https://network.crcna.org/ The Network en Thu, 18 Apr 2024 06:14:59 +0000 Wed, 14 May 2014 18:44:14 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/when-jesus-lord-confession-organization Moving from vision to lifestyle is a challenge for every church and person. How does what we believe get translated into the way we live together as a community? How do we encourage those who worship to live every day of their lives? Neil de Koning https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/when-jesus-lord-confession-organization Wed, 14 May 2014 18:44:14 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/worship/special-topics/funerals/funerals-comfort-and-gospel Funerals, like weddings, are family matters. So says, the church order. But it is never so simple. Families are part of communities. We come together, usually in church, to remember a person and comfort each other in the light of the good news of Christ.  Neil de Koning https://network.crcna.org/topic/worship/special-topics/funerals/funerals-comfort-and-gospel Tue, 28 Jan 2014 11:37:13 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/grateful-goodbye Today, I retire from writing this blog. The regular writing and posting has been demanding. And yet the simple exercise of writing a few words has forced me to give attention to passing thoughts and deepen my reflections. Neil de Koning https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/grateful-goodbye Tue, 01 May 2012 13:05:33 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/habits-disruptive-culture We live in a disruptive culture.   Neil de Koning https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/habits-disruptive-culture Mon, 16 Apr 2012 21:38:52 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/foolishness-god When looking for solutions to problems, the cross and the resurrection aren’t the pragmatic solutions we are looking for.   It does not put food on our table, get our loved ones out of the hospital, pay our bills or get us to work on time.   Most of the problems that vex our p Neil de Koning https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/foolishness-god Tue, 03 Apr 2012 03:19:47 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/practice-forgiveness-and-repentance Two words commonly used among God’s people are forgiveness and repentance.  We receive forgiveness for our sins and are called to forgive others who sin against us.  We are called to repentance – the genuine sorry for our sins and the turning away from our sins to embrace the Christ lif Neil de Koning https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/practice-forgiveness-and-repentance Mon, 19 Mar 2012 18:10:23 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/elder-community-developer You won’t find Community Developer in the ordination form.  Yet as I listen to cultural critics, spiritual directors and numerous other thoughtful people about personal growth there is a persistent reference to role of community.    Neil de Koning https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/elder-community-developer Mon, 27 Feb 2012 20:36:44 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/discipleship-and-circles-support Recently my son suggested I read about Circles of Support and Accountability that helped many sexual offenders as they transitioned out of prison and into our neighbourhoods.  So I did.   (Community-Based Approach to the Reduction of Sexual Re-Offending: Circles of Support and Neil de Koning https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/discipleship-and-circles-support Mon, 13 Feb 2012 20:22:45 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/psalms-elders-and-pastoral-care This past week I attended the Worship Symposium at Calvin.  One session I attended was entitled “Psalms for the Unbaptized”.   Kevin Adams makes a simply point.  Often times the words of the psalms can speak the language of prayer and faith amid troubling experiences in a way Neil de Koning https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/psalms-elders-and-pastoral-care Mon, 30 Jan 2012 19:27:01 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/covenant-engagement Every local congregation in the CRC is connected to Classis and Denomination.  Elders and pastors have responsibility for that connection.  Our connections to one another are not automatic.  Family and friendship ties may help us keep somewhat informed about life in other congregat Neil de Koning https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/covenant-engagement Tue, 03 Jan 2012 05:49:36 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/elders-and-accountability Elders are called – not simply elected or conscripted – into a service for the Lord.  It is a big job.  I would dare say that as we approach Christmas, many elders feel that there is a mountain of work and only limited amount of time to accomplish it.  Perhaps it is worse where I a Neil de Koning https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/elders-and-accountability Tue, 06 Dec 2011 04:09:27 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/christmas-occupy-wall-street-and-christian-formation Christians often feel tension as the Christmas season approaches.  It shows up in clichés: “Jesus is the reason for the season.”  Or it shows in debates about the décor of the church.  What we instinctively sense is the conflict the demands of the story of Jesus birth and the deman Neil de Koning https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/christmas-occupy-wall-street-and-christian-formation Tue, 22 Nov 2011 05:43:19 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/who-do-you-say-i-am As a pastor I have heard stories of children afraid to come home.  It is not that they did not want to come home.  Rather they simply did not know what awaited them at home: would she be drunk? Would she be angry?  Or would the house be filled with the scent of fresh baking? Neil de Koning https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/who-do-you-say-i-am Tue, 08 Nov 2011 14:35:27 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/grace-among-weeds It is hard to imagine that weeds are a sign of grace, yet that’s what the Parable of the Weeds and Wheat is suggesting  (Matthew 13).  Everyday I drive by fields (now harvested) of various grains. The farmers I know prefer fields without weeds. Neat, clean, easy to harvest. Neil de Koning https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/grace-among-weeds Mon, 31 Oct 2011 15:39:02 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/gratitude-and-christian-formation Every Thanksgiving Day – Canadian thanksgiving just passed - becomes on occasion for a preacher to reflect deeply on the very act of gratitude.  Neil de Koning https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/gratitude-and-christian-formation Tue, 18 Oct 2011 01:28:53 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/do-elders-need-be-members-congregation Simple answer is yes. Neil de Koning https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/do-elders-need-be-members-congregation Tue, 27 Sep 2011 03:45:37 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/leading-learning I was reading  David Lyle Jeffrey (Books & Culture - A Critique of All Religions). Neil de Koning https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/leading-learning Tue, 06 Sep 2011 01:15:56 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/ministry-healing-and-work-elder We live in a very different world than the one in which my grandparents grew up.   The management of sickness and health is part of the story.  Even in the short time I have been in the ministry things have changed dramatically.  Over the last few years, members have had heart Neil de Koning https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/ministry-healing-and-work-elder Wed, 24 Aug 2011 04:07:29 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/elder-worship-and-church-order Elsewhere on the Network, the question is raised about the elder’s role in the governance of worship (The Role of Elders in Worship).  I thought I would just make a few comments.   Neil de Koning https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/elder-worship-and-church-order Mon, 15 Aug 2011 17:02:04 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/praying-elder “There can be no doubt that this ministry of intercession certainly involves prayer, but prayer without diakonia is not true prayer, even as diakonia without prayer is not true diakonia. Neil de Koning https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/praying-elder Mon, 01 Aug 2011 20:58:57 +0000