https://network.crcna.org/ The Network en Thu, 25 Apr 2024 00:02:53 +0000 Mon, 21 Dec 2020 19:54:09 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/youth-ministry-season-hope Certainty feels like an illusion at the best of times, but that’s especially true these days. Ron DeVries https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/youth-ministry-season-hope Mon, 21 Dec 2020 19:54:09 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/youth-ministry/youth-unlimited-celebrates-100-years-ministry "Throughout the past 100 years, God has been incredibly faithful, allowing the ministry that began as the American Federation of Reformed Young Men's Societies to transform through the decades into what is today known as Youth Unlimited. Ron DeVries https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/youth-ministry/youth-unlimited-celebrates-100-years-ministry Mon, 25 Nov 2019 15:53:31 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/mentoring-i-world-nov-2019-youth-ministry-newsletter I met with an emerging adult not long ago for a conversation about life and church. Obviously both can be messy topics and sure enough, our conversation revealed multiple layers of chaos. Ron DeVries https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/mentoring-i-world-nov-2019-youth-ministry-newsletter Thu, 07 Nov 2019 14:51:44 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/who-are-you-raising-take-over-your-church-10-years-now According to the Fuller Youth Institute (FYI), North American churches are both shrinking and aging. Ron DeVries https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/who-are-you-raising-take-over-your-church-10-years-now Wed, 02 Oct 2019 00:26:46 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/hungry-god-story Our stories are a fascinating reflection of a life lived or currently living. Powerful snapshots show up alongside our narratives which summarize or quantify the events of our moments. I invite you to consider the following:  Ron DeVries https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/hungry-god-story Thu, 05 Sep 2019 22:46:37 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/crcna-youth-ministry-newsletter-jan-2019 Ephesians 5:25-27 beautifully captures an image of the relationship between Christ and his bride, the Church. Ron DeVries https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/crcna-youth-ministry-newsletter-jan-2019 Wed, 16 Jan 2019 14:23:30 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/ron-and-syd-talk-about-soul-care In ministry, we often try to do the things we need to do to survive, to balance obligation with the guilt of heavy expectations and as a result, we become consumed by the doing, the urge to be of the world. Rushing to the next thing we need to do. Ron DeVries https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/ron-and-syd-talk-about-soul-care Thu, 25 Oct 2018 12:48:35 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/worship/general-worship/youth-director-installation-liturgy I had a pastor from a Christian Reformed Church ask if I had a liturgy in my back pocket for installing a new Youth Director during an upcoming Sunday service. Ron DeVries https://network.crcna.org/topic/worship/general-worship/youth-director-installation-liturgy Tue, 26 Jun 2018 14:59:10 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/top-5-ways-engage-your-classis-youth-ministry-champion A few years ago, Syd Hielema and I developed an idea that each classis in North America would have a least one Youth Ministry Champion. Ron DeVries https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/top-5-ways-engage-your-classis-youth-ministry-champion Sun, 13 May 2018 00:16:40 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/may-youth-ministry-newsletter-intergenerational-style Intergenerational seems to be a buzzword lately for churches. It can easily be set aside as just that, but I do think, that this idea, this mindset cannot be overlooked so quickly (not that we are but I am making a point here). Ron DeVries https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/may-youth-ministry-newsletter-intergenerational-style Tue, 08 May 2018 13:23:41 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/youth-ministry/top-5-youth-ministry-talks Significant research had been done over the years following the trends of Youth as they leave high school and move on to some form of post-secondary education or perhaps decide to take a gap year. Ron DeVries https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/youth-ministry/top-5-youth-ministry-talks Tue, 10 Apr 2018 19:34:21 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/march-2018-crcna-youth-ministry-newsletter In a world where 20 second sound bytes are the norm, I find it refreshing when I receive a document which tells a short, relevant youth ministry story. Stories give us a picture within a moment. Ron DeVries https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/march-2018-crcna-youth-ministry-newsletter Thu, 08 Mar 2018 18:48:09 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/youth-ministry/january-crcna-youth-ministry-newsletter-eliminating-hurry-our As we enter into a new year, following the busyness of the holidays, it is easy to caught up in the next busy ministry season peering around the corner.  Ron DeVries https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/youth-ministry/january-crcna-youth-ministry-newsletter-eliminating-hurry-our Wed, 03 Jan 2018 14:09:14 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/youth-ministry/november-2017-youth-ministry-newsletter The November 2017 edition of the CRCNA Youth Ministry newsletter is now out. Learn about upcoming events, discover new resources, and hear stories of how God is at work!  Ron DeVries https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/youth-ministry/november-2017-youth-ministry-newsletter Mon, 13 Nov 2017 17:28:16 +0000