More pictures from this summer's courses... The group gathered is part of the RCA Standards class in the WTS atrium... the group was preparing for the Arminian / Calvinist debate.

Future Options for CPE Alternative

The July – August issue of Candidates' Care mentions the work I hope to do on a course proposal for the "Pastor as Person" as an alternative for Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE). The request for this came from the Approved Alternate Route (AAR) certification committee at the June meeting. The request came out of the recognition that the CPE sites and availability for some individuals are so limited that it will be near impossible for them to enroll in a unit. Without CPE it will become impossible for individuals to complete the requirements for the Certificate of Fitness for Ministry and subsequent ordination. The request was not meant to suggest that the "Pastor as Person" will be another choice of convenience for those who do not like the CPE option.

The committee has asked for this alternative to be looked at in order to assist those, who for compelling practical reasons, cannot complete a recognized unit of CPE. The proposal will be developed over the summer with the assistance of Rev. Dr. Jaco Hamman at Western Theological Seminary in Holland, MI. The MFCA Board of Trustees will review the proposal at the September 21 meeting. There is no indication if the board will approve this new idea and therefore we all need to be cautious about making plans even though I have arranged with Dr. Hamman that if approved, there will be an intensive scheduled for May 27 – 31, 2008. Most likely, we will host the intensive in Holland, Michigan.

If you have questions about the proposal and how it may apply to you, please contact me at ckors@rca.org.

General Synod and Summer Intensives

Dennis Sidfrid

Frances Nelsen and Drew Yamamoto

Drew and Bob Holtrop

The Van Wyk family, Terry O'Brien and Rick Van Ravenswaay

Summer Intensives - Out of the Classroom

The Van Wyk Family

Susan Sgarlat and David Choi

More Summer Intensive Pictures

RCA History at WTS in Holland, MI

Dr. John Coakley

Ina Montoya hard at work

Jeff Kelley, Ann Blakeslee and Ina share a fun moment.

The RCA History and Missions class for 2007 was taught by Dr. John Coakley of New Brunswick Theological Seminary...

Summer Intensives Complete For 2007

RCA Worship 2007

Another summer has passed and the hours of class time, reading and studying are again over... Thanks to the instructors for this year:

RCA Polity - Dr. George Brown

RCA Standards - Dr. Paul Fries

RCA History & Missions - Dr. John Coakley

RCA Worship - Dr. Gregg Mast


The picture shows RCA Worship class - (Left to Right) Susan Sgarlat Clair Lathrop, Frances Nelson, Paul Trudeau, David Choi, Drew Yamamoto and Terry O'Brien.