https://network.crcna.org/ The Network en Thu, 18 Apr 2024 06:29:01 +0000 Mon, 12 Jun 2023 04:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-administration/church-communications/bridge-app/6-ideas-getting-more-bridge-app With a little creativity and imagination, Canadian CRCs are continuing to find unique ways to tailor The Bridge App to address the needs of their local congregation. Ken Bosveld https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-administration/church-communications/bridge-app/6-ideas-getting-more-bridge-app Mon, 12 Jun 2023 04:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-administration/church-communications/bridge-app/ontario-church-injects-some-fun With post-pandemic church life gradually returning to ‘normal’, the congregation at New Life CRC (Guelph, Ontario) felt this was the right opportunity to ensure that the new normal was a better version of the old normal. Ken Bosveld https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-administration/church-communications/bridge-app/ontario-church-injects-some-fun Mon, 13 Mar 2023 04:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-administration/church-communications/bridge-app/bridge-app-adds-print-directory-and Throughout the pandemic, many churches turned to The Bridge App as a way to stay connected with members and to facilitate giving toward the church budget and other local ministry causes. Ken Bosveld https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-administration/church-communications/bridge-app/bridge-app-adds-print-directory-and Wed, 08 Feb 2023 05:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-administration/church-communications/bridge-app/ideas-strengthening-your-local-church Ideas for deepening a local church’s prayer ministry were shared during a March 8 video town hall (hosted by CRC prayers leaders and The Bridge App). Ken Bosveld https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-administration/church-communications/bridge-app/ideas-strengthening-your-local-church Mon, 14 Mar 2022 17:22:26 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-administration/church-communications/bridge-app/praying-together-sunday-7 Like many other Christian Reformed congregations, members of Winnipeg’s Transcona CRC were unable to meet in person during the pandemic’s initial lockdown. Ken Bosveld https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-administration/church-communications/bridge-app/praying-together-sunday-7 Tue, 21 Dec 2021 20:54:42 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-administration/church-communications/bridge-app/how-bridge-app-can-assist-your As smartphones and tablets have now slightly overtaken personal computers as the primary means for accessing digital information, local churches are also re-assessing how they communicate with their members. Ken Bosveld https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-administration/church-communications/bridge-app/how-bridge-app-can-assist-your Tue, 04 May 2021 17:33:43 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-administration/church-communications/bridge-app-allows-churches-cope-pandemic As local churches move rapidly to respond to the challenges brought on by the COVID pandemic, The Bridge App has also been responding quickly to support and assist participating churches. Ken Bosveld https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-administration/church-communications/bridge-app-allows-churches-cope-pandemic Fri, 16 Oct 2020 12:09:45 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-administration/church-communications/bridge-app/utilizing-bridge-app-during-covid-19 A successful emergency plan depends on timely and effective communication. Recent events have forced churches to shift into emergency mode, with the cancellation of services and meetings, the need to communicate with members in a rapidly changing environment, and no clear timeline for when t Ken Bosveld https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-administration/church-communications/bridge-app/utilizing-bridge-app-during-covid-19 Thu, 19 Mar 2020 18:49:28 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/low-cost-low-tech-options-sharing-sundays-sermon During this time when worship services in the church building have been suspended, there are options for sharing Sunday’s message with your members. Ken Bosveld https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/low-cost-low-tech-options-sharing-sundays-sermon Thu, 19 Mar 2020 00:35:38 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-administration/church-communications/bridge-app/your-church-directory-your-smartphone As the catchy theme song from the ‘80s and ‘90s sitcom Cheers puts it, "You wanna be where everybody knows your name." Or, from the reverse perspective, if people don’t know your name it implies you’re still an outsider. Ken Bosveld https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-administration/church-communications/bridge-app/your-church-directory-your-smartphone Tue, 03 Mar 2020 13:49:48 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-administration/church-admin-finance/best-practices-operational-oversight-and-staff Representatives from 10 churches in Southern Ontario recently met for a facilitated conversation, guided by Pastor Church Resources, to examine the challenges and opportunities of staff ministry while operating under a council-governed structure. The goal of the day was to benefit from Ken Bosveld https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-administration/church-admin-finance/best-practices-operational-oversight-and-staff Tue, 23 Apr 2019 18:24:20 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-administration/church-admin-finance/whats-email-address First impressions are important. And while it may seem quite innocuous and innocent, an email address can play a major role in casting a first impression of your congregation. Ken Bosveld https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-administration/church-admin-finance/whats-email-address Tue, 09 Apr 2019 16:24:16 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-administration/church-admin-finance/does-your-church-have-communication-strategy Managing the distribution of information is becoming an increasing challenge for all organizations, and churches are not immune. Ken Bosveld https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-administration/church-admin-finance/does-your-church-have-communication-strategy Mon, 01 Oct 2018 17:42:15 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-administration/church-admin-finance/software-scheduling-church-volunteers Churches depend so much on volunteers, and in such a variety of roles, that it's difficult to effectively coordinate everything manually. Is your church using volunteer management/scheduling software?  If so, please share some info about your experience. Ken Bosveld https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-administration/church-admin-finance/software-scheduling-church-volunteers Wed, 19 Sep 2018 12:47:47 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/church-coaching/5-steps-putting-good-ideas-action Ideas for new practices or programs may be plentiful, but the deeper challenge is in successful implementation and making the changes stick.  In this article by Pastor Jim Hoffman, as published by the Lewis Center for Church Leadership, five steps or stages are outlined for putting good idea Jim Hoffman https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/church-coaching/5-steps-putting-good-ideas-action Wed, 15 Aug 2018 12:22:57 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/ministry-coordination/your-five-biggest-volunteer-recruiting-questions-answered Encouraging the people of your church to step forward and serve in volunteer roles can be frustrating, but it doesn’t have to be, according to LifeWay’s Todd Adkins, Daniel Im, and Eric Geiger, hosts of the 5 Leadership Questions podcast. Ken Bosveld https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/ministry-coordination/your-five-biggest-volunteer-recruiting-questions-answered Tue, 26 Jun 2018 15:25:59 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/ministry-coordination/12-things-your-volunteers-expect Volunteers give of their time to help a church fulfill its mission and have basic expectations. Successful volunteer programs are able to create a positive work experience by providing the organization and support to the volunteer and their job assignments. Smart Church Management https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/ministry-coordination/12-things-your-volunteers-expect Tue, 22 May 2018 13:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/community-engagement/doing-community-ministry-small-church-0 Sometimes small congregations assume that any significant community ministry effort is beyond their reach. They often keenly feel their limitations as they work to keep internal church programs going with limited staff and volunteers. Joy F. Skjegstad https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/community-engagement/doing-community-ministry-small-church-0 Tue, 22 May 2018 12:36:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/community-engagement/50-ways-take-church-community-0 No longer can we simply ask, “What can we do to get people to come to our church?” We must also consider, “How can we go into the world to encounter those in need of the gospel?” Ken Bosveld https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/community-engagement/50-ways-take-church-community-0 Tue, 06 Feb 2018 13:32:07 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/ministry-coordination/challenge-leading-volunteers Although each church is unique, there are a few things all churches have in common, one of which is the challenge of finding ministry volunteers. Ken Bosveld https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/ministry-coordination/challenge-leading-volunteers Sat, 06 Jan 2018 13:40:29 +0000