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Classis at Prayer: Discerning God’s Will for the CRC

Posted on May 6, 2013, 5:05 pm | 2 comments

Could a classis ever slow down and get quiet enough to hear the Holy Spirit's voice? How might we arrange our meetings so that we increase the likelihood that we'll discern wisely and respond promptly and sincerely? Read more »

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Classis Health and Renewal, Classis Resources, Classis Structure, Mission and Vision, Prayer

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	Classis, the Summit, and Prayerful Discernment Posted on April 29, 2013, 5:04 pm After the Prayer Summit, I've been thinking a lot about discernment and the Spirit's leading in our assemblies. How's our decision making in the light of renewed commitment to prayer? Read more »
	The Stories Are Out There Posted on April 1, 2013, 11:51 am \| 3 comments We've all got stories (testimonies?) of times when we experienced a special leading of the Holy Spirit. We are often hesitant to tell these stories. Could it be that these days are days for telling each other our stories? Read more »
	Christlike Classis Posted on March 26, 2013, 8:16 am \| 2 comments Is classis Church? The Word is not preached there. Well, maybe it is. The Sacraments are not served there. Well, maybe sometimes. Discipline is not carried out there. Hmmm…. Maybe it is after all. Read more »
	Classis Is Responsible for [Fill in the Blank] Posted on March 25, 2013, 4:56 pm \| 2 comments For what is classis responsible? The Church Order can help us - but only to a point. Read more »
	Classis Renewal Is Not Optional Posted on March 18, 2013, 2:48 pm To our surprise and delight, renewal at the classis level is becoming more and more part of the denominational dialog on structure, leadership, and culture. We are recognizing the strategic importance of the classis for so many dimensions of our life together. Change at classis is inevitable, and invites our best proactive interventions. Read more »
	Classis and the System – a New Look at Classis Renewal Posted on March 4, 2013, 4:29 pm \| 2 comments Conversations about change in the structure, culture, and leadership of the CRC are more and more beginning to recognize the strategic position and importance of classis. This marks a change in how we are thinking about the denomination's future. It's where change and church connect! Classis renewal is coming of age! Read more »
	Becoming Communities of Discernment Posted on February 26, 2013, 7:43 am \| 3 comments This is a time of significant questioning in the CRC – why are we shrinking so fast? What should we do? What structures do we need? What kind of leadership? What vision? Are there resources for a sustainable and robust future? Are we at risk of paralysis of polarization? We need to do some heavy discernment together. Read more »
	Classis, Willard, and the Holy Spirit Conference Posted on February 19, 2013, 8:34 am The power of classis - the strategic intersection between congregations and denomination. If you’ve been reading the CLASSIS network, you’ve already heard the invitation to consider the vital importance of classis renewal. So why wouldn’t it be one of the places we’d expect the Holy Spirit to be at work reforming the CRC? A few extra minutes designed to catch the breeze wouldn’t be amiss, right? Read more »
	Growing the Church in the Power of the Holy Spirit Posted on February 7, 2013, 6:07 am Recently I was encouraged to read Growing the Church in the Power of the Holy Spirit, a book I probably would not have picked up on my own. The title set off my warning bells. Exactly why that is, I’m not even sure I know myself. Somehow I feared gimmickry or formula or an unspiritual pragmatism. But I read it, and I want to recommend it... Read more »
	Classis: Its Place in the CRC’s Renewal Posted on January 29, 2013, 8:56 am \| 1 comment Classes serve an important role when it comes to issues like credentialing leaders, matters of discipline, and general matters of church polity. Yet, at a denominational level I find that there is something missing when it comes to working effectively together as a ministry system. Read more »
	Praying for Renewal Posted on January 21, 2013, 4:06 pm In the plethora of meetings, schedules, and busyness, and our anxiety about decline - are we together taking the time to pause, to tune in, to pray, to really listen, and to discern together the path of obedience? Read more »
	Neo Liberal Conservatism Posted on December 4, 2012, 10:23 am \| 1 comment Neo Liberal Conservatism. What I mean to say with that made-up bit of jargon is that we need to get WAY past our current categories, or we won’t be able to think creatively about the Church today -- not our church, and not anybody’s church. Read more »
	The Mob, the Power Grab, and the CRC Pastor – Read All About it!! Posted on November 6, 2012, 7:03 am When I ran across this story, I just KNEW I had to share it with Network readers! It’s great. Is it about classis? Maybe not so much. (But think what might have happened if the whole classis had passionately supported this leader!) Read more »
	Gospel Community for the Cruciform Leaders of Classis Posted on September 27, 2012, 1:34 pm How does your classis create the space for relational, gospel community for it leaders? Read more »
	Why Should a Congregation Send Scarce Resources to Support Classis? Posted on August 28, 2012, 9:56 am \| 1 comment Maybe it’s a little risky to talk so crassly about money, but unless we get real about how we use the resources God gives us, we’ll waste money, increase frustration, and continue to fade as a denomination. Read more »


	Classis, the Summit, and Prayerful Discernment Posted on April 29, 2013, 5:04 pm After the Prayer Summit, I've been thinking a lot about discernment and the Spirit's leading in our assemblies. How's our decision making in the light of renewed commitment to prayer? Read more »
	The Stories Are Out There Posted on April 1, 2013, 11:51 am \| 3 comments We've all got stories (testimonies?) of times when we experienced a special leading of the Holy Spirit. We are often hesitant to tell these stories. Could it be that these days are days for telling each other our stories? Read more »
	Christlike Classis Posted on March 26, 2013, 8:16 am \| 2 comments Is classis Church? The Word is not preached there. Well, maybe it is. The Sacraments are not served there. Well, maybe sometimes. Discipline is not carried out there. Hmmm…. Maybe it is after all. Read more »
	Classis Is Responsible for [Fill in the Blank] Posted on March 25, 2013, 4:56 pm \| 2 comments For what is classis responsible? The Church Order can help us - but only to a point. Read more »
	Classis Renewal Is Not Optional Posted on March 18, 2013, 2:48 pm To our surprise and delight, renewal at the classis level is becoming more and more part of the denominational dialog on structure, leadership, and culture. We are recognizing the strategic importance of the classis for so many dimensions of our life together. Change at classis is inevitable, and invites our best proactive interventions. Read more »
	Classis and the System – a New Look at Classis Renewal Posted on March 4, 2013, 4:29 pm \| 2 comments Conversations about change in the structure, culture, and leadership of the CRC are more and more beginning to recognize the strategic position and importance of classis. This marks a change in how we are thinking about the denomination's future. It's where change and church connect! Classis renewal is coming of age! Read more »
	Becoming Communities of Discernment Posted on February 26, 2013, 7:43 am \| 3 comments This is a time of significant questioning in the CRC – why are we shrinking so fast? What should we do? What structures do we need? What kind of leadership? What vision? Are there resources for a sustainable and robust future? Are we at risk of paralysis of polarization? We need to do some heavy discernment together. Read more »
	Classis, Willard, and the Holy Spirit Conference Posted on February 19, 2013, 8:34 am The power of classis - the strategic intersection between congregations and denomination. If you’ve been reading the CLASSIS network, you’ve already heard the invitation to consider the vital importance of classis renewal. So why wouldn’t it be one of the places we’d expect the Holy Spirit to be at work reforming the CRC? A few extra minutes designed to catch the breeze wouldn’t be amiss, right? Read more »
	Growing the Church in the Power of the Holy Spirit Posted on February 7, 2013, 6:07 am Recently I was encouraged to read Growing the Church in the Power of the Holy Spirit, a book I probably would not have picked up on my own. The title set off my warning bells. Exactly why that is, I’m not even sure I know myself. Somehow I feared gimmickry or formula or an unspiritual pragmatism. But I read it, and I want to recommend it... Read more »
	Classis: Its Place in the CRC’s Renewal Posted on January 29, 2013, 8:56 am \| 1 comment Classes serve an important role when it comes to issues like credentialing leaders, matters of discipline, and general matters of church polity. Yet, at a denominational level I find that there is something missing when it comes to working effectively together as a ministry system. Read more »
	Praying for Renewal Posted on January 21, 2013, 4:06 pm In the plethora of meetings, schedules, and busyness, and our anxiety about decline - are we together taking the time to pause, to tune in, to pray, to really listen, and to discern together the path of obedience? Read more »
	Neo Liberal Conservatism Posted on December 4, 2012, 10:23 am \| 1 comment Neo Liberal Conservatism. What I mean to say with that made-up bit of jargon is that we need to get WAY past our current categories, or we won’t be able to think creatively about the Church today -- not our church, and not anybody’s church. Read more »
	The Mob, the Power Grab, and the CRC Pastor – Read All About it!! Posted on November 6, 2012, 7:03 am When I ran across this story, I just KNEW I had to share it with Network readers! It’s great. Is it about classis? Maybe not so much. (But think what might have happened if the whole classis had passionately supported this leader!) Read more »
	Gospel Community for the Cruciform Leaders of Classis Posted on September 27, 2012, 1:34 pm How does your classis create the space for relational, gospel community for it leaders? Read more »
	Why Should a Congregation Send Scarce Resources to Support Classis? Posted on August 28, 2012, 9:56 am \| 1 comment Maybe it’s a little risky to talk so crassly about money, but unless we get real about how we use the resources God gives us, we’ll waste money, increase frustration, and continue to fade as a denomination. Read more »

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