https://network.crcna.org/ The Network en Fri, 19 Apr 2024 06:53:31 +0000 Mon, 07 Jul 2014 15:35:23 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/oneness-its-importance-how-its-shown The question has been raised by many in the church as to why there needs to be genuine unity and connectedness among believers. Dr. Howard A. Snyder many years ago wrote an excellent book that dealt with this entire area. In The Community of the King (IVP, 1977 pgs. George McGuire https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/oneness-its-importance-how-its-shown Mon, 07 Jul 2014 15:35:23 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/lent-and-easter-observances-holy-or-habit Special seasonal spiritual emphases for Lent and Easter are good things for the church, but with every good item comes opportunities for misuse. To be perfectly honest, I never thought of the harm they can bring until I was long in ministry. George McGuire https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/lent-and-easter-observances-holy-or-habit Thu, 27 Feb 2014 15:25:31 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/outreach-must-have-two-es I’ve served in ministry for five decades now, and I’m one to think about the changes I’ve seen, especially when I feel those changes are severely harming Christ's church. George McGuire https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/outreach-must-have-two-es Tue, 28 Jan 2014 11:00:42 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/christmas-bedlam Do a Google search of the word “bedlam” and you’ll easily find its etymological connection to Christmas and Bethlehem. The connect is a hospital for the insane in the 14th and 15th centuries in South London by the name of Saint Mary Bethlem(hem) Royal Hospital. George McGuire https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/christmas-bedlam Tue, 10 Dec 2013 11:43:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/going-deep-pastorate I was brought up in a city of 60,000 and my first congregation was in Atlanta, GA. I loved the church people there, but after numerous attempts we made little headway making friendships with those outside our little communion. George McGuire https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/going-deep-pastorate Tue, 12 Nov 2013 10:03:26 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/next-big-thing With the rise of the Millennial generation and the coming of what looks like a long economic downturn, thinkers in the field of church planning are beginning to write about the future of the local church and what it will soon look like. George McGuire https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/next-big-thing Tue, 08 Oct 2013 10:38:55 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/next-world-leaders-your-small-church Many years ago someone asked me how I kept track of who was in the Sunday worship service and who wasn’t.  I said it was easy because everyone had their own special seat on their pew, so I just recalled whose places were vacant.  George McGuire https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/next-world-leaders-your-small-church Tue, 10 Sep 2013 10:00:39 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/jesus-rabbi-out-way-places Pick up any CRCNA Yearbook and leaf through the directory of churches and ministries to study where our denomination has gone.  Among the many familiar names you’ll also find names like Terra Ceia, Teecnospos, Tracy, Woden, Prairie View, Ellsworth, Austinville and more that are unknown to mo George McGuire https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/jesus-rabbi-out-way-places Tue, 06 Aug 2013 10:03:42 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/least-these This is written with special pastors in mind. George McGuire https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/least-these Tue, 09 Jul 2013 10:35:53 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/christians-athletes-and-fans-double-vision-single-focus My father was a church elder, public school teacher [Latin/civics/ English literature], and a football coach.  His teams even called out their plays using Latin verb forms and characters. I played 6A high school basketball in N.C. George McGuire https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/christians-athletes-and-fans-double-vision-single-focus Thu, 09 May 2013 10:42:15 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/other-side-quitting-time First it was a short article in Christianity Today, and then Sam Hamstra’s piece came in, and today I read that George McGuire https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/other-side-quitting-time Thu, 18 Apr 2013 10:28:25 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/preventive-maintenance-against-sermon-stealing Reading the recent article in The Banner called “I Think the Pastor Stole that Sermon” got me thinking about sermon stealing. George McGuire https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/preventive-maintenance-against-sermon-stealing Thu, 14 Feb 2013 11:00:46 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/public-faith We are the first generation in Western culture that is facing the real prospect of living in a statist society. George McGuire https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/public-faith Thu, 17 Jan 2013 11:00:01 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/weariness-christmas The sun had set hours ago as Joseph and Mary slowly continued to make their way towards Bethlehem. When they left Nazareth days ago they had tried to stay with those they knew from the villages around, but it was no use. George McGuire https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/weariness-christmas Thu, 20 Dec 2012 11:00:22 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/crc-position-papers-bookshelf-materials-or-effective-starters-outreach In the November issue of Christianity Today, there is a book review of Fred Sanders' newest book, The Creedal Imperative. In that book he states that our modern culture's greatest goal is “to be authentic and speak spontaneously,” whether or not anything of value is said. George McGuire https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/crc-position-papers-bookshelf-materials-or-effective-starters-outreach Tue, 27 Nov 2012 11:46:47 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/gods-referee I have some very fond memories of Friday nights growing up. During football season my dad and I would head to a different high school each week so he could referee. I learned a lot of football and North Carolina geography, and the time spent with him was really neat. George McGuire https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/gods-referee Thu, 25 Oct 2012 10:15:39 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/how-high-school-basketball-gave-me-tips-pastoring It has been so many decades ago that I don't even recall whether we won more games than we lost, or where we ended up in the standings for any of those happy, youthful years. My mind can only bring back quick snapshots of faces, places, highlights and neat overnight trips with friends. George McGuire https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/how-high-school-basketball-gave-me-tips-pastoring Thu, 09 Aug 2012 14:17:22 +0000