https://network.crcna.org/ The Network en Thu, 25 Apr 2024 01:09:38 +0000 Sat, 25 Apr 2020 18:50:43 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/maybe-what-we-need-most-right-now-bedtime-song Last month I changed my email profile picture to a preschool photo of myself. Karen DeBoer https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/maybe-what-we-need-most-right-now-bedtime-song Sat, 25 Apr 2020 18:50:43 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/church-your-families-need-help-and-adding-more-programs Recently I facilitated a workshop on family faith formation for a group of parents whose children ranged in age from newborns through young adults. We began with a reading of Deuteronomy 6:5-9—our call from God to form the faith of our children: Karen DeBoer https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/church-your-families-need-help-and-adding-more-programs Tue, 20 Aug 2019 13:23:02 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/life-changing-impact-belonging The day 5-year-old Axel brought his plastic blue guitar to church, he walked to the front of the sanctuary, wove in and out of the praise team band, found a place to stand between the drummer and the guitarist, and began to play. Karen DeBoer https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/life-changing-impact-belonging Thu, 09 Feb 2017 17:13:03 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/9-reasons-attend-intergenerate There are only a few weeks left to register for InterGenerate a conference to be held at the beautiful Lipscomb University in Nashville on June 25-27, 2017. Karen DeBoer https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/9-reasons-attend-intergenerate Thu, 12 Jan 2017 15:11:59 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/intergenerational-ideas-advent By this point in November, two groups of people have Christmas on the brain: 1) those who work in retail and who are frantically stocking their shelves with all that glitters and 2) those who work in faith formation ministries and who are frantically searching their shelves for advent gold. Karen DeBoer https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/intergenerational-ideas-advent Fri, 11 Nov 2016 19:04:10 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/chicago-cubs-big-dreams-and-knowing-each-others-someday After the final out of Game 7 of the Chicago Cub winning World Series, Nike aired an ad called ‘Someday.' It features a young boy playing all the positions on the dirt of a baseball diamond at a local baseball field. Karen DeBoer https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/chicago-cubs-big-dreams-and-knowing-each-others-someday Thu, 03 Nov 2016 17:29:22 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/two-back-school-ways-encourage-children-church As the end of the summer approaches, kids start thinking about the changes ahead. Entering a new grade, attending a different school, making friends and getting to know an unfamiliar teacher are all significant changes in the life of a school aged child. Karen DeBoer https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/two-back-school-ways-encourage-children-church Wed, 10 Aug 2016 16:34:15 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/two-year-olds-tell-story In the spring of 2015 Faith Formation Ministries launched a crowdfunding campaign to support the revision of the God Loves Me storybooks. Karen DeBoer https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/two-year-olds-tell-story Tue, 31 May 2016 18:03:13 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/college-care-packages-nurture-faith I received one very memorable care package when I was a student at Dordt College. It was my first year living off campus and my mom thoughtfully sent a package containing both the recipe and the dried ingredients for my favorite meal — sweet and sour meatballs and rice. Karen DeBoer https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/college-care-packages-nurture-faith Tue, 11 Aug 2015 13:57:19 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/tell-two-friends When I was a kid I made my mom buy Faberge Organics Shampoo after seeing Heather Locklear describing it in a commercial. Karen DeBoer https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/tell-two-friends Tue, 10 Feb 2015 19:24:53 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/simple-things The matchbox car, placed in the church mailbox belonging to Kyle’s family, contained the following note: “Kyle, praying for you. Pastor John.” Discovering the car and the message, Kyle’s mom was filled with emotion. Karen DeBoer https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/simple-things Wed, 01 Oct 2014 19:56:38 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/be-relationship In a recent post on the YALT (Young Adult Leadership Exchange) site, author Andy Bossardet offered a three word solution for how to reach millennials: be in relationship. Karen DeBoer https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/be-relationship Wed, 24 Sep 2014 20:05:21 +0000