Opportunities
Do you have a passion for Italy? Are you interested in getting involved in the mission to plant confessional Reformed churches there? Prayer, financial support, and spreading the word about this mission are always great ways to partner with us in the gospel. But there is also a need for missionaries and laborers to go to Italy and help Rev. Ferrari in the difficult task of planting churches in his native land. If this piques your interest, please read on to learn more about the opportunities of service on the mission field of Italy.
Presently, there are needs for missionaries, long-term laborers, and summer pastoral interns. Descriptions of and qualifications for each position are as follows:
Missionaries (Pastors & Church-Planters):
Description: A full-time, ordained pastor planting a church in Italy for CRI. Article 47 of the URCNA Church Order states: “The church’s missionary task is to preach the Word of God to the unconverted. When this task is to be performed beyond the field of an organized church, it is to be carried out by ministers of the Word set apart to this labor, who are called, supported and supervised by their Consistories. The churches should assist each other in the support of their missionaries.”
A CRI missionary will live in the Milan area and be part of CERF for at least the first year in Italy in order to be immersed in the Italian language and culture and learn the missional setting of the country. During this transitional year, the missionary will work closely with Rev. Ferrari. Preparations will be made to plant a church somewhere in Italy after the transitional period.
Qualifications: All CRI missionaries must:
- be ordained in the URCNA or other NAPARC denomination
- be under the care and oversight of a URCNA Consistory or other NAPARC ecclesiastical body
- work closely with and under the advice of the Consistory of CERF
- be willing to learn the Italian language fluently and be immersed in Italian culture
- be willing to remain in Italy long-term
- be responsible for raising his financial support
Long-term Laboror:
Description: Lay-people (i.e. men, women, or married couples) assisting in the planting of a church in Italy for CRI. Of particular interest are mature men and women trained in counseling, or gifted as musicians, administrators, or in teaching English.
Qualifications: All CRI long-term laborers must:
- be gifted in at least one of the following areas: education (especially teaching English), counseling, administration, or music
- become confessing members of CERF and come under the oversight of its Consistory
- be willing to learn the Italian language fluently and be immersed in Italian culture
- be willing to remain in Italy long-term or at least for several years
- be responsible for raising his or her financial support
Summer Pastoral Internship
Description: A non-paid summer internship working with and under the oversight of Rev. Ferrari and the Consistory of CERF. Interns will live with the Ferrari family or another CERF family during the intership. Room, board, and transportation to and from the airport provided. n.b. Applicants should understand that although they will undoubtedly see and taste many wonderful things during the time of their intership, this should not be considered a sight-seeing vacation. Interns must come prepared to work six days a week and assist Rev. Ferrari.
Qualifications: All CRI summer pastoral interns must:
- be a male seminary student or graduate of a confessionally Reformed seminary
- be licensed to exhort in the URCNA or licensed/under care of a Consistory or Session of NAPARC church (n.b. URCNA applicants will be considered first)
- work under the oversight of Rev. Ferrari and the Consistory of CERF
- be responsible for the cost of airfare
If you are interested in one of these positions, please contact Rev. Michael Brown: michaelbrown@christurc.org