https://network.crcna.org/ The Network en Fri, 26 Apr 2024 03:44:29 +0000 Mon, 04 Aug 2014 13:29:02 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/summer-break-reminders This is the last week of our summer break. Accordingly, I want to reflect a bit on our experience. As I take a moment to think about it, I’ve been reminded of at least three things over the last month. Leon Johnston https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/summer-break-reminders Mon, 04 Aug 2014 13:29:02 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/daunting-task-preaching One of my pastoral priorities for this quarter is preaching. Accordingly, I’m reading Cornelius Plantinga Jr.’s, Reading for Preaching (Eerdmans, 2013). I attended the “Imaginative Reading for Creative Preaching” seminar that he and Scott Hoezee led a couple of years ago in Colorado. Leon Johnston https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/daunting-task-preaching Tue, 04 Feb 2014 11:15:32 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/alpha-still-works We recently conducted an Alpha course as part of the Alberta 2013 Alpha movement. Leon Johnston https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/alpha-still-works Tue, 17 Dec 2013 11:14:31 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/flourishing-40s “How will you flourish in your forties?” My mentor asked me this question last year, and I’ve been thinking about it ever since. And with my fortieth birthday only days away, it’s on my mind a lot. I’ve thought of this question in terms of my personal life, but also in terms of my pastoral life. Leon Johnston https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/flourishing-40s Tue, 08 Oct 2013 12:57:56 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/learning-about-leadership-green-and-white Yes, I’m one of those guys! No, I don’t wear a carved out watermelon on my head on game day, but yes, I’m one of those guys: a Saskatchewan Roughriders fan. Our American friends may not even know what I’m talking about at this point, so let me explain. Leon Johnston https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/learning-about-leadership-green-and-white Thu, 05 Sep 2013 10:00:03 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/can-i-really-do We just returned from vacation.  It was a wonderful month off—thanks be to God! More than ever, we were able to “take Sabbath”—which is the very thing we needed to do after a busy ministry year.  Leon Johnston https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/can-i-really-do Wed, 31 Jul 2013 20:00:29 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/listening-god-through-reading In my last blog post, I talked about the challenge of making time for pastoral reading. Leon Johnston https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/listening-god-through-reading Thu, 06 Jun 2013 10:00:21 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/thoughts-pastoral-reading We recently hosted some old friends. I grew up with him, so I’ve known him for many years. In fact, his father informally mentored me as a teenager. Kelly (name changed) was a hardworking farmer—a salt of the earth kind of guy. He became a Follower of Jesus as an adult. A Leon Johnston https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/thoughts-pastoral-reading Thu, 25 Apr 2013 10:38:39 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/three-bits-advice-new-pastors I recently celebrated five years of ordained pastoral ministry. I know this in no way makes me an expert. As any pastor knows, parish ministry is a work-in-progress. Leon Johnston https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/three-bits-advice-new-pastors Thu, 21 Mar 2013 10:14:28 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/5-lessons-5-years-ordained-ministry I recently celebrated five years of ordained pastoral ministry. Not a big deal, I know, but significant for me. So what have I learned in my first five years? Obviously many things, but a few particular lessons come to mind: Leon Johnston https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/5-lessons-5-years-ordained-ministry Wed, 21 Nov 2012 15:15:09 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/establishing-beachheads I just finished reading Kent Carlson and Mike Lueken’s book, Renovation of the Church (IVP Books, 2011). What an interesting and thoughtful read! I saw myself and my church in their story many times. Leon Johnston https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/establishing-beachheads Thu, 04 Oct 2012 11:00:19 +0000