MFCA News for September 2018

The latest news from the Ministerial Formation Certification Agency.

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News Feed - September 2018

Generation Z

As the youngest Millennials move toward finishing their college years, the next generational cohort will be Generation Z, those born between 1995 and 2002. A Barna survey has indicated that only 59 percent of those, ages 13 – 18, identify as Catholic or Protestant (Christian Post, July 6, 2018). Earlier generations represented a much larger 75 percent. Generation Z is much less likely to claim the Christian faith as their own. This will impact the future of the church; especially those attracted to ministry as a vocational call.

If Millennials need authentic experiences of following Jesus, what does the Generation Z desire? The “Rainmaker Thinking” organization recently conducted a major survey of Generation Z. It was discovered that*:

Gen Z seeks out positive leadership and meaningful relationships in their vocational pursuits. Mutual respect, gratitude and recognition between co-workers and leadership was a recurring theme in the results.
They desire promotions and advancement in their work.
They prioritize autonomy and the opportunity to be creative.
Gen Z prefers meaningful roles and responsibilities.
They prefer a comfortable work space and opportunity to learn new skills.
Flexible schedule is very important.
It is important to be recognized and to receive extra pay for doing the extras.
The human element is important to Gen Z - they would rather see pay fairly distributed among all employees than to individually receive extra pay for extra effort.

These characteristics, although not focusing on the spiritual, do appear to align well with many ministry roles; especially in larger churches where there is a staff and daily contact with people who also expect more meaningful human relationship with the opportunity to grow. The solo pastorate in a rural setting may not necessarily be a fit for the average Gen Z.

Seels words in The New Copernicans may well be appropriate here: “My assessment is that churches need to provide authentic experiences of following Jesus into the arenas of their deepest longings (justice, beauty, love, and spirit), giving them an opportunity to connect their personal story with a larger narrative of meaning, particularly couched in a relationally humble 3-D posture.” (183) This is equally true for the church attender as it is for those in church leadership. In order to create a community, invested relationships on the part of all will provide meaning and purpose. The church is potentially a work environment where Gen Z folks can find vocational fulfilment.

Cor

*The Voice of Generation – Z: What Post-Millennials are Saying About Work,RainMakerThinking.Com

Courses & Events

Fall 2018 Courses

RCA History & Missions DL (CLOSED – LIMITED ENROLMENT)
Dr. Dennis Voskuil

RCA Polity DL (LAST “ADD/DROP” DAY – SEPTEMBER 14)
Dr. Cornelis Kors

RCA Standards DL (LAST “ADD/DROP” DAY – SEPTEMBER 14)
Dr. Wayne Brouwer

To register, please contact the MFCA Registrar, Kelly Talsma at ktalsma@rca.orgor 562-408-2520. The MFCA Office is in California and Pacific Time Zone.

RCSC Certification Committee

October 10 -12, 2018 New Brunswick, NJ

This meeting will consist mostly of mid-certification interviews. If you are planning to be interviewed, please confirm your interview with the MFCA registrar, ktalsma@rca.org.

MFCA Board of Trustees

November 1 - 2, 2018 Paramount, CA

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Rev. John Benson was ordained as Minister of Word and sacrament on Sunday, September 9, 2018 at Faith Dyer Church in Indiana. Benson serves as youth and singles pastor at Faith Church. Congratulations John!

Rev. Jordan Helming was ordained as a Minister of Word and sacrament on Sunday, September 9, 2018 at Central Reformed Church in Sioux Center, Iowa. He recently completed a significant part of his chaplaincy training and will continue in military chaplaincy. Congratulations Jordan!

Director's Travel Schedule

September 12 – 14              Hamilton, ON
September 15 – 18              Niagara Falls, ON
September 25 – 27              Sioux Falls, SD
October 1 – 3                       Chicago, IL
October 3 – 5                       Philadelphia, PA
October 10 – 12                   New Brunswick, NJ
October 16 – 17                   Grand Rapids, MI
November 8 – 10                 Holland, MI