https://network.crcna.org/ The Network en Fri, 26 Apr 2024 03:25:56 +0000 Tue, 05 Sep 2023 04:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/intergenerational-ministry/belonging-where-do-i-fit (A post written by John Simon of Mission Church AND Communication person for Generation Spark) John Simon https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/intergenerational-ministry/belonging-where-do-i-fit Tue, 05 Sep 2023 04:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/intergenerational-ministry/empathy-vital-mentoring-posture About three weeks ago, I (John Simon) started a part-time position as a chaplain for a local hospice care provider. While I’ve worked as a pastor for several years, hospice is a completely unique adventure for me. This is, in fact, my first rodeo. Ron DeVries https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/intergenerational-ministry/empathy-vital-mentoring-posture Fri, 11 Aug 2023 04:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/intergenerational-ministry/breaking-pecking-order Note: I’m not much of a “chicken raiser” myself, so please bear with my illustrations. We’ll be sure to leave contact info at the bottom for your frustrated, chicken-related feedback. (This article was written by John Simon, a member of our Generation Spark team) Ron DeVries https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/intergenerational-ministry/breaking-pecking-order Thu, 29 Jun 2023 04:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/intergenerational-ministry/you-gift-graduate-bible-do When our young adult daughter was moving out, we wanted to buy her a Bible she could take with her.  Karen DeBoer https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/intergenerational-ministry/you-gift-graduate-bible-do Mon, 20 Mar 2023 04:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/intergenerational-ministry/how-do-you-incorporate-children-sunday-worship Worship is an intergenerational time, but children aren't always fully engaged or included. What's working at your church?  Staci Devries https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/intergenerational-ministry/how-do-you-incorporate-children-sunday-worship Mon, 29 Aug 2022 15:11:06 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/intergenerational-ministry/gift-grandparenting No one can describe (nor understand before they experience it) the depth of love one feels for their grandchild. There is pure, unadulterated joy in having a toddler excitedly yell, “Grandma!!” while running into your arms, snuggle against your shoulder, and say, “I love you!” Jolene DeHeer https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/intergenerational-ministry/gift-grandparenting Tue, 15 Mar 2022 14:49:48 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/intergenerational-ministry/what-does-your-church-call-its-ministry-senior I recently came across a lively discussion started by a church looking to come up with a new name for its senior adult ministry. Curious: What does your church call its ministry to senior adults? Have a suggestion?  Let us know in the comments below!  Staci Devries https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/intergenerational-ministry/what-does-your-church-call-its-ministry-senior Wed, 22 Jan 2020 14:31:04 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/intergenerational-ministry/time-little-girl-stole-pastors-show I remember Christmas in the '50s when the children's programs took place on Christmas Eve, Patricia Haveman https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/intergenerational-ministry/time-little-girl-stole-pastors-show Mon, 18 Dec 2017 18:23:38 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/intergenerational-ministry/creative-youth-ministry-initiatives Youth ministry often gives opportunities for our creative energies be used in many ways. Ron deVries https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/intergenerational-ministry/creative-youth-ministry-initiatives Wed, 24 May 2017 17:12:47 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/intergenerational-ministry/eattogether A Canadian grocery store chain recently released a video as part of their mission to get people to #EatTogether. I imagine that food producers love the video because it invites consumers to associate food with great things like friendship and community. I love the video because it demon Karen DeBoer https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/intergenerational-ministry/eattogether Thu, 12 Jan 2017 20:16:23 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/intergenerational-ministry/intergenerational-events-holy-ground After twenty-two years of full-time paid youth ministry, I’ve come to realize that I am no longer passionate about youth ministry. I no longer believe that the traditional way of doing youth ministry is a viable model which will instill in our youth and young adults a solid faith or a sense Ron Hosmar https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/intergenerational-ministry/intergenerational-events-holy-ground Mon, 05 Dec 2016 17:41:45 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/intergenerational-ministry/older-people A while back I was sitting around a table listening to a bunch of people quite a bit older than I talking about faith. Dayna Vreeken https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/intergenerational-ministry/older-people Mon, 07 Nov 2016 18:35:04 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/intergenerational-ministry/how-your-churchs-nursery-can-become-incubator Maddy is 2 and a half years old. She looks forward to Sundays because she gets to spend time with her friend Melissa who is 14. They became friends through their church’s nursery. Lesli van Milligen https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/intergenerational-ministry/how-your-churchs-nursery-can-become-incubator Tue, 01 Nov 2016 13:26:05 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/intergenerational-ministry/lesson-3rd-graders-sheldon-iowa-christian-grade I think it's important to hear the echoes of generations long past sounding forth with the knowledge that generations yet to come will be grounded in Jesus' teachings, as displayed so sincerely and spontaneously by members of a 3rd grade class. . .  Patricia Haveman https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/intergenerational-ministry/lesson-3rd-graders-sheldon-iowa-christian-grade Tue, 27 Sep 2016 13:10:28 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/intergenerational-ministry/beautiful-mess-multigenerational-church I never thought much about the idea of “intergenerational” until I made the transition from one church to another. My husband and I were part of a church for a few years that we absolutely loved. Jill Van Soelen https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/intergenerational-ministry/beautiful-mess-multigenerational-church Wed, 27 Jul 2016 16:51:06 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/intergenerational-ministry/fresh-ideas-sharing-gods-story-intergenerational Looking for an easy way to enter into God’s story with a mixed age group that includes young children? Wondering how to introduce Bible stories to people for whom English is a new language? Karen DeBoer https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/intergenerational-ministry/fresh-ideas-sharing-gods-story-intergenerational Tue, 24 Nov 2015 13:59:20 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/intergenerational-ministry/one-generation-next Years ago I was a delegate to a CRC Synod. It turned out that I was the youngest member there. A much older delegate there could not help remarking to me at recess time, "The churches send them ever younger... Louis Tamminga https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/intergenerational-ministry/one-generation-next Mon, 29 Jun 2015 19:57:42 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/intergenerational-ministry/dear-parents-thank-you-bringing-your-children Dear Parents, Karen DeBoer https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/intergenerational-ministry/dear-parents-thank-you-bringing-your-children Wed, 19 Nov 2014 19:08:15 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/intergenerational-ministry/putting-music-its-place What is the proper place for music in our worship?  An alumnus of Wheaton College asked that question of several Wheaton grads and put together a great article on that topic. The article is too long to re-post here; you can read the entire thing at this link: Christy Olsen https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/intergenerational-ministry/putting-music-its-place Wed, 27 Aug 2014 22:16:08 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/intergenerational-ministry/casting-vision-intergenerational-ministry Every Labor Day Weekend, we go camping with my family. Jolanda Howe https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/intergenerational-ministry/casting-vision-intergenerational-ministry Wed, 19 Mar 2014 20:53:39 +0000