https://network.crcna.org/ The Network en Thu, 18 Apr 2024 09:30:20 +0000 Thu, 31 Aug 2023 04:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/post-synod-not-every-decision-requires-separating-some-might At your church, maybe the learning is mostly done, maybe there isn’t much discernment or decision-making left. Maybe the only thing for you to do is simply inform your people of what has been decided and begin to try to live together with the decision.  Sean Baker https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/post-synod-not-every-decision-requires-separating-some-might Thu, 31 Aug 2023 04:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/its-rough-out-there-considering-your-pastors-mental-health-covid 2020 has been a stressful and anxious year for all of us. Pastors, too, have been feeling the strain. Like all of us, they’ve had to function in ways they never expected or wanted during this past year. But some of the challenges pastors have faced have been uniquely taxing.  Sean Baker https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/its-rough-out-there-considering-your-pastors-mental-health-covid Tue, 22 Dec 2020 16:59:47 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/your-lament-sermon-was-great-therapy-session-might-be-even-better “Pain that is not articulated is going to come out sideways.”  Sean Baker https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/your-lament-sermon-was-great-therapy-session-might-be-even-better Wed, 08 Jul 2020 15:46:37 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/complaint-and-covid-just-value-trying-find-voice In a sign that at least some things are getting back to normal, pastors have begun reporting increasing complaints among members. Thrive (CRCNA) https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/complaint-and-covid-just-value-trying-find-voice Wed, 08 Jul 2020 00:12:05 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/dear-pastor-if-youve-got-everyone-else-whos-got-you “If you skip the work, you don’t heal.”  Sean Baker https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/dear-pastor-if-youve-got-everyone-else-whos-got-you Mon, 15 Jun 2020 18:32:17 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/8-things-church-leaders-consider-things-re-open Dear Pastors, Deacons, Elders and Other Church Leaders:  Sean Baker https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/8-things-church-leaders-consider-things-re-open Sun, 14 Jun 2020 23:50:40 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/covid-and-council-conversation-youre-dreading-opportunity-world-waiting Along with ministry leaders across the US and Canada, I’ve been grateful for the tremendous resources being published intended to help churches navigate the difficult Sean Baker https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/covid-and-council-conversation-youre-dreading-opportunity-world-waiting Thu, 21 May 2020 00:05:03 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/elders-and-conflict I recently received an email from an office bearer who was heading into a council meeting that very night. It would be the third meeting in a row devoted to a particularly thorny issue. As is often the case, the issue had divided the congregation. Dave Den Haan https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/elders-and-conflict Tue, 17 Sep 2019 13:40:16 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/any-current-or-past-elders This September we are going to be featuring posts and conversations related to the role of Elder. To get us started, we would love to begin by finding and connecting those who have served in this office!  Staci Devries https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/any-current-or-past-elders Sat, 31 Aug 2019 01:14:48 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/why-elders-should-go-inspire-2019 Together with the pastor, elders are called to be shepherds of the flock, their congregation. When they are ordained to serve, they are charged to “be a friend and Christlike example to children. Give clear and cheerful guidance to young people. CRC Communications https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/why-elders-should-go-inspire-2019 Tue, 25 Jun 2019 14:41:18 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/how-does-church-minister-wealthy All Christians are not created equal. At least, that seems to be the case within the Church. That inequality isn’t confined to any particular denomination. It’s systemic. Keith Knight https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/how-does-church-minister-wealthy Thu, 07 Feb 2019 15:21:43 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/coaching-your-church-toward-holy-complaint In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food (Acts 6:1). Syd Hielema https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/coaching-your-church-toward-holy-complaint Wed, 14 Mar 2018 18:52:33 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/being-elder-church Someone recently asked me two question: How did I know it is God’s will for me to be an elder? And what is it like to be an elder right now, during the exciting days of our building expansion? Rich Schrotenboer as told to Margaret Broersma https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/being-elder-church Tue, 05 Sep 2017 13:30:40 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/wrestling-privilege This month marks the end of my first term as an Elder at Sanctuary. I’m stepping down and making way for new people to take on the mantle of leadership at our church (I’m excited we will have an almost entirely female council this coming year!). Jonathan Assink https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/wrestling-privilege Thu, 12 Jan 2017 18:59:55 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/long-distance-baptism-requests Our Council recently received a request for baptism from a "long distance" member of our church. This young lady had grown up in our church, been baptized as an infant, professed her faith, and when the time came, married her sweetheart in our church a couple of years ago. Bill Koehler https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/long-distance-baptism-requests Mon, 14 Nov 2016 12:59:56 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/fresh-perspective-lords-supper In discussing and teaching about the Lord’s Supper, we commonly give most attention to the bread and the cup. But let’s notice something about the Lord’s Supper in I Corinthians 11: 23-25:  Jack Stulp https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/fresh-perspective-lords-supper Tue, 11 Oct 2016 23:01:14 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/listening-skill-we-need-grow-how-do-we-listen-well Our church leaders are wanting to listen better to the needs of our people in the church community.  We want to specifically focus on Spiritual Growth (where people have grown in the past, where God is at work in their lives now, how can the church give them more spaces to grow in their walk Scott Elgersma https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/listening-skill-we-need-grow-how-do-we-listen-well Wed, 10 Feb 2016 18:57:59 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/when-johnny-comes-marching-home-part-3 Last Saturday Japan marked the 70th anniversary of Emperor Hirohito’s announcement of the surrender of Japan to the allied forces, ending World War II. Douglas Vrieland https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/when-johnny-comes-marching-home-part-3 Thu, 20 Aug 2015 13:23:28 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/when-johnny-comes-marching-home When Johnny comes marching home again,Hurrah! Hurrah!We'll give him a hearty welcome thenHurrah! Hurrah!The men will cheer and the boys will shoutThe ladies they will all turn outAnd we'll all feel gay when Johnny comes marching home. Douglas Vrieland https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/when-johnny-comes-marching-home Tue, 04 Aug 2015 18:51:03 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/care-center-work-god It’s safe to say that for many people in Western society, the last three places they would want to be is a funeral, a hospital or a hospice care center. Mark VanDyke https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/care-center-work-god Wed, 15 Apr 2015 12:16:41 +0000