https://network.crcna.org/ The Network en Fri, 26 Apr 2024 10:47:08 +0000 Tue, 28 Oct 2014 13:19:56 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/deacons/got-anything-deacons-training If you’re new to the role of deacon, or gathering helpful tools for those who are joining the council, you’ll find plenty of helpful resources on The Network. For New Deacons Jolanda Howe https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/deacons/got-anything-deacons-training Tue, 28 Oct 2014 13:19:56 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/symbols-drumkit-life A podcast on the power of ritual in shaping faith and bringing meaning to life by Archbishop Paul-Andre' Durocher. This 20-minute keynote was originally presented at the 2014 Faith Forward conference.  Jolanda Howe https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/symbols-drumkit-life Mon, 29 Sep 2014 14:25:27 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/sunday-school/teaching/getting-know-you-games On the first day of Sunday school I always like to spend a few minutes playing a getting-to-know-you game with the kids. Here are two of my favorites: Jolanda Howe https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/sunday-school/teaching/getting-know-you-games Tue, 02 Sep 2014 14:26:09 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/leadership-development/personal-growth/how-your-eiq-emotional-intelligence This article by Jim Merhaut describes why emotional intelligence (EIQ) can be a better predictor of leadership success than IQ. It includes a link to an EIQ test that includes practical ideas for boosting your EIQ to make you a more effective leader.  Jolanda Howe https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/leadership-development/personal-growth/how-your-eiq-emotional-intelligence Thu, 21 Aug 2014 13:03:41 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/church-pew-friendship The August 2014 Banner includes a great article about an unlikely faith-nurturing friendship between an older gentleman and a teenager. Elizabeth Drummond shares her story of how Mr. Jolanda Howe https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/church-pew-friendship Tue, 29 Jul 2014 20:36:34 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/vbs/kidsgamescom-source-summer-programming-ideas Carol Reinsma, the Children’s Education Director at Cragmor CRC in Colorado Springs, Colorado tipped me off this week to a great site for summer programming ideas for kids, families, teens and adults. Jolanda Howe https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/vbs/kidsgamescom-source-summer-programming-ideas Wed, 04 Jun 2014 17:15:09 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/global-mission/generous-spaciousness If you appreciated Wendy VanderWal-Gritter's webinar, Nurturing Generous Spaciousness: A Response to Gay Christians in the Church, you'll be glad to know that her new book, Jolanda Howe https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/global-mission/generous-spaciousness Tue, 06 May 2014 20:21:19 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/sunday-school/choosing-childrens-curriculum Choosing the right curriculum can make a huge difference in how your children will come to know God and God’s Word. Jolanda Howe https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/sunday-school/choosing-childrens-curriculum Wed, 23 Apr 2014 18:52:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/sunday-school/webinar-choosing-childrens-curriculum If your church is considering a change in Sunday school or children's curriculum, this webinar will provide practical tips on finding a curriculum that fits your theology and your context. Jolanda Howe https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/sunday-school/webinar-choosing-childrens-curriculum Tue, 15 Apr 2014 19:20:42 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/sunday-school/flame-creative-childrens-ministry-blog On Friday morning a post from Flame: Creative Children's Ministry arrived in my inbox. Jolanda Howe https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/sunday-school/flame-creative-childrens-ministry-blog Mon, 07 Apr 2014 18:16:05 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/sunday-school/nurturing-faith/exploring-psalms-kids-and When was the last time you taught a Sunday school lesson on a Psalm? (Okay, other than Psalm 23?) Jolanda Howe https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/sunday-school/nurturing-faith/exploring-psalms-kids-and Wed, 23 Oct 2013 20:32:39 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/sunday-school/organizing/plan-volunteer-recruitment-month Looking for a way to ease the August stress of searching for volunteers? Jolanda Howe https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/sunday-school/organizing/plan-volunteer-recruitment-month Mon, 20 May 2013 04:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/sunday-school/organizing/questionnaire-sunday-school Here is an easy tool you can use to give voice to your leader's joys and concerns! You may coordinate the program, but unless you're in the classroom each week it's hard to know exactly how things are going. Jolanda Howe https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/sunday-school/organizing/questionnaire-sunday-school Tue, 23 Apr 2013 13:18:55 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/sunday-school/seasonal-ideas/easter/do-it-yourself Perhaps you’ve seen or used Resurrection Eggs to share the story of Easter with kids. Resurrection eggs are a carton of 12 colorful plastic Easter eggs each containing a little trinket that symbolizes some aspect of the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Jolanda Howe https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/sunday-school/seasonal-ideas/easter/do-it-yourself Mon, 18 Mar 2013 17:23:45 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/sunday-school/organizing/recruiting-volunteers-6-simple Last week Mark DeVries, president of Youth Ministry Architects and author of Family Based Youth Ministry and Sustainable Youth Ministry posted this video on recruiting volunteers. Jolanda Howe https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/sunday-school/organizing/recruiting-volunteers-6-simple Mon, 04 Mar 2013 17:05:08 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/sunday-school/organizing/getting-parents-pumped-about Last week I visited Fourth Reformed church on the northeast side of Grand Rapids. It’s a busy place, buzzing with ministry. Sunday school coordinator’s Tom and Norma Boehm showed me around the building and talked with me about the children’s ministry. Jolanda Howe https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/sunday-school/organizing/getting-parents-pumped-about Tue, 20 Nov 2012 15:21:03 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/sunday-school/teaching/teaching-kids-visual-impairments In Sunday school, we want to create an environment where everybody belongs and everybody learns and grows together. What does that mean for kids with visual impairments? Jolanda Howe https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/sunday-school/teaching/teaching-kids-visual-impairments Tue, 11 Sep 2012 15:17:41 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/sunday-school/teaching/3-keys-keeping-kids-track Imagine a room full of wide-eyed kids, amazed by the stories of Scripture; activity, variety, and discovery choreographed seamlessly into a lesson that captures the imagination and inspires! Consider these ideas for keeping your kids engaged and focused right from the start. Jolanda Howe https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/sunday-school/teaching/3-keys-keeping-kids-track Mon, 12 Sep 2011 12:09:56 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/sunday-school/teaching/3-tips-involving-kids-storytelling Some of my favorite story times are ones that allow kids to take center stage. I'm a body smart person, and it turns out most of my kids are too. We love to jump in and become part of the story! Jolanda Howe https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/sunday-school/teaching/3-tips-involving-kids-storytelling Wed, 01 Dec 2010 14:28:45 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/sunday-school/supporting-volunteers/who-will-take-your When I was a sophomore in college I joined the youth ministry team as an apprentice small group leader. For a whole year I shadowed Sara, the small group leader. I watched how she interacted with the girls—a group of sophomores from a local high school. I listened as she led the Bible study. Jolanda Howe https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/sunday-school/supporting-volunteers/who-will-take-your Tue, 23 Nov 2010 18:44:21 +0000