https://network.crcna.org/ The Network en Wed, 24 Apr 2024 12:12:27 +0000 Tue, 13 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/called-elsewhere-including-current-churches-pastoral-discernment “Dating” and “courtship” are two of the most commonly-used metaphors to describe the experience of churches searching for pastors in the CRCNA. Sean Baker https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/called-elsewhere-including-current-churches-pastoral-discernment Tue, 13 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/congregational-feedback-surveys-vs-listening-circles Mark it in the Calendar Sean Baker https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/congregational-feedback-surveys-vs-listening-circles Tue, 13 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/pastoral-retirement-uncomfortable-opportunity-transition If you are looking ahead to whatever comes after full time, pastoral ministry, then you are entering a season of substantial transition. There are opportunities and uncertainties ahead. There are options for addressing them, and all of them have important implications.  Thrive (CRCNA) https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/pastoral-retirement-uncomfortable-opportunity-transition Wed, 31 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/regional-pastors/gift-pastor-jerome Rev. Jerome Burton went to his heavenly reward on July 6, 2023. I first met him during my early days (mid-90’s) working with the Hispanic Ministry, which was part of what was back then known as Christian Reformed Home Missions. Viviana Cornejo https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/regional-pastors/gift-pastor-jerome Thu, 07 Sep 2023 04:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/post-synod-make-decisions-about-truth-without-losing-grace For many of us, the hardest thing about contentious issues is the looming sense that at some point, a decision may have to be made. We eventually realize that, at some point, even not deciding is actually a decision. Sean Baker https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/post-synod-make-decisions-about-truth-without-losing-grace Mon, 28 Aug 2023 04:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/when-say-goodbye-tips-leaving-ministry-position-dignity My mentor set the long, highly critical document that was my evaluation down on the table in front of me, looked me dead in the eyes, and said two words: Church Juice https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/when-say-goodbye-tips-leaving-ministry-position-dignity Wed, 26 Jul 2023 19:16:41 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/pitfalls-retirement-planning-and-some-things-consider-early-your-career Yet another person in my age group is retiring early. I am fifty five. The woman who is retiring is fifty one.  I may be a bit jealous, but nonetheless here’s my hope for her: That she’s well prepared for her retirement.  Dave Den Haan https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/pitfalls-retirement-planning-and-some-things-consider-early-your-career Fri, 17 Feb 2023 05:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/how-communicate-questions-and-concerns-your-council-6-steps Have a question or comment you need to relay to your church’s leadership? Try this six-step process for best results.  Sean Baker https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/how-communicate-questions-and-concerns-your-council-6-steps Sun, 05 Feb 2023 00:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/preaching/share-your-sermon-series What is the topic of your current sermon series?  Share below!    Staci Devries https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/preaching/share-your-sermon-series Mon, 23 Jan 2023 16:22:25 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/virtual-workshop-pastors-exploring-their-call Are you asking questions such as:  Thrive (CRCNA) https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/virtual-workshop-pastors-exploring-their-call Wed, 16 Nov 2022 15:01:37 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/preaching/upcoming-webinar-learn-how-you-can-easily-plan-yearly-sermon It’s Saturday night—what are you doing? If you’re preaching Sunday morning, you’re likely finishing up the details of your message. Pastors are busy people, and the weight of preparing a weekly sermon often falls later and later into the week, regardless of your best intentions. Church Juice https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/preaching/upcoming-webinar-learn-how-you-can-easily-plan-yearly-sermon Wed, 07 Sep 2022 12:38:49 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/remembering-frederick-buechner Frederick Buechner, 96, who at the age of ten suffered his father’s suicide and later became, “alongside C. S. Rose Kaufmann https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/remembering-frederick-buechner Thu, 18 Aug 2022 15:07:31 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/share-your-sermon-series-0 Is your church in the middle of a sermon series or starting a new one? If so, what is the topic? Share below!  Staci Devries https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/share-your-sermon-series-0 Thu, 07 Jul 2022 15:19:31 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/lowering-ladder-not-standard For the last 10 weekends in a row, I’ve been hosting a party on the second floor fire escape platform on the side of my apartment building.  And I’d like to make a confession: I’ve been a little disappointed with the turnout.  Corey Vanhuizen https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/lowering-ladder-not-standard Tue, 28 Jun 2022 14:46:31 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/regional-pastors/regional-pastors-bookshelf-burning-my-bones-authorized I presume that most Christian Reformed pastors reading this review have in some small or grand ways been blessed by reading one or many of Eugene Peterson’s books. Rev. James Dekker https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/regional-pastors/regional-pastors-bookshelf-burning-my-bones-authorized Thu, 05 May 2022 14:55:20 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/how-handle-pastoral-burnout-covid-plus-world This morning, a friend emailed me a message that he’s repeated often in the past two years: “Again and again, we see that the COVID experience has revealed underlying fault lines, dysfunctions, and broader challenges.” Larry Doornbos https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/how-handle-pastoral-burnout-covid-plus-world Tue, 03 May 2022 13:36:48 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/continuing-education/church-now-conversations-who-would-you-hear Many of you have attended Church Now Conversations. We are beginning to plan for our 2022-23 season and we'd love input from you about speakers you’d like to hear and interact with. Larry Doornbos https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/continuing-education/church-now-conversations-who-would-you-hear Thu, 28 Apr 2022 09:33:25 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/3-persistent-pastoral-temptations Throughout my four-plus decades in vocational ministry, I have wrestled with three persistent temptations. I had hoped by now I would have overcome them, but they have been my ever-present “thorn in the flesh.” Perhaps you can relate. Sam Hamstra https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/3-persistent-pastoral-temptations Mon, 07 Feb 2022 18:46:32 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/regional-pastors/regional-pastors-bookshelf-flourishing-ministry When Pastoral Resources provides a free book for reviewing, I’m challenged to find out if I’m “paying too much” for it. You can write me and let me know what you think.   Rev. George Vink https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/regional-pastors/regional-pastors-bookshelf-flourishing-ministry Tue, 01 Feb 2022 14:54:34 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/regional-pastors/asking-dr-phil-question Dr. Phil McGraw is a television personality famous for a question that he often asks people on his show. The question, usually asked when a person is explaining why they do what they do, is: “How’s that working for you?” Rev. Rodney Hugen https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/regional-pastors/asking-dr-phil-question Tue, 01 Feb 2022 14:40:57 +0000