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Posted in Synod | May 13, 2013, 10:30 am | 3 comments

By far, the issue with greatest coverage in the Agenda is that of a Study Report out of the Office of Deacon Task Force. I really recommend reading it for yourselves as I believe the report is a model of how these things ought to be laid out. It is confessional, conversant in the relevant threads of church polity and winsome to boot. Read more »

Latest Discussions (see all)

[Q&A] Does anyone have a pastoral declaration about marriage that I can use in our revised building rental policy?
[Q&A] Do you have any good ideas for a meaningful and better-attended second service?
[Q&A] Has anyone used the small group study on prayer from Faith Alive?
[Q&A] Is the favourite sport of the CRC shoving all important issues into study committees?

Latest


	Wag the Dog Posted in Synod \| May 21, 2013, 12:40 pm Although I read through the Structure and Culture Report (page 348), although I looked at the budget numbers, I remain unconvinced that the tail isn’t trying to wag the dog. Read more »
	Some Observations: Do You See What I See? Posted in Classis \| May 20, 2013, 4:37 pm Do you see these trends in the denomination? Are we trending in healthy directions? Signs of hope in the CRC? Do you see any? Read more »
	Call on Your Senator to Ratify the CRPD Posted in Disability Concerns \| May 20, 2013, 2:47 pm A campaign of misinformation brought about the defeat of the ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) in the U.S. Senate last December. Likely, a motion to ratify it will be brought to the Senate Foreign Relations committee this June. Now is the time to begin contacting Senators to correct that misinformation so the next vote to ratify will be successful. Read more »
	5 Social Media Improvements You Can Make Today Posted in Web \| May 20, 2013, 11:48 am Using social media well is more than setting up an account and pushing out information about yourself or organization. By nature it’s relational. Whether you’re new to social media, or someone who’s been doing it for years, here are five things to consider that could make your online relationships stronger. Read more »
	One is the Loneliest Number Posted in Church Planting \| May 20, 2013, 9:01 am \| 1 comment The latest Utne Reader has an article entitled, “Me, Myself, and I: Why is it so hard to admit when we are lonely?” The author, Olivia Laing, talks about the pain of loneliness in her own life as she lived in New York City, surrounded by people but still terribly alone. In the article she points out not only her own pain of loneliness but also the research on loneliness, Read more »
	Plan a Volunteer Recruitment Month Posted in Sunday School \| May 20, 2013, 12:00 am Looking for a way to ease the August stress of searching for volunteers? Check out this blog post from veteran children’s minister, Linda Freeman, who offers week by week ideas for planning a month long focus on volunteer recruitment. Read more »
	An Open and Shut Case Posted in Pastors \| May 16, 2013, 8:43 am \| 4 comments In the forum regarding Overtures 3 & 4 for this year’s Synod, Meg Jenista quoted Augustine of Hippo, who said: "In the essentials, unity. In the non-essentials, liberty and in all things, charity." So what’s the question? The question is: what are the essentials, and what are the non-essentials when it comes to our faith? Read more »
	Dealing with Death and Dying Posted in Pastors \| May 16, 2013, 7:15 am \| 3 comments In two years I’ve done 24 funerals. Three of which have been for someone under the age of 70. One was for a baby. Each time, no one knew how to deal with death and dying. They kept going back to praying for the miracle. Praying against hope that things will not end in the inevitable. As pastors, ours is the calling to... Read more »
	The Double Edged Sword of Email Lists Posted in Web \| May 15, 2013, 11:30 am \| 1 comment I joined a church just after graduating from college a few years ago and suddenly started receiving emails from a number of people all at the same time. I wondered what was going on and then realized my email was published in the directory.Without giving consent I was immediately subscribed to the church “weekly update”, prayer chain, and social justice club list. Read more »
	Just What the Church Order(ed) Posted in News & Support \| May 14, 2013, 12:08 pm Are you a pastor, church council member, or someone who is just interested in Church Order? Have you looked for practical ways to apply the articles of the Church Order to real-life situations? Well, The Network might have just what you’re looking for... Read more »
	Go in Peace Posted in Sunday School \| May 14, 2013, 9:36 am Many Sunday schools take a break during the summer months. If yours is one of them, how do you say goodbye to your class as you send them off to enjoy the sunshine? If you’re coming to your last week of Sunday school, consider setting aside time do something special. Here are a few ideas. . . Read more »
	Aroma Therapy or Aroma Heresy Posted in Disability Concerns \| May 14, 2013, 9:25 am \| 1 comment I am almost totally isolated, as my son who lives locally sees me near Mother's day, my birthday and near Christmas. We have been doing the drive thru and eating in his car for a few years. It works quite well, tho there are some frags to deal with after. Even with this limited exposure, I am doing physical harm, but a mom needs to see her family. Read more »
	What Are We Going To Grow? Posted in Small Groups \| May 14, 2013, 9:13 am If you were going to plant a garden, what would you do? I have asked this question many times at small group discipleship training. The first answers usually are: dig, plant, water. What else: weed, fertilize, pick. What else? Buy seeds. What kind of seeds will you buy? Oh, we have to decide what we are going to grow! Read more »
	Signs of Emotional Abuse Posted in Safe Church \| May 13, 2013, 8:17 pm An emotional abuser intentionally and repeatedly threatens or says harsh words to wear another person down. Once worn down, the victim will try to avoid hearing the threats or nasty words again by doing what the abuser asks. Read more »
	Using Mediation to Resolve Conflicts in the Church Posted in Elders \| May 13, 2013, 3:57 pm \| 2 comments How familiar are you with The Mediation Process? Should every Pastor be trained in Mediation? I believe it is a process that allows us to settle disagreements with understanding, compassion and many times wholeness in what was once a broken relationship. Read more »

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	Wag the Dog Posted in Synod \| May 21, 2013, 12:40 pm Although I read through the Structure and Culture Report (page 348), although I looked at the budget numbers, I remain unconvinced that the tail isn’t trying to wag the dog. Read more »
	Some Observations: Do You See What I See? Posted in Classis \| May 20, 2013, 4:37 pm Do you see these trends in the denomination? Are we trending in healthy directions? Signs of hope in the CRC? Do you see any? Read more »
	Call on Your Senator to Ratify the CRPD Posted in Disability Concerns \| May 20, 2013, 2:47 pm A campaign of misinformation brought about the defeat of the ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) in the U.S. Senate last December. Likely, a motion to ratify it will be brought to the Senate Foreign Relations committee this June. Now is the time to begin contacting Senators to correct that misinformation so the next vote to ratify will be successful. Read more »
	5 Social Media Improvements You Can Make Today Posted in Web \| May 20, 2013, 11:48 am Using social media well is more than setting up an account and pushing out information about yourself or organization. By nature it’s relational. Whether you’re new to social media, or someone who’s been doing it for years, here are five things to consider that could make your online relationships stronger. Read more »
	One is the Loneliest Number Posted in Church Planting \| May 20, 2013, 9:01 am \| 1 comment The latest Utne Reader has an article entitled, “Me, Myself, and I: Why is it so hard to admit when we are lonely?” The author, Olivia Laing, talks about the pain of loneliness in her own life as she lived in New York City, surrounded by people but still terribly alone. In the article she points out not only her own pain of loneliness but also the research on loneliness, Read more »
	Plan a Volunteer Recruitment Month Posted in Sunday School \| May 20, 2013, 12:00 am Looking for a way to ease the August stress of searching for volunteers? Check out this blog post from veteran children’s minister, Linda Freeman, who offers week by week ideas for planning a month long focus on volunteer recruitment. Read more »
	An Open and Shut Case Posted in Pastors \| May 16, 2013, 8:43 am \| 4 comments In the forum regarding Overtures 3 & 4 for this year’s Synod, Meg Jenista quoted Augustine of Hippo, who said: "In the essentials, unity. In the non-essentials, liberty and in all things, charity." So what’s the question? The question is: what are the essentials, and what are the non-essentials when it comes to our faith? Read more »
	Dealing with Death and Dying Posted in Pastors \| May 16, 2013, 7:15 am \| 3 comments In two years I’ve done 24 funerals. Three of which have been for someone under the age of 70. One was for a baby. Each time, no one knew how to deal with death and dying. They kept going back to praying for the miracle. Praying against hope that things will not end in the inevitable. As pastors, ours is the calling to... Read more »
	The Double Edged Sword of Email Lists Posted in Web \| May 15, 2013, 11:30 am \| 1 comment I joined a church just after graduating from college a few years ago and suddenly started receiving emails from a number of people all at the same time. I wondered what was going on and then realized my email was published in the directory.Without giving consent I was immediately subscribed to the church “weekly update”, prayer chain, and social justice club list. Read more »
	Just What the Church Order(ed) Posted in News & Support \| May 14, 2013, 12:08 pm Are you a pastor, church council member, or someone who is just interested in Church Order? Have you looked for practical ways to apply the articles of the Church Order to real-life situations? Well, The Network might have just what you’re looking for... Read more »
	Go in Peace Posted in Sunday School \| May 14, 2013, 9:36 am Many Sunday schools take a break during the summer months. If yours is one of them, how do you say goodbye to your class as you send them off to enjoy the sunshine? If you’re coming to your last week of Sunday school, consider setting aside time do something special. Here are a few ideas. . . Read more »
	Aroma Therapy or Aroma Heresy Posted in Disability Concerns \| May 14, 2013, 9:25 am \| 1 comment I am almost totally isolated, as my son who lives locally sees me near Mother's day, my birthday and near Christmas. We have been doing the drive thru and eating in his car for a few years. It works quite well, tho there are some frags to deal with after. Even with this limited exposure, I am doing physical harm, but a mom needs to see her family. Read more »
	What Are We Going To Grow? Posted in Small Groups \| May 14, 2013, 9:13 am If you were going to plant a garden, what would you do? I have asked this question many times at small group discipleship training. The first answers usually are: dig, plant, water. What else: weed, fertilize, pick. What else? Buy seeds. What kind of seeds will you buy? Oh, we have to decide what we are going to grow! Read more »
	Signs of Emotional Abuse Posted in Safe Church \| May 13, 2013, 8:17 pm An emotional abuser intentionally and repeatedly threatens or says harsh words to wear another person down. Once worn down, the victim will try to avoid hearing the threats or nasty words again by doing what the abuser asks. Read more »
	Using Mediation to Resolve Conflicts in the Church Posted in Elders \| May 13, 2013, 3:57 pm \| 2 comments How familiar are you with The Mediation Process? Should every Pastor be trained in Mediation? I believe it is a process that allows us to settle disagreements with understanding, compassion and many times wholeness in what was once a broken relationship. Read more »