https://network.crcna.org/ The Network en Fri, 26 Apr 2024 14:14:49 +0000 Tue, 03 Jul 2018 12:59:56 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/church-renewal/fresh-ideas/maximizing-staff-impact Not long ago congregations of several hundred often had the pastor as their church’s sole employee. Today even small congregations are known to employ part-time staff in areas such as administration, youth, worship, outreach, children’s ministry, visitation, and social media. Often past Keith Doornbos https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/church-renewal/fresh-ideas/maximizing-staff-impact Tue, 03 Jul 2018 12:59:56 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/church-renewal/best-practices/invite-ceo Christians often speak of the power of prayer. Many have experienced it firsthand. They have known the comfort of prayer in difficult times and experienced the guidance of prayer in moments of confusion. They have witnessed lives impacted and hearts changed through prayer. Jon Bosma https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/church-renewal/best-practices/invite-ceo Tue, 03 Jul 2018 12:44:37 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/church-renewal/growing-church-power-holy-spirit Summary Jon Bosma https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/church-renewal/growing-church-power-holy-spirit Tue, 03 Jul 2018 12:36:02 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/church-renewal/best-practices/seat-table There’s a saying I really like: “We are the product of the environment from which we came.” I like the saying because I think it is a true statement. I believe we are the people we are because of our families, school systems, parents, and career/college degree choices. Joel Altena https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/church-renewal/best-practices/seat-table Wed, 30 May 2018 17:30:25 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/church-renewal/no-place-truth-or-whatever-happened-evangelical Summary Larry Doornbos https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/church-renewal/no-place-truth-or-whatever-happened-evangelical Wed, 30 May 2018 14:02:40 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/church-renewal/best-practices/2700-return-investment In 2010, Pastor Brian from Immanuel Reformed Church in Grand Rapids asked his congregation if anyone wanted $10. Many hands went up. Then he said, “If you take this $10, then you need to use it to help someone who has a need.” Brian N. Smilde https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/church-renewal/best-practices/2700-return-investment Wed, 02 May 2018 13:29:48 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/church-renewal/fresh-ideas/great-congregational-captains A Swedish proverb declares, “In calm water every ship has a good captain.” That proverb has repeatedly been proven true in the life of congregations. Every church leader is a good captain when their faith community is navigating quiet waters. Keith Doornbos https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/church-renewal/fresh-ideas/great-congregational-captains Tue, 01 May 2018 15:45:26 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/church-renewal/best-practices/creative-use-church-space As I’ve participated in the Church Renewal Lab as a student intern, I’ve been excited to discover stories of creativity from multiple congregations. Growing up, all churches seemed similar. They varied in style of worship, preaching, and dress code of course. Jon Bosma https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/church-renewal/best-practices/creative-use-church-space Wed, 20 Dec 2017 18:59:12 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/church-renewal/fresh-ideas/when-we-cannot-stay-here There comes a time in the life of most congregation’s when the conclusion is reached “we cannot stay here.” That moment may be precipitated by congregational giving that no longer supports a full-time pastor. It may be reached when the loss of membership demands key programs be eliminat The Church Renewal Lab https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/church-renewal/fresh-ideas/when-we-cannot-stay-here Wed, 20 Dec 2017 18:51:34 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/church-renewal/best-practices/are-you-giving-friendly Giving is the life-blood of every church. Yet in today’s world of PayPal, ApplePay, and Venmo have we kept pace with how our people like to give? When was the last time you paid for something using cash or a check? Does your church accept credit cards? Do you have a means of e Greg May https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/church-renewal/best-practices/are-you-giving-friendly Mon, 20 Nov 2017 22:37:57 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/church-renewal/coaches-corner/learning-lead Is leadership an innate ability bequeathed to a chosen few? Or, is the art of leadership something that a person can grow into and hone over time? Geoff Vandermolen https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/church-renewal/coaches-corner/learning-lead Mon, 20 Nov 2017 22:34:17 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/church-renewal/fresh-ideas/church-renewal-twins Someone pointed out that “truth is elliptical.” An ellipsis (i.e. an oval) has twin foci compared to the single foci of a circle. The Church Renewal Lab https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/church-renewal/fresh-ideas/church-renewal-twins Mon, 20 Nov 2017 22:32:37 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/church-renewal/best-practices/investing-your-local-public-school A church desiring to become a difference making faith community in their near-neighborhood does well to find two to three “toe-holds” where they can concentrate congregational investments of time and energy.  The Church Renewal Lab https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/church-renewal/best-practices/investing-your-local-public-school Mon, 23 Oct 2017 18:10:39 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/church-renewal/coaches-corner/basis-christian-hospitality It's sometimes difficult for me to write about hospitality. In as much as it is something most churches speak about regularly, I feel as if it has become the latest buzz word amongst believers, but without a depth of understanding and practice. Ruth Ann Buntin-Majawa https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/church-renewal/coaches-corner/basis-christian-hospitality Mon, 23 Oct 2017 17:44:02 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/church-renewal/fresh-ideas/becoming-low-barhigh-bar-congregation Only 20% of North American congregations are growing (1 in 5). In fact, only 5% of North American congregations are growing primarily through evangelism (1 in 20). The Church Renewal Lab https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/church-renewal/fresh-ideas/becoming-low-barhigh-bar-congregation Tue, 03 Oct 2017 15:14:28 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/church-renewal/best-practices/putting-smile-your-facilities The oldest church facility in the Christian Reformed denomination, Pillar Church, is located in Holland, Michigan. A decade ago the facility seemed destined to become a museum as the congregation continued to age and decline. The Church Renewal Lab https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/church-renewal/best-practices/putting-smile-your-facilities Tue, 03 Oct 2017 13:29:13 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/church-renewal/best-practices/incarnation-and-ultimate-frisbee Several years ago as a student at Calvin Seminary I had the opportunity to learn from many passionate leaders and pastors involved in the Renewal Lab. Eric Kas https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/church-renewal/best-practices/incarnation-and-ultimate-frisbee Wed, 06 Sep 2017 15:35:52 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/church-renewal/fresh-ideas/rightsizing-smaller-congregations We all know individuals who lost weight without rightsizing their wardrobe. Clothes that fit at 220 lbs look frumpy at 180. The Church Renewal Lab https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/church-renewal/fresh-ideas/rightsizing-smaller-congregations Wed, 06 Sep 2017 14:29:36 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/church-renewal/fresh-ideas/high-impact-relational-based-evangelism In his book Church 3.0: Upgrades for the Future of the Church Neil Cole asks this question, “Why is it that when we consider ways to reac The Church Renewal Lab https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/church-renewal/fresh-ideas/high-impact-relational-based-evangelism Tue, 22 Aug 2017 13:04:33 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/church-renewal/fresh-ideas/transformational-power-missional-picture The familiar saying declares, “A picture is worth a thousand words.” That’s especially true when making a missional move. A key component of a mission-focused transition is seeing a picture of what’s possible when the right investments become part of a congregation’s story.  The Church Renewal Lab https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/church-renewal/fresh-ideas/transformational-power-missional-picture Tue, 08 Aug 2017 12:34:46 +0000