THE PEOPLE AND PLACES
Our Current Regional Learning Communities
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Churches Learning Change (CLC) is a network of learning communities that stay connected through regular meetings, learning, and resource sharing. We are a movement across North America with unique expressions as churches and leaders commit to learning a core curriculum with one another in geographical regions or online communities.
In essence, CLC is what happens in each region. What happens "locally" is supported by monthly online meetings open to all regional leaders, as well as an annual in person meeting of representatives from every region called the Gathering.
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The movement is sustained by the Sustaining Group; appointed by the leadership of each region, they serve on a year-to-year basis and oversee the part-time administrative staff and overall integrity of the movement among the regions.
The Gatherings
Leaders from every region gather online monthly, and annually in person to support the work of Churches Learning Change throughout North America. We share teaching resources for the Toolbox, tend to our relationships as a community of bold love, and show up authentically with courage and curiosity. At the annual Gathering, we add specific learning components to continue to grow our capacity for transformation that leads to faithful and fruitful missional living.
2019 Summer Gathering pictured
Meet The Sustaining Group
Mike, Heartland
Rev. Mike Hardeman is Pastor of American Reformed Church in Orange City, Iowa.
Jim, At-Large
Dr. Jim Herrington co-founded The Leader's Journey based in Houston, Texas. He is an at large member.
Megan, Big East
Rev. Megan Hodgins is the Senior Pastor of First Reformed Church in Scotia, New York. She represents the Big East Region.
Chad, Mid-America
Rev. Chad Schuitema is the Administrative and Ministry Leader of the RCA Synod of Mid-America. He represents the Mid-America Region.
Al, Western Canada
Rev. Al Plat is the Pastor of Athabasca Reformed Church in Athabasca, Alberta. He represents the Western Canada Region.
Tom, Great Lakes
Rev. Tom Grabill is in Transitional Ministry for the RCA Synod of the Great Lakes. He represents the Great Lakes Region.
Kevin, Ontario
Rev. Kevin De Raaf serves as the Director of North America Regional Teams for Resonate Global Missions, the mission agency of the CRC. He represents the Ontario, Canada region.
Meet The Staff
Churches Learning Change is made up of committed pastors, lay leaders and practitioners who are voluntarily taking responsibility to share their knowledge, expertise, resources, time, and support to keep the CLC movement alive.
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To help sustain such a movement, we have three very part-time staff who serve in areas that may fall through the cracks, go beyond our groups’ expertise and capacity, or in ways that will strengthen the overall health and future well-being of the system.
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In other words, we’re here to help.
Edie
Rev. Edie Lenz serves as Communication Coordinator for Churches Learning Change. She is the Pastor of Hickory Hills Presbyterian Church in Hickory Hills, Illinois.
Ken
Rev. Ken Eriks is the Fund Development Coordinator for Churches Learning Change. He is retired but continues to serve the church-at-large in a variety of ways.
Chelsey
Rev. Chelsey Harmon serves as Tech & Creative Coordinator for Churches Learning Change. She is an ordained minister in the CRC and is a ThM student at Regent College in Vancouver, British Columbia.