https://network.crcna.org/ The Network en Sat, 20 Apr 2024 03:05:09 +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/2024-yearbooks-now-available The 2024 Yearbooks are now available! 2024 Yearbooks may be ordered on the Faith Alive website or by calling 1-800-333-8300. Yearbook Office https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/crcna-and-synod/2024-yearbooks-now-available Tue, 02 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/crcna-and-synod/council-delegates-highlights-february-2024 The Council of Delegates (COD) of the Christian Reformed Church in North America met via video conference on February 14-16, 2024. During this meeting, the COD spent time in prayer, received reports, held discussions, and made decisions. Highlights of this meeting are attached. CRC Communications https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/crcna-and-synod/council-delegates-highlights-february-2024 Wed, 28 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/crcna-and-synod/guiding-compliance-what-does-mean In June 2023, Synod made several key decisions regarding the Human Sexuality Report (HSR) and the various responses to it. Dave Den Haan https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/crcna-and-synod/guiding-compliance-what-does-mean Thu, 15 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/crcna-and-synod/overture-and-communication-synod-process It’s officially 2024 and that means that preparations for Synod 2024 are well underway at this point!  The team in the Office of Synodical Services is working hard to prepare documents, organize logistics, and edit items for the Agenda for Synod 2024. CRCNA Synodical Services https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/crcna-and-synod/overture-and-communication-synod-process Mon, 08 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/crcna-and-synod/denominational-survey-church-promotion-resources-english As part of the denominational ministry plan, Our Journey 2025, the CRCNA has contracted with Calvin University’s Social Research Center and DataWise Consulting to administer a denominational survey every year. CRC Communications https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/crcna-and-synod/denominational-survey-church-promotion-resources-english Thu, 04 Jan 2024 13:50:43 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/crcna-and-synod/curious-about-denominational-task-forces-and-study-committees Have you ever wondered how to get involved in the working of the denomination, but not sure how your niche area fits? Do you want to work with a group of unique individuals on something you’re passionate about? CRCNA Synodical Services https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/crcna-and-synod/curious-about-denominational-task-forces-and-study-committees Tue, 12 Dec 2023 05:00:00 +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/cod-highlights-october-2023 The Council of Delegates (COD) of the Christian Reformed Church in North America met in the denominational offices in Grand Rapids, Michigan on October 11-13, 2023. During this meeting, the COD spent time in prayer, received reports, held discussions, and made decisions. CRC Communications https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/crcna-and-synod/cod-highlights-october-2023 Thu, 09 Nov 2023 05:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/crcna-and-synod/acts-synod-2023 A digital version of the Acts of Synod 2023 is now available on the Synod Resources page of the Christian Reformed Church in North America website. CRC Communications https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/crcna-and-synod/acts-synod-2023 Fri, 13 Oct 2023 19:11:59 +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/our-journey-2025/2023-denominational-survey-results As part of the denominational ministry plan, Our Journey 2025, the CRCNA has contracted with DataWise Consulting to administer an annual denominational survey. The results from the 2023 survey have now been compiled. CRC Communications https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/crcna-and-synod/our-journey-2025/2023-denominational-survey-results Mon, 15 May 2023 12:46:13 +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