not necessarily agree with but I am willing to go on record saying that I appreciate much of what I have read so far. It has challenged me to think about some of the observations about local congregations and church life and whether or not some of the information could apply to an agency such as MFCA. Take for example “strategic planning.” The MFCA has spent much energy over a number of years on strategic planning only to be left, from my perspective, with as many questions as answers. Mancini has the “firm conviction that every prevailing church is an original.” (Pg. 99) This observation has him suggesting that churches need to discover who they are and that if strategic planning does not include a thorough discovery process, the strategic plan may well fail in what it proposes to do. He also encourages that MOTIVES be “clearly defined and adequately aligned.” (Pg. 130)

I am especially intrigued by the emphasis on the unique CULTURE of each church – an intangible that is not necessarily defined by programs, preaching, or worship style. Mancini states that “Culture is the combined effect of the interaction, values, thoughts, attitudes and actions that define the life of your church.” (Pg. 7) I am intrigued because I wonder about the “culture” of the RCA and the role of the MFCA in aligning future leaders with the motives and values of the denomination. 

Taking Mancini’s advice to churches and applying it to the MFCA process may have merit. Let me utilize his list of possible benefits when values and motives are clearly defined and adapted to what is discovered about who we uniquely are…

Ø  Define good decision making that releases leaders on the front line of [RCA] ministry.

Ø  Demonstrate a God honoring unity

Ø  Attract more staff, leaders, and members who share your values

Ø  Free the church [denomination] to not do a lot of things that other churches [denominations} may do

Ø  Increase commitment because people know clearly what we stand for

Ø  Enhance leadership credibility because everyone knows what’s important to the church [denomination] as a whole

Ø  Navigate change more easily because people are emotionally connected to the values that never change

I think we may have something here…

Responding to Our Alumni Survey Results

Survey results can sometimes act as a “wake up” call. The recent MFCA survey sent out to alumni produced significantly different results than the same survey administered to active candidates. This could be explained by the fact that the alumni now have more ministry experience and the lens through which they view their MFCA experience has become more realistic. Another possibility is that the MFCA has been listening to candidates as they complete their exit interviews and our continued efforts to improve how we provide service to candidates is reflected in how our ministry is being perceived and received.

Never the less, we want these results to serve as a “wake up” call so that we can address deficiencies and improve the MFCA process. Many of the lower survey scores reflected an evaluation of the classis and may not be easy to remedy by action of the MFCA. The mandate placed on us will, however, require the cooperation of the MFCA with the many classes and will also require collaboration with the RCA seminaries since they play an equal role in the “Certificate of Fitness for Ministry” (CFM) process. The new team created by this year’s General Synod, identified as the Call, Care and Standards Committee (CCSC) will need to look at the results of these surveys and possibly take action at a denominational level.

Alumni gave the MFCA relatively high scores on “communication” and the “sense that they were known and heard by MFCA.” For many this was said in contrast to how classis did similar functions. This was validated by the comments. Alumni scored MFCA lower, more in the “average” mid-range category in the areas of “Spiritual Formation” and “Personal Wholeness.” The best rating was given in the area of “Denominational Identity,” an area where we should do well since that is certainly one of the priorities of the program and one of the more obvious and measurable products of the program. Yet, in this day and age denominational identity is not perceived as terribly important, especially when it is compared to spiritual formation and wholeness. The younger candidate especially tends to emphasize relationships with others and God as crucial to their ministry.  As one of the respondents wrote in the comments section:

“I definitely think MFCA is helpful, but still missing ‘something’ that can make it really strong. Don’t feel there’s enough unity perhaps… like people know each other’s ‘positions’ but not as ‘persons’ and so the work is just a duty rather than a joy of being together as God’s children.”

Other people wrote:

“My seminary was much more important and relevant than my Classis or MFCA. For my process, my Classis and MFCA would have been better focused on engaging me in contact with the RCA and the development of personal relationships within it.”

“Although I felt affirmed by both the Classis and MFCA, it was my seminary and personal pastor mentor who had the greatest impact on the formation of my personal identity and skills. Because I was distant geographically from both the Classis and MFCA, there were times I felt isolated from either of their processes.”

“I felt disconnected from MFCA when I was in the process. That was just something I had to do. Not sure how else MFCA can help candidates prepare for the ministries they will serve since every congregation and situation is different.” (stated AAR candidate)

The unique place and effort of the MFCA in the life of the candidate is certainly reflected in many of the comments. When there are supportive efforts on the part of the seminary, the supervised ministry site and mentors there is not as much of a need for the MFCA to provide the support. In situations where those other entities are not providing adequate support the onus is with MFCA and therefore we are obligated to provide program and resources for everyone in the process so that those who do not have the proper care will be looked after by the MFCA and its staff.

The fact that we have approximately 100 candidates at any one time in the process, and over 83% of those individuals reside east of the Rocky Mountains provides an enormous challenge. Communication remains extremely important and opportunities to gather folks together must remain a priority.

It is noteworthy to recognize that there were no negative comments about program requirements such as the courses and Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE). As a matter of fact there were several comments such as “My ‘highlight’ of my MFCA journey was completing CPE.” The CPE requirement is meant to address the “Personal Wholeness” and “Ministry Development.” It does not propose to connect folks more to the denomination but it does assist in making for healthier pastors who are self aware and have better defined boundaries. 

Another area that was highlighted by alumni in the survey was the psychological testing. This has become a more important part of the process and not only has the MFCA reduced the costs to candidates, the MFCA has also investigated other psychological services and added to our number those now able to provide useful and relevant diagnostic reports. We are diligent about providing candidates with the results and feedback of such assessments and candidates can rest assured that the committee members who participate in the interviews only read the summaries that the candidate also receives. No surprises and confidentiality is strictly maintained. We can confidently say to the person who wrote the following that “yes, we have improved and we are committed to continue to improve…”

“From what I hear, the psychological evaluation has been improved since I took it, but at that time it was done over the phone for those not in Michigan, DEFINITELY a BAD idea. I have seen enough of these tests to know that it is difficult at best to get an accurate picture of a person based on answers to questions and a short interview... This resulted in an evaluation that I felt did not give a very accurate picture of me. I was concerned about who would read it so I asked what was done with the psychological test results. I was told that the evaluation was simply filed away and would not be seen by others. Then when I received the packet of information that was distributed at my mid-term interview, parts of the summary page of the psychological evaluation was included.”

There will continue to be occasions where the psychological assessments will not be done in person but recent efforts to avoid that scenario has included bringing a psychologist to Holland, Michigan during the intensives so that candidates can meet in person with the psychologist. The addition of having Rev. Dr. Chuck DeGroat on the west coast with the Newbigin House of Studies has also been a welcomed option for psychological assessments.

The MFCA staff is more than open to hearing ideas from others about how we can improve our process. We will do our best to listen and avoid becoming defensive and make excuses. It is our desire to prepare individuals well for ministry. If you have not yet taken one of our surveys and would like to do so, please contact Kristen at kmcclain@rca.org or call at 800-435-5136. Comments to this blog are also welcome.

Cor

Professors of Theology: A New Future

The General Synod professors sing at the General Synod meeting in Orange City, Iowa - the occasion is the installation of Rev. Dr. Renee House.

The Professors of Theology, who hold the 4^th Office, are meeting in Holland, Michigan this weekend. The meeting will occur on the campus of Western Theological Seminary (WTS) and all ten professors hope to attend. This meeting will be somewhat historic in that there are once again ten (10) professors and for the first time, three of the ten are women. Dr. Carol Bechtel, the first woman ever to hold the office, Dr. Renee House and Dr. Leanne Van Dyk are the three women. Seven of the professors are from WTS and the other three are from New Brunswick Theological Seminary (NBTS).

This is the first meeting funded by the General Synod. Since the late 1990’s the MFCA has been funding and sponsoring the gatherings of the professorate. The MFCA’s stake in supporting the 4^th Office, other than the belief that this office, unique to the Reformed Church in America (RCA), serves the Church well, is that the professors have been critical to the success of the Approved Alternate Route (AAR) program, especially the implementation of the case study examinations.

The agenda for this week’s meeting has not been announced but it can be assumed that the professors will be reviewing the new definition of the 4^th office by the 2010 General Synod and, if ratified by two-thirds of the classes, they will have to design a strategy for living into the new definition. Two of the more significant modifications in the new definition are the 1) Broadening the eligibility criteria for the office by not restricting it to full time faculty at NBTS and WTS, allowing for part time faculty and individuals nominated by the MFCA; and 2) Requiring dual membership for professors—both to the General Synod and Classis.

The minutes of General Synod state the following: “These changes would allow for the appointment of General Synod professors who are not full-time teachers at one of the seminaries, but who play a major role in teaching the whole church and in preparing candidates for ministry and granting the certificate of fitness. It would also open the possibility of General Synod professors who are not in one of the Reformed Church in America seminaries, but who exercise major teaching and oversight responsibilities within the Ministerial Formation Certification Agency.”

Also the following is stated in the minutes regarding dual membership:

“• General Synod professors will be members of the classis in which they reside.

• General Synod professors will continue to be either regular or corresponding delegates to the General Synod as they have been in the past, in order to allow them to continue their ministry of teaching to the whole church, and to keep them in close contact with the synod in their crucial tasks of preparing and certifying candidates for ministry in the Reformed Church in America.

• General Synod professors will be amenable to the General Synod only in matters of doctrine, but in every other respect shall be amenable, as are all ministers of Word and sacrament, to the classis in which they hold membership (in this case, the classis of residence).

• In this more focused amenability to the General Synod, the only discipline that the synod will exercise will focus upon the office of General Synod professor. Its disciplinary options include admonishment, rebuke, or removal from the office of General Synod professor. Any other discipline that may be needed will be the responsibility of the classis, which will address the accused not as a General Synod professor but as a minister of Word and sacrament.”

The report of the task force which made the recommendations to General Synod, recorded the following explanations so as to provide context and explain the thinking behind the reasons for reconstituting this office…

“This approach has the additional benefit of allowing part-time faculty who are teaching in the seminaries or in the Ministerial Formation Certification Agency, but who also function as ministers of Word and sacrament under the oversight of a classis, to be considered for nomination as General Synod professors.

The task force is also addressing the collegiality and corporate identity of General Synod professors. Because of the broad Reformed conviction that the Spirit’s work in guiding the church expresses itself most fully within the church corporately, and not just in individuals, the task force believes that it may be helpful to recognize in our church order a corporate role for General Synod professors within the life of the church. This role should first of all concern oversight of the standards for the certificate of fitness for ministry, and the professors should work together to receive referrals from the General Synod with respect to the standards, and to formulate periodic reports and recommendations to the synod regarding the standards. Similarly, the professorate may be a useful resource to the General Synod from time to time, not replacing any of the existing commissions, but in some cases, receiving appropriate referrals from the General Synod, or offering reports to the synod on matters which touch upon the specific responsibilities granted to the professorate by the General Synod. The Book of Church Order changes implementing this corporate structure are included in this proposal.”

The MFCA Board of Trustees will be reviewing the recommended changes to the Book of Church (BCO) at its meeting in February and incorporating its new role into the bylaws of the agency. No plans have been made in relation to nominating individuals to the office at this time.

Formation Toward Healthy Pastors

A recent blog posting by Dr. Chuck DeGroat of the Newbigin House of Studies (@ http://www.newbiginhouse.org/Training-Healthy-Pastors-A-Historical-Context) has served as a good reminder to me about why the MFCA has included in its program the emphasis on the development of the pastor as a healthy and whole person. Since requiring that our candidates take a unit of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE), the MFCA has made it a priority to view pastoral formation as being a unique and balanced combination of academic learning, character development, spiritual understanding and emotional / relational health.

Many of our candidates are more than capable when it comes to classroom learning. When academic deficiencies are identified, it is often a simple exercise to develop a program of study to address the said deficit. Health issues are more difficult to address, especially when it involves emotional, spiritual and relational health. Candidates often enter the process with unresolved family of origin issues, self esteem struggles, behavioral tensions, relational conflicts and, in some cases, psychological disorders.  Some are drawn to ministry as part of a pursuit to find healing and recovery for their personal lives. Addictions and codependency, often well hidden from most others, control the candidate and suppress spiritual sensitivity along with limiting the ability to lead others toward health. It is not uncommon to have ministerial candidates who require attention and care from others in such large doses that 1) the minister is incapable to offer care and be present to those in need, and 2) those in need quickly recognize that the minister is in crisis and, rather than seeking their help, begin to assist the minister. Roles get reversed and the system may promote dysfunction and perpetuate the problems of both the parishioner and pastor.

Recognizing that the health of individuals, especially those preparing for pastoral leadership, is part of the responsibility of the MFCA, the following are measured and reported on for all candidates in the program:

·         The development of self-awareness.

·         Awareness of how one’s personality and ministry style affect others.

·         Understanding of pastoral authority and boundaries.

·         Healthy balance between professional and personal life.

·         Holistic pastoral identity integrating attitudes, values, assumptions, strengths and weaknesses.

·         Healthy awareness of and engagement with contextual factors (e.g. social conditions, family systems, racial, economic, and cultural factors) that bear on ministerial practice.

·         Capacity to integrate theological understanding with pastoral identity and practice.

·         Healthy and constructive engagement with peers.

·         Use of peer interaction and supervision to enhance ministry effectiveness.

Where candidates cannot gain access to a unit of CPE, the MFCA offers them the Seminar on Pastoral Formation. Dr. Jaco Hamman of Western Theological Seminary (WTS) is the facilitator of the seminar which will again be offered in the spring of 2011. The seminar utilizes some excellent books to assist individuals in reflection on these crucial areas for ministry. The following are recommended for any pastor seeking a healthier existence and ministry:

Hamman, Jaco J. Becoming a Pastor: Forming self and soul for ministry. Cleveland: Pilgrim Press, 2007.

Harbaugh, Gary L. The pastor as person: Maintaining personal integrity in the choices and challenges of ministry. Augsburg Fortress Press: Minneapolis, 1984.

Richardson, Ronald W. Becoming a Healthier Pastor: Family Systems Theory and the Pastor's Own Family Creative Pastoral Care and Counseling Series. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2005.

MFCA Identifies Core Values

The MFCA Board of Trustees met in Paramount, California this past weekend and defined the core values of the agency. The core values are listed below and will be utilized to direct strategic planning and its policy governance statements.

We value being proactive in contributing to the success of our candidates therefore we

-          help candidates discern and respond to their call to ministry with integrity

-          offer equal and fair access to those who are called to ministry

-          recognize that barriers exist (language, disabilities) but we do not allow them to deter the candidate from responding to the call to ministry

-          demonstrate love and respect for every candidate

We value the integrity of a certification process that balances care for candidates and the church’s traditions therefore we uphold

-          rigorous but not rigid application of the standards

-          being instinctively and intentionally relational as we approach our work

-          the distinctive roles of all parties in the process

-          honest, direct communication with the candidate

We value the distinctive role the MFCA plays in strengthening the ministry of the RCA therefore we commit to

-          providing an educated clergy from all regions of the church

-          working with diverse candidates from non-traditional backgrounds

-          remaining culturally relevant

-          a diversity of voices around the table

-          good stewardship of the resources given to us