https://network.crcna.org/ The Network en Thu, 25 Apr 2024 03:38:20 +0000 Mon, 20 Mar 2023 04:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/intergenerational-ministry/you-gift-graduate-bible-do When our young adult daughter was moving out, we wanted to buy her a Bible she could take with her.  Karen DeBoer https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/intergenerational-ministry/you-gift-graduate-bible-do Mon, 20 Mar 2023 04:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/maybe-what-we-need-most-right-now-bedtime-song Last month I changed my email profile picture to a preschool photo of myself. Karen DeBoer https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/maybe-what-we-need-most-right-now-bedtime-song Sat, 25 Apr 2020 18:50:43 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/church-your-families-need-help-and-adding-more-programs Recently I facilitated a workshop on family faith formation for a group of parents whose children ranged in age from newborns through young adults. We began with a reading of Deuteronomy 6:5-9—our call from God to form the faith of our children: Karen DeBoer https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/church-your-families-need-help-and-adding-more-programs Tue, 20 Aug 2019 13:23:02 +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/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/life-changing-impact-belonging The day 5-year-old Axel brought his plastic blue guitar to church, he walked to the front of the sanctuary, wove in and out of the praise team band, found a place to stand between the drummer and the guitarist, and began to play. Karen DeBoer https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/life-changing-impact-belonging Thu, 09 Feb 2017 17:13:03 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/intergenerational-ministry/eattogether A Canadian grocery store chain recently released a video as part of their mission to get people to #EatTogether. I imagine that food producers love the video because it invites consumers to associate food with great things like friendship and community. I love the video because it demon Karen DeBoer https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/intergenerational-ministry/eattogether Thu, 12 Jan 2017 20:16:23 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/9-reasons-attend-intergenerate There are only a few weeks left to register for InterGenerate a conference to be held at the beautiful Lipscomb University in Nashville on June 25-27, 2017. Karen DeBoer https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/9-reasons-attend-intergenerate Thu, 12 Jan 2017 15:11:59 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/intergenerational-ideas-advent By this point in November, two groups of people have Christmas on the brain: 1) those who work in retail and who are frantically stocking their shelves with all that glitters and 2) those who work in faith formation ministries and who are frantically searching their shelves for advent gold. Karen DeBoer https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/intergenerational-ideas-advent Fri, 11 Nov 2016 19:04:10 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/chicago-cubs-big-dreams-and-knowing-each-others-someday After the final out of Game 7 of the Chicago Cub winning World Series, Nike aired an ad called ‘Someday.' It features a young boy playing all the positions on the dirt of a baseball diamond at a local baseball field. Karen DeBoer https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/chicago-cubs-big-dreams-and-knowing-each-others-someday Thu, 03 Nov 2016 17:29:22 +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/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/two-back-school-ways-encourage-children-church As the end of the summer approaches, kids start thinking about the changes ahead. Entering a new grade, attending a different school, making friends and getting to know an unfamiliar teacher are all significant changes in the life of a school aged child. Karen DeBoer https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/two-back-school-ways-encourage-children-church Wed, 10 Aug 2016 16:34:15 +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 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/two-year-olds-tell-story In the spring of 2015 Faith Formation Ministries launched a crowdfunding campaign to support the revision of the God Loves Me storybooks. Karen DeBoer https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/two-year-olds-tell-story Tue, 31 May 2016 18:03:13 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/intergenerational-ministry/fresh-ideas-sharing-gods-story-intergenerational Looking for an easy way to enter into God’s story with a mixed age group that includes young children? Wondering how to introduce Bible stories to people for whom English is a new language? Karen DeBoer https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/intergenerational-ministry/fresh-ideas-sharing-gods-story-intergenerational Tue, 24 Nov 2015 13:59:20 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/sunday-school/nurturing-faith/knock-knock-communion-calling Picture this: a small group of 2nd and 3rd grade children are seated in a circle on the floor and staring at their Sunday school leader with wide eyed wonder as she describes how Jael took a tent peg and drove it into a sleeping Sisera's head. Suddenly there’s a knock at the door. Karen DeBoer https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/sunday-school/nurturing-faith/knock-knock-communion-calling Mon, 31 Aug 2015 19:58:07 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/college-care-packages-nurture-faith I received one very memorable care package when I was a student at Dordt College. It was my first year living off campus and my mom thoughtfully sent a package containing both the recipe and the dried ingredients for my favorite meal — sweet and sour meatballs and rice. Karen DeBoer https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/college-care-packages-nurture-faith Tue, 11 Aug 2015 13:57:19 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/coffee-break/childrens-ministry-leaders/turning-challenges-0 In Part 1, we considered ways to create an environment that encourages and supports children with learning and behavioral challenges. But what about parents? Karen DeBoer https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/coffee-break/childrens-ministry-leaders/turning-challenges-0 Tue, 14 Jul 2015 12:43:22 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/coffee-break/childrens-ministry-leaders/turning-challenges-opportunities My first job after college was working as an Early Childhood Educator in the preschool room of a daycare. I loved that job — singing songs, telling stories, and going on imaginary lion hunts are great ways to spend one’s day! There were some challenges though. Karen DeBoer https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/coffee-break/childrens-ministry-leaders/turning-challenges-opportunities Thu, 09 Jul 2015 18:36:57 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/sunday-school/nurturing-faith/standing-holy-ground Today I read an email that took my breath away. I asked the author if I could share it here as a way to encourage you and to thank you for all of the prayers, time, energy, patience, and love you put each week into nurturing the faith of children as you dwell in God's story together. Karen DeBoer https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/sunday-school/nurturing-faith/standing-holy-ground Thu, 18 Jun 2015 19:20:49 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/children-worship/good-bad-and-smelly-communion-blessings I was once asked on a Sunday morning if I could serve the juice for communion when we celebrated the Lord’s Supper later during our worship service. It was suggested that I say “The body of Christ was broken for you” to each person as they came forward to receive the juice I would be holding. Karen DeBoer https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/children-worship/good-bad-and-smelly-communion-blessings Wed, 13 May 2015 18:51:27 +0000