https://network.crcna.org/ The Network en Fri, 19 Apr 2024 12:20:01 +0000 Mon, 07 Feb 2022 18:46:32 +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/pastoral-practice-self-reflection Not sure what James & John were thinking. Perhaps they weren’t when they asked Jesus if they could have positions of honor and authority when Jesus comes to sit on his throne as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Sam Hamstra https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/pastoral-practice-self-reflection Wed, 29 Mar 2017 12:56:31 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/beware-dissing-preacher ʺHow was the service Sunday?ʺ one pastor asked another. ʺWell, the guy preached a good sermon but he didn’t preach the text.ʺ Sam Hamstra https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/beware-dissing-preacher Wed, 08 Mar 2017 18:57:21 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/time-non-compete-clauses-clergy Time after time, we hear of a pastor leaving his church (and, yes, it is always a he who does such a thing) to plant another congregation in the same neighborhood and, in the process, a significant percentage of the first congregation goes with him. Sam Hamstra https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/time-non-compete-clauses-clergy Thu, 07 Apr 2016 12:22:42 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/models-pastoral-leadership The pastor, by virtue of his or her position, will influence, to one degree or another, the life and ministry of a congregation. Many refer to this influence as leadership, though I prefer the former rather than the latter word, as the former word identifies the fruit of the latter. Sam Hamstra https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/models-pastoral-leadership Thu, 11 Jun 2015 15:32:25 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/controlling-holy-spirit “When I look back over the history of our congregation during my lifetime, it seems that we have been dying ever since we tried to control the Holy Spirit.” Sam Hamstra https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/controlling-holy-spirit Wed, 06 May 2015 19:25:30 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/pastors-may-cause-christ-rejoice Of all the work we do in this world, how much of it causes Jesus Christ to rejoice? We might hope that by doing everything as unto the Lord (Colossians 3:17), we cause Jesus Christ to rejoice. Perhaps, but the Bible doesn’t confirm that aspiration. Sam Hamstra https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/pastors-may-cause-christ-rejoice Wed, 11 Mar 2015 12:47:16 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/evolution-pastoral-ministry Throughout the nineteenth century and the first half of the twentieth, American Protestants identified four primary functions for their pastors: preaching (homiletics), planning and leading the Sunday service (liturgics), teaching the basics of the Christian faith to the young in age and the new Sam Hamstra https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/evolution-pastoral-ministry Thu, 15 Jan 2015 00:03:46 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/financial-shalom/church-management/why-we-dont-want-rent-space Many congregations rent their facilities to emerging or established Christian congregations in their communities. On the surface, this seems like a win-win arrangement. Sam Hamstra https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/financial-shalom/church-management/why-we-dont-want-rent-space Thu, 24 Apr 2014 14:44:38 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/sermon-centricity-sunday We have witnessed an overabundance of resources for worship renewal during the last three or more decades. Sam Hamstra https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/sermon-centricity-sunday Tue, 07 Jan 2014 11:11:14 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/ideal-senior-pastor-or-1st-chair In response to my blog on the Ideal Associate Pastor or “2nd Chair,” I received a request to write about the qualities of the ideal Senior Pastor or “1st Chair.” That request led me to consult with some Associate Pasto Sam Hamstra https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/ideal-senior-pastor-or-1st-chair Wed, 06 Nov 2013 11:41:15 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/holy-spirit-and-sermon-friendly-reminder-those-who-preach Here is a friendly reminder for those called to preach on the dynamic relationship between Holy Spirit and sermon preparation. It comes from a 1997 meditation offered by Walter J. Sam Hamstra https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/holy-spirit-and-sermon-friendly-reminder-those-who-preach Thu, 25 Apr 2013 10:39:37 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/i-dont-want-be-one-those-pastors I don’t want to be one of those pastors. I don’t want to be one who stays in a church even though it’s not a good fit, who keeps working just to get a paycheck, who refuses to retire even though  the congregation is unhealthy and in need of new leadership. Sam Hamstra https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/i-dont-want-be-one-those-pastors Thu, 28 Mar 2013 10:17:03 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/fractured-flocks-good-reason-consider-another-option The February 11, 2013 edition of the Christian Courier includes an interesting and informative article by Peter Schuurman entitled “Fractured Flocks: A leadership crisis in the CRC?”  In his article Schuurman d Sam Hamstra https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/fractured-flocks-good-reason-consider-another-option Tue, 12 Mar 2013 19:57:04 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/petersons-memoir-life-and-ministry-pastor This past Christmas my children blessed me with Eugene H. Peterson’s memoir The Pastor. Sam Hamstra https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/petersons-memoir-life-and-ministry-pastor Thu, 31 Jan 2013 11:45:53 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/what-reformed-charismatic I would like to think that I am a Reformed Charismatic but I wonder what that means. So, here’s one attempt to clarify the convictions of a Christ-follower who believes that the Holy Spirit is alive and well and that John Calvin had a pretty good understanding of the apostle Paul. Sam Hamstra https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/what-reformed-charismatic Thu, 25 Aug 2011 14:37:53 +0000