https://network.crcna.org/ The Network en Fri, 26 Apr 2024 12:05:37 +0000 Mon, 15 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/crcna-and-synod/crucial-conversations-synod-part-ii   There is a concerning trend occurring within our denomination, which is our inability to have what Joseph Grenny calls “Crucial Conversations.” A Crucial Conversation is defined as any moment in which there are at least Justin Carruthers https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/crcna-and-synod/crucial-conversations-synod-part-ii Mon, 15 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/crcna-and-synod/crucial-conversations-synod-part-i Note: This is a two-part article. Part II drops on April 15. Justin Carruthers https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/crcna-and-synod/crucial-conversations-synod-part-i Tue, 09 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/crcna-and-synod/birds-eye-view One of my biggest joys when working for the CRC denomination for 25 years was the opportunity to get a birds’ eye view of the church. At times it was more like a high flying 30,000 foot view. Diane Dykgraaf https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/crcna-and-synod/birds-eye-view Mon, 04 Dec 2023 05:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/crcna-and-synod/post-synod-discerning-and-desiring-gods-will-contentious-issues A wise teacher once pointed out to me that most of the work of discernment is simply getting to the point where you desire God’s will. Sean Baker https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/crcna-and-synod/post-synod-discerning-and-desiring-gods-will-contentious-issues Mon, 21 Aug 2023 04:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/crcna-and-synod/post-synod-learning-about-hard-topics-helpful-ways Whenever you’re facing a contentious issue, it's important to learn about and understand the issue. In a lot of our churches, that learning happens through preaching, teaching, Bible studies, and committees reports.  Sean Baker https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/crcna-and-synod/post-synod-learning-about-hard-topics-helpful-ways Mon, 14 Aug 2023 04:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/crcna-and-synod/post-synod-christian-decision-making-anxious-times When a church faces a contentious issue people tend to respond in fairly predictable (and unhelpful) ways.  These common responses can be represented with the chart pictured above. Sean Baker https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/crcna-and-synod/post-synod-christian-decision-making-anxious-times Mon, 07 Aug 2023 04:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/crcna-and-synod/lessons-unity-note-general-secretary Dear congregations and classes,  CRCNA General Secretary https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/crcna-and-synod/lessons-unity-note-general-secretary Wed, 31 May 2023 04:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/crcna-and-synod/so-we-pray-those-carrying-burden-unity-synod-2023 Get along among yourselves, each of you doing your part…Be patient with each person, attentive to individual needs. And be careful that when you get on each other’s nerves you don’t snap at each other. Look for the best in each other, and always do your best to bring it out. Diane Dykgraaf https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/crcna-and-synod/so-we-pray-those-carrying-burden-unity-synod-2023 Tue, 30 May 2023 04:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/crcna-and-synod/ora-et-labora-synod-worship-preview “Ora et Labora” Pray and Work.  Thrive (CRCNA) https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/crcna-and-synod/ora-et-labora-synod-worship-preview Mon, 22 May 2023 04:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/crcna-and-synod/prayer-essential-whats-happening-synod-heres-why Prayer is essential to what’s happening at synod. The work that every delegate and synodical office staffer does is not their own. It is the Lord’s.  Luann Sankey https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/crcna-and-synod/prayer-essential-whats-happening-synod-heres-why Mon, 15 May 2023 04:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/crcna-and-synod/how-read-overtures-and-communications-synod Overtures can feel like something relatively mundane that is built into our ecclesial structure. Before we start evaluating overtures, it's good to understand what they are and how they work. Al Postma https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/crcna-and-synod/how-read-overtures-and-communications-synod Mon, 15 May 2023 04:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/crcna-and-synod/peace-conscience-and-unity-church-why-i-did-what-i-did-delegate I’ve been reading many criticisms of Synod 2022. I was a delegate to that synod. I have tried to read these criticisms with an open mind. David Dykstra https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/crcna-and-synod/peace-conscience-and-unity-church-why-i-did-what-i-did-delegate Tue, 28 Mar 2023 04:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/crcna-and-synod/dee-recker-retires-after-23-years-share-memory-or-note-here While reading The Banner article on Dee Recker's retirement, I was struck by the depth of her experience. Over the course of her time with the CRCNA, Dee has worked fo Staci Devries https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/crcna-and-synod/dee-recker-retires-after-23-years-share-memory-or-note-here Wed, 01 Feb 2023 14:57:23 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/crcna-and-synod/post-synod-what-if-there-no-way-forward Background: Pastor Church Resources has launched Challenging Conversations: Next Steps Discernment, a process intended to help you hold grace and truth as Sean Baker https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/crcna-and-synod/post-synod-what-if-there-no-way-forward Tue, 13 Sep 2022 00:21:53 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/crcna-and-synod/post-synod-will-discernment-season-ever-end Background: Pastor Church Resources has launched Challenging Conversations: Next Steps Discernment, a process intended to help you hold g Sean Baker https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/crcna-and-synod/post-synod-will-discernment-season-ever-end Mon, 29 Aug 2022 19:05:50 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/crcna-and-synod/post-synod-alternative-way-forward Background: from November 2020 to June 2022, nearly 2500 people from more than 80 CRC congregations participated in Challenging Conversations listening circles. Sean Baker https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/crcna-and-synod/post-synod-alternative-way-forward Mon, 29 Aug 2022 13:11:02 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/crcna-and-synod/post-synod-2022-announcement-zachary-king On July 1, I will begin my tenure as General Secretary of the Christian Reformed Church in North America. This position was just approved by Synod 2022 as part of our denominational restructuring. CRC Communications https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/crcna-and-synod/post-synod-2022-announcement-zachary-king Fri, 24 Jun 2022 22:30:31 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/crcna-and-synod/share-your-3-word-prayer-human-sexuality-conversation As delegates, committee members, and churches prepare to discuss the Human Sexuality Report, let’s share our short and simple 3-word prayers. Staci Devries https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/crcna-and-synod/share-your-3-word-prayer-human-sexuality-conversation Thu, 02 Jun 2022 14:19:35 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/crcna-and-synod/salt-report-explained-question-7 Does the SALT Report alter the direction of the Council of Delegates as agreed upon in October 2020? Lloyd Vanderkwaak https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/crcna-and-synod/salt-report-explained-question-7 Tue, 12 Apr 2022 14:07:32 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/crcna-and-synod/salt-report-explained-question-6 The SALT report highlights the concept of partnership as a relationship among equals. How does the report account for the need to achieve equity, parity, and organizational justice in the CRCNA? Lloyd Vanderkwaak https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/crcna-and-synod/salt-report-explained-question-6 Tue, 12 Apr 2022 13:36:06 +0000