In 2005 Trinity Reformed Church's Leadership Team and Consistory approved the con
cept of applying for the National Clergy Renewal Program for Pastor Jon Opgenorth. The timing of applying for a grant for use in 2006 did not work out, so they agreed to apply in 2006 for a grant in 2007. Elder Karen Barker (Clerk of Consistory), along with her husband, former elder Jeff Barker, helped to write the grant proposal. Below are excerpts of the proposal:About eight years ago, Jon Opgenorth was a candidate to be our pastor. During this time, we met his children (his five year old daughter and his infant triplets!) and his wife. One of the things that his wife told us on the search committee was that her husband was a man of prayer – of seeking the heart of God. “Many pastors say they believe in prayer,” Ann told us, “but my husband practices this belief.” We believed then, and now more than ever, that here is a man who knows how to make excellent use of time away in the presence of the Lord.
We long for Jon Opgenorth to become the best leader for our church that he can possibly be. For two years, we have been stepping toward and looking forward to partnering with the National Clergy Renewal Program. In “The Problem of Pain” C.S. Lewis wrote, “Beyond all possibility of doubt you say, ‘Here at last is the thing I was made for.’... All that you are, sins apart, is destined, if you will let God have His good way, to utter satisfaction.” It is this kind of utter satisfaction that we seek for our beloved pastor.
We have worked closely with Pastor Jon in crafting this renewal plan. It is his desire and ours that he return from a season away renewed in his calling as a child of God and a servant of Christ’s church, infused with passion, vision, and mission for the next chapter in our shared journey, and refreshed in the things that make his heart sing.
To that end, this proposal seeks to provide time for him to be alone in the presence of God, resources for travel to our global mission partners as well as other congregations who have recently experienced growth, and playful rest (our pastor enjoys hiking and running).
The time is ripe for this weary leader, husband and father to take a step back and rejuvenate. Our pastor has been in ordained, pastoral ministry for nearly fourteen years. He served in Muskegon, Michigan, for nearly six and one half years before coming to us, where he is in his eighth year. Ours is a growing congregation with an ambitious vision. Because of our pastor’s commitment to our shared vision as well as his commitment to his family (recall the triplets?!), he has had little opportunity for significant internal reflection in recent years.
The time is also ripe for our leader to get prepared for our next phase of growth, development and mission. Jon has been with us for over seven years. In that time our congregation has matured in its sense of vision and mission, grown in numbers of people, and extended its historic connection to global missions. Jon has built a strong and life-giving staff team, including children’s ministry, youth ministry, worship arts, and spiritual formation. Together we have re-shaped our leadership structure for more fluid movement in mission. Laity have been encouraged in greater involvement, new ministries are regularly beginning, and we are enjoying the fruits of an active congregation. One result of this increase in ministry (people and activity) is the need for increased facilities to replace aging structures and to lay the foundation for ministry during the twenty-first century.
Finally, we desire our relationship with our pastor to be a long and fulfilling shared journey. We believe that churches and pastors who live together through many years of ministry often enjoy fruit that is not possible in the more common clergy-congregation relationships of five to seven years. We seek to enjoy the fruit of the longer relationship, and we believe this is the perfect year for our congregation’s partnership with the Lilly Endowment’s Clergy Renewal Program.
There are three components in our pastor’s renewal program: a) internal exploration of his relationship with God as child and servant, b) rekindling of passion, mission, and vision for our shared journey, and c) playful rest and recreation.
The following activities will aid in the goal of this program:Internal reflection with the help of a spiritual director. Jon will periodically experience retreat days and make use of a spiritual director to process his identity in Christ, his call to ministry, and his passion for mission.
He will connect with the global work of Christ's kingdom by visiting various mission sites.
In April and May he will visit Uganda and Bahrain, exploring how the gospel interacts with various mission settings, including Islam. In June, the entire family will travel to Japan to reconnect with out sister church in Kamakura and enjoy the natural beauty of Tokyo, as well as a visit to Mt. Fuji.
In late June and July, there will be interactions with other congregations that have experienced growth and began new ministries. These visits will include a multi-ethnic congregation in Chicago as well was two congregations that have recently gone through significant growth in ministries.
The team leaders were overwhelmed with joy as they heard stories of people praising God for the programs. The Rev. Canon Captain Titus Baraka is the chariman of the project and he was thrilled by the early results. To top it all off, about 50 people came forward for an alter call.
