Resource Browser Page
Date |
Average Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| January 10, 2011 |
See ChangeLeadership How many pastors does it take to change a Christian Reformed church? The best and right answer is probably “None.” But that hasn’t kept many of my ilk from trying. Some try wisely, some foolishly. We all pray we’re faithful to God in building up the church and serving in God’s world. |
|
| December 16, 2010 |
All I Want for ChristmasLeadership My kids and wife hardly give me stuff anymore, regardless of the occasion. Around Christmas, birthdays, and Father’s Day, they once paid close attention to the perpetual gross list I’d stick over family pictures disguising the refrigerator: “Two of everything.” (A Mennonite friend calls that my “Noah List”—but I never wanted even one cat.) |
|
| November 12, 2010 |
Engaging God's Mysteries in Preaching--a Book ReviewPreaching If you're a preacher who has ever gotten tired, doubtful or in trouble, these novel preaching books by Kenton Anderson might push you back to the Story and Life behind everything. Or, do you want to be a confidant and friend to your pastor? Read these books, lend or give them to him or her and keep talking about life and preaching. Maybe that will help prevent endless sermons. After all, the Word of the Lord lasts forever, but preaching should be shorter, engaged and interesting. |
|
| October 28, 2010 |
“Longing . . . for What?”: A Memorial MessageCongregational Life Recent community events occasioned deep challenges for families and friends of persons who died. Today I post—again with names changed—the message I presented a few days ago following the death of a senior who joined our community for the last two years and his last stop on his journey on earth. I am grateful to his family for their urging and permission to widen the circle of their mourning and their comfort with this message. |
|
| October 16, 2010 |
"We Are Not Forsaken": A Funeral SermonPreaching The following is a sermon given at a funeral for a 19-year-old who took his own life. Tommy, for years you always made us laugh–but not a week ago Saturday. Tommy–son, brother, foster son, dear friend: What happened to you? Where did the laughter go? What could anyone have done? We still can’t believe you’re gone. Those are just some of the questions probably everyone here has asked since last Saturday. Questions like that beg for rational answers, but what Tommy has gone through and what family and friends are going through now defy reason. We can analyze all we want and the questions will still scream at us. |
|
| August 30, 2010 |
A Final Question about Leadership: Are We Looking for and Developing Leaders?Leadership To put things in all-too-common market parlance, when too many churches are looking for too few pastors, the calling process can become a buyer's market—with the pastor being the buyer and the congregations the sellers. We all know the often false shading, portrayal of homes that happens in real estate transactions when buyers try to get the best bang for their buck. For their part buyers also try to “lowball” in home purchases. I’m enough of a hard-bitten Calvinist to realize ... |
|
| August 9, 2010 |
Risks of Resurrection—or ALMOST the "Rest of the Story"Leadership Church leaders WILL trip, stumble and fall. (You doubt? Check out Romans 3:23.) Not all will do irreparable damage to themselves or others as they fall; sometimes no one but God notices—so good we are at cover-ups. Regardless, the result is always disheartening, whether the fall is public or private, in congregations or denominations large or small. |
|
| June 30, 2010 |
Confluence for Congregational Leadership--or A River Runs Through ItLeadership In “Leadership: A Working Definition,” the Christian Reformed Church’s Leadership Development Team calls its fourth leadership principle “confluence” (pp. 16-17). One of the Bible’s most evocative biblical images is the river running through God’s city in Revelation 22's new heavens and earth, providing life and “healing ... |
|
| June 17, 2010 |
Competency for Communal LeadershipLeadership In a provocative discussion on “competencies,” the CRCNA’s Leadership Development Team claims we “should not overstate the distinction between character and competence” (“Leadership: A Working Definition,” pp. 15-16). It then goes on to list some learnable skills–listening, understanding groups and system dynamics within congregations. Yet the echo of competency rooted in character sounds often. |
|
| May 26, 2010 |
The Conviction to Hope and Thrive--Again, or for the First TimeLeadership In a previous article recently posted on the Pastors Network, we explored “character,” the first of four traits of leadership articulated by the Christian Reformed Church’s “Leadership Development Team” several years ago. I described a real past near-disaster in fictional “Hopeful CRC.” That conflicted congregation was a place where otherwise morally upright leaders lacked sufficient “moral intelligence” and maturity to face each other openly and honestly. |
|
| May 11, 2010 |
The Character of a Near DisasterLeadership Psalm 19 exultingly reminds us: “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” In one of God’s blessed whimsies, a quiet setting next to a Michigan lake under those heavens helped frame a far-reaching conversation about Christian Reformed Church leadership. Several summers ago, Rev. Duane Kelderman of Calvin Seminary sat on the deck of the family cottage, mulling over informal discussions about pastoral leadership and congregational life and strife. |
|
| April 21, 2010 |
Healthy Congregations Head OutwardsLeadership Healthy congregations need not remain vague dreams for all but a few charismatic leaders. The first apostles were not super-preachers, yet the early church reached outward faithfully, creatively and winsomely with the message of salvation. Those congregations struggled with a hostile culture. Today ...
|
|
| January 20, 2010 |
Eugene Peterson & Marva Dawn on "Unnecessary Pastors"Books and Book Reviews Books spun from conferences often make better insulation for pastors’ studies than they spark spiritual fire. This book will keep you warm, all right, but not because it leans against an outside wall. |
|
| January 13, 2010 |
Hints for VisitingCongregational Life OK, you're going to do those visits, because that's what you are called to do. But you are uneasy, scared. This brief guide is intended to be an introductory checklist for pastors, pastoral care workers, elders or deacons when you visit families or individuals. Maybe you want to consider this an "owner's manual." Not that we own the church or its members; only God does. But we are working for the Owner and are in charge of maintenance. |
|
| January 9, 2010 |
Filling Cavities Formed by Post-ModernismBooks and Book Reviews Groothuis's method cannot work in much of God's world. What about the many thoughtful, reflective Christians who do not read deeply? To judge them unworthy contributors to Christian discourse promotes an elitism inconsistent with God's abundant Grace. |
|
| January 8, 2010 |
Donald Miller's Search for a Jazzy Spiritual DietBooks and Book Reviews I don't know about anyone else, but as I try to read a book by someone about whom I know nothing, I constantly ask, "Who is this person?” and, "What does s/he REALLY do?" As I approach cynical dotage, ever fewer writers of "religion/spirituality" books make it past those barrier questions. That label has mercifully kept certain books closed to me as ... |
|
| January 8, 2010 |
Imagining an Early Worship WarWorship Planning "Worship Wars" have flared in many North America churches for fifteen years or so. Worship committees, council members, pastors and musicians have tangled about what fits in worship and what doesn't. Styles and content of songs, choices of instruments, to dance liturgically or not, to preach in monologue or dialogue, to use teaching devices such as overheads and slides or not--all have become heavy artillery in the wars.
|
|
| January 8, 2010 |
Begging, Borrowing--But Not StealingPreaching It’s coffee time, Friday morning but Sunday’s comin’—though not like Tony Campolo exultantly preached. Friday is sermon crunch day. So the preacher flails through her Bible from one lectionary passage to another. Commentaries and articles cascade around the room. It looks like the Taliban raided her study...
|
|
Date |
Average Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| May 17, 2012 |
Twice (a Month) - the New Normal?Congregational Life In my tradition, twice was the norm. Growing up in the Christian Reformed Church, attending church twice every Sunday was a non-negotiable, a near creational given. ”Oncers” were deemed on a slippery slope to perdition, an accommodation to the ease of culture and all its entertainments ... |
|
| May 10, 2012 |
Feeding and Leading the ChurchBooks and Book Reviews, Leadership Jack Hayford writes about leadership from the biblical perspective of a shepherd and sheep. He affirms that pastors must lead like a shepherd. What does this mean? A shepherd feeds, protects, and cares for his sheep. If he does not do these basic tasks, he is a bad shepherd, a mere hired hand... |
|
| May 3, 2012 |
HopePastors The past couple of months have shown me how important hope is in our lives. Without hope life becomes meaningless for many people; so meaningless that life can become optional or even undesirable to them. Paul tells us that there are 3 key things ... but the greatest of these is love. I'm not going to argue with Paul, but I'm seeing that without hope there is no |
|
| April 23, 2012 |
Prayer Summit ReflectionsPastors When I was a kid in Sunday school, I earned a little plastic plaque that read, "Prayer changes things." It glowed a sort of neon green in the dark and I remember waking up in the night and thinking it was cool. It took me a while longer to think that praying was even more cool then glowing in the dark. I have been slow in coming to love to pray. |
|
| April 19, 2012 |
The Genesis Flood and the Gospel NarrativeMy take on the Genesis flood is a bit different. A very common, perhaps the MOST common world saving strategy is “reward and rescue the good people, marginalize or eliminate the bad people.” This strategy in fact I believe is read onto the Bible. |
|
| April 17, 2012 |
Officiating at a Canadian Wedding? Read This...Congregational Life Officiating at wedding ceremonies is a regular, and happy, part of a pastor's ministry. In Canada, not only do officiants represent the Church, they also function with the authority of the government. In order to officiate, the minister must have a license to do so. Those from outside the province must apply for a temporary license. |
|
| April 12, 2012 |
The Other DiscipleLeadership I recently preached a sermon about Peter’s denial of Jesus, as recorded in John 18:15-27. In my study of that passage I saw something I never noticed before—something which I think highlights the blessing of doing ministry in the company of fellow disciples. |
|
| April 5, 2012 |
BracketologyLeadership The Final Four is done. I picked the two final teams in my bracket and also picked the winner as Kentucky rolled over Kansas. I loved picking correctly. I love basketball. I played basketball in high school because I was tall. Coach Swanson was my coach. He taught me important life lessons. |
|
| April 4, 2012 |
Is Conversion to Jesus Enough?Congregational Life There is no greater thrill in ministry to watch a person move from death to life and put their trust in Jesus. But is conversion to Jesus and his gospel enough? What I mean is - is this the only conversion that needs to happen in the life of a Christian? Or could there be more “converting” work that needs to be done... |
|
| March 29, 2012 |
It Is EnoughThe highway lays before me, curving off to the left over the bridge and I am nine years old, bringing my Schwinn Stingray bike to a sudden halt as I round the base of the hill. Slightly to the left of me is a red Honda 70. A blanket lies over a mound stretched across the centerline and perpendicular to the road. I notice the... |
|
| March 22, 2012 |
Distinguishing Forgiveness from ReconciliationPastors Some folks assume that forgiveness and reconciliation are the same thing. They aren't. Forgiveness is what *I* do; Reconciliation is what *we* do. Forgiveness has to do with releasing a debt caused by behavior; Reconciliation has to do with re-building broken trust. |
|
| March 16, 2012 |
Prayer Summit - Each Church Send OneOn April 16-18, a first-ever Prayer Summit for our denomination will take place in Los Angeles, Calif. By way of the “Each Church Send One!” campaign, I am inviting — and strongly encouraging — your congregation to send at least one person to this event. |
|
| March 15, 2012 |
The Apostles According to National GeographicI don’t think it’s a bad thing for Protestants to poke around a bit more in the early history of the Christian church. Ignorance of this era has allowed a fair amount of sloppy skepticism regarding what is pretty solidly knowable about the origins of the founding of our faith. |
|
| March 11, 2012 |
The Journey of Three Lands and Two RiversSpiritual Formation There is a journey of renewed identity that some churches experience. They remember fondly the fruitfulness in their land of the past. Then they cross the first holy river into the desert where, through prayer and holy conversation, they climb the jagged mountains to discover renewed vision. They cross deep valleys |
|
| March 8, 2012 |
The Antioch Church: Model for Healthy ChurchesCongregational Life How do we measure church health? I want to submit to you that in the Bible we have a picture of a healthy church. It comes from the Church in Antioch |
|
| March 1, 2012 |
Lenten SacrificesWhen Lent rolled around and I began to think about the state of my life, I decided it was time to stop using online Tetris as a crutch. It was keeping me from building a life, for crying out loud! It was keeping me from flourishing, which is what God desires, isn’t it? |
|
| February 24, 2012 |
Consider Faith Alive FirstI’m writing to ask for your help with an issue that affects all Christian Reformed churches. Faith Alive, as you know, is the publishing ministry of the CRC. But like many denominational publishers, Faith Alive is facing significant financial headwinds in today’s tough economic times. |
|
| February 23, 2012 |
The Myth of Super-PastorCongregational Life, Leadership He asked them the simple question, “What are your expectations for your next pastor?” Someone immediately chimed in, “We want a heroic leader who will fill our pews.” A statement like this sounds ridiculous and yet it sheds light on some of the unhealthy, unrealistic, and unbiblical expectations that churches and pastors come to expect from the role of pastor. |
|
| February 16, 2012 |
The 9th CommandmentContrary to popular understanding, the 9th commandment is less about lying in general than it is about slander. The 9th commandment reads: “You shall not give false testimony about your neighbor.” It seemed to me as I listened to the political ads this morning that the purpose of these soundbites is to do exactly what the 9th commandment forbids – give false testimony about your neighbor. |
|
| February 9, 2012 |
Meaningless Mumbling vs. Restorative RitualI will admit that certain rituals do become dead routines in particular communities where their meaning is not taught and their mode is irrelevant. But the assumption by many Protestants that ritual itself is meaningless is theologically flawed and spiritually hazardous. |
|
Date |
Average Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| May 26, 2010 |
Sustaining Pastoral ExcellenceLeadership Grants, conferences and learning events are just some of the ways that Sustaining Pastoral Excellence supports and strengthens pastors and helps build vital congregations. |
|
| May 26, 2010 |
Disabilities--"Identity or Intruder"One of the fine things about this "Network" is that thoughtful folks are commenting on and contributing to a wide variety of ministries, not just within the CRC, but elsewhere as well. Fellow Network Guide Mark Stephenson posted a moving reflection about how people deal with disabilities. Is a disability part of one's identity to be lived with? Or is it something to be fought against? Different people--both those with disabilities and those living with family members with disabilities--deal with the situation in different ways. Pastor Mark articulates the issue well and sensitively. |
|
| May 26, 2010 |
Welcoming Strange--or maybe just visiting!--PreachersWorship Planning The Calvin Institute of Christian Worship has assembled a website that just keeps growing and growing with a great variety of helps, hints, resources for worship and Christian community. One of the most practical items on CICW site is the "Feature Stories . . . for learning, inspiration and group discussion." Take a look at this link to a particular worship story. It provides great hints about a detail of Christian and congregational hospitality often lost in the last-minute preparations for worship: What happens when a guest preacher visits your congregation? |
|
| January 27, 2010 |
Ministering to Families Affected by Military DeploymentToday many soldiers from CRCs in both the US and Canada are deployed to war zones. The link below will allow you to download a resource from the US Army Chief of Chaplain’s Office that is a resource for civilian clergy. This 100 + page resource, Ministering to Families Affected by Military Deployment, is written particularly for US military personnel. |
|
| January 27, 2010 |
Reformed WorshipReformed Worship is the well-known quarterly journal published by Faith Alive Resources. Its regular “Series for the Season” provides pastors and worship committees to plan worship with helpful, informed articles, sermon hints, music suggestions and often orders of worship and prayers that can be used, adapted and developed by worship planners. |
|
Date |
Average Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| February 8, 2010 |
Tim ChalliesLeadership Pastors are interested in lots of things. So is Tim Challies, which is why I thought his blog just might appeal to pastors in both the US and Canada. A Canuck who roots for the Toronto Blue Jays, he has also lived in the US. Both in his blog and his growing list of books, he writes from a decidedly Reformed perspective and seems to be pretty rooted in Jonathan Edwards’s writings. A layperson from our congregation put me on to Challies. If you’re interested in literate, conservative, respectful and respectable Reformed commentary, visit Tim! |
|
| February 8, 2010 |
Real Live Preacher Gordon AtkinsonCongregational Life Gordon Atkinson is a real live preacher working in San Antonio, Texas. Not surprisingly, he has written a book by that name, which is a collection of blogs for his website named—you guessed it!—Real Live Preacher. Atkinson is nothing if not honest, but sometimes his language is what our mothers might call “salty.” Use at your own risk. |
|
| February 8, 2010 |
Duke Divinity SchoolDuke Divinity School has a wide-ranging website that highlights several areas of interest to pastors. Currently on the site you’ll find information for courses or study leaves of varying lengths and topics. In addition there are links to current church and religion news, blogs by a large number of leaders in North American pastoral, seminary and church positions. |
|
| January 27, 2010 |
Center for Excellence in PreachingPreaching The Center for Excellence in Preaching provides many helpful resources for preaching. These include podcasts of sermons by a wide variety of preachers, “sermon starters” with exegetical and expositional essays, lists of conferences on preaching, sermon evaluation forms for parishioners and more. |
|
| December 22, 2009 |
Leadership JournalLeadership I'm sure that most people who manage to find the Pastors page on CRCNA Network will know or have at least heard of Leadership Journal. I used to get this worthwhile journal, but, like many of us, have cut down on hard-copy subscriptions and now read a lot on line. (I DO subscribe to Canoe & Kayak and Canadian Geographic in hard copy and maybe we can talk about why sometime....). |
