Christian Reformed Home Missions announced recently that its staff-specialist positions will be relocated out of the bi-national office in Grand Rapids, Mich.
The move comes on the heels of a major restructuring that took place in Home Missions three years ago, which saw regional teams set up across the United States and Canada.
“This is closely connected to that change,” said agency director Rev. John Rozeboom. “This is the logical next step to resource the regional teams more effectively.”
Rozeboom said Home Missions discovered with the regional teams that having staff located in the regions brought them much closer to local church ministries. So the agency hopes to serve congregations even better by moving its goal specialists to the regions.
The staff positions being moved include specialists in church planting, mission-focused established churches, campus ministry, and small-group discipleship. The position of ministry development will be discontinued.
Rozeboom pointed out that some staff in those positions are already located outside of Grand Rapids. All staff in those positions will report to a regional team leader rather than to staff in Grand Rapids.
The people in those positions will continue to have bi-national responsibilities. “We have to have goal support in the wider denominational picture,” Rozeboom said. “But the important thing is that the environment for these specialists will be the regional team, closer to ministry.”
Rozeboom acknowledged that the change brings anxiety in asking people to move. Up to four full-time staff people could be asked to relocate.
It is not known at this time whether the people in those positions will accept relocation or end their service with Home Missions.
About the Author
Gayla Postma retired as news editor for The Banner in 2020.
