https://network.crcna.org/ The Network en Thu, 18 Apr 2024 09:08:27 +0000 Wed, 14 Sep 2022 12:41:37 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/dont-say-no-yet-encouragement-future-office-bearers-crc In the last number of years, many churches have struggled with filling a slate of nominees for elder and deacon. As a Regional Pastor, one of the most frequent questions I’ve heard from area churches is, “How do we field a team now that so few are willing to serve on Council?”  Rev. Marc Nelesen https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/dont-say-no-yet-encouragement-future-office-bearers-crc Wed, 14 Sep 2022 12:41:37 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/church-visitors/what-do-when-council-wont-listen On a regular basis, Pastor Church Resources hears from members of congregations who are frustrated or concerned about something going on in their church. Sean Baker https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/church-visitors/what-do-when-council-wont-listen Tue, 07 Sep 2021 14:06:22 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/classis-meetings-during-covid-collected-learning Classis meetings have undergone a massive experiment in the last several months. Last year, a few classes were exploring how they might use video for their meetings; this year, every classis has been looking into it (whether they ended up meeting by video or not).  Albert Postma https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/classis-meetings-during-covid-collected-learning Thu, 03 Dec 2020 17:23:20 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/restrictions-precautions-classis-letter-churches-gathering-again This letter was developed by Classis Georgetown about how to approach meeting together in person again. Albert Postma https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/restrictions-precautions-classis-letter-churches-gathering-again Fri, 15 May 2020 00:14:13 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/crc-re-opening-churches-conversation-starters This was written in Classis Wisconsin, we hope it is a helpful tool for your context. Some areas reflect the state of Wisconsin's re-opening plans, but the good thing is that most states have similar re-opening "phasing" in plans. Pastor Rod Galindo https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/crc-re-opening-churches-conversation-starters Thu, 14 May 2020 15:51:38 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/classis-covid-19-response-coordination-team We have seen that many churches find it helpful to hear how their fellow churches within their region are responding to the COVID-19 situation. Albert Postma https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/classis-covid-19-response-coordination-team Thu, 07 May 2020 00:47:44 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/classis-video-technical-edition Awhile back I wrote a blog with suggestions on how a classis might meet by video. That blog had a major assumption built in: time. Time to try things out. Time to test it. Time to move forward slowly but surely. Albert Postma https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/classis-video-technical-edition Wed, 29 Apr 2020 22:36:31 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/do-i-matter In this article, I write about a growing trend I've seen in my role supporting classis renewal. This trend is weakening our sense of community and collegiality. It’s a trend of feeling like we don’t count, and by “we,” I mean pretty much everyone. Albert Postma https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/do-i-matter Wed, 30 Oct 2019 16:25:36 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/classis-functionaries-some-basics Have you ever wondered about the basic structure of our denomination? If so, I wanted to share some of the typical roles you will find in a classis. Note: this is NOT an exhaustive list. Albert Postma https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/classis-functionaries-some-basics Wed, 14 Aug 2019 13:46:33 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/classis-video Many classes are exploring the possibility of meeting by video. These classes tend to cover a wide geographic area and their leaders are wondering if it might be possible to host a meeting that doesn’t require delegates to fly in or drive significant distances.  Albert Postma https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/classis-video Tue, 16 Jul 2019 12:52:50 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/classis-worshiping-community This weekend I received an email with a call to prayer for one of the churches in Classis Atlantic Northeast. It was not because there was a tragedy in the community or any other urgent need. Albert Postma https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/classis-worshiping-community Thu, 06 Jun 2019 19:22:55 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/time-rename-classis Last year an overture came to CRC Synod asking for a name change of "classis." In response to this overture, it was determined that further analysis would be helpful. In an attempt to get some feedback, the Classis Renewal Advisory Team sent out a survey asking questions such as: Albert Postma https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/time-rename-classis Wed, 10 Apr 2019 13:17:08 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/stated-clerks/deacons-feb-2019-cooperation-regionalclassical-level Finding time for the normal activities around the role of deacon is hard enough. So how do we find time to coordinate with other churches?  Andrew Ryskamp https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/stated-clerks/deacons-feb-2019-cooperation-regionalclassical-level Tue, 26 Feb 2019 15:00:57 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/living-call-global-mission-february-2019 Living the Call is a newsletter produced by the Christian Reformed Church in North America. This newsletter was formerly called the Quarterly Ministry Report and gives a brief overview of the work of the Christian Reformed Church. CRC Communications https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/living-call-global-mission-february-2019 Tue, 12 Feb 2019 14:31:47 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/how-do-your-deacons-collaborate-locally-or-regionally I recently shared a post on The Network about an organization called Volunteers in Service (VIS), which looks at how deacons in the Grand Rapids region have ensured a level of support Andrew Ryskamp https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/how-do-your-deacons-collaborate-locally-or-regionally Thu, 24 Jan 2019 13:58:01 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/crcna-youth-ministry-newsletter-jan-2019 Ephesians 5:25-27 beautifully captures an image of the relationship between Christ and his bride, the Church. Ron DeVries https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/crcna-youth-ministry-newsletter-jan-2019 Wed, 16 Jan 2019 14:23:30 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/online-orientation-deacons Last year, with assistance from Kelli Sexton, then Coordinator of the Classis Zeeland Diaconal Conference (CZDC), I (Jack Kooyman, from the Holland Deacons' Conference Jack Kooyman https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/online-orientation-deacons Tue, 15 Jan 2019 13:48:08 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/church-visitors/new-approach-church-visiting-process-guide The practice of formal church visiting has long been a part of life for the Christian Reformed denomination and its churches. It arises out of the conviction that we are a family of churches, covenanted together, in reflection of God's covenant with us. Thrive (CRCNA) https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/church-visitors/new-approach-church-visiting-process-guide Tue, 18 Dec 2018 14:31:06 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/top-5-ways-engage-your-classis-youth-ministry-champion A few years ago, Syd Hielema and I developed an idea that each classis in North America would have a least one Youth Ministry Champion. Ron DeVries https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/top-5-ways-engage-your-classis-youth-ministry-champion Sun, 13 May 2018 00:16:40 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/stated-clerks/who-stated-clerk-and-what-does-clerk-do Who or what is a stated clerk and what do they do? The answer to that question goes hand in hand with what a classis is. It used to be clearly understood that classis was a “major assembly” which existed only when it met. Henry Gunnink https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/stated-clerks/who-stated-clerk-and-what-does-clerk-do Thu, 08 Feb 2018 13:49:30 +0000