Ministry Consultant - Renewal and Discipleship

THE CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH IN NORTH AMERICA; Michigan; Remote; USD 82,000 - 101,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Retirement plan contribution

Four weeks vacation

Flexible work arrangements

Job summary

Christian Reformed Church In North America Foundation seeks a Ministry Consultant to advance Thrive’s renewal and discipleship initiatives across the U.S. and Canada. The role emphasizes equipping local churches, coaching leaders, and guiding strategic planning within a flexible remote work schedule.

The candidate should bring a Master’s degree in theology/ministry and significant pastoral leadership experience, with a strong track record in collaborative training and missional discernment.

Qualifications

• Must be a member of a CRC congregation and sign covenant.
• Proven public speaking and group facilitation experience.
• Ability to develop learning communities and guide strategic planning.
• Skilled at translating theology into practical tools using adult learning principles.
• Experience working cross-culturally with diverse communities.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Strong collaboration and cross-functional teamwork.
• Solid organizational, project management, and administrative skills.
• Intermediate digital communication skills including virtual platforms.

Responsibilities

• Lead Thrive’s renewal pathway and discipleship cohorts.
• Provide tools and coaching to churches and classes.
• Help congregations define missional mandate and create five-year plans.
• Deliver consultation and training on missional identity and discipleship.
• Guide nine-month cohort journey with workshops and tool-building.
• Develop contextual discipleship materials rooted in Reformed theology.

Skills

Public speaking

Facilitation

Coaching

Strategic planning

Cross-cultural communication

Interpersonal skills

Project management

Digital communication

Education

Master’s degree in pastoral ministry/theology/education

Ordination or eligibility for ordination preferred

Advanced pastoral leadership experience

Job description

Ministry Consultant - Renewal and Discipleship

Application Deadline: 22 November 2026

Department: Thrive

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Canada or USA

Description

PURPOSE: This position will implement Thrive’s congregational renewal efforts, with a strategic emphasis on discipleship multiplication, to help Christian Reformed congregations. This role will enable CRC to grow faithfully, holistically, and missionally, embodying the gospel of Jesus Christ in local contexts.

The starting salary for this position is $91,482/year USD or $93,084/year CAD

This position offers a flexible remote work schedule and an attractive benefits package, including retirement fund contribution, four weeks of vacation, and more.

The CRCNA exhibits love for the diversity of the human family. As such we welcome & encourage all regardless of race, ethnicity, ability and culture to apply. Should you require any accommodation throughout the recruitment process please do not hesitate contacting our Human Resources Department.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Facilitate the Thriving Congregations renewal pathway, including Thriving Essentials, Thriving in Mission, and Thriving Practices cohorts.
2. Equip local churches and classis leadership with shared language, tools, and ongoing coaching.
3. Support congregations in defining their unique missional mandate through the Thriving in Mission discernment process.
4. Guide creation of customized five-year ministry plans that integrate the localized gospel vision into the daily life of the church.
5. Provide consultation and training to congregations and classes on missional identity and discipleship. Support a shift from clergy-driven models to every-member disciple-making that equips the laity.
6. Facilitate Thrive’s disciple-making cohorts by guiding church ministry teams through a structured nine-month journey of immersive workshops, customized tool-building, and ongoing practical training.
7. Curate accessible discipleship materials deeply rooted in Reformed theology, utilizing sound adult learning theory to translate complex concepts into flexible tools.
8. Partner with diverse communities to develop contextual tools.
9. Equip congregations to support and value disciple-making in diverse contexts.
10. Assist in research methodologies to assess discipleship multiplication and congregational renewal.
11. Other duties as assigned.

None

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE & EXPERTISE:

QUALIFICATIONS

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

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. Proven track record in public speaking and group facilitation, including experience coaching and mentoring other facilitators.
3. Ability to foster dynamic learning communities and guide church leadership in strategic planning, spiritual discernment, and change management.
4. Skilled at translating complex theological concepts into simple, reproducible tools using proven adult learning and community-building principles.
5. Proven ability to work cross-culturally, cultivating mutual learning in diverse communities.
6. Excellent interpersonal, listening, and communication skills.
7. Highly collaborative cross-functional team player.
8. Strong organizational, project management, and administrative skills.
9. Intermediate computer skills and digital communication, including virtual platforms (e.g., Zoom) and digital resource distribution networks.

1. Master’s degree in pastoral ministry, theology, education, or a related field required.
2. Ordination or eligibility for ordination in the Christian Reformed Church is preferred.
3. Advanced experience in pastoral leadership, congregational coaching, or ministry consultation is required.
4. Experience with the CRCNA denomination and Thrive’s renewal pathway or similar congregational discernment frameworks is an asset.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability to travel within Canada and the United States as needed to facilitate in-person immersions, cohort retreats, and Classical consultations.

The 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

Benefits may be pro-rated based # of hours worked per week:

• 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