https://network.crcna.org/ The Network en Fri, 26 Apr 2024 16:59:11 +0000 Wed, 13 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/stepping-trauma-informed-ministry Jordan loved her church community and looked forward to coming to church each Sunday. One Sunday, she arrived a little early and joined a group that had gathered in the foyer to chat before the service. Amanda Benckhuysen https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/stepping-trauma-informed-ministry Wed, 13 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/restorative-practices/listening-circles-invaluable-tool-our Last summer a small group of staff were trained in Restorative Practices by Anne Martin and the late Bruce Schenk from the Shalem Mental Health Network.  Thrive (CRCNA) https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/restorative-practices/listening-circles-invaluable-tool-our Mon, 11 Sep 2023 04:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/about-safe-church-ministry/understanding-trauma-church Here's the church, and here's the steeple Open the doors and see all the people. Close the doors and listen to them pray, Open the doors and they all walk away. Becky Jones https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/about-safe-church-ministry/understanding-trauma-church Tue, 04 Jul 2023 04:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/restorative-practices/restorative-practices-what-are-they-why Why Restorative Practices Thrive (CRCNA) https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/restorative-practices/restorative-practices-what-are-they-why Wed, 03 May 2023 04:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/restorative-practices/becoming-restorative-congregation On March 24th-25th (a Friday/Saturday), Congregational Ministries will offer a two-day training in Restorative Practice for Faith Communities. This training will be held at the CRCNA offices (3475 Mainway) in Burlington, Ontario. Thrive (CRCNA) https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/restorative-practices/becoming-restorative-congregation Thu, 26 Jan 2023 14:03:14 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/10-things-remember-when-your-child-suicidal Having a child with suicidal ideations is a horrible experience. I’m not a mental health professional, and I can only speak from our family’s experience. But if my experience can help, then I want to share it. Thrive (CRCNA) https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/10-things-remember-when-your-child-suicidal Thu, 19 Jan 2023 05:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/abuse-clergy-ministry-leaders/whats-name-meeting-house-and Last Tuesday, on March 8th, following a three month investigation, the Overseers Board of the Southern Ontario multi-site megachurch The Meeting House, issued a statement Amanda Benckhuysen https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/abuse-clergy-ministry-leaders/whats-name-meeting-house-and Wed, 16 Mar 2022 13:31:23 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/policy-prevention/your-church-safe It seems that not a week goes by when you don’t read a story in the news about abuse in the church. As a result, you are keenly aware of how important abuse prevention is. Amanda Benckhuysen https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/policy-prevention/your-church-safe Tue, 01 Feb 2022 14:13:56 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/about-safe-church-ministry/safe-church-mini-grants-2022 Safe Church is excited to announce that once again, we are offering mini-grants! Thrive (CRCNA) https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/about-safe-church-ministry/safe-church-mini-grants-2022 Tue, 11 Jan 2022 00:42:32 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/abuse-clergy-ministry-leaders/when-spiritual-leaders-do-harm-0 This is the final installment of a series of articles by Safe Church Ministry titled: When Spiritual Leaders Do Harm. Eric Kas https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/abuse-clergy-ministry-leaders/when-spiritual-leaders-do-harm-0 Tue, 18 May 2021 01:43:06 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/abuse-clergy-ministry-leaders/becoming-trauma-informed-church “But I don’t feel safe.” Tara Boer https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/abuse-clergy-ministry-leaders/becoming-trauma-informed-church Tue, 20 Apr 2021 04:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/restorative-practices/rugged-relationships-and-restorative In our society of increasingly complex webs of relationships, systems of governments and institutions -- shalom, or the way things are supposed to be -- seems increasingly more challenging to envision. There has never been as much history as there is in the present. Thrive (CRCNA) https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/restorative-practices/rugged-relationships-and-restorative Thu, 15 Apr 2021 18:36:39 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/sexual-abuse/sos-part-3-my-journey-recognizing-remembering-and This story is part of Safe Church Ministry's SOS series. In this post, an anonymous CRC congregant shares his first blog of his journey of recognizing, remembering, and processing the a Thrive (CRCNA) https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/sexual-abuse/sos-part-3-my-journey-recognizing-remembering-and Wed, 14 Apr 2021 17:01:40 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/abuse-clergy-ministry-leaders/when-spiritual-leaders-do-harm “How many lives need to be desecrated, damaged, or completely wrecked by those in positions of spiritual authority before the church recognizes there is a problem?”  Amanda Benckhuysen https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/abuse-clergy-ministry-leaders/when-spiritual-leaders-do-harm Wed, 31 Mar 2021 12:56:18 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/safe-church-teams/what-ministry-without-volunteers-celebrating Safe Church has a very significant role in the CRCNA: to equip congregations in abuse awareness, prevention, and response. The reality is, this would not be achievable if it was up to denominational staff alone. This job is very large. Thrive (CRCNA) https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/safe-church-teams/what-ministry-without-volunteers-celebrating Mon, 29 Mar 2021 15:16:20 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/domestic-abuse/unmute-impact-pandemic-gender-based-violence This past weekend, 58 people attended the 22nd annual Inter-Classis Safe Church Conference hosted by the Classis Huron Safe Church Committee. The conference is held each year on the first Saturday in March, usually at Waterloo CRC. Thrive (CRCNA) https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/domestic-abuse/unmute-impact-pandemic-gender-based-violence Mon, 08 Mar 2021 11:10:43 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/abuse-clergy-ministry-leaders/wake-ravi-zacharias-when In recent months, news of the sexual misconduct, manipulation, and elaborate cover up schemes of Ravi Zacharias have rocked the Christian world. As a well-known Christian apologist and author of more than 30 books on the Christian faith, Mr. Amanda Benckhuysen https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/abuse-clergy-ministry-leaders/wake-ravi-zacharias-when Fri, 26 Feb 2021 16:08:10 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/about-safe-church-ministry/new-director-amanda-benckhuysen-why I was born and raised in Canada, though I’m currently living in Grand Rapids. I’m married (to a pastor) and have two teenage daughters, a freshman in high school and a freshman in college. In my spare time I like to read, hike, bike, travel, and kayak (in the summer). I have been s Dr. Amanda Benckhuysen https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/about-safe-church-ministry/new-director-amanda-benckhuysen-why Mon, 08 Feb 2021 17:06:55 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/about-safe-church-ministry/considering-trees-mycorrhiza-and My electric utility provider is about to “trim” the big maple tree in front of our home. Normally that entails decimating all the branches remotely close to the electrical lines. Eric Kas https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/about-safe-church-ministry/considering-trees-mycorrhiza-and Mon, 08 Feb 2021 15:15:42 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/criminal-sexual-history/fine-balance-creating-safe-space-all A Christian Reformed Church in Ontario, Canada, was informed of a congregant being charged with the possession of child pornography and child abuse. While awaiting trial, the alleged offender wanted to attend church with his family, as he had always done. Thrive (CRCNA) https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/criminal-sexual-history/fine-balance-creating-safe-space-all Mon, 01 Feb 2021 18:01:36 +0000