https://network.crcna.org/ The Network en Tue, 16 Apr 2024 05:03:48 +0000 Thu, 18 Apr 2019 12:52:53 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/coffee-break/leaders/finishing-well Here we are at the end of another Coffee Break season. Ruth Kelder https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/coffee-break/leaders/finishing-well Thu, 18 Apr 2019 12:52:53 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/coffee-break/come-hungry-table-set Let’s imagine. . .  Ruth Kelder https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/coffee-break/come-hungry-table-set Thu, 21 Mar 2019 12:56:39 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/coffee-break/becoming-guest I was crammed in my seat flying off on a great adventure in Oman and Egypt. The purpose was to learn about interfaith dialogue while being immersed in a culture in which I would be the minority. I am Christian, and the culture I was stepping into is Muslim. Ruth Kelder https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/coffee-break/becoming-guest Thu, 31 Jan 2019 16:22:02 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/coffee-break/adapting-spirit Sometimes leaders may need to explore new ways to adapt. In fact, Coffee Break Founder Neva Evenhouse found herself in a similar position. Before Coffee Break became what it is now, there was a new church in South Holland. Ruth Kelder https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/coffee-break/adapting-spirit Wed, 17 Jan 2018 19:22:02 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/reporting-triads Some months ago, I gave you a glimpse of the “whys” and “whats” of Discipleship Triads and how they operate at CenterPointe Church, a young church plant in Plainfield, IL. Ruth Kelder https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/reporting-triads Wed, 12 Dec 2012 14:25:43 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/weightlifting-soul I finally admitted that my bad knee is starting to interfere with my life. I can no longer just ignore the fact that it doesn’t straighten or bend as it should. I find myself perking up when commercials for pain relievers play on TV. Ruth Kelder https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/weightlifting-soul Tue, 23 Aug 2011 13:05:28 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/so-longfarewellauf-wiedershengood-bye Here I am at the end of my six month stint of being a Network guide. I’ve put off the writing of my last blog because I haven’t been sure of what to say. My mind goes in all sorts of different directions, but I’ve narrowed my thoughts down to two. Ruth Kelder https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/so-longfarewellauf-wiedershengood-bye Wed, 15 Dec 2010 14:23:25 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/chicken-or-egg Mission…DiscipleshipDiscipleship…MissionWhich comes first, the chicken or the egg? Ruth Kelder https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/chicken-or-egg Tue, 30 Nov 2010 18:22:01 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/sent-jesus By now many of us have enjoyed Eugene Peterson’s translation of John 1:14 in The Message; “The Word became flesh and blood and moved into the neighborhood.” Ruth Kelder https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/sent-jesus Thu, 18 Nov 2010 21:54:30 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/imagination-set-free “If you can’t imagine it, you can’t do it.” Those words have been rolling over and over again in my brain since I heard Alan Hirsch say them at a conference I attended last week. I often think of imagination as a whimsical, fun function of the brain. I imagine when I want to escape reality. Ruth Kelder https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/imagination-set-free Wed, 10 Nov 2010 17:58:08 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/smelly-leaders One of my favorite book titles is They Smell Like Sheep, by Lynn Anderson. Ruth Kelder https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/smelly-leaders Wed, 03 Nov 2010 17:18:44 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/hanging-out I wonder if there is a spiritual discipline called “hanging-out.” Probably not, but I think I’m going to consider it to be one. Our small group practiced this “discipline” together on a fall camping week-end. We did very little together other than hang-out. Ruth Kelder https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/hanging-out Wed, 27 Oct 2010 23:33:28 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/lessons-hospitality I’m a firm believer that practicing hospitality is a crucial part of building authentic community. Part of the missional life is to make others feel comfortable and welcomed into our lives. Our small group is blessed to have a person whose top spiritual gift is hospitality. Ruth Kelder https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/lessons-hospitality Thu, 14 Oct 2010 20:42:47 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/discipleship-active-thing I recently came across a great definition of a disciple of Jesus. A disciple is one who practices following Jesus Christ—becoming more like Him in all that we think, say and do through the power of the Holy Spirit, to be the very presence of Christ in a lost and broken world so loved by God. Ruth Kelder https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/discipleship-active-thing Thu, 07 Oct 2010 21:55:02 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/unity-purpose I believe it’s true that a person’s parting words before death often reveal his or her deepest desires, dreams or hopes. With this in mind, Jesus' prayer in John 17 reveals a lot about himself. Ruth Kelder https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/unity-purpose Thu, 30 Sep 2010 14:37:34 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/what-god-use-me You know the feeling. You’re asked to step into a new role either in ministry or everyday life and you feel totally inadequate for the task. That’s how a potential small group leader felt last night when I suggested he lead a group for the first time. Ruth Kelder https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/what-god-use-me Thu, 23 Sep 2010 20:46:10 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/prayer-time-phobia My small group loves to talk. We can talk about all sorts of things---golf, politics, kids, grandkids, our church. Our discussions around the study materials are lively and insightful. Ruth Kelder https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/prayer-time-phobia Thu, 16 Sep 2010 19:43:09 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/my-imaginary-friend I have an imaginary friend. She always knows exactly where I am. She talks to me. When I tell her where I want to go she not only gets me there, but gets me there in the shortest amount of time. If I make a wrong turn, she figures things out so that I get back on track. Ruth Kelder https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/my-imaginary-friend Thu, 02 Sep 2010 22:05:02 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/kudos-fulton-second-reformed What would you be doing on this beautiful Saturday morning if you weren’t at this small group training? Ruth Kelder https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/kudos-fulton-second-reformed Thu, 26 Aug 2010 02:03:03 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/things-i-learned-vacation We just returned from a great time with our California kids. Without a doubt, the highlight was time spent oohing and ahhing over our precious new little grandson. Of course he’s nearly perfect, smart, cute…. I learned that this grandma thing is pretty fun. Ruth Kelder https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/small-groups/things-i-learned-vacation Thu, 19 Aug 2010 22:49:01 +0000