https://network.crcna.org/ The Network en Thu, 25 Apr 2024 15:46:34 +0000 Thu, 03 Mar 2022 16:23:42 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/4-questions-ask-starting-small-group-ministry It’s exciting to start something new! Our imaginations start running and we become excited at the potential of this new endeavor. Ruth Kelder https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/4-questions-ask-starting-small-group-ministry Thu, 03 Mar 2022 16:23:42 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/innovative-new-small-group-curriculum Have you ever thought about who you are leaving out of your small group? Perhaps you know someone who isn't a particularly strong reader, or who struggles with ADHD. Maybe you know someone with visual impairments, or who is in the beginning stages of Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia. TOGETHER Small Groups https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/innovative-new-small-group-curriculum Thu, 23 Aug 2018 15:44:14 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/heart-caregiver-c-online-small-group-parents-children-and Join our online small group discussing The Heart of the Caregiver curriculum starting Feb. 6 at 7 PM Central Time (8 PM EST) and meeting weekly for 10 weeks (online via Zoom). Mary Tutterow https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/heart-caregiver-c-online-small-group-parents-children-and Tue, 16 Jan 2018 14:14:49 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/every-square-inch-5-crc-curricula August has arrived! If you’re a church leader, you may be looking for a curriculum for your small group, adult study classes, or youth group. In the words of Pastor Christy Knetsch, whose congregation in Grand Rapids has recently used several of these curricula, Danielle Steenwyk-Rowaan https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/every-square-inch-5-crc-curricula Mon, 08 Aug 2016 17:17:14 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/covenant-and-kingdom-dna-bible While Mike Breen does not claim to be a professional theologian, a biblical archeologist or an anthropologist, he does describe himself as an enthusiast for Scripture who over the years has reflected deeply on the themes of Sc Mike Breen https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/covenant-and-kingdom-dna-bible Tue, 08 Apr 2014 15:23:48 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/leading-kingdom-movements-everyman-notebook-how-change-world Leading Kingdom Movements:   The “Everyman” Notebook on How To Change the World, by Mike Breen and the 3DM Team Report by: Sara Tysman Sam Huizenga https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/leading-kingdom-movements-everyman-notebook-how-change-world Tue, 01 Apr 2014 15:18:38 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/mission-small-groups Last week I blogged about adding mission and service to your small group. We reviewed some of the benefits that an infusion of mission can provide your group. Nathan Visker https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/mission-small-groups Tue, 07 Aug 2012 13:10:09 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/real-life-example-triads-and-quads Melissa is a mom to active young children and her husband works long hours. She felt like her life was spinning out of control. Convinced that she’d keep perspective if she could to find even minutes alone with God, she asked her triad to hold her accountable to do that. Ruth Kelder https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/real-life-example-triads-and-quads Mon, 11 Jun 2012 15:10:34 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/closer-look-principle-based-small-groups-pt-1 A recent comment by a reader mentioned their understanding of small group ministry was that everything from the choir to a group of people from the church who met to talk about gardening or scrapbooking was a small group. Allen Kleine Deters https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/closer-look-principle-based-small-groups-pt-1 Tue, 21 Feb 2012 15:42:33 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/building-discipling-culture-must-have-resource I’ve been looking forward to working my way through Building a Discipling Culture by Mike Breen and Steve Cockram. Allen Kleine Deters https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/building-discipling-culture-must-have-resource Mon, 16 Jan 2012 16:32:26 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/supporting-marriages This is a question I have been wrestling with for some time now. There is such a disconnect from what people say they believe and follow and how they actually live. Allen Kleine Deters https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/supporting-marriages Thu, 05 Jan 2012 16:37:45 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/5-keys-finding-more-leaders If you're in charge of small groups at your church I believe you will find this helpful. I've had to learn these skills the hard way and they do work, believe me. NOTE: the links in this article. I know you'll appreciate those as well. akd. Allen Kleine Deters https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/5-keys-finding-more-leaders Mon, 14 Nov 2011 15:39:46 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/7-keys-developing-healthy-lasting-small-groups It seems my consulting conversations as of late tend to focus around programmatic thinking. There are more and more churches that are either just now beginning to start and develop small groups or are reassessing them. Frankly I'm surprised that some churches are just beginning small gr Allen Kleine Deters https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/7-keys-developing-healthy-lasting-small-groups Mon, 31 Oct 2011 18:49:08 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/back-basics When I was a Youth Pastor I became fully certified as an instructor/trainer for Son Life Youth Ministries, a philosophy of youth ministry that was meant to help leaders and youth pastors focus the ministry to build disciples for Christ who, in turn, lead others to him and spiritual transform Allen Kleine Deters https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/back-basics Wed, 28 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/why-do-we-need-group-agreement Every person in your group has different expectations for your group, whether they realize it or not. Some folks were in a group before and long for the good old days of comfortable koinonia. Allen Kleine Deters https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/why-do-we-need-group-agreement Sun, 14 Aug 2011 05:57:23 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/six-shifts-small-group-ministry When individuals are able to make a meaningful contribution, feel a sense of belonging and connect significantly with others, the result is community. Allen Kleine Deters https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/six-shifts-small-group-ministry Mon, 01 Aug 2011 04:05:18 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/better-small-group-value-evaluation Churches who are serious about their ministry effectiveness value evaluation and honest criticism. And I believe through my own experience, that churches who have regular evaluation of staff and ministries are far more effective than those churches that don't evaluate. Allen Kleine Deters https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/better-small-group-value-evaluation Tue, 05 Jul 2011 17:20:23 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/i-see-dead-groups "Our small group just doesn’t have the energy it used to.” Seeming genuinely perplexed, he continued, ”We’re really not sure what we should do. We’ve decided to take a break this fall. But maybe it’s best to just move on? It just feels stale. Any ideas?” Allen Kleine Deters https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/i-see-dead-groups Fri, 27 May 2011 14:29:22 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/can-you-spare-little-grace In the life of any Small Group, there will come a time when the Small Group Leader will have concerns and struggles as to how to handle difficult people within their groups. Allen Kleine Deters https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/can-you-spare-little-grace Mon, 25 Apr 2011 14:11:13 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/five-habits-effective-small-group-coaches Coaching can be boiled down to the word itself. There are five essential habits practiced by effective coaches of group leaders. In order to remember them, I use an acrostic: C.O.A.C.H. and put it around a star in order to make them more easy to remember. Allen Kleine Deters https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/five-habits-effective-small-group-coaches Thu, 10 Feb 2011 22:12:44 +0000