https://network.crcna.org/ The Network en Tue, 16 Apr 2024 21:04:18 +0000 Tue, 13 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000 Called Elsewhere: Including (Current) Churches in Pastoral Discernment 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 Congregational Feedback: Surveys vs. Listening Circles 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 Pastoral Retirement: The Uncomfortable Opportunity of Transition 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 2024 Pastors Fly Fishing Retreat https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/2024-pastors-fly-fishing-retreat Calling all pastors! Are you in need of time to slow down and take care of your own soul?  Jon Hoekema https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/2024-pastors-fly-fishing-retreat Thu, 04 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0000 The Gift of Pastor Jerome 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 Post Synod: Make Decisions About Truth Without Losing Grace 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 When to Say Goodbye: Tips for Leaving a Ministry Position with Dignity 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 Pitfalls in Retirement Planning (and Some Things to Consider Early in Your Career) 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 How to Communicate Questions and Concerns with Your Council in 6 Steps 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 Share Your Sermon Series 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 Virtual Workshop for Pastors Exploring Their Call 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 How To Get People of All Ages Talking About Faith Practices https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/how-get-people-all-ages-talking-about-faith-practices By now, you've probably heard about Faith Practices for building spiritual growth and ministry. If not, you'll want to check out Karen DeBoer https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/how-get-people-all-ages-talking-about-faith-practices Mon, 12 Sep 2022 15:46:56 +0000 Upcoming Webinar: Learn How You Can Easily Plan a Yearly Sermon Calendar 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 Prayer Resource for Ukraine https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/prayer-resource-ukraine Last week marked 6 months since Russia invaded Ukraine. Worship Ministries teamed up with Resonate missionary, George DeVuyst, and his colleague, Robert Spontak, to encourage your congregation to continue to pray for this conflict and those who are impacted the most. Thrive (CRCNA) https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/prayer-resource-ukraine Tue, 30 Aug 2022 13:27:13 +0000 Planning Center Online Roundtable - Recording Available https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/planning-center-online-roundtable-recording-available Worship Ministries hosted a roundtable conversation with 4 facilitators who currently use Planning Center Online in their churches. Thrive (CRCNA) https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/planning-center-online-roundtable-recording-available Tue, 23 Aug 2022 12:57:24 +0000 Remembering Frederick Buechner 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 Pastors: Low-Prep Ways to Connect With Your People https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/pastors-low-prep-ways-connect-your-people My friend, a pastor, sees a lot of children's toys. He sees a lot of them because he regularly invites young couples in his congregation to invite him into their houses! Dave Den Haan https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/pastors-low-prep-ways-connect-your-people Mon, 08 Aug 2022 14:54:01 +0000 Share Your Sermon Series 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 Lowering the Ladder, Not the Standard 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 Regional Pastor’s Bookshelf: A Burning in My Bones: The Authorized Biography of Eugene H. Peterson 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