https://network.crcna.org/ The Network en Fri, 26 Apr 2024 10:35:42 +0000 Mon, 02 Nov 2020 21:09:06 +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/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/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/professing-our-faith-toolkit When Synod 2011 opened the Lord’s Supper to all baptized believers, some folks wondered what that decision would do to traditional profession of faith practices. Sandy Swartzentruber https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/professing-our-faith-toolkit Wed, 01 Mar 2017 13:42:53 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/hints-elders The fall season is upon us and some of our readers will serve as Elders. You will have thought about the task ahead, perhaps with some trepidation. Below is a list of some hints for Elders by way of well-meant advice. I hope that it helps! Louis Tamminga https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/hints-elders Wed, 07 Oct 2015 12:52:36 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/pornography-help-churches-and-leaders Pornography is a pervasive yet largely unaddressed problem in today’s world, including the church. Some pastors and other church leaders have fallen victim to the use of pornography. Cases have occurred in the United States, Canada and overseas.  Darren Roorda https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/pornography-help-churches-and-leaders Tue, 29 Sep 2015 16:56:35 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/spiritual-care-alcoholics-addicts-and-their-families Description Tom Kragt https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/spiritual-care-alcoholics-addicts-and-their-families Wed, 13 May 2015 14:02:16 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/ponderings 2014 has come to an end ...  Louis Tamminga https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/ponderings Fri, 02 Jan 2015 13:48:27 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/youth Allow me ask a few questions about the young people of your congregation: Do you know them (fairly) well?Do you know which school they attend?Or who their parents are? … or how they get along with their parents? … or whether they attend church (fairly) regularly? Louis Tamminga https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/youth Tue, 15 Jul 2014 19:09:59 +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