Reflections on formation through CLC
Formation that carries
into life.
These reflections show how formation through CLC continues beyond a course or gathering—in the questions people begin asking, the practices they carry with them, and the ways faith takes deeper root in everyday life.
Current participant voices
Formation unfolding through the journey.
“I realized I had a shallow understanding of a book I’ve loved all my life.”
“CLC rekindles faith, deepens love for the Word, and leaves lives filled with hope and purpose.”
“I had never asked how the Bible came to us.”
Earlier formation work
A living archive.
Selected older stories remain visible because they show the enduring formation beneath CLC’s changing programs.
“Discipleship is not simply learning content; it is a process that changes life and behavior.”
CLC and the mentoring process changed the way I understood discipleship. I had thought discipleship was mostly about knowing information, but information alone had not changed my life or behavior. I began to see discipleship as a process—learning out loud together and watching the Holy Spirit change lives. Instead of waiting for people to come to me, I began going to them, asking larger questions about reflective living, obedience, and how faith becomes visible in everyday life.
Jan Price · Glen Lake, Michigan · From CLC’s earlier formation work
“Knowledge was valuable, but spiritual formation was priceless.”
I have always been a good student, and knowledge was easy for me to acquire. But CLC’s Spiritual Formation work was different. It became a process of God forming me into a new calling. Knowledge was valuable, but formation was priceless. Through teachers, mentors, fellow participants, my pastor, and my family, I experienced a community that cared about what God was calling me to do and helped equip me to take the next faithful step.
Pamela Otten · From CLC’s earlier formation work
“CLC gave me tools for the work the Holy Spirit had already called me to do.”
CLC gave me tools for the work the Holy Spirit had already called me to do. Even Church History helped ground my missional instincts within the larger story of the Church and the good news of Jesus. That grounding shaped the way I learned to ask, ‘What is good news to this person right now?’—and then recognize how the gospel finds concrete expression in rides to work, help with children, visits in jail, and support through difficult moments.
Roger Bird · Allegan, Michigan · From CLC’s earlier formation work
“CLC opened my eyes to see that even in the dark night of the soul, there is always light.”
CLC helped me develop a deeper love for Reformed theology and prepared me to walk alongside people facing suffering, chronic pain, and loss. It opened my eyes to see the kingdom differently—to recognize that even in a dark night of the soul, there is always light. The journey also taught me not to expect every answer at once, but to lean on those who have gone before and collaborate with those beside me.
Rachel Reinink · From CLC’s earlier formation work
“I’m on my knees more, and I’m aware of more.”
CLC helped me deepen my understanding while remaining active in ministry. Church History, creeds, and confessions became more than information; they opened formative conversations about the heart of Jesus and helped me honor the Church’s heritage while seeking faithful transformation. Spiritual formation also changed my prayer life: ‘I’m on my knees more, I’m aware of more.’ Learning in a community marked by vulnerability and encouragement gave me a firmer foundation for serving others.
Eliza Bast · Kalamazoo, Michigan · From CLC’s earlier formation work
“CLC’s training and mentoring were instrumental in my development.”
CLC’s training and mentoring were instrumental in my development. I grew in theological understanding, learned from a wider range of ministry contexts, and became better equipped to develop other leaders. I also discovered that I could preach and found my practice of intercessory prayer deepening. What mattered was not simply gaining knowledge, but learning within a community of people who helped me listen carefully to God’s call and serve the Church with greater wisdom.
Mike Gafa · North Grand Rapids, Michigan · From CLC’s earlier formation work
“CLC’s teachers inspired and educated me; my mentor helped me carry that learning into daily ministry.”
CLC’s teachers inspired and educated me, while my mentor helped me bring that learning into the daily realities of ministry. I grew in confidence to preach, lead communion, and walk with people through baptism, grief, and loss. The journey became one of deep spiritual transformation. I learned that saying yes to God at the beginning is only the first step; continuing to say yes is what changes a life.
Theda Williams · Michigan · From CLC’s earlier formation work
“Some of the most important formation happened as learning, life experience, and relationships came together.”
CLC’s training, mentoring, and coaching helped me navigate both the structures of ministry and the challenges that came with it. I learned the value of paying attention to God’s provision, seeking wise guidance, and surrounding discernment with prayer. Some of the most important formation happened as learning, life experience, and relationships came together. That combination helped me recognize resources already present in the community and invite others into the work God was doing.
Jeff Elzinga · From CLC’s earlier formation work
Reflections across CLC’s work
Browse the collection.
This collection brings together current participant reflections shared with permission and selected stories previously published by CLC. Filter by the current Core Learning Series or earlier formation work, then open any reflection to read more.
Core Learning Series
“I realized I had a shallow understanding of a book I’ve loved all my life.”
I realized I had a shallow understanding of a book I’ve loved all my life.
Core Learning Series
“I can now read the Bible with the big picture—intentionally and intimately.”
I can now read the Bible with the big picture—intentionally and intimately.
Core Learning Series
“I had never asked how the Bible came to us.”
I have always known the Bible as inspired by the Holy Spirit, but I had never asked how it came to us.
Core Learning Series
“CLC rekindles faith, deepens love for the Word, and leaves lives filled with hope and purpose.”
This is what CLC has meant to me: Church Leadership Center is like a running river in a dry and thirsty land. Wherever it passes, it rekindles faith, deepens love for the Word, equips leaders, and leaves behind lives filled with hope and purpose. I want to invite others into that river with me—to experience transformation, restoration, and revival for the life of the Church and the nation.
Core Learning Series
“A great initiative for the worldwide Church to learn together how to be God’s Church in this world.”
CLC is a great help, especially for those of us in the Southern Hemisphere, and a great initiative for the worldwide Church to learn together how to be God’s Church in this world.
Earlier Formation Work
“Some of the most important formation happened as learning, life experience, and relationships came together.”
CLC’s training, mentoring, and coaching helped me navigate both the structures of ministry and the challenges that came with it. I learned the value of paying attention to God’s provision, seeking wise guidance, and surrounding discernment with prayer. Some of the most important formation happened as learning, life experience, and relationships came together. That combination helped me recognize resources already present in the community and invite others into the work God was doing.
Earlier Formation Work
“CLC opened my eyes to see that even in the dark night of the soul, there is always light.”
CLC helped me develop a deeper love for Reformed theology and prepared me to walk alongside people facing suffering, chronic pain, and loss. It opened my eyes to see the kingdom differently—to recognize that even in a dark night of the soul, there is always light. The journey also taught me not to expect every answer at once, but to lean on those who have gone before and collaborate with those beside me.
Earlier Formation Work
“CLC’s teachers inspired and educated me; my mentor helped me carry that learning into daily ministry.”
CLC’s teachers inspired and educated me, while my mentor helped me bring that learning into the daily realities of ministry. I grew in confidence to preach, lead communion, and walk with people through baptism, grief, and loss. The journey became one of deep spiritual transformation. I learned that saying yes to God at the beginning is only the first step; continuing to say yes is what changes a life.
Earlier Formation Work
“CLC’s training and mentoring were instrumental in my development.”
CLC’s training and mentoring were instrumental in my development. I grew in theological understanding, learned from a wider range of ministry contexts, and became better equipped to develop other leaders. I also discovered that I could preach and found my practice of intercessory prayer deepening. What mattered was not simply gaining knowledge, but learning within a community of people who helped me listen carefully to God’s call and serve the Church with greater wisdom.
Earlier Formation Work
“Knowledge was valuable, but spiritual formation was priceless.”
I have always been a good student, and knowledge was easy for me to acquire. But CLC’s Spiritual Formation work was different. It became a process of God forming me into a new calling. Knowledge was valuable, but formation was priceless. Through teachers, mentors, fellow participants, my pastor, and my family, I experienced a community that cared about what God was calling me to do and helped equip me to take the next faithful step.
Earlier Formation Work
“CLC gave me tools for the work the Holy Spirit had already called me to do.”
CLC gave me tools for the work the Holy Spirit had already called me to do. Even Church History helped ground my missional instincts within the larger story of the Church and the good news of Jesus. That grounding shaped the way I learned to ask, ‘What is good news to this person right now?’—and then recognize how the gospel finds concrete expression in rides to work, help with children, visits in jail, and support through difficult moments.
Earlier Formation Work
“I’m on my knees more, and I’m aware of more.”
CLC helped me deepen my understanding while remaining active in ministry. Church History, creeds, and confessions became more than information; they opened formative conversations about the heart of Jesus and helped me honor the Church’s heritage while seeking faithful transformation. Spiritual formation also changed my prayer life: ‘I’m on my knees more, I’m aware of more.’ Learning in a community marked by vulnerability and encouragement gave me a firmer foundation for serving others.
Earlier Formation Work
“Discipleship is not simply learning content; it is a process that changes life and behavior.”
CLC and the mentoring process changed the way I understood discipleship. I had thought discipleship was mostly about knowing information, but information alone had not changed my life or behavior. I began to see discipleship as a process—learning out loud together and watching the Holy Spirit change lives. Instead of waiting for people to come to me, I began going to them, asking larger questions about reflective living, obedience, and how faith becomes visible in everyday life.
No published stories match this filter yet.
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