https://network.crcna.org/ The Network en Fri, 19 Apr 2024 12:12:30 +0000 Thu, 21 Jul 2022 13:27:11 +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/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/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/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/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/helping-children-your-ministry-express-gratitude Because children are growing up in a consumer-driven world, it’s easy to fall into the habit of being me-centered. How can we intentionally nurture gratitude in their hearts so that they turn their eyes toward others too? Mimi Larson https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/helping-children-your-ministry-express-gratitude Thu, 08 Oct 2020 13:41:03 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/engaging-children-rhythms-rest Sometimes it is daunting to think about entering into various spiritual practices with children, especially the spiritual practice of sabbath or rest. If you have ever been around a group of children, words like “quiet,” “peaceful,” or “restful,” are not usually used to describe them.  Mimi Larson https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/engaging-children-rhythms-rest Wed, 16 Sep 2020 12:02:27 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/what-do-you-mean-i-should-take-nap In a church I was part of years ago, the staff and elders spent two years participating together in a retreat-based spiritual formational experience hosted by the Transforming Center. Mimi Larson https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/what-do-you-mean-i-should-take-nap Tue, 08 Sep 2020 15:35:47 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/turning-childrens-ministry-upside-down If you work in a church, and particularly in children’s ministry, this has probably been your most challenging year ever. Mimi Larson https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/turning-childrens-ministry-upside-down Tue, 14 Jul 2020 15:54:43 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/5-factors-influence-resilience-children In a recent online roundtable with children’s ministry directors, some colleagues and I were considering how the COVID-19 pandemic that we’re all grappling with will affect children. Topics we talked about included these: Laura Keeley https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/5-factors-influence-resilience-children Thu, 28 May 2020 15:13:01 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/how-your-childrens-ministry-can-emerge-stronger-and-better As we continue living through this global pandemic, ministry with children over the summer (and potentially in the fall) will look very different than in prior years. Mimi Larson https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/how-your-childrens-ministry-can-emerge-stronger-and-better Tue, 12 May 2020 17:11:10 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/i-wonder-if-god-here In my work with children, I highly value the concept of wondering: the ability to be curious, to ponder and question something, and maybe even to doubt. Mimi Larson https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/i-wonder-if-god-here Wed, 08 Apr 2020 16:24:25 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/shepherding-children-your-church-difficult-times Recently the Prime Minister of Norway held a press conference just for the children of her country. Mimi Larson https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/shepherding-children-your-church-difficult-times Thu, 19 Mar 2020 00:11:07 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/3-simple-actions-engaging-children-lent We are now in the season of Lent, the six-week period before Easter where we remember Christ’s journey to the cross. While we eagerly engage children in Advent, the season preceding Christmas, engaging children during the season of Lent can be a little tougher.  Mimi Larson https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/3-simple-actions-engaging-children-lent Wed, 26 Feb 2020 18:02:17 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/dear-childrens-ministry-workers Recently I’ve been listening to the podcast Moonrise, which focuses on how and why astronauts first landed on the moon. Mimi Larson https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/dear-childrens-ministry-workers Mon, 20 Jan 2020 19:16:28 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/dont-quit-just-yet August – the dog days of summer. It’s hot, and in Chicago where I live, it is also a time of high humidity where you don’t want to move too fast. You are just slow and sluggish. But ask any children’s ministry leader and you will find that August is anything but slow and sluggish. Mimi Larson https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/dont-quit-just-yet Thu, 08 Aug 2019 18:52:13 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/sunday-school/introducing-mimi-larson We are excited to introduce to you the newest member of our Faith Formation Ministries team: Mimi Larson. Mimi serves as the CRC's Children's Ministry Catalyzer.  Thrive (CRCNA) https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/sunday-school/introducing-mimi-larson Wed, 14 Mar 2018 18:33:03 +0000