https://network.crcna.org/ The Network en Thu, 18 Apr 2024 02:38:50 +0000 Tue, 01 Jun 2021 13:41:22 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/life-changing-spiritual-discipline-wonder Nearly a half-century ago, when I was about 7, a moment of wonder changed my life forever.  Sandy Swartzentruber https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/life-changing-spiritual-discipline-wonder Tue, 01 Jun 2021 13:41:22 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/diy-advent-calendar There are few things that I enjoy more than looking for a craft idea that’s “just right.” It has to be something where the process is fun but not overwhelming, and the end result is visually pleasing and virtually fail-proof. Sandy Swartzentruber https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/diy-advent-calendar Mon, 11 Nov 2019 17:27:44 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/twelve-ways-your-church-can-support-young-parents I’m not proud of this, but on my very worst days as an exhausted young mom I secretly wanted to slap people who flippantly told me to “cherish every moment.” Some days I was barely surviving, and cherishing the moments when I lost my temper or the kids were refusing to nap was not on my to-do lis Sandy Swartzentruber https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/twelve-ways-your-church-can-support-young-parents Tue, 01 Oct 2019 23:53:56 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/how-lesson-old-coots-could-change-your-churchs-coffee-hour A colleague recently shared a video that left me smiling for hours. Sandy Swartzentruber https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/how-lesson-old-coots-could-change-your-churchs-coffee-hour Wed, 28 Aug 2019 13:27:15 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/free-family-advent-resource-teach-us-pray The Advent season is almost here! To help families anticipate the coming of Christ, the Calvin Institute for Christian Worship is offering a FREE download of the Advent section of the intergenerational prayer book Teach Us to Pray.  Sandy Swartzentruber https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/free-family-advent-resource-teach-us-pray Thu, 15 Nov 2018 19:14:53 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/how-faith-grows-children-and-teens Faith is mysterious. No matter what we do in church or at home, we can’t make faith happen. But, like a farmer, there’s much we can do to till the “soil” that faith grows in. Sandy Swartzentruber https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/how-faith-grows-children-and-teens Tue, 16 Jan 2018 14:11:13 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/faith-formation-resources-your-fingertips Sometimes it feels like church ministries “just happen.” People arrive on Sunday morning and a meaningful worship service awaits them. They send their kids to Sunday school or youth group. They choose from a variety of other activities and programs designed to build faith. Sandy Swartzentruber https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/faith-formation-resources-your-fingertips Thu, 29 Jun 2017 15:19:48 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/discover-your-gifts-online-survey-now-free-crc How would life be different in your congregation if all members knew what their spiritual gifts were and wholeheartedly used those gifts in ministry? Really . . . think about that for a minute. Sandy Swartzentruber https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/discover-your-gifts-online-survey-now-free-crc Wed, 14 Jun 2017 12:18:22 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/25-faith-formation-touchpoints Faith formation is an elusive term. How do we know if faith is being formed in children, teens, and adults, and does faith look the same for everyone? Sandy Swartzentruber https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/25-faith-formation-touchpoints Fri, 17 Mar 2017 13:03:22 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/faith-storytelling-toolkit As Faith Formation Ministries (FFM) staff and Regional Catalyzers talk with people at CRC churches, one important need surfaces over and over. Congregations like yours are saying, “We want to learn how to tell our faith stories to each other.” Sandy Swartzentruber https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/faith-storytelling-toolkit Fri, 14 Oct 2016 15:35:50 +0000