Throughout the pilot phase of this RCA/CRC collaboration initiative there have been challenges in relationship building between the KEZs and classes. This should come as no surprise.  This was in fact one of the very reasons that Wesley Granberg Michaelson, former general secretary of the Reformed Church of America, was motivated to facilitate a retreat in Scottsdale, AZ. Phoenix-Tucson KEZ was instrumental in bringing together the church multiplication team of Classis of the Southwest (RCA) and the church development team of Classis Arizona (CRC) for this retreat.  Classis leaders said they didn’t know each other all that well.  Admittedly, many times they were just not on the same page regarding church multiplication in the area. A major part of this problem is due to the fact that a collaborative effort like this has not been done before. There is no ground work laid. This is new and the two denominations have different structures that make the path to collaboration unclear.

On May 2-4, 2012 ,  sixteen people from both Classis of the Southwest and Classis Arizona attended a gathering at the Franciscan Retreat Center.  The goal was to explore how the RCA and CRC could draw closer together in terms of church multiplication in the Phoenix-Tucson area.

Coming into the retreat, leaders knew that many questions needed to be asked as well as answered in a thorough and thought-provoking manner. Wes took all participants through a process of helping each person listen to the voice of God. This approach really shed the light on a lot of the assumptions that had been formed. Wes said that “it was really a time in which we all could see what God would wants us to do.” Wes said two things were accomplished during the retreat. “Firstly, it was clear that we are to be as one in terms of multiplication.” Towards this end,  it would be necessary to develop a clear framework and to clarify a lot of the questions that people have. “Secondly, we were able to not only share but to celebrate with both classes what God has done, is doing, and will do.” Many of those who attended the retreat shared their journey with each other – narrating times of fruitfulness and times of pain. Out of these stories arose opportunities. People found themselves wanting to form partnerships with different collaborations that go beyond the two denominations. Also, attendees strengthened a desire to know each other deeply and to get more involved with one another.

Wes also talked about where prayer fits in with all of these efforts.  He said that “prayer is the underlying foundation of everything.” He went on to say, “It is not just that we have to be in prayer about how to carry out God’s mission. We need to pray in a way that builds a climate of trust around how we work together.” As this collaborative effort moves forward it is key that we continue in prayer and let God use this initiative in any way that He sees fit.