https://network.crcna.org/ The Network en Sat, 11 May 2024 02:08:02 +0000 Wed, 14 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/community-engagement/take-two-partnership-meets-tangible-need In 2019, Seymour Christian Reformed Church of Grand Rapids sent our youth group on a mission trip to Detroit. I joined as a leader. While on this trip, we spent time at Hesed Community Church, a Resonate Global Mission partner in Detroit’s Brightmoor neighborhood. Mel Solle https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/community-engagement/take-two-partnership-meets-tangible-need Wed, 14 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/community-engagement/importance-listening-and-5-tips-practice Listening is a foundational and core practice of joining the Holy Spirit on God’s mission in our neighborhoods, but listening can be difficult in today’s day and age. Karen Wilk https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/community-engagement/importance-listening-and-5-tips-practice Tue, 30 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/community-engagement/22-ideas-say-yes-building-relationships About a month ago, our Western Canada Resonate mission team was all set to gather together in Lacombe, Alberta. It was going to be awesome! Rich Braaksma https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/community-engagement/22-ideas-say-yes-building-relationships Mon, 18 Jul 2022 17:43:08 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/community-engagement/get-involved-your-community-through-kids-hope Thirty-one Christian Reformed Churches in the Great Lakes region are participating in engaging their community through Kids Hope USA. Carla Beiber https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/community-engagement/get-involved-your-community-through-kids-hope Tue, 12 Jul 2022 17:14:18 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/community-engagement/how-are-you-loving-your-neighbor I’m keenly aware that anything I write right now will likely be overshadowed by all of the Big Conversations we’ll be having at Synod 2022 in June. It seems like some decisions that our congregations or denomination are making require all of our energy. Amy Schenkel https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/community-engagement/how-are-you-loving-your-neighbor Tue, 10 May 2022 13:21:09 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/community-engagement/how-use-easter-traditions-connect-your-neighbors I was in a neighborhood meeting the other day in which we were brainstorming ideas for getting neighbors together in the next few months. One of our primary ideas was having an Easter egg hunt. Karen Wilk https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/community-engagement/how-use-easter-traditions-connect-your-neighbors Sun, 10 Apr 2022 00:41:48 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/community-engagement/30-simple-ways-share-kindness-your-neighborhood February is Random Acts of Kindness Month! Here are 30 ideas to share kindness and participate with your neighbors in making your neighborhood an even better place to live for all. Karen Wilk https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/community-engagement/30-simple-ways-share-kindness-your-neighborhood Tue, 15 Feb 2022 14:14:22 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/community-engagement/one-question-help-your-church-focus-your-mission lit·mus test/ˈlitməs ˌtest/a test in which a single factor (such as an attitude, event, or fact) is decisive As the new year begins, there is often a desire to simplify—to find clarity and focus that will guide us through the coming months.   Amy Schenkel https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/community-engagement/one-question-help-your-church-focus-your-mission Tue, 11 Jan 2022 13:30:44 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/community-engagement/inventing-while-advent-ing Crosstowne Church in Milton, Ontario, thinks of two doors through which neighbours might encounter Christ through the church. The first, and perhaps primary door, opens through the relationships built through the rhythms of missional communities. John Bouwers https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/community-engagement/inventing-while-advent-ing Thu, 09 Dec 2021 16:03:03 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/community-engagement/hiccups Hiccups. I was thinking about hiccups last night after listening to my very small infant granddaughter. Her hiccups lasted for a while, and those of us with her mother were giving all our best advice on how to stop them. I’m sure you all have a suggestion too. One passed down through the years. Beth Fellinger https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/community-engagement/hiccups Thu, 09 Dec 2021 14:14:23 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/community-engagement/12-ideas-sharing-peace-and-joining-god-your In Luke 10, Jesus sends out "the seventy" and tells them to share peace. Karen Wilk https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/community-engagement/12-ideas-sharing-peace-and-joining-god-your Thu, 09 Dec 2021 14:07:40 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/community-engagement/what-are-your-mission-driven-christmas In our world today, we might associate Santa Claus more with consumerism, but do you know the Christian roots behind the story of this iconic Christmas character? St. Nicholas lived around the time of the Council of Nicea in 325 AD. Peter Kelder https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/community-engagement/what-are-your-mission-driven-christmas Tue, 07 Dec 2021 15:43:57 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/community-engagement/how-will-you-share-peace-christmas "Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this house!’ And if anyone is there who shares in peace, your peace will rest on that person; but if not, it will return to you." -Luke 10:5-6 Karen Wilk https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/community-engagement/how-will-you-share-peace-christmas Thu, 02 Dec 2021 13:43:13 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/community-engagement/6-books-help-you-dive-deeper-mission-home In Acts 1:8, Jesus tells his disciples to be his witnesses in “Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” But that doesn’t mean to go just “everywhere.” Jesus’ command paints a portrait of what mission looks like in our lives. Resonate Global Mission https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/community-engagement/6-books-help-you-dive-deeper-mission-home Tue, 03 Aug 2021 13:14:14 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/community-engagement/when-church-doors-shut-community-gardens-opened In this reflection, Resonate local mission leader Bruce Gritter reflects on the ways in which community gardens have connected churches in Western Canada to their communities and opened up opportunities to share the love of Christ. Bruce Gritter https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/community-engagement/when-church-doors-shut-community-gardens-opened Tue, 08 Jun 2021 16:02:54 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/community-engagement/what-have-our-churches-gained-because-covid As we approach the one-year mark of when our lives were turned upside down by the coronavirus pandemic, we could all name many things we’ve lost over the past year. Even in our congregational life, that list is long and worthy of lament. Amy Schenkel https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/community-engagement/what-have-our-churches-gained-because-covid Thu, 11 Mar 2021 11:15:30 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/community-engagement/community-christmas-celebrating-2020 The municipality of South Huron—population 10,000—is in Southwestern Ontario and consists of the town of Exeter and a number of hamlets and villages. The area is characterized by its agricultural foundation and its proximity to Lake Huron. Joan Brady https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/community-engagement/community-christmas-celebrating-2020 Wed, 18 Nov 2020 14:26:24 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/community-engagement/what-church-15000-youtubers-can-teach-us-about While many of us are tired of social distancing and are feeling less connected than ever, others have been what they were doing before: probing conversations about meaning, God, and belief through YouTube and chat forums. Marc Holland https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/community-engagement/what-church-15000-youtubers-can-teach-us-about Tue, 17 Nov 2020 15:11:56 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/community-engagement/whats-god-your-neighbourhood God’s mission isn’t just across an ocean—it’s right outside your door. Marian Lensink https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/community-engagement/whats-god-your-neighbourhood Tue, 17 Nov 2020 14:40:28 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/community-engagement/maybe-its-ok-if-advent-looks-different-year Advent and Christmas catalogs began to arrive several months ago in my church office. New Advent bulletin covers, new Advent candles, new ideas for decorating the sanctuary for this year’s Christmas candlelight service. Marianne Giebel https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/community-engagement/maybe-its-ok-if-advent-looks-different-year Tue, 17 Nov 2020 00:40:27 +0000