If we are convinced that we must train officebearers, what method should we adopt and how do we implement the training procedure?

Committing yourself to Training

Before we implement any training procedure, we must decide whether or not we are truly committed to training for effectiveness. We must count the cost. We either adopt a method and effectively implement it in the Church, or we don’t.

If we make such a commitment, we must choose a method. How do we propose to train incoming and existing office-bearers? This is the most difficult question to answer.

Choosing a Method

Ideally, training incoming office-bearers will be done prior to their active service in consistory. This means that nominations , elections, and installations are held 3, 6, or 9 months prior to their active service in consistory. They are installed into a period of training.

For example, if a three month period of training is required, then an adequate amount of time must be given to each area: foundational, practical and experiential training.

These office–bearers are given the luxury and freedom to learn about their job before they begin actively doing it. This will instill confidence. It will build a foundation in each that can be built upon by less intentional means: retreats, workshops, conferences, books, articles, etc.

Workshops, seminars, conferences, and retreats can be extremely valuable. They, however, cannot measure the effectiveness of the trainee. They may present excellent materials and are a valuable supplement to the training procedure. But, to expect these methods alone to produce effective office-bearers is unrealistic. Each church must bear the responsibility of training its own nominees. They alone know the particular strengths and weaknesses of each candidate and the needs of the congregation, and can measure the effectiveness of their own training procedure.

The ideal way may not be your way. In any given church there are certain ways that work, as well as ways that don’t. You may have a way specifically designed to build up your office-bearers that does not require they be elected 3, 6, or 9 months before they actively participate in the consistory. If it works, use it.

The Trainer

Your pastor may wish to hand-train each incoming office-bearer. However, his schedule may not permit it. Any minister, former office-bearer, or qualified teacher may train upon the consistory’s approval.

The Resources

Foundational training is conducted in the area of knowledge of Scripture, doctrine, and creeds and confessions. It answers the question “What should I know and what do we believe?” Depending on the amount of training needed in this area, many resources are available and can be used to build an adequate foundation in this area.

Practical training will include a thorough discussion of the Church Order, the application of the major tasks of each office-bearer, and the corporate duty and function of the consistory. This training should answer the question, “What is my job and how do I do it?” It may use with The Church Order, the Elders and Deacons Handbooks (Bergehoef and DeKoster, Christian Library Press).

Christian Library Press is currently sponsoring and offering seminars throughout the Christian Reformed Church designed to provide some essential training in the practical field. Call (616) 949-9379 or write CLP, P.O. Box 2226, Grand Rapids, MI 49501 for more information.

Experiential Training should be led by experienced office-bearers or the pastor. This training answers the question “What kind of calls will I be expected to make, and what should I do or say?”

There will be an increased effort to provide booklets, seminars and workshops for the purpose of officer-training. The church which is anxious to meet the challenges of the ministry today will make a commitment today to train office-bearers for the effective performance of their task. Let each church bear this responsibility and provide the training to equip qualified men to rule and serve the Church in Christ’s stead.

The future of the Reformed churches and of the Reformed faith is indeed in the hands of the officebearers of Christ’s Church. May their hands be disciplined and skilled by using every means at our disposal to train faithful men for the task set before them.

Stephen M. Arrick is the pastor of the Calvary C.R. Church at Lowell, Michigan.