https://network.crcna.org/ The Network en Tue, 23 Apr 2024 10:27:13 +0000 Fri, 17 Nov 2023 05:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/church-renewal/fresh-ideas/death-hope-part-iv-remixed By and large, today’s new cults of and for the Remixed are what I will call “intuitional religions.” By this, I mean that their sense of meaning is based in narratives that simultaneously reject clear-cut creedal metaphysical doctrines and institutional hierarchies and place the locus Larry Doornbos https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/church-renewal/fresh-ideas/death-hope-part-iv-remixed Fri, 17 Nov 2023 05:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/church-renewal/fresh-ideas/death-hope-part-3-strange-rites I believe in God. I’m not a religious fanatic. I can’t remember the last time I went to church. My faith has carried me a long way. It’s Sheilaism. Just my own little voice … It’s just trying to love yourself and be gentle with yourself. You know, I guess, take care of each other. Larry Doornbos https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/church-renewal/fresh-ideas/death-hope-part-3-strange-rites Tue, 07 Nov 2023 05:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/church-renewal/fresh-ideas/death-hope-part-1 The Death of Hope, Part 1 Larry Doornbos https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/church-renewal/fresh-ideas/death-hope-part-1 Fri, 29 Sep 2023 04:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/church-renewal/fresh-ideas/your-congregations-big-c-campfire-stories Every family of God needs to tell their campfire stories (see Telling Your Congregation’s Campfire Stories). Larry Doornbos https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/church-renewal/fresh-ideas/your-congregations-big-c-campfire-stories Wed, 08 Mar 2023 05:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/church-renewal/fresh-ideas/telling-your-congregations-campfire Serving as a counselor at a camp called Roger (in Rockford, MI), we'd go out each week for a night in tents. Gathering around the campfire, we'd tell or read stories. One of my most memorable storytelling times came when I read stories from the Apocrypha. Larry Doornbos https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/church-renewal/fresh-ideas/telling-your-congregations-campfire Mon, 06 Feb 2023 05:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/church-renewal/fresh-ideas/our-story-power-writing-your-congregations "The universe is made of stories, not atoms." - Muriel Rukeyser Larry Doornbos https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/church-renewal/fresh-ideas/our-story-power-writing-your-congregations Tue, 24 Jan 2023 05:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/church-renewal/fresh-ideas/whats-love-got-do-it-power-naming-what A simple truth about most of us is that we do what we love.  Indeed, we may push through things we have to do. We may endure stuff we hate to do. But we will find time flies when we do what we love.  Larry Doornbos https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/church-renewal/fresh-ideas/whats-love-got-do-it-power-naming-what Mon, 09 Jan 2023 05:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/church-renewal/best-practices/writing-your-congregations-next-chapter Imagine joining a robust, glad, and innovative conversation that will help your congregation take steps into its God-given, hope-filled future. Larry Doornbos https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/church-renewal/best-practices/writing-your-congregations-next-chapter Thu, 22 Dec 2022 05:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/church-renewal/fresh-ideas/your-church-running-speed-apple-part-3 Let me begin by admitting something: I love the speed of Apple. I love it when they come out with the new and innovative. I'm actually a beta tester for their new software and presently typing on a version of their software not available to the public. Larry Doornbos https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/church-renewal/fresh-ideas/your-church-running-speed-apple-part-3 Tue, 23 Aug 2022 10:06:02 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/church-renewal/fresh-ideas/your-church-running-speed-apple-part-2 Apple and Silicon Valley are the timekeepers of the 21st century (for other timekeepers, see part one of this series). Larry Doornbos https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/church-renewal/fresh-ideas/your-church-running-speed-apple-part-2 Thu, 11 Aug 2022 04:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/church-renewal/coaches-corner/your-church-running-speed-apple-part-1 Andrew Root's book, The Congregation in a Secular Age takes us on a journey in time—or, more accurately, a journey on who tells time. The Church as Time Keeper Larry Doornbos https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/church-renewal/coaches-corner/your-church-running-speed-apple-part-1 Mon, 08 Aug 2022 14:34:51 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/church-renewal/fresh-ideas/it-time-step-through-door Every congregation has conversations going. These conversations happen in council rooms, committee meetings, small groups, coffee after worship (covid permitting!), and many other places. Larry Doornbos https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/church-renewal/fresh-ideas/it-time-step-through-door Tue, 19 Apr 2022 13:50:05 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/church-renewal/fresh-ideas/inspire-2022-workshop-how-old-your The T.V. show America’s Funniest Home Videos brought laughter to many people. One video I enjoy is of a little boy about four-years-old. He is clenching his fists and grunting. His mom asks him what he is doing. His response? “I’m trying to grow older.” Larry Doornbos https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/church-renewal/fresh-ideas/inspire-2022-workshop-how-old-your Thu, 10 Feb 2022 16:18:46 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/church-renewal/fresh-ideas/rescuing-gospel-cowboys-part-2 Navajo Code Talkers were essential to the allied victory in the Pacific. They created an unbreakable code making communications possible while keeping operational plans secret. The Japanese were never able to penetrate the code.  Larry Doornbos https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/church-renewal/fresh-ideas/rescuing-gospel-cowboys-part-2 Thu, 16 Dec 2021 13:40:43 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/church-renewal/fresh-ideas/rescuing-gospel-cowboys-part-1 Is your congregation living in a strange land? Larry Doornbos https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/church-renewal/fresh-ideas/rescuing-gospel-cowboys-part-1 Tue, 07 Dec 2021 14:32:09 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/church-renewal/fresh-ideas/does-your-church-need-sabbatical A few years ago, Evergreen Ministries, the congregation I was pastoring, gave me a sabbatical. Over the summer, I enjoyed rest, reflection, and study. Larry Doornbos https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/church-renewal/fresh-ideas/does-your-church-need-sabbatical Tue, 30 Nov 2021 15:27:07 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/church-renewal/fresh-ideas/growing-younger-congregation Working with congregations in renewal, I often hear a central goal of the congregation is to draw in young families. The idea is to move from a sanctuary filled with gray hair to one with a bit more salt and pepper look.  Larry Doornbos https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/church-renewal/fresh-ideas/growing-younger-congregation Tue, 16 Nov 2021 16:04:06 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/church-renewal/fresh-ideas/faith-over-fear Driving through my community, I’ve noticed signs in front of homes that say, “faith over fear.” I’ve done a bit of research and found that people give different meanings to those signs. But whatever the sign’s meaning, the words make me think of the Apostle Paul. Larry Doornbos https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/church-renewal/fresh-ideas/faith-over-fear Sun, 29 Aug 2021 18:12:09 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/church-renewal/fresh-ideas/whos-table The Last Supper. We scan the faces at the table seeing the 12 disciples and Jesus.  But who's really at the table? Larry Doornbos https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/church-renewal/fresh-ideas/whos-table Wed, 04 Aug 2021 23:31:48 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/church-renewal/fresh-ideas/discipleship-time-pandemic “Our discipleship is not robust enough to handle the trials of a pandemic and the realities of racial struggle.”  Larry Doornbos https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/church-renewal/fresh-ideas/discipleship-time-pandemic Fri, 16 Apr 2021 09:30:27 +0000