https://network.crcna.org/ The Network en Fri, 10 May 2024 06:22:35 +0000 Tue, 05 Sep 2023 13:30:15 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/dwell-curriculum/why-dwells-childrens-resources-are Probably the most misunderstood element of the Dwell curriculum’s age-graded materials is its children’s resources. Jill Benson https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/dwell-curriculum/why-dwells-childrens-resources-are Tue, 05 Sep 2023 13:30:15 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/what-faith-forming-childrens-books-do-you-love I have been serving in children's ministry and am looking to purchase some new books for the classrooms. Specifically, preschool through 5th grade.  Staci Devries https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/what-faith-forming-childrens-books-do-you-love Mon, 12 Sep 2022 16:25:34 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/setting-play-church-create-worship-wonder Several months ago, as our grandchildren began attending Sunday school again, our three-year-old grandson spotted the sanctuary and was drawn into the space as he passed by the open door in the hallway. Cindy Merten https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/setting-play-church-create-worship-wonder Tue, 26 Jul 2022 15:36:58 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/tools-and-resources-choosing-sunday-morning-childrens All curricula teaches theology in some way. Whether during education hour or the worship service, the curriculum your church uses is introducing your children to God’s word. Are you certain it’s teaching the Bible in a way that is consistent with your theology?  Thrive (CRCNA) https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/tools-and-resources-choosing-sunday-morning-childrens Thu, 21 Jul 2022 13:27:11 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/finding-your-place-family-tree Last night over dinner, my husband and I listened to a dear friend share her recent journey to find relatives she never knew existed.* This discovery of ancestors on her family tree is opening doors to connect and establish relationships with their descendants. Mimi Larson https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/finding-your-place-family-tree Mon, 27 Jun 2022 17:44:10 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/are-we-singing-songs-stick I was leading the 4-year-old class at church a couple weeks ago and left the experience with a bit of a haughty thought: The songs we sang when I was a kid were better.  Judgy, right?  Staci Devries https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/are-we-singing-songs-stick Thu, 23 Jun 2022 14:09:28 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/sunday-school/3-ways-strengthen-your-summer-childrens It’s almost summertime, and this year many churches are wondering if "VBS as usual" is the best option. Maybe you are finding yourself wondering if there is a new way to engage children and families throughout the summer.   Mimi Larson https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/sunday-school/3-ways-strengthen-your-summer-childrens Thu, 19 May 2022 12:38:47 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/easter-home-kids-corner-resources “He is not here! He has risen, just as he said he would! Come and see the place where he was lying.” Matthew 28:6  Ron VandenBurg https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/easter-home-kids-corner-resources Tue, 12 Apr 2022 14:53:16 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/how-covenant-crc-created-play-church-communicate-belonging Our church was in the midst of giving our nursery a fresh, new look and as this project took off, we found ourselves wrestling with ideas of what to include for dramatic play. Jennifer Uitvlugt https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/how-covenant-crc-created-play-church-communicate-belonging Wed, 06 Apr 2022 15:03:21 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/guarding-our-children-church-hurt-why-our-actions-matter The post-Christian culture we live in today has forced church leaders to evaluate children’s and youth ministry. We seek answers to these questions: What happened? Where did we go wrong? What can we do better for the next generation? Shelley Henning https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/guarding-our-children-church-hurt-why-our-actions-matter Tue, 25 Jan 2022 15:26:27 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/how-your-church-can-help-build-resilience-your-children-and It’s been a year since I wrote about how the pandemic is impacting our children and youth, and the pandemic is still not over. Lesli van Milligen https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/how-your-church-can-help-build-resilience-your-children-and Tue, 07 Dec 2021 14:40:56 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/dwell-curriculum/farewell-kid-connection-hello-dwell-flex Faith Alive is announcing that the Kid Connection (KC) curriculum will be retired at the end of the 2022-23 ministry year. Kevin Hoeksema https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/dwell-curriculum/farewell-kid-connection-hello-dwell-flex Fri, 12 Nov 2021 19:15:17 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/great-ideas-making-most-out-vacation-bible-school This post is part of the Children's Ministry Toolkit - a collection of resources for building strong and vibrant children's ministry, brought to you by Faith Formation Ministries. Thrive (CRCNA) https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/great-ideas-making-most-out-vacation-bible-school Thu, 14 Oct 2021 14:06:39 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/sharing-gods-big-story-kids Every night without fail, three generations of the Waltons sat down at a long farmhouse table and tucked into Olivia’s homemade spread of meat, potatoes, and pie. They prayed together, laughed together, and talked together. Sandy Swartzentruber https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/sharing-gods-big-story-kids Tue, 28 Sep 2021 14:58:50 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/pastors-please-think-children 4 important ways pastors can support the faith formation of children who will grow into engaged teens and young adults. Dear Pastors, Lesli van Milligen https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/pastors-please-think-children Fri, 14 May 2021 12:29:46 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/7-ways-you-can-check-your-girl Your girl longs for you to show up, s-l-o-w d-o-w-n, and really see her. Here are seven ways to do just that! Lenae Bulthuis https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/7-ways-you-can-check-your-girl Thu, 08 Apr 2021 10:42:40 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/easter-grace-seize-teaching-opportunity Sometimes, we miss opportunities. Sometimes that's OK. Maybe we are too tired to pay attention. Maybe we think we will have another chance, and often we will. Maybe we recognize the crucial minute when we are granted the opportunity to teach, but we let the moment pass without speaking. Nadia Swearingen-Friesen https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/easter-grace-seize-teaching-opportunity Thu, 01 Apr 2021 12:03:30 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/equipping-families-grow-faith-together In a recent webinar, Marilyn Sharpe of Vibrant Faith stated that only one out of ten families talk about faith or God anyplace outside of the church building. Mimi Larson https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/equipping-families-grow-faith-together Wed, 10 Mar 2021 17:05:23 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/dive-kids-corners-new-website Hello from Kids Corner! Kids Corner’s got a brand new look! And we are inviting you and your kids to check it out! Ron VandenBurg https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/dive-kids-corners-new-website Mon, 09 Nov 2020 00:45:42 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/children-worship/10-ways-connect-girls-your-church Connecting with girls during COVID may not be easy, but it’s never mattered more! Pre-COVID, our girls knew the heartache of FOMO (Fear of Missing Out), loneliness, rejection, and girl drama. Lenae Bulthuis https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/children-worship/10-ways-connect-girls-your-church Sun, 25 Oct 2020 22:20:09 +0000