Calvin Theological Seminary
A COVID Graduation
In May of every year, the community of Calvin Theological Seminary gathers to celebrate those who are graduating from various certificate and degree programs. May 2020 was different. The COVID-19 pandemic precluded such a gathering.
Instead, the school did what they could to recognize and celebrate these important achievements by creating a montage of pictures of graduates and their families.
They also held a drive-by event where each alumnus was given a gift and each took a picture with CTS President Jul Medenblik (from an appropriate social distance).
“COVID-19 may have changed how we celebrate, but it could not change our celebrating our 61 graduates who came from Brazil, Canada, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Kenya, South Korea and the United States,” said Jul Medenblik, president of Calvin Theological Seminary.
The COVID-19 pandemic also impacted how students finished their semester. Like many schools, Calvin Seminary saw a pivot to online education in March. Because of the investment in distance education some nine years ago, Calvin Seminary was able to move in this direction over a single weekend.
“We are grateful for this investment that is still paying dividends,” said Medenblik.
In fact, this shift to online education enabled the school to do even more than it had originally intended. Over the summer, Calvin Seminary joined with Calvin University to offer online courses that met the needs of church leaders looking to explore and engage relevant topics such as evangelism, discipleship, education, and others in the challenging context of COVID-19.
More than 300 church leaders took these courses and this encouraging response is now leading CTS to provide more short-term online courses and sessions.
“This past spring and summer has led to our continuing to be flexible in response to the context we are in,” Medenblik concluded. “Whether it is by face-to-face or online instruction, Calvin Theological Seminary is still serving as it has since 1876.”
To learn more about and review financial information from Calvin Theological Seminary, read the PDF report.
Instead, the school did what they could to recognize and celebrate these important achievements by creating a montage of pictures of graduates and their families.
They also held a drive-by event where each alumnus was given a gift and each took a picture with CTS President Jul Medenblik (from an appropriate social distance).
“COVID-19 may have changed how we celebrate, but it could not change our celebrating our 61 graduates who came from Brazil, Canada, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Kenya, South Korea and the United States,” said Jul Medenblik, president of Calvin Theological Seminary.
The COVID-19 pandemic also impacted how students finished their semester. Like many schools, Calvin Seminary saw a pivot to online education in March. Because of the investment in distance education some nine years ago, Calvin Seminary was able to move in this direction over a single weekend.
“We are grateful for this investment that is still paying dividends,” said Medenblik.
In fact, this shift to online education enabled the school to do even more than it had originally intended. Over the summer, Calvin Seminary joined with Calvin University to offer online courses that met the needs of church leaders looking to explore and engage relevant topics such as evangelism, discipleship, education, and others in the challenging context of COVID-19.
More than 300 church leaders took these courses and this encouraging response is now leading CTS to provide more short-term online courses and sessions.
“This past spring and summer has led to our continuing to be flexible in response to the context we are in,” Medenblik concluded. “Whether it is by face-to-face or online instruction, Calvin Theological Seminary is still serving as it has since 1876.”
To learn more about and review financial information from Calvin Theological Seminary, read the PDF report.
Worship Ministries
Learning from Red Mesa
It is the practice of the Worship Ministries staff and regional advisory team to be hosted by one of our members so we can learn more about their worship and its larger context as well as connect with other CRC worshiping communities in the area. Every time we have done this we have left better equipped to serve the diverse worship needs of our denomination.
This year Worship Ministries was hosted by Darlene Silversmith of Crownpoint CRC, in Classis Red Mesa. In three days we were able to learn from and listen to leaders and congregants of nine CRC churches, physically visiting six of them. In addition we learned about the classis’ Leadership Development Network and met with students and staff of Rehoboth and Zuni Christian Schools.
Joining us were members of Faith Formation Ministries, the Council of Delegates, and the Director of Ministry and Administration. Our visits impacted each one of us deeply. We found ourselves challenged and in awe of what the Holy Spirit is doing in and through the people of Red Mesa. Knowing we had more to learn, it was our intent to return with a few denominational leaders in March but those plans were canceled due to COVID.
To learn more about Worship Ministries or to see financial information from congregational service ministries, read the PDF report.
This year Worship Ministries was hosted by Darlene Silversmith of Crownpoint CRC, in Classis Red Mesa. In three days we were able to learn from and listen to leaders and congregants of nine CRC churches, physically visiting six of them. In addition we learned about the classis’ Leadership Development Network and met with students and staff of Rehoboth and Zuni Christian Schools.
Joining us were members of Faith Formation Ministries, the Council of Delegates, and the Director of Ministry and Administration. Our visits impacted each one of us deeply. We found ourselves challenged and in awe of what the Holy Spirit is doing in and through the people of Red Mesa. Knowing we had more to learn, it was our intent to return with a few denominational leaders in March but those plans were canceled due to COVID.
To learn more about Worship Ministries or to see financial information from congregational service ministries, read the PDF report.