https://network.crcna.org/ The Network en Fri, 10 May 2024 22:31:31 +0000 Thu, 02 Mar 2017 20:07:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/lets-talk-about/betsy-devos-steps-limelight-so-does-crc I didn't grow up in the CRC but from what I understand, the Christian Reformed Church has always sort of scooted along under the radar of the media and has generally avoided being named in popular discussions about trends in Western Christianity. Derek Atkins https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/lets-talk-about/betsy-devos-steps-limelight-so-does-crc Thu, 02 Mar 2017 20:07:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/ministry-coordination/six-months-what-weve-been-learning Over the past few weeks, we’ve introduced you to the Connections Project, a three-year, grant-funded experiment to develop new ways of connecting congregations in the CRC to resources. With Derek Atkins https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/ministry-coordination/six-months-what-weve-been-learning Mon, 09 Jan 2017 15:14:51 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/ministry-coordination/introducing-connections-project-regional-resourcing-teams A few weeks ago we introduced you to the Connections Project a three-year, grant-funded project to help develop new ways of resourcing congregations for ministry. Derek Atkins https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/ministry-coordination/introducing-connections-project-regional-resourcing-teams Tue, 03 Jan 2017 17:27:38 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/ministry-coordination/lets-talk-about-resources-ministry The digital age has made it possible for churches to have access to a huge variety of ministry resources. No matter what you are looking for, there’s no shortage of books, websites, videos, and downloadables floating around on the internet. Derek Atkins https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/ministry-coordination/lets-talk-about-resources-ministry Tue, 20 Dec 2016 13:20:29 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/re-aligning-our-rhythms-time-and-song In the past week, two things landed in my hands that I immediately wanted to share with every pastor and family I know. Derek Atkins https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/re-aligning-our-rhythms-time-and-song Tue, 10 Nov 2015 19:45:30 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/thank-you-keeping-vow Minister: Do you, the people of the Lord, promise to receive this child in love, pray for him, help instruct him in the faith, and encourage and sustain him in the fellowship of believers? People: We do, God helping us. Syd Hielema https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/thank-you-keeping-vow Mon, 26 Oct 2015 13:13:41 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/ffm-who-we-are-and-where-we-are-going-part-2 A few weeks ago we offered a recap on what Faith Formation Ministries has been up to in the months since we launched at Synod 2015. Derek Atkins https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/ffm-who-we-are-and-where-we-are-going-part-2 Mon, 19 Oct 2015 18:07:08 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/ffm-who-we-are-and-where-we-are-going-part-1 It's always interesting to watch people track with the conversation when I explain just how this whole Faith Formation Ministries thing came to be. Derek Atkins https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/ffm-who-we-are-and-where-we-are-going-part-1 Fri, 02 Oct 2015 17:33:22 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/celebrating-congregationalism-together Today's post comes from Dr. Syd Hielema, team leader of Faith Formation Ministries.  Syd Hielema https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/celebrating-congregationalism-together Mon, 03 Aug 2015 15:49:56 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/case-you-missed-it-faith-formation-0 Our team had pretty busy last week at conferences, service trips, and surgeries. As we're finding our way to the Monday morning coffee, here's a few of the faith formation articles we stumbled upon last week.  Derek Atkins https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/case-you-missed-it-faith-formation-0 Mon, 03 Aug 2015 13:15:20 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/cradle-grave-faith-formation I'm part of a Facebook group for youth workers in the CRC. Recently a youth ministry leader I know posted this for discussion:  Derek Atkins https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/cradle-grave-faith-formation Wed, 22 Jul 2015 14:07:16 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/case-you-missed-it-faith-formation-web Each week, the Faith Formation Ministries team will use this "In Case You Missed It" space to bring you some of the best conversations about faith formation and discipleship floating around on the web. Derek Atkins https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/case-you-missed-it-faith-formation-web Tue, 07 Jul 2015 14:26:38 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/faith-formation-ministries-network In case you missed it, earlier this week Syd Hielema wrote a guest post over on the Synod Network page that may have set off a blip on your faith formation radar. He ends the post with this:  Derek Atkins https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/faith-formation-ministries-network Tue, 12 May 2015 14:57:04 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/forming-faithful-heretics Ligonier Ministries recently released the results of a poll conducted by LifeWay Research that points out that many American evangelical Christians hold views of God that are a little outside of what many of us would consider orthodox Derek Atkins https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/forming-faithful-heretics Fri, 31 Oct 2014 14:51:32 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/finishing-well-millenials-and-overrated-weekly-web-links There’s a wealth of resources on faith formation and discipleship out there. Derek Atkins https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/finishing-well-millenials-and-overrated-weekly-web-links Mon, 08 Sep 2014 14:54:59 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/recommended-web-links There’s a wealth of resources on faith formation and discipleship out there. Derek Atkins https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/recommended-web-links Mon, 25 Aug 2014 13:58:13 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/children-and-youth/doing-ministry-youth-margins Does your youth group have the ability to bring people in and embrace them as members of the body of Christ? Are our churches and student ministries safe places for people to be themselves? Derek Atkins https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/children-and-youth/doing-ministry-youth-margins Mon, 18 Aug 2014 18:41:44 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/now-what Welcome to the Faith Formation conversation on the Network! Derek Atkins https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/now-what Tue, 25 Mar 2014 12:35:14 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/kezs-urban-church-planting-and-crc I recently wrote an article for Christianity Today’s This Is Our City on how Reformed leaders are working to bridge the gap between Grand Rapids and Detroit, particularly in the area of church planting. Derek Atkins https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/kezs-urban-church-planting-and-crc Thu, 28 Mar 2013 10:20:50 +0000