https://network.crcna.org/ The Network en Fri, 19 Apr 2024 16:08:14 +0000 Mon, 15 Dec 2014 17:01:08 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/racial-reconciliation/still-waiting-something-better It has been impossible not to hear of several tragic incidents of death of black men during confrontations with police. I have been struck and saddened by the deaths of people I did not know--Michael Brown and Eric Garner and there were others in recent memory as well. James Dekker https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/racial-reconciliation/still-waiting-something-better Mon, 15 Dec 2014 17:01:08 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/something-other-lectionary Some years ago I attended a session of one congregation’s long-term visioning project. James Dekker https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/something-other-lectionary Tue, 11 Feb 2014 11:36:15 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/rob-ford-and-pastors Recent weeks have produced tumultuous news in Toronto and, unfortunately, around the world. Six months ago Mayor Rob Ford was accused of smoking crack cocaine. James Dekker https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/rob-ford-and-pastors Mon, 09 Dec 2013 11:34:05 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/we-believe-help-our-unbelief I still cannot comprehend these facts three weeks after it all began. James Dekker https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/we-believe-help-our-unbelief Tue, 28 May 2013 13:44:42 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/crcna-and-synod/time-pack-er Synod and Summer 2012 have come and gone. Where I live (Niagara in southern Ontario) the weather was hot and dry—less than 3 inches of rain between June 1 and September 1. James Dekker https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/crcna-and-synod/time-pack-er Sat, 08 Sep 2012 20:21:50 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/crcna-and-synod/neat-and-tidy-graciously-messy Synod 2007 formed the Faith Formation Committee with the mandate to shepherd the denomination towards a fresh understanding of the place of children at the Lord’s table and the role of a public profession of faith within this place. James Dekker https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/crcna-and-synod/neat-and-tidy-graciously-messy Mon, 27 Aug 2012 13:40:57 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/crcna-and-synod/puzzling-about-creation-care-part-2-rant That pre-synod blog on creation care I mentioned in my last blog garnered several responses. One was even more flinty-eyed than my own offering. James Dekker https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/crcna-and-synod/puzzling-about-creation-care-part-2-rant Mon, 13 Aug 2012 19:37:48 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/crcna-and-synod/puzzling-about-creation-care-part-1 I was not able to attend or listen to the discussion at Synod 2012 about creation care. It’s only fitting that the physically largest report to Synod engendered one of the longest, and warm, if not most heated, discussion. (Talk about global warming!) James Dekker https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/crcna-and-synod/puzzling-about-creation-care-part-1 Fri, 03 Aug 2012 21:10:08 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/crcna-and-synod/process-worked It did and it didn’t happen at Synod—about the Belhar Confession, I mean. I was not the only person expecting a mean-spirited, even divisive, debate. That didn’t happen. Thanks be to God--the delegates and the advisory committee. James Dekker https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/crcna-and-synod/process-worked Thu, 28 Jun 2012 15:13:42 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/crcna-and-synod/living-confessionally-covenant So, welcome to the post-Synod post-mortem #1. I’m hoping there will be four or five of these in the next few weeks. But I’m soon going on holidays (that’s Canadian for “vacation,” eh!?) and plan to be far out of reach of electrons for a good part of that time. James Dekker https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/crcna-and-synod/living-confessionally-covenant Sat, 23 Jun 2012 15:54:17 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/crcna-and-synod/name-change-will-it-be-relief-be-renew Sometime in the next few days Synod will be faced with a significant decision about Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (CRWRC). Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, a process to change the name of CRWRC has been in the works for at least two years. James Dekker https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/crcna-and-synod/name-change-will-it-be-relief-be-renew Sat, 09 Jun 2012 02:30:08 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/crcna-and-synod/real-creation-care-or-just-more-words-and-trees-gone-0 Weighing in at 114 pages, including a biblically complete number of seven appendices, the Creation Stewardship Task Force Report (Agenda for Synod 2012, pp. James Dekker https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/crcna-and-synod/real-creation-care-or-just-more-words-and-trees-gone-0 Mon, 04 Jun 2012 20:11:54 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/crcna-and-synod/form-subscription-or-covenant-eternal-debate Jesus said the poor will always be with us. Ripping his passionate and compassionate observation completely out of context, it is tempting to say the “The Form of Subscription Revision Study Committee” will always be with us as well. James Dekker https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/crcna-and-synod/form-subscription-or-covenant-eternal-debate Sun, 03 Jun 2012 03:14:42 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/crcna-and-synod/belhar-down-or-sideways I first read the Belhar Confession when our family was serving with Christian Reformed World Missions in Venezuela between 1984 and 1986. James Dekker https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/crcna-and-synod/belhar-down-or-sideways Mon, 28 May 2012 21:40:20 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/crcna-and-synod/officer-and-gentle-delegate One of the most interesting events that goes on during the first morning of Synod is election of officers—President, Vice-President, 1st Clerk and 2nd Clerk. Before the days of computer voting, the President pro tempore led that session as nominations were heard from the floor. James Dekker https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/crcna-and-synod/officer-and-gentle-delegate Mon, 28 May 2012 16:28:54 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/crcna-and-synod/great-expectations-synod-through-rookies-eyes I’m 29. I’m Canadian. I’m pastor at Trinity CRC in St. Catharines, Ontario with two whole years of experience under my belt. And I’m a first-time delegate to Synod 2012. James Dekker https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/crcna-and-synod/great-expectations-synod-through-rookies-eyes Mon, 28 May 2012 01:09:25 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/crcna-and-synod/where-have-some-delegates-gone In less than three weeks delegates from the 47 classes of the CRCNA will gather at Redeemer University College in Ancaster, Ontario for a week of synod meetings. James Dekker https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/crcna-and-synod/where-have-some-delegates-gone Thu, 24 May 2012 00:48:26 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/crcna-and-synod/synods-agenda-brussels-airport Sorry for not writing for two weeks. Rose and I travelled to The Gambia, accompanying CRWM and CRWRC staff and family from West Africa on a spiritual retreat. James Dekker https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/crcna-and-synod/synods-agenda-brussels-airport Thu, 10 May 2012 21:06:47 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/crcna-and-synod/back-atcha Well, well, well. It has been a while since I've taken an active part in The Network. I even had to look up my password this morning as I was getting ready to write this first blog for Synod. James Dekker https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/crcna-and-synod/back-atcha Fri, 20 Apr 2012 20:35:08 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/its-closin-time Leonard Cohen wrote and sings a long, complex song called “It’s Closin’ Time.” It’s full of varied images and scenes that evoke life’s excitement, unpredictability, the rare possibility of controlling much, but dealing with it without anxiety.Sort of like The Network, I think. James Dekker https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/its-closin-time Tue, 24 May 2011 13:11:29 +0000