https://network.crcna.org/ The Network en Tue, 23 Apr 2024 12:21:26 +0000 Wed, 14 May 2014 18:44:14 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/when-jesus-lord-confession-organization Moving from vision to lifestyle is a challenge for every church and person. How does what we believe get translated into the way we live together as a community? How do we encourage those who worship to live every day of their lives? Neil de Koning https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/when-jesus-lord-confession-organization Wed, 14 May 2014 18:44:14 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/pastoral-care-homosexuality-and-elder Increasingly, church communities are seeking new ways of living in community with countless people for whom the role “heterosexual, married with children” does not apply.  Gays and lesbians are included in that broad category. The standard responses were varied but by and large focused Neil de Koning https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/pastoral-care-homosexuality-and-elder Mon, 27 Jun 2011 18:35:45 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/home-visit-preparation-guidelines Home visitation is a traditional strategy for ministry. Neil de Koning https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/home-visit-preparation-guidelines Thu, 06 Jan 2011 03:18:01 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/ministry-those-economic-problems Economic life has become more unpredictable than ever. In some sectors, fabulous profits accumulate; in others, good and able people are suddenly excluded from the economic cycle and left to subsist on greatly reduced incomes. Neil de Koning https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/ministry-those-economic-problems Tue, 14 Dec 2010 20:42:28 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/pastoral-evaluations-and-elder Recently, I have been asked about pastoral evaluations. It is an interesting moment in the life of the pastor. Most often when I have experienced evaluations the elders are also scrambling. The only evaluation they have done is over the coffee table.  Never written. Neil de Koning https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/pastoral-evaluations-and-elder Wed, 17 Nov 2010 05:29:48 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/wise-elephants-room No elder will ever get through a period in office without facing the dynamics of family dysfunction. Knowing about it is a matter of gaining wisdom. Neil de Koning https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/wise-elephants-room Tue, 02 Nov 2010 21:39:29 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/death-suicide Accepting the Unacceptable We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesu Neil de Koning https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/death-suicide Tue, 19 Oct 2010 19:59:06 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/encouraging-faith-nurture-our-homes INTRODUCTION Neil de Koning https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/encouraging-faith-nurture-our-homes Tue, 07 Sep 2010 19:24:30 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/leadership-respecting-people-motivation You don’t have to be a Christian in order to notice that there are practices which motivate and practices that hinder motivation in people. Daniel Pink suggests that autonomy, mastery and purpose are critical components for Neil de Koning https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/leadership-respecting-people-motivation Mon, 02 Aug 2010 16:30:48 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/giving-support-times-depression Depression is a common experience. Statistics will confirm that. Dealing with it personally and/or as an elder is also normal. But common and normal does not make it easy. Depression remains complex and resistant to easy fixes. Neil de Koning https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/giving-support-times-depression Tue, 29 Jun 2010 22:52:17 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/i-dont-believe-waiting-till-marriage-brief-reflection-sexuality-and Words matter. Sometimes in our attempts to address one concern we end up communicating the wrong message. So what does “wait till marriage” mean? The intention is noble: sexual intercourse has its proper place in marriage and should be reserved for this relationship. Neil de Koning https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/i-dont-believe-waiting-till-marriage-brief-reflection-sexuality-and Mon, 07 Jun 2010 19:01:19 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/when-jesus-guides-together For many, the word "church" evokes negative images. As an institution it is seen to be cumbersome rather than nimble. After all the sex scandals in the news, church is perceived as harbouring potentially dangerous people. Many would say, church (Sunday worship) is boring and mundane. Neil de Koning https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/when-jesus-guides-together Mon, 31 May 2010 19:18:33 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/when-jesus-guides-called Jesus is Lord; I am not. Jesus has a mission; I seek first the Kingdom. Jesus’ calls me into service; I submit to his call. Neil de Koning https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/when-jesus-guides-called Mon, 17 May 2010 16:29:07 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/when-jesus-guides-conforming In this time when frequently the authority of elders is questioned, the posture of an elder becomes increasingly important. Our starting point requires humility. It is not what I say that has value, it is what Jesus says. Neil de Koning https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/when-jesus-guides-conforming Thu, 13 May 2010 03:05:43 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/leadership-covenant-and-holiness-reflections-i-read-moses-pava We often look around for material on leadership that might inspire us our imagination. Reading Moses Pava helped me, in part because he used two words hardly ever used at the same time as the word leadership, namely, covenant and holiness. Here is the quote: Neil de Koning https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/leadership-covenant-and-holiness-reflections-i-read-moses-pava Fri, 23 Apr 2010 19:44:52 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/process-finding-ways-make-progress-community Elders sit in many meetings. In them we make decisions, have conversations, and evaluate programs. The basic process we use in our meetings comes from our parliamentary system, Robert’s Rules of Order. No church I know uses this in its purest form. Neil de Koning https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/process-finding-ways-make-progress-community Mon, 12 Apr 2010 18:22:48 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/caring-someone-nursing-home I Want to Go Home! My mother, Ruby Marie Wolfe, was a lovely woman who was admired and loved by many people who knew her. In 1999, Ruby’s mobility was limited when she suffered two strokes. She could use only her left hand and walk only with assistance. Neil de Koning https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/caring-someone-nursing-home Mon, 29 Mar 2010 17:53:57 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/pastoral-care-those-living-together Many times in my ministry, the topic of a couple “living together” without a proper wedding is placed on the agenda of elder’s meeting. How do we provide pastoral care? What should we say? What do we think? While most agree that what is best is a deep commitment blessed by t Neil de Koning https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/pastoral-care-those-living-together Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:20:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/responsibilities-according-charge-elders Every time I say the words of the charge I am struck by the breadth and significance of the responsibilities assigned to officebearers. Listen once again:   Charge to the Elders Neil de Koning https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/responsibilities-according-charge-elders Thu, 25 Feb 2010 21:48:30 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/elders-and-spiritual-formation In our tradition, the elders are encouraged (required by article 65 of the church order) to make an annual home visit. Neil de Koning https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/elders-and-spiritual-formation Thu, 28 Jan 2010 06:04:40 +0000