https://network.crcna.org/ The Network en Sat, 27 Apr 2024 01:00:58 +0000 Wed, 12 Dec 2012 14:25:43 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/reporting-triads Some months ago, I gave you a glimpse of the “whys” and “whats” of Discipleship Triads and how they operate at CenterPointe Church, a young church plant in Plainfield, IL. Ruth Kelder https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/reporting-triads Wed, 12 Dec 2012 14:25:43 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/weightlifting-soul I finally admitted that my bad knee is starting to interfere with my life. I can no longer just ignore the fact that it doesn’t straighten or bend as it should. I find myself perking up when commercials for pain relievers play on TV. Ruth Kelder https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/weightlifting-soul Tue, 23 Aug 2011 13:05:28 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/so-longfarewellauf-wiedershengood-bye Here I am at the end of my six month stint of being a Network guide. I’ve put off the writing of my last blog because I haven’t been sure of what to say. My mind goes in all sorts of different directions, but I’ve narrowed my thoughts down to two. Ruth Kelder https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/so-longfarewellauf-wiedershengood-bye Wed, 15 Dec 2010 14:23:25 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/chicken-or-egg Mission…DiscipleshipDiscipleship…MissionWhich comes first, the chicken or the egg? Ruth Kelder https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/chicken-or-egg Tue, 30 Nov 2010 18:22:01 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/sent-jesus By now many of us have enjoyed Eugene Peterson’s translation of John 1:14 in The Message; “The Word became flesh and blood and moved into the neighborhood.” Ruth Kelder https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/sent-jesus Thu, 18 Nov 2010 21:54:30 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/imagination-set-free “If you can’t imagine it, you can’t do it.” Those words have been rolling over and over again in my brain since I heard Alan Hirsch say them at a conference I attended last week. I often think of imagination as a whimsical, fun function of the brain. I imagine when I want to escape reality. Ruth Kelder https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/imagination-set-free Wed, 10 Nov 2010 17:58:08 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/smelly-leaders One of my favorite book titles is They Smell Like Sheep, by Lynn Anderson. Ruth Kelder https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/smelly-leaders Wed, 03 Nov 2010 17:18:44 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/hanging-out I wonder if there is a spiritual discipline called “hanging-out.” Probably not, but I think I’m going to consider it to be one. Our small group practiced this “discipline” together on a fall camping week-end. We did very little together other than hang-out. Ruth Kelder https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/hanging-out Wed, 27 Oct 2010 23:33:28 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/lessons-hospitality I’m a firm believer that practicing hospitality is a crucial part of building authentic community. Part of the missional life is to make others feel comfortable and welcomed into our lives. Our small group is blessed to have a person whose top spiritual gift is hospitality. Ruth Kelder https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/lessons-hospitality Thu, 14 Oct 2010 20:42:47 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/discipleship-active-thing I recently came across a great definition of a disciple of Jesus. A disciple is one who practices following Jesus Christ—becoming more like Him in all that we think, say and do through the power of the Holy Spirit, to be the very presence of Christ in a lost and broken world so loved by God. Ruth Kelder https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/discipleship-active-thing Thu, 07 Oct 2010 21:55:02 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/unity-purpose I believe it’s true that a person’s parting words before death often reveal his or her deepest desires, dreams or hopes. With this in mind, Jesus' prayer in John 17 reveals a lot about himself. Ruth Kelder https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/unity-purpose Thu, 30 Sep 2010 14:37:34 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/what-god-use-me You know the feeling. You’re asked to step into a new role either in ministry or everyday life and you feel totally inadequate for the task. That’s how a potential small group leader felt last night when I suggested he lead a group for the first time. Ruth Kelder https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/what-god-use-me Thu, 23 Sep 2010 20:46:10 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/prayer-time-phobia My small group loves to talk. We can talk about all sorts of things---golf, politics, kids, grandkids, our church. Our discussions around the study materials are lively and insightful. Ruth Kelder https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/prayer-time-phobia Thu, 16 Sep 2010 19:43:09 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/my-imaginary-friend I have an imaginary friend. She always knows exactly where I am. She talks to me. When I tell her where I want to go she not only gets me there, but gets me there in the shortest amount of time. If I make a wrong turn, she figures things out so that I get back on track. Ruth Kelder https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/my-imaginary-friend Thu, 02 Sep 2010 22:05:02 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/kudos-fulton-second-reformed What would you be doing on this beautiful Saturday morning if you weren’t at this small group training? Ruth Kelder https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/kudos-fulton-second-reformed Thu, 26 Aug 2010 02:03:03 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/things-i-learned-vacation We just returned from a great time with our California kids. Without a doubt, the highlight was time spent oohing and ahhing over our precious new little grandson. Of course he’s nearly perfect, smart, cute…. I learned that this grandma thing is pretty fun. Ruth Kelder https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/things-i-learned-vacation Thu, 19 Aug 2010 22:49:01 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/consider-bs I was invited to join a new Facebook group. This one has to do with gourmet ice cream. I quickly “liked” it! There seems to be a lot of focus on groups these days. Besides a few Facebook groups, I’m a part of two small groups that actually meet face-to-face. Ruth Kelder https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/consider-bs Tue, 10 Aug 2010 18:03:18 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/re-thinking-faq One of the most frequently asked questions (FAQ) small group leaders ask is, “How often should we meet?” Most often this is asked after considering the busyness of our lives. Ruth Kelder https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/re-thinking-faq Mon, 02 Aug 2010 19:04:36 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/really-small-groups-fitness-center I did not want to work-out this morning. We had such a nice relaxing week-end with some extra good food and my body just wanted to stay in week-end mode. Usually the more I sweat, the more I forget about work and ministry. Ruth Kelder https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/really-small-groups-fitness-center Mon, 26 Jul 2010 23:06:55 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/living-gospel Imagine this. You’ve been in an ongoing spiritual discussion with someone and are asked, “So what is the Gospel?” How would you answer? I had a pretty pat answer in mind until I spent time reflecting on the first four verses of Isaiah 61. Ruth Kelder https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/living-gospel Tue, 20 Jul 2010 22:02:41 +0000