If you are scheduled to be the chairperson at an upcoming meeting of your classis then you are in line for important work, and have a significant responsibility to prepare well for it. This page aims to help you do that.
First, here are some key terms:
- Classis: An organizational structure that supports the life and ministry of a group of CRCNA congregations from the same region, shaped by our shared covenant with one another as members of the CRCNA. All classes are designed to function in four ways, as noted in the CRCNA church order (articles 39, 41, 42, 45, 48, 75, and 76):
- As spiritually discerning communities
- As networks of support and accountability
- As collective callings to do ministry together in their regions
- As ministry bridges
- Classis meetings: The formal spaces for delegates from Christian Reformed congregations in the same region and/or grouped into a classis to meet together regularly. Classes meet at least every four months, or twice per year if distances within a given classis are substantial. Some classes choose to meet virtually or in a hybrid format, sometimes on a regular basis (once per year, for example), sometimes on an as needed basis. Almost every classis has developed a set of bylaws that provide guidance for how meetings should be conducted, usually called the “Rules of Classis Procedure”. Some of these documents are provided online.
- Classis meeting chairpersons: The people designated by the classis to lead classis meetings, ensuring healthy conversations and the orderly processing of matters put before the classis. The church order stipulates that ministers within a classis shall fulfill this role in rotation, or that a chairperson may be elected from among the delegates. However, a number of classes have made different arrangements for this role, arrangements that better suit their needs. For example, some classes have designated one person to serve as chairperson for a series of classis meetings.
- Classis meeting delegates: The officebearers delegated by their councils to participate in classis meetings. They are to be people known to be wise and discerning, able to think clearly and biblically during the conversations at classis meetings. They are not to serve merely as representatives of the congregation. When councils poll potential delegates for their positions on certain issues, they are acting in contradiction to longstanding CRCNA practice, which honors the deliberation in community that can be found at classis meetings.
Second, click on the following tiles for specific guidance for your role as a classis meeting chairperson: