For the past eight years, Rev. Norm Thomasma, director of the Christian Reformed Church’s Pastor Church Resources ministry, has provided opportunities for pastors to grow in their ministerial work and assistance to congregations seeking to address challenges in their ministry.
Thomasma recently stepped aside from the director position in preparation for retirement. He will spend the next year as a senior consultant, creating written materials that PCR can use to help pastors and congregations.
“There’s been an awful lot of wisdom that has been gained over the last five to 10 years, a lot of material that has not yet been turned into a form that can be leveraged for the good of the pastors and the good of the church,” Thomasma said.
In Thomasma’s early years with PCR, the brunt of his work focused on resolving issues between church councils and pastors. However, his role expanded with greater awareness of the need for spiritual development for pastors as well as congregations seeking to find ministry opportunities.
“The challenge is to walk in and be a catalyst for engagement that helps not only move the congregation through a difficult time, but also facilitates a process through which people experience growth and deepening in their life with God and with one another,” Thomasma said.
Thomasma, who is an elder at Boston Square Christian Reformed Church in Grand Rapids, Mich., joined PCR in 2002 as an educational specialist and associate director. He held that role until he became director in 2009. He had previously been in parish ministry and was chaplain at Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo, Mich.
“I hope that PCR will continue to play a valuable role within the denomination, and I hope to continue to contribute as God calls me to,” Thomasma said.
Lis Van Harten and Cecil Van Niejenhuis are now co-directors of Pastor Church Resources
About the Author
Greg Chandler is a freelance news correspondent for The Banner. He lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
