PLEASE NOTE: This section of our site is being retired. It is still available as a reference but pages may contain outdated information.

Who We Are

What is a Classis?

A Classis is a regional governing body within the Christian Reformed Church. Classis members are representatives sent by local congregations to attend the biannual meetings of a classis. There are currently 47 classes within the United Stated and Canada. For more information visit the CRC church government page to learn more about the leadership structures within the Christian Reformed Church.

The Purpose Driven Classis. (Word 32k) Bill Tuininga of Classis Lake Superior presented this meditation at classis.

Classis: Past, Present, and Future. (Word 44k) A presentation given at the Classis Renewal Conference in Niagara Falls, Canada, May 3-5.

Gil Rendle's: "Nine Things Congregations Need from Their Middle Judicatories" (Word 28k)

Purpose of Classis According to CRCNA Church Order (Word 40k) Classis Grandville's Mission Task Force prepared a useful summary of what the CRC Church Order and Manual of Church Government states about the purpose, authority, delegation, and business of classis.

What is Classis Renewal?

Classis Renewal is an approach to improving the efficiency and ministry of a classis. Renewal focuses on self-assessment, strategic planning, and determining the mission focus of a classis (by working through differences to create a mission statement). Renewal also means that a Classis meeting is not just a business meeting, but has a ministry function of its own; one which should include prayer and spiritual growth.

The Classis Atlantic NE Story Download and view this 2.4MB PowerPoint presentation developed by its  Classis Ministries Team to relate its recent journey as a classis.

Church Health and Renewal (Word 52k) Henry Wildeboer led this presentation and discussion at Classis Quinte on “What is spiritual renewal and how is it a vital step to congregational health?”

Who is the CRMT?

Mike Bruinooge, Denominational Ministry Plan
Elizabeth Guillaume-Koene, Classis Toronto
Doug Kamstra, Classis Grandville
Thea Leunk, Classis Grand Rapids East (Chair)
Allen Likkel, Home Missions -  Denominational Team Leader
Andy Ryskamp, Christian Reformed World Relief Committee
John Rozeboom, Christian Reformed Home Missions
George Vander Weit, Classis Grand Rapids East

Mission Statement

"The Mission of the Classical Renewal Ministry Team is to partner with and assist classical leaders as they work to encourage and develop ministry effectiveness in their classes."

Vision

A denomination served by vital classes actively engaged in the kingdom building mission of the church of Jesus Christ.

Our work anticipates this vision by:

History

Read John Rozeboom  (Director - Home Missions) as he recounts the history of CRMT at the conference in May 1-3/06.

The Classis Renewal movement began in 1992 with the formation of a joint task force between Christian Reformed Home Missions and the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee. The original task force listened to leaders and examined the needs of classes. As the task force reached new levels of understanding they shared their discoveries with classical leaders and these partnerships lead to the development of tools that help to evaluate the health and efficiency of a classis.

The task force did pilot tests with Classis Lake Erie and Greater Los Angeles Classis to see how strategic planning affected the function of classes. The results of their effort were shared at the first Glen Eyrie conference in 1995. The intense, three-day conference called "The Role of Classis in the Twenty-First Century," was well received and led many classical leaders to begin reevaluating their own classes. More and more it became obvious that a permanent consultation and resource group needed to be put in place. The result was the Classis Renewal Ministry Team.