Ministry Consultant - Crossroads Discernment

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following:

1. Lead declining congregations through Thrive’s Crossroads discernment process. 
2. Help church members gain clarity on internal dynamics, denominational expectations, and their missional context to make faithful decisions.
3. Provide consultation, coaching, and pastoral care to pastors and council chairs, guiding them through administrative dynamics of the congregational lifecycle transitions or renewal pathways.
4. Guide church leadership in providing compassionate care for departing members and facilitating membership transfers to nearby congregations.
5. Advise classis leaders on legacy pathways, renewal options, and church closure processes, ensuring all legal and financial requirements are met.
6. Guide disbanding congregations and classis leadership in property dissolution and the designation of financial assets. 
7. Partner closely with Resonate Global Mission, Candidacy, and local classis leadership teams to establish church planting and normalized legacy outcomes for concluding ministries.
8. Author and curate clear, accessible guidance materials, tools, and case studies on legacy planning and asset designation for distribution across congregations and classes.
9. Other duties as assigned. 

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE & EXPERTISE:
QUALIFICATIONS

1. Professing membership in a Christian Reformed congregation, or of a church in communion with the CRCNA, and agreement with the doctrine of the church signified by signing a covenant statement.
2. Demonstrated capacity to navigate emotional landscapes, including grief, conflict resolution, and organizational change.
3. Consultative and coaching skills with experience in guiding church councils through discernment processes and planning.
4. Demonstrated capacity for working cross-culturally and collaborating with diverse congregations.
5.  Highly collaborative cross-functional team player.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

1. Master’s degree in pastoral ministry, theology, clinical counseling, social work, or a related field required. 
2. Intermediate experience with the Crossroads Discernment Process, specialized transitional ministry, or related congregational renewal framework.
3. Advanced pastoral leadership experience in transitional ministry or church renewal.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Ability to travel in Canada and the United States as needed to support classes and congregations.
  

WORK ENVIRONMENTThe work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

• 50% travel during the fall and spring, including weekends, is required to perform the duties and responsibilities described above.

Full-time Benefits

• Work-Life Balance
• Full-Time Flexible Work Arrangements 
• Generous Vacation and Holiday Time
• Competitive benefits and retirement plan
• Professional Development Opportunities
• Contributing to an organization that is making an impact in the world

About
Who We AreThe Christian Reformed Church in North America (CRCNA) includes just over one thousand congregations across the United States and Canada. About 75 percent of the churches are in the United States and 25 percent are in Canada. While we're a denomination with churches and ministries in two countries, we share in the blessings of ecclesial unity and joint ministry. Almost 230,000 people belong to the CRCNA—not a large number when you consider the population of our two countries. But by God’s grace we can accomplish a lot when we work together.The CRCNA denominational offices serve the local church, providing resources to pastors and congregations so that people are introduced to Jesus Christ and their faith is nurtured. Other agencies of the CRCNA include ReFrame Ministries, Resonate Global Mission, and World Renew. Be Who You AreThe CRCNA is committed to building a culture of belonging that encourages, supports, and celebrates the voices and experiences of all our employees. We strive to build a workforce that reflects the diversity of our broader culture and the Christian church, and invite all qualified candidates to apply. To read the CRCNA Diversity Statement click here