https://network.crcna.org/ The Network en Tue, 16 Apr 2024 21:31:07 +0000 Mon, 22 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/leadership-development/crcna-leaders-learn-about-ableism Recently, as part of their diversity goals, the Office of General Secretary staff at the Christian Reformed Church in North America joined together to read and discuss Amy Kenny’s book Ashley Medendorp https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/leadership-development/crcna-leaders-learn-about-ableism Mon, 22 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/leadership-development/missionvision/places-host-church-or-leadership-retreat Growing up I remember going to a nearby Bible Camp for fall church retreats where we built a closer community through great fellowship and intimate worship of our creator. Kevin Hoeksema https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/leadership-development/missionvision/places-host-church-or-leadership-retreat Fri, 25 Aug 2023 15:45:41 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/leadership-development/code-conduct-ministry-leaders Synod 2023 adopted a code of conduct for ministry leaders in the Christian Reformed Church. CRC Communications https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/leadership-development/code-conduct-ministry-leaders Tue, 18 Jul 2023 16:48:21 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/leadership-development/finding-my-voice “Regret,” says author Brené Brown, “is a tough but fair teacher.” The idea, she writes, is that regret gives us the opportunity to grow, to make amends, to be better than we have been. Douglas Brouwer https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/leadership-development/finding-my-voice Wed, 29 Mar 2023 04:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/leadership-development/lord-be-accountants-and-bookkeepers It was a small thing but also a really big thing. During worship yesterday, the pastor began the congregational prayer by lifting up the accountants and bookkeepers.  Thank you, Jesus, for the order they bring...their attention to detail...gift for numbers... Staci Devries https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/leadership-development/lord-be-accountants-and-bookkeepers Mon, 06 Mar 2023 16:23:07 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/leadership-development/how-town-hall-meetings-can-help-you-lead-well-through This article was originally published at Church Juice. Church Juice is a production of ReFrame Ministries, the media missions agency of the Christian Reformed Church Ernesto Alaniz https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/leadership-development/how-town-hall-meetings-can-help-you-lead-well-through Wed, 01 Mar 2023 14:03:55 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/leadership-development/biblical-foundations/legalism-nirvana-and-well-placed When do good cultural norms become legalism? Can our efforts to avoid sin become sinful? The Story of Ellis, Legalism, and Nirvana Jeffery Guill https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/leadership-development/biblical-foundations/legalism-nirvana-and-well-placed Sun, 18 Dec 2022 17:04:57 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/leadership-development/failure-success I failed here. Jeff Munroe https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/leadership-development/failure-success Wed, 07 Dec 2022 17:43:43 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/leadership-development/why-does-your-church-need-code-conduct What is to be gained from having your congregation adopt the denomination's new Code of Conduct?  Dave Den Haan https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/leadership-development/why-does-your-church-need-code-conduct Mon, 21 Nov 2022 18:50:56 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/leadership-development/weve-forgotten-how-read If you have ever muttered to yourself, “Kids these days! They have the attention spans of gnats!”, I am here to report that the kids themselves agree. At least the twelve students in my Senior Seminar course for English majors do. Debra Rienstra https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/leadership-development/weve-forgotten-how-read Wed, 07 Sep 2022 13:23:20 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/leadership-development/leadership-teams/inspire-2022-workshop-training-thriving Thriving Essentials is a new four-part course that can serve as core training for council, staff, and volunteer ministry leaders in your congregation. Elaine May https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/leadership-development/leadership-teams/inspire-2022-workshop-training-thriving Mon, 18 Jul 2022 23:20:51 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/leadership-development/leadership-teams/discipleship-and-disasters “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rains fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock." (Matthew 7:24-25, NRSV) Reginald Smith https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/leadership-development/leadership-teams/discipleship-and-disasters Thu, 02 Jun 2022 12:57:52 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/leadership-development/wartime-pack-kindness War is on all our minds, and my son came home from fifth grade art class last week and reported that there was, during one of the “big wars,” an artist who painted his barn to blend in with the surrounding landscape. Katy Sundararajan https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/leadership-development/wartime-pack-kindness Wed, 06 Apr 2022 15:27:39 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/leadership-development/gentle-answers-defuse-arguments I remember visiting my grandparents to make applesauce together. What should have been a nice family time of four generations gathered together was overshadowed by the incessant bickering of my grandparents. Deb Koster https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/leadership-development/gentle-answers-defuse-arguments Tue, 29 Mar 2022 15:00:58 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/leadership-development/personal-growth/online-bible-study-series-lent Much of the "Building God’s Church Together" Bible study series is drawn from Isaiah 43:19, Joel 2:28-29, and Matthew 9:37-38, along with a recent book by Dr. Rob Dixon titled, Together in Ministry. Elaine May https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/leadership-development/personal-growth/online-bible-study-series-lent Mon, 21 Feb 2022 19:04:18 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/leadership-development/zoom-breakouts-love-em-or-leave-em My involvement with the new Thriving Essentials church leadership training course has been very enlightening. Recently, as our team reviewed the assessments coming in after the pilot testing, two words stood out: breakout rooms. Elaine May https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/leadership-development/zoom-breakouts-love-em-or-leave-em Tue, 15 Feb 2022 14:03:48 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/leadership-development/missionvision/inspire-2022-workshop-simple-sabotage During World War 2, the U.S. Office of Strategic Services (predecessor to the CIA) published a "Simple Sabotage Field Manual." The manual was a guide for European spies to undermine the Axis powers from within. Larry Doornbos https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/leadership-development/missionvision/inspire-2022-workshop-simple-sabotage Thu, 10 Feb 2022 15:35:49 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/leadership-development/inspire-2022-workshop-conflict-opportunity This post is one of many conversations taking place in anticipation of Inspire 2022, set to happen in Tinley Park (a suburb of Chicago, Illinois) on August 4–6, 2022. The Colossian Forum https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/leadership-development/inspire-2022-workshop-conflict-opportunity Tue, 25 Jan 2022 17:29:32 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/leadership-development/what-ever-happened-yalt-young-adult-leadership-task-force A number of years back, the Young Adult Leadership Task Force (YALT) was all over the place on Twitter, Facebook, and here on The Network. Then it disappeared. The task force was being used to help Millennials move into leadership in the CRC but now it's disappeared. Joshua Benton https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/leadership-development/what-ever-happened-yalt-young-adult-leadership-task-force Thu, 02 Dec 2021 13:44:51 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/leadership-development/leaders-finish-well Leaders Finish Wellwritten by Reginald Smith, Director of Diversity Reginald Smith https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/leadership-development/leaders-finish-well Thu, 18 Nov 2021 01:18:56 +0000