https://network.crcna.org/ The Network en Fri, 19 Apr 2024 06:27:43 +0000 Fri, 12 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/church-renewal/fresh-ideas/every-tribe-people-language-and-nation Imagine sitting in a crowded room with 50 people and listening to folks from 16 different Christian Reformed churches each tell their congregational story for 20 minutes – for a total of  more than 6 hours in one day!   Thrive (CRCNA) https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/church-renewal/fresh-ideas/every-tribe-people-language-and-nation Fri, 12 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/pathway-easter-simple-lent-bag-activity-families I’ve found that one of the most difficult concepts for kids to grasp about Lent is the length. At 40 days (46 if you include Sundays), the season is nearly twice as long as Advent, and without the normal rhythms of preparation we experience during the Christmas season. Jill Benson https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/pathway-easter-simple-lent-bag-activity-families Mon, 20 Feb 2023 13:00:11 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-practices/only-wrong-way-pray-not-pray-open-wonder Jill Weber, Global Convenor of The Order of the Mustard Seed, lives near the ruins of a 12th century monastery on the Waverley Abbey Estate in the United Kingdom. Thrive (CRCNA) https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-practices/only-wrong-way-pray-not-pray-open-wonder Wed, 31 Aug 2022 13:29:42 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/when-corporate-ladder-wrong-wall-open-wonder In the midst of a tense corporate merger, more than 50 staff members joined a spontaneous prayer meeting in the company auditorium because Colin Watson told his CEO, “We need to pray about this.” Years later, retired CRCNA Executive Director Colin Watson shares how being attentive to God at work Thrive (CRCNA) https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/when-corporate-ladder-wrong-wall-open-wonder Tue, 16 Aug 2022 14:04:44 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/it-my-lunch-speaking-or-lord-open-wonder What does God’s voice sound like? How does God speak today? Summer Mohrlang, spiritual director with Soul Formation, responds to the questions we’re wondering about, including “What does a spiritual director actually do?” Thrive (CRCNA) https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/it-my-lunch-speaking-or-lord-open-wonder Thu, 11 Aug 2022 13:15:34 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/appreciation-muscle-you-can-strengthen-open-wonder April Fiet describes herself as a pastor, parent, and recovering perfectionist. She’s also an author, weed-puller, and backyard-chicken-feeder. Thrive (CRCNA) https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/appreciation-muscle-you-can-strengthen-open-wonder Tue, 26 Jul 2022 13:23:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/tools-and-resources-choosing-sunday-morning-childrens All curricula teaches theology in some way. Whether during education hour or the worship service, the curriculum your church uses is introducing your children to God’s word. Are you certain it’s teaching the Bible in a way that is consistent with your theology?  Thrive (CRCNA) https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/tools-and-resources-choosing-sunday-morning-childrens Thu, 21 Jul 2022 13:27:11 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/new-podcast-season-fun-and-faith-forming-summer-listen We’re back for Season 2 of Open to Wonder! This time we’re exploring faith practices—the repeated ways of connecting with God that help us become more like Jesus. And you're invited to join us. Thrive (CRCNA) https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/new-podcast-season-fun-and-faith-forming-summer-listen Thu, 14 Jul 2022 13:56:19 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/how-storytelling-can-help-your-church-grow-faith When my father was about 10 years old, he was late getting out of the house for school one day. He grabbed his metal lunch pail and ran out the door to Aunt Lena’s waiting car full of all his siblings. Trudy Ash https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/how-storytelling-can-help-your-church-grow-faith Thu, 14 Jul 2022 13:49:37 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/finding-your-place-family-tree Last night over dinner, my husband and I listened to a dear friend share her recent journey to find relatives she never knew existed.* This discovery of ancestors on her family tree is opening doors to connect and establish relationships with their descendants. Mimi Larson https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/finding-your-place-family-tree Mon, 27 Jun 2022 17:44:10 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/community-engagement/serving-and-summer-go-hand-hand For many of us, the summer season brings the smell of hotdogs cooking, s’mores burning and the enjoyment of sipping a cold beverage on the deck. Ron DeVries https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/community-engagement/serving-and-summer-go-hand-hand Thu, 09 Jun 2022 12:59:19 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/how-holy-week-resource-families-inspired-crcna-staff Since its release in 2020, we’ve loved seeing the creative ways people have used the Dwell at Home resource, God’s Big Easter Story, to he Thrive (CRCNA) https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/how-holy-week-resource-families-inspired-crcna-staff Tue, 12 Apr 2022 13:59:32 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/how-covenant-crc-created-play-church-communicate-belonging Our church was in the midst of giving our nursery a fresh, new look and as this project took off, we found ourselves wrestling with ideas of what to include for dramatic play. Jennifer Uitvlugt https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/how-covenant-crc-created-play-church-communicate-belonging Wed, 06 Apr 2022 15:03:21 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/what-does-participating-lords-supper-mean-you Talking about faith together doesn’t have to be daunting. It can be as simple as asking a good question. Here’s one: what does participating in the Lord’s Supper mean to you? Megan Herrema https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/what-does-participating-lords-supper-mean-you Tue, 11 Jan 2022 01:00:30 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/faith-practice-celebration In A Habit Called Faith, Jen Pollock Michel writes, “Although Christians have a long and unfortunate history of making every pleasure a guilty one, [the narrative of the wedding at Cana] doesn’t tolerate asceticism fo Sandy Swartzentruber https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/faith-practice-celebration Mon, 13 Dec 2021 20:41:21 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/how-your-church-can-help-build-resilience-your-children-and It’s been a year since I wrote about how the pandemic is impacting our children and youth, and the pandemic is still not over. Lesli van Milligen https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/how-your-church-can-help-build-resilience-your-children-and Tue, 07 Dec 2021 14:40:56 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/church-coaching/take-fresh-look-how-faith-grows-building-blocks-faith When was the last time your congregation asked questions like these:  What does maturing in faith look like? How are we encouraging and equipping people to mature in their faith? What groups and/or areas of growth might we be missing? Thrive (CRCNA) https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/church-coaching/take-fresh-look-how-faith-grows-building-blocks-faith Thu, 18 Nov 2021 15:04:42 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/communal-psalm-celebration Celebration has been difficult over the past two years. But there is still much to celebrate—and celebration is actually a faith practice (or spiritual discipline).  Thrive (CRCNA) https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/communal-psalm-celebration Wed, 27 Oct 2021 17:59:55 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/join-faith-formation-ministries-around-table One of the blessings of technology is the opportunity to gather people across great distances for significant conversations about ministry opportunities and challenges.  Lesli van Milligen https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/join-faith-formation-ministries-around-table Fri, 22 Oct 2021 14:40:03 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/great-ideas-making-most-out-vacation-bible-school This post is part of the Children's Ministry Toolkit - a collection of resources for building strong and vibrant children's ministry, brought to you by Faith Formation Ministries. Thrive (CRCNA) https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/great-ideas-making-most-out-vacation-bible-school Thu, 14 Oct 2021 14:06:39 +0000