https://network.crcna.org/ The Network en Fri, 19 Apr 2024 09:55:58 +0000 Fri, 12 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/church-renewal/fresh-ideas/every-tribe-people-language-and-nation Imagine sitting in a crowded room with 50 people and listening to folks from 16 different Christian Reformed churches each tell their congregational story for 20 minutes – for a total of  more than 6 hours in one day!   Thrive (CRCNA) https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/church-renewal/fresh-ideas/every-tribe-people-language-and-nation Fri, 12 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/gods-big-pentecost-story-celebration-families The story of Pentecost is an exciting one. It’s the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise to send his Spirit to be with all believers—including kids! Thrive (CRCNA) https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/gods-big-pentecost-story-celebration-families Wed, 24 May 2023 04:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/pathway-easter-simple-lent-bag-activity-families I’ve found that one of the most difficult concepts for kids to grasp about Lent is the length. At 40 days (46 if you include Sundays), the season is nearly twice as long as Advent, and without the normal rhythms of preparation we experience during the Christmas season. Jill Benson https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/pathway-easter-simple-lent-bag-activity-families Mon, 20 Feb 2023 13:00:11 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-practices/only-wrong-way-pray-not-pray-open-wonder Jill Weber, Global Convenor of The Order of the Mustard Seed, lives near the ruins of a 12th century monastery on the Waverley Abbey Estate in the United Kingdom. Thrive (CRCNA) https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-practices/only-wrong-way-pray-not-pray-open-wonder Wed, 31 Aug 2022 13:29:42 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/when-corporate-ladder-wrong-wall-open-wonder In the midst of a tense corporate merger, more than 50 staff members joined a spontaneous prayer meeting in the company auditorium because Colin Watson told his CEO, “We need to pray about this.” Years later, retired CRCNA Executive Director Colin Watson shares how being attentive to God at work Thrive (CRCNA) https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/when-corporate-ladder-wrong-wall-open-wonder Tue, 16 Aug 2022 14:04:44 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/it-my-lunch-speaking-or-lord-open-wonder What does God’s voice sound like? How does God speak today? Summer Mohrlang, spiritual director with Soul Formation, responds to the questions we’re wondering about, including “What does a spiritual director actually do?” Thrive (CRCNA) https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/it-my-lunch-speaking-or-lord-open-wonder Thu, 11 Aug 2022 13:15:34 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/appreciation-muscle-you-can-strengthen-open-wonder April Fiet describes herself as a pastor, parent, and recovering perfectionist. She’s also an author, weed-puller, and backyard-chicken-feeder. Thrive (CRCNA) https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/appreciation-muscle-you-can-strengthen-open-wonder Tue, 26 Jul 2022 13:23:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/tools-and-resources-choosing-sunday-morning-childrens All curricula teaches theology in some way. Whether during education hour or the worship service, the curriculum your church uses is introducing your children to God’s word. Are you certain it’s teaching the Bible in a way that is consistent with your theology?  Thrive (CRCNA) https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/tools-and-resources-choosing-sunday-morning-childrens Thu, 21 Jul 2022 13:27:11 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/new-podcast-season-fun-and-faith-forming-summer-listen We’re back for Season 2 of Open to Wonder! This time we’re exploring faith practices—the repeated ways of connecting with God that help us become more like Jesus. And you're invited to join us. Thrive (CRCNA) https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/new-podcast-season-fun-and-faith-forming-summer-listen Thu, 14 Jul 2022 13:56:19 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/how-storytelling-can-help-your-church-grow-faith When my father was about 10 years old, he was late getting out of the house for school one day. He grabbed his metal lunch pail and ran out the door to Aunt Lena’s waiting car full of all his siblings. Trudy Ash https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/how-storytelling-can-help-your-church-grow-faith Thu, 14 Jul 2022 13:49:37 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/family-celebrations-childrens-message-celebration-lords This post is part of the Welcoming Children to the Lord's Supper Toolkit - a collection of resources for equipping ministry leaders, parents, and caregivers to nurture the faith of children and engage the sa Thrive (CRCNA) https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/family-celebrations-childrens-message-celebration-lords Tue, 28 Jun 2022 12:53:16 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/guess-how-much-god-loves-you-childrens-message-lords-supper This post is part of the Welcoming Children to the Lord's Supper Toolkit - a collection of resources for equipping ministry leaders, parents, and caregivers to nurture the faith of children and engage the sacrament to Thrive (CRCNA) https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/guess-how-much-god-loves-you-childrens-message-lords-supper Mon, 27 Jun 2022 17:52:02 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/finding-your-place-family-tree Last night over dinner, my husband and I listened to a dear friend share her recent journey to find relatives she never knew existed.* This discovery of ancestors on her family tree is opening doors to connect and establish relationships with their descendants. Mimi Larson https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/finding-your-place-family-tree Mon, 27 Jun 2022 17:44:10 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/lords-supper-helps-us-remember-childrens-message This post is part of the Welcoming Children to the Lord's Supper Toolkit - a collection of resources for equipping ministry leaders, parents, and caregivers to nurture the faith of children and engage the sa Thrive (CRCNA) https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/lords-supper-helps-us-remember-childrens-message Mon, 27 Jun 2022 08:06:29 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/children-worship/wondering-about-sacraments-children Wondering aloud is a great way to be with children.  It is not a time of teaching, and it is not a time for looking for right answers.  You are spending time with children to discover with them what they already think, know, and believe about God.  Thrive (CRCNA) https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/children-worship/wondering-about-sacraments-children Tue, 14 Jun 2022 13:52:55 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/community-engagement/serving-and-summer-go-hand-hand For many of us, the summer season brings the smell of hotdogs cooking, s’mores burning and the enjoyment of sipping a cold beverage on the deck. Ron DeVries https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/community-engagement/serving-and-summer-go-hand-hand Thu, 09 Jun 2022 12:59:19 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/family-ministry/what-does-family-faith-formation-look-canada It started with a simple question: “What do parents need in order to disciple their children well at home?” In response to that question, sixteen organizations, including the CRC’s Faith Formation Ministries, have partnered with the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada (EFC) over the past two years t Thrive (CRCNA) https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/family-ministry/what-does-family-faith-formation-look-canada Thu, 05 May 2022 13:16:58 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/dwell-curriculum/dwell-curriculum-review This curriculum review is part of the Children's Ministry Toolkit - a collection of resources for building strong and vibrant children's ministry, brought to you by Faith Formation Ministries. Thrive (CRCNA) https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/dwell-curriculum/dwell-curriculum-review Thu, 28 Apr 2022 13:25:02 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-practices/intergenerational-activities-faith-practice-remembering This resource is part of a series of interactive, intergenerational ideas for engaging people in faith practices through worship and/or midweek gatherings, brought to you by Worship Ministrie Karen DeBoer https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-practices/intergenerational-activities-faith-practice-remembering Wed, 20 Apr 2022 13:42:47 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-practices/intergenerational-activities-faith-practice-celebrating This resource is part of a series of interactive, intergenerational ideas for engaging people in faith practices through worship and/or midweek gatherings, brought to you by Worship Ministrie Karen DeBoer https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-practices/intergenerational-activities-faith-practice-celebrating Tue, 19 Apr 2022 17:58:01 +0000