https://network.crcna.org/ The Network en Fri, 19 Apr 2024 03:45:00 +0000 Wed, 07 Oct 2015 12:52:36 +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/attention-givers A sister quoted the French philosopher, Simone Weil (1909– 1943), to me: “Attention is the rarest and purist form of generosity.” I have found this to be true. You will have, too. Louis Tamminga https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/attention-givers Wed, 04 Mar 2015 15:23:49 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/others The story is told of General William Booth of the Salvation Army who was scheduled to speak at a meeting but whose appearance was prevented because of illness. But being resourceful, the general arranged that an assistant make an appearance in his stead and read the speech to the assembly. Louis Tamminga https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/others Wed, 28 Jan 2015 14:51:25 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/depression-how-could-it-be John Bertram Phillips was one of England's most respected pastors and theologians. He wrote books that helped thousands of believers keep the faith in times of great controversy. Louis Tamminga https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/depression-how-could-it-be Mon, 19 Jan 2015 15:15:54 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/when-churches-need-make-changes Life comes with change.  Church-life sometimes needs change too. Without change church-life will stagnate. Church history knew chapters of heartening growth but they never came without change. The great Sixteenth Century Reformation came with staggering change. Louis Tamminga https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/when-churches-need-make-changes Tue, 13 Jan 2015 14:37:44 +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/be-gods-favorite Sometimes I wish I had an in with God in such a way that I could read how He feels about me. Louis Tamminga https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/be-gods-favorite Tue, 23 Dec 2014 14:48:46 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/memory-monkey They were just a bunch of boys, they knew each other, they chummed around together, and they knew their pecking order. At the bottom of that order was Jeff. He had little going for him. In the course of time the other boys called him “Monkey”. The name stuck. Louis Tamminga https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/memory-monkey Thu, 11 Dec 2014 15:00:36 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/ministry-single-parents Once, when I attended some regional church doings, I found myself at the coffee break, seated with two deacons. We talked church. Louis Tamminga https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/ministry-single-parents Thu, 04 Dec 2014 16:31:03 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/children-uncertainty Do you often think of the members of your church? Do you know them?  Do you know their concerns, their worries? Perhaps only a bit. Do fellow-members know your worries? Not well either... Louis Tamminga https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/children-uncertainty Mon, 24 Nov 2014 17:35:57 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/ministry-addicted Among those in society, struggling with drug use and addiction in general, there may be some in your congregation. I am not aware of statistics re: addiction in CRC circles. Louis Tamminga https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/ministry-addicted Mon, 17 Nov 2014 13:35:14 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/time-worry-and-sorrow Hi, reader of this little article! I try to picture you, but that, of course, could hardly be realistic. Maybe your church is divided into districts and you are a member of one. Or maybe you are an elder or deacon in a district. Louis Tamminga https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/time-worry-and-sorrow Mon, 27 Oct 2014 18:21:56 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/your-members-have-gifts Elders--leaders in general--should be aware of this one thing: their members are entrusted with gifts. Louis Tamminga https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/your-members-have-gifts Tue, 21 Oct 2014 20:49:38 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/yes-i-sometimes-doubt Most Christians sometimes doubt. I do, at times. You probably do too. Louis Tamminga https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/yes-i-sometimes-doubt Mon, 13 Oct 2014 14:42:10 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/grief-counselors-will-be-available-meet-students It has become all too familiar: violence taking place at a high school, death a sudden tragedy... students alarmed beyond imagination... teachers suddenly realizing that life will not be the same any more…parents deeply anguished... Louis Tamminga https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/grief-counselors-will-be-available-meet-students Wed, 08 Oct 2014 12:47:24 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/he-left-without-address Here's the perfect situation: A young member leaves his home-church for a distant city where he has found employment. He says good-bye to people close to him, among whom are his pastor and his district elder. Louis Tamminga https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/he-left-without-address Mon, 22 Sep 2014 20:52:50 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/strange-practice-strange-name The name:  “Censura Morum”.  The practice: at the council meeting, just before the Sunday of the Lord's Supper, the chairman will ask each office-bearer whether he/she can participate of the sacrament without ill feelings toward fellow office-bearers.   Louis Tamminga https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/strange-practice-strange-name Tue, 09 Sep 2014 13:46:15 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/caregivers-record-keeping For you to do your work as care-giver you need a record-keeping system. Now that the season of church activities has started, you need to have the system in place for your district. In case you don't have one yet, here are some hints. Louis Tamminga https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/caregivers-record-keeping Tue, 02 Sep 2014 19:26:01 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/how-church-councils-are-formed A new church-season is upon us. Already leaders are busy planning activities of all sorts. Among them is the Council–composed of pastor(s), elders and deacons--whose daunting task it is to give imaginative leadership to church-life. Louis Tamminga https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/how-church-councils-are-formed Tue, 26 Aug 2014 22:31:34 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/what-if It has not happened yet. But my mind pictures it, the bad thing that may happen. I experience some of it as if it is already happening. “What if ...” Louis Tamminga https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/what-if Tue, 19 Aug 2014 21:05:26 +0000