https://network.crcna.org/ The Network en Thu, 25 Apr 2024 04:41:23 +0000 Wed, 24 May 2023 04:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/gods-big-pentecost-story-celebration-families The story of Pentecost is an exciting one. It’s the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise to send his Spirit to be with all believers—including kids! Thrive (CRCNA) https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/gods-big-pentecost-story-celebration-families Wed, 24 May 2023 04:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/pathway-easter-simple-lent-bag-activity-families I’ve found that one of the most difficult concepts for kids to grasp about Lent is the length. At 40 days (46 if you include Sundays), the season is nearly twice as long as Advent, and without the normal rhythms of preparation we experience during the Christmas season. Jill Benson https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/pathway-easter-simple-lent-bag-activity-families Mon, 20 Feb 2023 13:00:11 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/when-corporate-ladder-wrong-wall-open-wonder In the midst of a tense corporate merger, more than 50 staff members joined a spontaneous prayer meeting in the company auditorium because Colin Watson told his CEO, “We need to pray about this.” Years later, retired CRCNA Executive Director Colin Watson shares how being attentive to God at work Thrive (CRCNA) https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/when-corporate-ladder-wrong-wall-open-wonder Tue, 16 Aug 2022 14:04:44 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/it-my-lunch-speaking-or-lord-open-wonder What does God’s voice sound like? How does God speak today? Summer Mohrlang, spiritual director with Soul Formation, responds to the questions we’re wondering about, including “What does a spiritual director actually do?” Thrive (CRCNA) https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/it-my-lunch-speaking-or-lord-open-wonder Thu, 11 Aug 2022 13:15:34 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/appreciation-muscle-you-can-strengthen-open-wonder April Fiet describes herself as a pastor, parent, and recovering perfectionist. She’s also an author, weed-puller, and backyard-chicken-feeder. Thrive (CRCNA) https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/appreciation-muscle-you-can-strengthen-open-wonder Tue, 26 Jul 2022 13:23:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/new-podcast-season-fun-and-faith-forming-summer-listen We’re back for Season 2 of Open to Wonder! This time we’re exploring faith practices—the repeated ways of connecting with God that help us become more like Jesus. And you're invited to join us. Thrive (CRCNA) https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/new-podcast-season-fun-and-faith-forming-summer-listen Thu, 14 Jul 2022 13:56:19 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/how-storytelling-can-help-your-church-grow-faith When my father was about 10 years old, he was late getting out of the house for school one day. He grabbed his metal lunch pail and ran out the door to Aunt Lena’s waiting car full of all his siblings. Trudy Ash https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/how-storytelling-can-help-your-church-grow-faith Thu, 14 Jul 2022 13:49:37 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/how-holy-week-resource-families-inspired-crcna-staff Since its release in 2020, we’ve loved seeing the creative ways people have used the Dwell at Home resource, God’s Big Easter Story, to he Thrive (CRCNA) https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/how-holy-week-resource-families-inspired-crcna-staff Tue, 12 Apr 2022 13:59:32 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/new-faith-practices-booklet-accessible-intro-faith In 2020, Faith Formation Ministries launched the Faith Practices Project, a free set of online resources that introduce the concept of spiritual disciplines in simple, accessible ways. Thrive (CRCNA) https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/new-faith-practices-booklet-accessible-intro-faith Thu, 17 Mar 2022 15:55:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/share-faith-stories-church-wide-question-month This post is part of the Faith Storytelling Toolkit, a collection of resources for sharing faith stories in worship, in church education, in small groups and youth groups, at home, and more. Thrive (CRCNA) https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/share-faith-stories-church-wide-question-month Fri, 11 Mar 2022 16:10:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/what-does-participating-lords-supper-mean-you Talking about faith together doesn’t have to be daunting. It can be as simple as asking a good question. Here’s one: what does participating in the Lord’s Supper mean to you? Megan Herrema https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/what-does-participating-lords-supper-mean-you Tue, 11 Jan 2022 01:00:30 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/faith-practice-celebration In A Habit Called Faith, Jen Pollock Michel writes, “Although Christians have a long and unfortunate history of making every pleasure a guilty one, [the narrative of the wedding at Cana] doesn’t tolerate asceticism fo Sandy Swartzentruber https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/faith-practice-celebration Mon, 13 Dec 2021 20:41:21 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/illuminated-advent-path-intergenerational-kick-christmas "Walk the path...experience five unique stations to celebrate the promises of Advent and Christ’s birth." Jill Benson https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/illuminated-advent-path-intergenerational-kick-christmas Mon, 15 Nov 2021 18:04:41 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/communal-psalm-celebration Celebration has been difficult over the past two years. But there is still much to celebrate—and celebration is actually a faith practice (or spiritual discipline).  Thrive (CRCNA) https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/communal-psalm-celebration Wed, 27 Oct 2021 17:59:55 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/join-faith-formation-ministries-around-table One of the blessings of technology is the opportunity to gather people across great distances for significant conversations about ministry opportunities and challenges.  Lesli van Milligen https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/join-faith-formation-ministries-around-table Fri, 22 Oct 2021 14:40:03 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/open-wonder-reggie-smith-beyond-sunday-episode-2 Basketball. Quilting. Tuxedos. You’d never think they’d all be in the same episode, right? Reggie Smith, Director for Diversity for the Christian Reformed Church in North America, joins us to talk about how those three things are part of the practices and people who shape his faith. Thrive (CRCNA) https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/open-wonder-reggie-smith-beyond-sunday-episode-2 Sun, 17 Oct 2021 18:17:39 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/open-wonder-ruth-padilla-deborst-beyond-sunday-episode-1 Ruth Padilla DeBorst joins hosts Chris and Karen for this first episode of Open to Wonder Season 1: Beyond Sunday. Ruth lives in an intentional community at Casa Adobe in Costa Rica and shares what it means to live into and out of your faith seven days a week. Thrive (CRCNA) https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/open-wonder-ruth-padilla-deborst-beyond-sunday-episode-1 Wed, 13 Oct 2021 18:35:41 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/meet-hosts-open-wonder At Faith Formation Ministries, we’re wondering: how is our faith formed in day-to-day life? Thrive (CRCNA) https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/meet-hosts-open-wonder Thu, 07 Oct 2021 12:48:33 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/around-table-how-your-church-can-equip-families-children Interested in providing busy families with simple and meaningful ways to form faith at home during Advent? Pull up a chair around our virtual table on October 19, 2021 for a workshop on Advent Family Faith Practices with FFM team members Karen DeBoer, Trudy Ash and Jill Benson. Thrive (CRCNA) https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/around-table-how-your-church-can-equip-families-children Mon, 27 Sep 2021 15:10:04 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/intergenerational-ministry-shift-changes-everything Now, more than ever before, congregations are expressing interest in deeper intergenerational ministry, in which people of all ages learn and grow, serve, and worship together. There are many benefits to intergenerational engagement in all facets of the life of a congregation. Lesli van Milligen https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/intergenerational-ministry-shift-changes-everything Wed, 22 Sep 2021 18:06:48 +0000