https://network.crcna.org/ The Network en Sat, 20 Apr 2024 01:42:10 +0000 Wed, 28 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-administration/church-communications/church-staff-life-behind-customer-service-counter When I was in my first congregation I regularly invited church members to review my sermons, knowing that I had a lot to learn and, at the same time, cringing at the thought of hearing real feedback from real people. Dave Den Haan https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-administration/church-communications/church-staff-life-behind-customer-service-counter Wed, 28 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/council/no-shortcuts-how-not-do-conflict-and-challenge-church Here are four anxiety-producing church scenarios to think about– versions of what we at Thrive see from time to time. You might be able to relate to one or all of them: Dave Den Haan https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/council/no-shortcuts-how-not-do-conflict-and-challenge-church Mon, 22 Jan 2024 05:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-administration/church-communications/communication-challenges-church In almost every church consultation that we participate in we hear people in leadership and in the congregation say, “We need to improve communication around here” and “We just don’t know what is going on anymore.” Communication is often an area of struggle for congregations, but especially so wh Dave Den Haan https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-administration/church-communications/communication-challenges-church Thu, 06 Jul 2023 04:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/pitfalls-retirement-planning-and-some-things-consider-early-your-career Yet another person in my age group is retiring early. I am fifty five. The woman who is retiring is fifty one.  I may be a bit jealous, but nonetheless here’s my hope for her: That she’s well prepared for her retirement.  Dave Den Haan https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/pitfalls-retirement-planning-and-some-things-consider-early-your-career Fri, 17 Feb 2023 05:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/hey-pastor-do-yourself-and-your-church-favor A few years ago a dog found his way onto a baseball field where a professional baseball game was underway. Players, umpires, coaches, and fans all began to yell at the dog, calling him to come, to go, to sit, to heel. Dave Den Haan https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/hey-pastor-do-yourself-and-your-church-favor Tue, 12 Jan 2021 15:59:28 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/deacons/who-supervises-minister-answer-might-surprise-you The Not-So-Annual Annual Evaluation Dave Den Haan https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/deacons/who-supervises-minister-answer-might-surprise-you Fri, 18 Sep 2020 00:40:56 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/elders-and-conflict I recently received an email from an office bearer who was heading into a council meeting that very night. It would be the third meeting in a row devoted to a particularly thorny issue. As is often the case, the issue had divided the congregation. Dave Den Haan https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/elders-and-conflict Tue, 17 Sep 2019 13:40:16 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/new-resource-help-churches-support-grieving-pastors Some time ago I was led to think seriously about pastors who experience significant loss while they are in ministry. I was talking with a pastor, and he shared with me the story of his wife’s death some years before. Dave Den Haan https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/new-resource-help-churches-support-grieving-pastors Tue, 11 Jun 2019 14:03:12 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/hospitality/getting-great-start-welcoming-your-new-pastor A HEART-WARMING QUESTION A few months ago a church elder emailed Pastor Church Resources to ask if we had any advice for their church on how to welcome their new pastor. What a wonderful question! Dave Den Haan https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/hospitality/getting-great-start-welcoming-your-new-pastor Wed, 01 May 2019 15:17:59 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/regional-pastors/regional-pastors-bookshelf-new-copernicans “Where have all the young adults gone?” Dave Den Haan https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/regional-pastors/regional-pastors-bookshelf-new-copernicans Tue, 19 Mar 2019 17:06:40 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/community-engagement/get-out "Where is my office?" Dave Den Haan https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/community-engagement/get-out Wed, 23 Jan 2019 18:35:57 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/continuing-education/i-loved-preachingor-so-i-had-been-telling-myself Two “Aha!” Moments After twenty three years of being a congregational pastor, I moved into denominational ministry this past February. What didn’t happen next was a surprise.    Dave Den Haan https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/continuing-education/i-loved-preachingor-so-i-had-been-telling-myself Thu, 13 Dec 2018 14:44:57 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/deacons/do-you-know-what-youre-doing Maybe you've seen this. . .  If you are a member of a congregation, you have seen elders and deacons serving the church. Maybe you have also seen elders and deacons come to the end of their terms disillusioned, weary, and frustrated. Dave Den Haan https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/deacons/do-you-know-what-youre-doing Thu, 25 Oct 2018 14:51:18 +0000