At the CRCA Synod earlier this year approval was given to begin a formal Post Ordination Training program in our churches. This program is aimed at providing additional support and training for those beginning as ordained pastors in the CRCA.

The introduction of this program follows a research project conducted with pastors serving in their first church, and those churches. This research identified that while newly ordained pastors were well grounded in the theological education and many had engaged in purposeful ongoing training, support and mentoring, this approach was often unstructured and with mixed results.  It became clear that there are several areas where pastors could do with additional support, training, and encouragement as they begin serving in their first church.

It is hoped that the program also sets healthy patterns of mentoring and training that will continue through many years of ministry. Participants will ordinarily begin the program in their vicariate.

The program consists of three main components: mentoring, training, and peer support.

Mentoring:

Each participant will be assigned a mentor, a pastor with several years of experience and track record of mentoring and training. The pastor and mentor will meet monthly for support, encouragement, training, and prayer. It is hoped that a healthy mentoring relationship will develop that will last the length of the program, and for many years beyond. An effort will be made to find a mentor who is local to the pastor so that face to face meetings is possible, or alternatively they will take place online.

Training:

Participants in this program will be engaged in a set course of ongoing training, through reading books, articles, listening to podcasts and attending conferences. This training will be aimed at better equipped pastors to lead themselves, other leaders, and the church as a whole. The contents of this training will be the focus on discussions with the mentor, helping participants put their training into action in the local church.

In addition to this monthly training participants will also attend the annual Reach Australia conference together, providing further input and opportunities to interact with and build relationships with one another.

Peer Support:

Every two months the whole ‘cohort’ of participants will also meet together, online, for 60-90 minutes. This will be an opportunity to share the things that they have learned, the joys and struggles of pastoral ministry, and particularly to encourage and pray for one another. We hope that this builds a ‘band of brothers’ who will continue to be a support to one another well after the formal program finishes, and strengthen the unity and cohesion in the wider CRCA.

The first ‘cohort’ is due to start in February 2023 with at least four participants. A review of the first year will be conducted in time for a report to Synod 2024 and the program reviewed to ensure that it is meeting the needs of the participants and helping them as they serve the church. Please pray for those men serving in their first church, that the Lord would mightily equip them for the work of the gospel that he has called them to. Pray that many will be strengthened through their ministry and equipped for works of service, and that many come to know the Lord Jesus. Pray too, that through their ministry, many other men will be raised and trained to serve the Lord in his church as preachers and pastors.