Training Events

GROWING DISCIPLES

Inspiring Adult Spiritual Formation in Your Congregation

Dates and Locations

May 5, 2008, 9 am - 1 pm
First Reformed Church, South Holland, Illinois

May 7, 2008, 10 am - 2 pm
Calvary Reformed Church, Ripon, California

May 8, 2008, 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Wyckoff Reformed Church, Wyckoff, New Jersey

Description

Get ready for a training experience in a multiyear faith formation discipleship model. The RCA and the CRC are collaborating to present a workshop on discipleship and spiritual formation. We have been working together to implement a three-year program that focuses on growing disciples of Jesus Christ.

A disciple is one who practices following Jesus Christ—becoming like him in all we think, say, and do, through the power of the Holy Spirit, to be the very presence of Christ in a lost and broken world so loved by God. This event will provide leadership development, resources, and an opportunity to network with other people in your area who are passionate about discipleship.

At this training event you will:

Hear presentations on the theology and practical understanding of discipleship.
Explore new paradigms and models for doing discipleship.
Learn about networks forming in your area that are intentional about discipleship.
Be introduced to the first two years of the Disciples curriculum.

During our time together, we will pray, encourage one another, and share stories. We want to hear what you need from us. We also want to hear from you what is giving you energy and life in the area of discipleship. We’re looking forward to learning from you, listening to you, and discovering what God is up to in your lives and the lives of the people we are serving. Some questions we’ll discuss:

What is discipleship, and what is the language we use to describe it?
What are some of the current trends?
What are the leadership visions and values for discipleship and adult education?
What are your stories, best practices, and needs?
How can we move in new directions and maintain the value of our Reformed tradition?
What does our new Disciples program entail?

About the Presenters

Leaders for this event include Rev. Kirsty DePree and Rev. Leonard Vander Zee.

Kirsty is the new coordinator for discipleship for the Reformed Church in America. She has a passion for discipleship, education, and youth ministry. She understands the joys and struggles that accompany the task of being fully relevant and real as educators in our churches today. She has served in four churches doing youth, children, and adult ministries, small groups, worship implementation, missions, and discipleship. She has experienced discipleship in unique and creative ways and through it all has seen lives transformed and changed by Jesus Christ.

Len has been a pastor in Christian Reformed congregations around the country for 35 years, most recently in South Bend, Indiana, for 16 years. He has recently been appointed editor in chief of Faith Alive Christian Resources. Faith Alive publishes Reformed curricula, Bible studies, and other materials for children, youth, and adults in the CRC, RCA, and many other Reformed denominations. With the help of Kirsty DePree and many others, Len has been deeply involved in the development of Disciples, a new comprehensive adult spiritual formation curriculum. Len says, “My pastoral experience has taught me that making disciples is by far the main task of every congregation.”

Registration

Register online at www.rca.org/discipleship or contact Kathy Dykhuis, kdykhuis@rca.org or 616.698.7071, ext. 211. A meal is included with each training.