https://network.crcna.org/ The Network en Fri, 19 Apr 2024 00:40:59 +0000 Tue, 02 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/sunday-school/organizing/new-years-checklist Happy New Year! By now you are almost halfway through the educational year, and you’ve tackled some of your most labor-intensive months. Karen DeBoer https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/sunday-school/organizing/new-years-checklist Tue, 02 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/how-choose-childrens-storybook-bible-0 My office shelves are lined with children’s storybook Bibles. Some feature fabulous illustrations along with thoughtfully written stories rooted in rich theology. Others, not so much. Karen DeBoer https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/how-choose-childrens-storybook-bible-0 Thu, 18 Nov 2021 14:36:15 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/dwell-curriculum/why-im-so-excited-about-multi-age-multi In 2007, after years of research and in response to requests from churches who were looking for an alternative to an age-graded children’s ministry curriculum, Faith Alive published Kid Connection, a large-group/small-group curriculum with an interactive approach to faith formation. Karen DeBoer https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/dwell-curriculum/why-im-so-excited-about-multi-age-multi Wed, 17 Nov 2021 20:23:57 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/children-worship/5-terrific-tips-telling-gods-story Last Sunday, a chicken named Pearl attended our online worship service. Also in attendance: Anu’s stuffed bear, the Webers’ dog Ella, a photo of Linda’s cow, and a bunny (who hopped away before being properly introduced).  Karen DeBoer https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/children-worship/5-terrific-tips-telling-gods-story Tue, 21 Jul 2020 12:49:26 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/children-worship/pentecost-ideas-worshipping-kids-online I love the opening moments of our church’s zoom worship when each household is welcomed as their faces pop up on the screen. Like a modern-day Romper Room, the children are greeted by name: “Hi, Evelyn!” “Welcome, Weber family! Karen DeBoer https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/children-worship/pentecost-ideas-worshipping-kids-online Tue, 12 May 2020 11:59:25 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/palm-sunday-ideas-including-kids-online-worship-during Just because we’re not worshipping in person doesn’t mean we have to give up the excitement of a Palm Sunday parade with the kids this year. Here are some ideas to help as you plan:   Karen DeBoer https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/palm-sunday-ideas-including-kids-online-worship-during Thu, 02 Apr 2020 12:12:10 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/everyday-ways-help-families-form-faith-when-theyre-stuck For the past week I’ve been watching online as children’s ministry leaders and church educators do what they do best—find creative ways to encourage, support, and equip parents who are home with their kids. Karen DeBoer https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/everyday-ways-help-families-form-faith-when-theyre-stuck Tue, 17 Mar 2020 16:01:40 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/35-tech-free-faith-forming-fun-activities-families-do-home THEY'RE HOOOOME! And while you love spending time with your kids, you’ve got work to do—whether it’s paid or unpaid. Here’s a fun idea to try with your family this summer. It’s tech-free, faith-forming, and fun! Karen DeBoer https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/35-tech-free-faith-forming-fun-activities-families-do-home Tue, 17 Mar 2020 14:49:40 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/dwell-curriculum/i-love-holy-week-resource-families-and-its If you’re the parent, teacher, or caregiver of a school-age child, you know from experience that there are times when telling God’s story leads to conversations for which you feel incredibly unprepared. Karen DeBoer https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/dwell-curriculum/i-love-holy-week-resource-families-and-its Thu, 05 Mar 2020 15:54:06 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/what-you-do-vbs-and-how-you-do-it-matters Where I live the snow is starting to melt, spring is in the air, and two groups of people—gardeners and Vacation Bible School (VBS) leaders—are thinking about the seeds they’ll be planting and nurturing this summer.  Karen DeBoer https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/what-you-do-vbs-and-how-you-do-it-matters Fri, 28 Feb 2020 01:08:09 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/sunday-school/seasonal-ideas/christmas/what-give-kids I love pointing people to resources that will provide them with a simple and meaningful way to nurture faith. Karen DeBoer https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/sunday-school/seasonal-ideas/christmas/what-give-kids Wed, 17 Oct 2018 13:09:35 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/sunday-school/curriculum/intergenerational-alternative-or One of the blessings of developing resources for Faith Formation Ministries is receiving resource requests from church leaders and through our team of Regional Catalyzers. One request that I’ve heard a few times this year goes something like this: Karen DeBoer https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/sunday-school/curriculum/intergenerational-alternative-or Tue, 17 Jul 2018 15:09:24 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/sunday-school/ultimate-toolkit-childrens-ministry-leaders Sunday school. Promiseland. KidsConnect. SONlife. Karen DeBoer https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/sunday-school/ultimate-toolkit-childrens-ministry-leaders Wed, 14 Feb 2018 19:13:32 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/sunday-school/curriculum/if-youd-try-intergenerational Imagine this: a Sunday morning gathering in which people form intergenerational relationships as all ages eat breakfast together and participate in a time of Bible study, worship, and recreation. Intrigued? Me too. Karen DeBoer https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/sunday-school/curriculum/if-youd-try-intergenerational Sun, 11 Feb 2018 17:45:19 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/sunday-school/exciting-news-crc-childrens-ministry-leaders I’ve never sailed solo in a boat. But having been in charge of coordinating the children’s ministry at a Christian Reformed church, I’ve experienced what it feels like to float alone. Maybe you’ve felt adrift at times in your children’s ministry leadership role too. Karen DeBoer https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/sunday-school/exciting-news-crc-childrens-ministry-leaders Wed, 31 Jan 2018 18:13:19 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/sunday-school/teaching/five-pointers-praying-kids I don’t remember the course content, the final exam, or the other students in my favorite university course at Dordt College in Sioux Center, Iowa. What I do remember and what I looked forward to most each day was the professor’s opening prayer. Karen DeBoer https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/sunday-school/teaching/five-pointers-praying-kids Mon, 31 Jul 2017 18:53:59 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/sunday-school/every-pastor-crc-should-hear Research on young adults and their absence from formal faith communities has been a popular topic of conversation for the past decade. It’s leading our churches to change course in the ways we’ve been discipling youth and enfolding young adults. Karen DeBoer https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/sunday-school/every-pastor-crc-should-hear Wed, 10 May 2017 15:32:27 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/sunday-school/seasonal-ideas/easter/6-tools-building-faith One Christmas as I stood in the kitchen sprinkling silver balls on sugar cookies, seven year old Kailey wandered in and asked, “Mom how come you decorate the whole house for Christmas but you don’t do anything special for Easter? Isn’t Easter just as important as Christmas?”    Karen DeBoer https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/sunday-school/seasonal-ideas/easter/6-tools-building-faith Wed, 29 Mar 2017 18:08:34 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/sunday-school/curriculum/8-simple-ways-remind-kids-and Have you seen the ‘I’m Part of God’s Story’ design that Dwell curriculum posted to their Facebook page recently? Karen DeBoer https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/sunday-school/curriculum/8-simple-ways-remind-kids-and Tue, 13 Sep 2016 14:07:27 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/sunday-school/curriculum/eight-things-about-creating Although our kids spent many hours during the first 16 years of their lives as passengers in our family car, it wasn’t until they began learning to drive themselves that they ever considered all the details that go into driving a car. Karen DeBoer https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/sunday-school/curriculum/eight-things-about-creating Fri, 17 Jun 2016 16:08:57 +0000