Congregational Development and Revitalization Commission

Report to Stated Session of Classis - September 22, 2007

 

Current make up of the CDR:  Don Rowe – Calvary, moderator, Mike Hayes – City Church SF, Beryl Banks , Don Hammond – Communities of Hope & NCD Coach, Tim Arensmeier – Sonoma, Karl Overbeek – Classis Pastor.

 

The Congregational Development and Revitalization Commission has been charged with the task of “Increasing our value as a resource for renewal and revitalization of existing congregations.”  To that end we continue to monitor the Nine Trigger points, we put together teams to meet with churches that are struggling and we help Classis identify strategies that will promote the work/growth of the Kingdom of God.

 

Summary of work since last reported on March 10, 2007

 

§                 We continue to monitor the Nine Trigger Points and will have a formal report at the Spring 2008 stated session of Classis

§                 We are pleased to report that Don Hammond and Sonoma Church have met and some progress is being made.

§                 We are pleased to report that several churches have completed a NCD survey and it is our hope to assign a trained NCD coach to each congregation that completes a survey.  This is still in process.

§                 At the last stated session of classis [March 10, 2007] the “Partnering Church Model” motion was passed and the implementation has begun.

o                                        Mike Hayes [City Church –SF] was assigned to conduct an assessment of New Life Community Church and Lighthouse Community Church.

o                                        This assessment and survey took approximately 4 months.

o                                        The final reports were then presented first to servant team, one week later to the pastors of said churches, and one week later to the consistories of said congregations.

o                                        Copies of these reports may be obtained from Karl Overbeek, Classis Pastor.

o                                        Both clergy and congregational responses were affirming and the recommendations from said assessments/surveys are in the process of being implemented.

§                 It was brought to the attention of the CDR that New Life Community Church [Tulare] is in a similar situation and thus in need of beginning the “Partnering Church Model”  The servant team is in process of negotiating a contract with the Rev. Beryl Banks to conduct the initial assessment and survey.

§                 The CDR helped to sponsor a 1 day coaching refresher course at Christ Community [Carmichael] and a 2 day train the coach trainer and NCD Coach class.

§                 The CDR has partnered with Leadership Development to sponsor the follow learning’s for this year’s focus on a Missional Emphasis.  Each pastor should have received a letter that gives them information about how they can continue in this dialog and learning process.

§                 Lastly, a lot of energy has been consumed in dealing with the Miraloma Church matter that is currently in litigation.  This process has been conducted with much prayer, fasting,

meetings, conference calls, and Bible study.  While limited in what we can talk about due to the pending litigation, please be assured that every effort, short of dropping the legal action, has been made to settle this matter outside of the secular judicial system.  We currently have filed with the court a request for a “Summary Judgment” believing that the facts are not in dispute.  This would allow a judge to decide the case based on the current facts in evidence and based upon standing legal precedent.  Please continue to keep this matter as a priority of prayer. 

 

Humbly in His service,

 

 

 

Rev. Donald C. Rowe

Moderator Congregational Development and Revitalization

Pastor of Outreach and Discipleship, Calvary Reformed Church

 

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Agenda for 2007 Fall Stated Session

Classis Report | Classis Report #2 | CMC-ARM Report | Spring 2007 Stated Session Minutes | Salary Scale for 2008 | Servant Team Minutes | CDR Report

Web posted:  September 20, 2007

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