https://network.crcna.org/ The Network en Fri, 26 Apr 2024 07:18:04 +0000 Mon, 11 Jul 2011 17:15:21 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/talk-you-later For the last (almost) eight years I have been immersed in classis work. Over the past six months I've had the opportunity to blog, write articles, and find resources for this online Network about classis. It has been a wonderful way of processing the work that I have been a part of. Elizabeth Guillaume-Koene https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/talk-you-later Mon, 11 Jul 2011 17:15:21 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/world-cafe I have been reading The World Café: Shaping Our Futures Through Conversations that Matter. Elizabeth Guillaume-Koene https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/world-cafe Sun, 03 Jul 2011 20:11:11 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/reporting-classis At most classis meetings, CRC agencies and other local ministries and organizations that are affiliated with the classis report in. Exposure is important for these ministries. Elizabeth Guillaume-Koene https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/reporting-classis Mon, 27 Jun 2011 14:21:41 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/denominations-extended-family Last week I was surfing around the web looking for resources about coaching and then came across an article written by George Bullard: “Denominations” which he wrote in Elizabeth Guillaume-Koene https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/denominations-extended-family Tue, 07 Jun 2011 13:29:38 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/classis-extended-family The local church's need for classes and the denomination is a bit like a believing family's need for a congregation. Elizabeth Guillaume-Koene https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/classis-extended-family Tue, 31 May 2011 14:19:24 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/intentionally-diverse-and-unified Last week I attended two classes meetings, (one which is situated in one of the most diverse areas of the world and the other right next to it), neither of them had one person of colour as a delegate to the meetings and neither of them is sending a person of colour to Synod 2011. Elizabeth Guillaume-Koene https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/intentionally-diverse-and-unified Tue, 17 May 2011 12:38:28 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/classical-exams With May just around the corner, many of us in Classis leadership are preparing for classis meetings. A large part of our meetings are often taken up with examining candidates for ministry. This has got me thinking of the place of these examinations in our classes. Our Church Order says that: Elizabeth Guillaume-Koene https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/classical-exams Thu, 28 Apr 2011 20:42:38 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/finding-balance-classis I've been wondering lately, does a classis primarily exist for the ministries it does corporately or for the individual congregations represented in that classis? I know it’s a combination of those two aspects but what’s the proper balance? Elizabeth Guillaume-Koene https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/finding-balance-classis Thu, 07 Apr 2011 17:48:38 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/prayer-classis Usually church meetings begin and end with prayer but do not have a focus on prayer. Yet prayer is the way we communicate with God. Shouldn't our church meetings, even business meetings, incorporate prayer throughout the meeting? Elizabeth Guillaume-Koene https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/prayer-classis Tue, 22 Mar 2011 14:46:35 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/relevant-or-irrelevant Rev. Alvin Hoksbergen wrote in an article for The Banner: (see article here) that there seems to be a “waning interest” in the Christian Reformed Church structures including classis. Elizabeth Guillaume-Koene https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/relevant-or-irrelevant Mon, 07 Mar 2011 19:08:05 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/classis-and-church-order Can a church polity (how we govern our church, i.e. the Church Order) that was developed in a time when the Christendom world view was fully operational still be relevant in our multi-faith world, where Christianity is just one of many faiths seeking people’s attention? Elizabeth Guillaume-Koene https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/classis-and-church-order Mon, 21 Feb 2011 16:53:57 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/restorative-practices-classis Last month, at the Classis Toronto meeting, we had a discussion about the Belhar Confession. As we were planning for this event there were a couple things we wanted from this discussion: Elizabeth Guillaume-Koene https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/restorative-practices-classis Mon, 14 Feb 2011 23:21:36 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/continuing-story-classis-renewal-ministry-team The CRMT is a group of ministry leaders convened by The Network, who believe that classes are healthiest when they function as communities of fellowship, prayer, and spiritual growth; when they create and sustain healthy congregations; and when they facilitate shared ministry that is missional an Elizabeth Guillaume-Koene https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/continuing-story-classis-renewal-ministry-team Mon, 07 Feb 2011 18:43:44 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/changing-culture-through-changing-conversation “Many Protestant congregations have become burdened with elaborate, nearly Byzantine organizational structures that have assumed a life of their own but do not effectively further essential ministry or core purpose in this new time, ” (Anthony B. Robinson). Elizabeth Guillaume-Koene https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/changing-culture-through-changing-conversation Mon, 31 Jan 2011 16:12:02 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/classis-past-present-future What is a classis? Dictionary says: (in certain Reformed churches) 1. the organization of pastors and elders that governs a group of local churches; a presbytery 2. the group of churches governed by such an organization Elizabeth Guillaume-Koene https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/classis-past-present-future Mon, 17 Jan 2011 22:05:20 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/developing-vision-classis Introduction Every classis has a vision or at least expectations about what a classis is all about.  What does a common vision do? Elizabeth Guillaume-Koene https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/developing-vision-classis Mon, 17 Jan 2011 21:54:02 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/ideas-praying-classis Someone once said: “Ministry without prayer becomes work in the power of the flesh. Prayer without ministry is complacent Christianity. Elizabeth Guillaume-Koene https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/ideas-praying-classis Mon, 17 Jan 2011 18:54:05 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/do-you-take-your-classis-doctor For the last 18 months either my husband or I took our baby to our family doctor for regular check-ups. None of these appointments were made because he was unhealthy but just because, if there is a problem, it is so important to catch it early. Classis check-ups are important, too. Elizabeth Guillaume-Koene https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/do-you-take-your-classis-doctor Mon, 17 Jan 2011 18:47:47 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/what-classis What exactly is a classis? I’ve been working for Classis Toronto and have been a member of the Classis Renewal Ministry Team for many years and I’m still not sure. A good definition should explain what a classis does and why it exists. Elizabeth Guillaume-Koene https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/what-classis Mon, 17 Jan 2011 18:44:14 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/synod-our-family-reunion This article is an attempt to share the experience of a relative newcomer moving from the margins to the mainstream—or to be more precise, moving from the balcony to the main stage. Elizabeth Guillaume-Koene https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/classis/synod-our-family-reunion Tue, 14 Dec 2010 15:37:30 +0000