https://network.crcna.org/ The Network en Tue, 16 Apr 2024 08:21:18 +0000 Tue, 08 Mar 2022 18:47:37 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/crcna-and-synod/talking-about-human-sexuality-love At a recent meeting of Congregational Ministries Directors, we decided that we wanted to speak into the denominational conversation on human sexuality: Amanda Benckhuysen, Joyce Borger, Tim Rietkerk, Chris Schoon, Reggie Smith, Mark Stephenson, Lis Van Harten, Lindsay Wieland Capel. Mark Stephenson https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/crcna-and-synod/talking-about-human-sexuality-love Tue, 08 Mar 2022 18:47:37 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/racial-reconciliation/racial-injustice-or-racialized-injustice Race Relations ministry staff is pleased that the Council of Delegates recently approved a new, temporary, US-only mandate for the CRC’s Race Relations ministry (see the entire new mandate below.) Before describing all these modifiers, I want to explain a particular word used in the new mandate, Mark Stephenson https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/racial-reconciliation/racial-injustice-or-racialized-injustice Wed, 27 Oct 2021 18:23:39 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/advocacy/intersection-racism-and-ableism This article has been adapted by permission from an article by Deaconess Lynn Swedberg, DisAbility Ministries Committee newsletter, United Methodist Church.  Mark Stephenson https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/advocacy/intersection-racism-and-ableism Fri, 31 Jul 2020 23:41:36 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/accessibility/happy-anniversary-americans-disabilities This morning, I gave this brief talk and offered a prayer at my church's morning worship service (Intersection Ministries). Mark Stephenson https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/accessibility/happy-anniversary-americans-disabilities Mon, 27 Jul 2020 00:35:32 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/racial-reconciliation/we-must-not-go-back-normal Love means we’ll sacrifice our desire to get back to “normal.” I’ve read some excellent blogs reflecting on sacrifices we white people need to make if we are serious about dismantling racism. Mark Stephenson https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/racial-reconciliation/we-must-not-go-back-normal Tue, 16 Jun 2020 16:51:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/accessibility/path-toward-fuller-welcome On July 26, 2020, the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) will celebrate its 30-year anniversary. Mark Stephenson https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/accessibility/path-toward-fuller-welcome Fri, 08 May 2020 23:57:50 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/vision/inclusive-design-simple-inexpensive-changes The Spring 2020 issue of Breaking Barriers tells stories of people living with visual impairments.  Mark Stephenson https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/vision/inclusive-design-simple-inexpensive-changes Wed, 04 Mar 2020 19:38:37 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/parents-and-family/silent-aspirations-nonverbal-son-his Silent Aspirations: A Nonverbal Son, His Art, His Mother’s Faith and Family’s Bond Shar Boerema Westbow Press, 2018 Mark Stephenson https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/parents-and-family/silent-aspirations-nonverbal-son-his Mon, 02 Sep 2019 15:32:52 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/accessibility/five-ideas-creating-belonging Before Christ, only the high priest, only one day each year, was allowed to enter God’s throne room, but when Jesus died, the curtain separating us from God’s throne room, the most holy place, was torn in two and all barriers fell away. Mark Stephenson https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/accessibility/five-ideas-creating-belonging Tue, 18 Jun 2019 00:33:02 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/mental-health/chaos-confusion-inadequacy-hope-peace Parenting is difficult, juggling empathy and direction, firmness and gentleness, clinging and releasing, taking control and standing by. Mark Stephenson https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/mental-health/chaos-confusion-inadequacy-hope-peace Tue, 28 May 2019 15:14:22 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/model-ministry-third-space By Terry DeYoung and Mark Stephenson Mark Stephenson https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/model-ministry-third-space Thu, 23 May 2019 01:18:34 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/advocacy/enriched-differences About 25 years ago, I led Joe (not his real name) through the process of making profession of faith at the church I was serving as a pastor. Years later, Joe began attending the church where my family now attends. Mark Stephenson https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/advocacy/enriched-differences Mon, 17 Sep 2018 13:48:50 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/theology/reflections-taking-unit-clinical-pastoral From May 29 through August 10, 2018, I had the privilege of taking a unit of Clinical Pastoral Education at Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services. Mark Stephenson https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/theology/reflections-taking-unit-clinical-pastoral Tue, 21 Aug 2018 13:45:28 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/advocacy/shifting-indirect-success This summer in Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) I’m working with men in an addiction recovery program. I’ve appreciated the privilege of joining these men on their journey toward sobriety. I grew close to two men in the program who both recently discharged. Mark Stephenson https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/advocacy/shifting-indirect-success Fri, 03 Aug 2018 11:56:58 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/congregational-care/i-want-be-adjective-when-i-grow This summer, I’m on a study leave from Disability Concerns, doing Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) at Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services. Mark Stephenson https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/congregational-care/i-want-be-adjective-when-i-grow Mon, 02 Jul 2018 22:32:07 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/congregational-care/drawing-jesus-hides-big-stain I’m spending the summer on a study leave from Disability Concerns doing Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) at Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services wor Mark Stephenson https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/congregational-care/drawing-jesus-hides-big-stain Mon, 18 Jun 2018 17:18:20 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/parents-and-family/murder-not-mercy-killing The Disability Day of Mourning to commemorate people with disabilities murdered by caregivers will be observed on March 1 in more than 50 communities across the globe.  Mark Stephenson https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/parents-and-family/murder-not-mercy-killing Mon, 26 Feb 2018 00:47:05 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-administration/church-admin-finance/communication/advice-doing-webinar CRC and RCA Disability Concerns ministries would like to put on a webinar. For those of you who have done webinars, do you have a how-to and best practice list that you'd be willing to share? Mark Stephenson https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-administration/church-admin-finance/communication/advice-doing-webinar Tue, 16 Jan 2018 13:44:47 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-administration/church-admin-finance/employment/employees/hiring-people-disabilities I read an article recently about hiring people with disabilities in a newsletter devoted to helping U.S. churches comply with U.S. law. Mark Stephenson https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-administration/church-admin-finance/employment/employees/hiring-people-disabilities Mon, 20 Nov 2017 19:17:04 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/theology/something-we-can-do-about-rampage-killings Every time a rampage killing happens, like the recent horror in Las Vegas, people ask “Why?” By attempting to identify the factors that led an individual to commit such a horrific crime, we hope we might prevent such a crime in the future. Mark Stephenson https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/theology/something-we-can-do-about-rampage-killings Mon, 09 Oct 2017 17:10:01 +0000