https://network.crcna.org/ The Network en Thu, 25 Apr 2024 09:07:34 +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/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/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/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/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/praying-meetings-1934 We recognize that classis is a place and time for the churches to engage in collective spiritual discernment. One way we honour the spiritual nature of these meetings is by opening and closing with prayer. But what to pray? Albert Postma https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/praying-meetings-1934 Wed, 25 Oct 2017 13:36:20 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/brief-guide-church-visiting The attached guide, created by a Pastor Church Resources team called Better Together, is intended as a quick summary of the CRCNA's Guide to Conducting Church Visiting, with a focus on building healthy relationships between congregations and pastors.   Norman Visser https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/brief-guide-church-visiting Thu, 05 Feb 2015 20:00:20 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/using-journey-wall-classis-renewal Here are some insights various congregations learned about themselves when they each recently built a journey wall of their church. Michael Johnson https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/using-journey-wall-classis-renewal Mon, 14 Jul 2014 12:20:43 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/our-confessional-crisis Church services are for worshipping and Synod is for fighting and Synod season is upon us. Paul VanderKlay https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/our-confessional-crisis Wed, 09 May 2012 19:00:59 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/classis-past-present-future What is a classis? Dictionary says: (in certain Reformed churches) 1. the organization of pastors and elders that governs a group of local churches; a presbytery 2. the group of churches governed by such an organization Elizabeth Guillaume-Koene https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/classis-past-present-future Mon, 17 Jan 2011 22:05:20 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/developing-vision-classis Introduction Every classis has a vision or at least expectations about what a classis is all about.  What does a common vision do? Elizabeth Guillaume-Koene https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/developing-vision-classis Mon, 17 Jan 2011 21:54:02 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/ideas-praying-classis Someone once said: “Ministry without prayer becomes work in the power of the flesh. Prayer without ministry is complacent Christianity. Elizabeth Guillaume-Koene https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/ideas-praying-classis Mon, 17 Jan 2011 18:54:05 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/synod-our-family-reunion This article is an attempt to share the experience of a relative newcomer moving from the margins to the mainstream—or to be more precise, moving from the balcony to the main stage. Elizabeth Guillaume-Koene https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/synod-our-family-reunion Tue, 14 Dec 2010 15:37:30 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/reinventing-judicatory-unthinkable-world Judicatories come in all shapes and sizes. They also come in many different forms, each with names that come out of a tradition. We know them through such names: diocese, regions, conferences, presbyteries, and districts. Elizabeth Guillaume-Koene https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/reinventing-judicatory-unthinkable-world Mon, 13 Dec 2010 21:19:17 +0000