https://network.crcna.org/ The Network en Thu, 18 Apr 2024 06:50:05 +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/shepherding-elders-and-administrative-elders-model Hi....we are looking for insights on changing our current model of Elders to shepherding and administrative....looking for feedback from different churches on the pros and cons.   Janine Shelton https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/shepherding-elders-and-administrative-elders-model Tue, 01 Dec 2020 14:57:57 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/donkeys-elephants-and-other-animals Anxiety, incivility, trauma, fear, dismay—these are all words I've heard in the past few days as the U.S. election draws near. How do U.S. Larry Doornbos https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/donkeys-elephants-and-other-animals Mon, 02 Nov 2020 21:09:06 +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/7-theological-and-practical-reopening-resources-churches As coronavirus-related restrictions on in-person gatherings loosen, churches are navigating a sea of questions and challenges. And while some churches have already resumed in-person gatherings, many churches are still in the midst of the reopening process. Grace Ruiter https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/7-theological-and-practical-reopening-resources-churches Mon, 29 Jun 2020 15:28:03 +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/when-reopen-church-and-when-re-close I've heard of councils struggling with the question of how and when to re-open. Sadly, I've also heard of this issue causing pain and division. Tim Postuma https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/when-reopen-church-and-when-re-close Tue, 12 May 2020 11:39:35 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/elders-and-covid-19 Dear Church Elder: Along with your pastor and the deacons of your church you are entrusted with a great responsibility: Leading your church through good times and hard times. Sometimes that feels very heavy—especially now, in this Covid-19 environment. Pastor Church Resources https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/elders-and-covid-19 Tue, 24 Mar 2020 12:47:33 +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/should-we-apologize-excommunication Fifty years ago, our consistory excommunicated a man for snowmobiling on Sunday. The man in question passed away last month. Certain family members were deeply hurt by the harshness of the consistory of the day. Some remain in the church; others have left. John Tamming https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/should-we-apologize-excommunication Tue, 09 Apr 2019 14:17:35 +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/eligibility-question-elder-nominee Should an individual that has consistently not taken communion be considered for nomination for elder? Anita Herweyer https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/eligibility-question-elder-nominee Mon, 09 Apr 2018 17:43:14 +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/balanced-educational-materials-women-office As described in the position statement on Women in Ecclesiastical Office, the CRC believes that two sincere, educated, and devoted followers of Christ may come to different conclusions about Tom Cooper https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/balanced-educational-materials-women-office Mon, 27 Nov 2017 16:47:35 +0000