If you need a time to meet that isn’t available, contact us directly at [email protected].
An Overview of Next Steps (September 2024 edition)
Grace and Truth: The Heart of Next Steps
When a church faces a challenging issue or a controversial decision, the anxiety of the moment can make it hard to hold grace and truth together. The premise of Next Steps is that you shouldn’t have to compromise. You can be prophetic without being closed-minded. And you can be pastoral without compromising on truth.
What’s Included in this Updated Edition?
- A discernment readiness assessment for council
- A summary of synodical decisions concerning human sexuality and confessionality.
- A listening circle script for council’s discernment
- Timelines of important steps
- Checklists (compatible with Church Order)
- Sample letters to congregation
- Listening circle scripts for congregational engagement
- Listening circle facilitator training
- Ongoing coaching and support from Thrive ministry consultants.
Discernment Readiness
In this opening stage, a church’s leaders ask themselves four questions to assess their readiness to lead discernment. Check out the first half of the discernment readiness assessment here.
After taking the time to prepare themselves to lead, council then identifies which of two main pathways of discernment fit their church best.
Pathway #1 How to be CRC
Some churches are wondering how they will live in light of our decisions at Synod. For the most part, the council recognizes the leading of God through Synod, but they are aware that implementing Synod’s decisions may be challenging for their communities. They want to introduce and implement these changes respectfully and graciously, without causing needless offense or driving anyone away. They want to emphasize the pastoral and ministry opportunity of this moment, without minimizing the challenge.
They’re wondering, “How can our church live faithfully and well, particularly with respect to welcoming and including sexual minorities, teaching biblical ethics, cultivating leaders, and caring for the many who feel the pain and brokenness that often intersect with our experience of sexuality? How does being a part of the CRC help us fulfill the unique mission God has given our church?”
In this discernment pathway, we help a council communicate Synod’s decisions clearly. We also ask the council to articulate how being (remaining) CRC helps the church fulfill its God-given mission. Finally, we provide training and materials to host listening circles where members can thoughtfully engage the decisions of Synod and the council’s resolve to remain CRC. By following this process, churches build trust (through clear communication and deep listening) that can help them navigate the opportunities and challenges ahead.
Option #2 If to be CRC
Other churches are more seriously concerned or distressed by Synod’s decisions. They’re wondering if Synod exceeded its authority and introduced undue burdens on local ministry. They’re wondering if the weight and authority they may have formerly given to our discernment at Synod is still warranted. They’re asking, “Does being a part of the CRC prevent us from fulfilling the unique mission God has given our church?”
In this discernment pathway, we help a council communicate Synod’s decisions clearly. We also ask the council to articulate how they believe being (remaining) CRC helps and/or hinders the church from fulfilling its God-given mission. Along the way, we provide training and materials to host listening circles where members can thoughtfully engage the decisions of Synod and the council’s recommendations. The process is also designed to account for any legal or church order requirements for a formal disaffiliation. By following this process, churches build trust (through clear communication and deep listening) that can help them navigate the opportunities and challenges ahead.
Get Started
Get started by setting up a time to meet with an experienced discernment and decision-making consultant. We can help you walk through this process, or design something else that suits the particular needs of your community. Select a time by following this link. If you need a time to meet that isn’t available, you can also contact us directly at [email protected].
