https://network.crcna.org/ The Network en Fri, 26 Apr 2024 17:29:10 +0000 Wed, 28 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-administration/church-communications/church-staff-life-behind-customer-service-counter When I was in my first congregation I regularly invited church members to review my sermons, knowing that I had a lot to learn and, at the same time, cringing at the thought of hearing real feedback from real people. Dave Den Haan https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-administration/church-communications/church-staff-life-behind-customer-service-counter Wed, 28 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/crcna-and-synod/guiding-compliance-what-does-mean In June 2023, Synod made several key decisions regarding the Human Sexuality Report (HSR) and the various responses to it. Dave Den Haan https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/crcna-and-synod/guiding-compliance-what-does-mean Thu, 15 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/council/no-shortcuts-how-not-do-conflict-and-challenge-church Here are four anxiety-producing church scenarios to think about– versions of what we at Thrive see from time to time. You might be able to relate to one or all of them: Dave Den Haan https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/council/no-shortcuts-how-not-do-conflict-and-challenge-church Mon, 22 Jan 2024 05:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-administration/church-communications/communication-challenges-church In almost every church consultation that we participate in we hear people in leadership and in the congregation say, “We need to improve communication around here” and “We just don’t know what is going on anymore.” Communication is often an area of struggle for congregations, but especially so wh Dave Den Haan https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-administration/church-communications/communication-challenges-church Thu, 06 Jul 2023 04:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/pitfalls-retirement-planning-and-some-things-consider-early-your-career Yet another person in my age group is retiring early. I am fifty five. The woman who is retiring is fifty one.  I may be a bit jealous, but nonetheless here’s my hope for her: That she’s well prepared for her retirement.  Dave Den Haan https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/pitfalls-retirement-planning-and-some-things-consider-early-your-career Fri, 17 Feb 2023 05:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/pastors-low-prep-ways-connect-your-people My friend, a pastor, sees a lot of children's toys. He sees a lot of them because he regularly invites young couples in his congregation to invite him into their houses! Dave Den Haan https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/pastors-low-prep-ways-connect-your-people Mon, 08 Aug 2022 14:54:01 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/hey-pastor-do-yourself-and-your-church-favor A few years ago a dog found his way onto a baseball field where a professional baseball game was underway. Players, umpires, coaches, and fans all began to yell at the dog, calling him to come, to go, to sit, to heel. Dave Den Haan https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/hey-pastor-do-yourself-and-your-church-favor Tue, 12 Jan 2021 15:59:28 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/deacons/who-supervises-minister-answer-might-surprise-you The Not-So-Annual Annual Evaluation Dave Den Haan https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/deacons/who-supervises-minister-answer-might-surprise-you Fri, 18 Sep 2020 00:40:56 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/church-renewal/gauging-your-congregations-health-healthy-church The Apostle Paul loved to talk about the church as a body. And one way to think about his letters to churches would be to think of them as a doctor’s notes to his patients about their health. Dave Den Haan https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/church-renewal/gauging-your-congregations-health-healthy-church Fri, 31 Jul 2020 13:52:34 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/church-coaching/make-decision One of the great challenges of the COVID-19 era is the hard work of making decisions with minimal information. Dave Den Haan https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/church-coaching/make-decision Fri, 08 May 2020 00:12:35 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/leadership-development/leading-non-anxious-presence Rev. Dr. Chris Adams is the executive director of the Center for Vocational Ministry at Azusa Pacific Seminary. He offered the following thoughts at a meeting of people from several denominations who care for pastors. He provided permission to share these thoughts with you. Rev. Dr. Chris Adams https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/leadership-development/leading-non-anxious-presence Thu, 26 Mar 2020 12:35:14 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/elders-and-covid-19 Dear Church Elder: Along with your pastor and the deacons of your church you are entrusted with a great responsibility: Leading your church through good times and hard times. Sometimes that feels very heavy—especially now, in this Covid-19 environment. Pastor Church Resources https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/elders-and-covid-19 Tue, 24 Mar 2020 12:47:33 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/suggestions-pastors-ministering-covid-19-environment Covid-19 has been with us for some time now, and it seems as if we are transitioning from crisis mode to endurance mode. Here are a few suggestions for staying healthy: Pastor Church Resources https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/suggestions-pastors-ministering-covid-19-environment Mon, 23 Mar 2020 00:26:48 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/leadership-and-covid-19 To help you provide the kind of leadership that the church needs we want to provide you with ways to stay healthy, stay connected, and stay real: Pastor Church Resources https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/leadership-and-covid-19 Sun, 22 Mar 2020 00:53:23 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/elders-and-conflict I recently received an email from an office bearer who was heading into a council meeting that very night. It would be the third meeting in a row devoted to a particularly thorny issue. As is often the case, the issue had divided the congregation. Dave Den Haan https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/elders-and-conflict Tue, 17 Sep 2019 13:40:16 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/deacons/council-devotions-years-worth-great-conversations Leading council devotions can be a challenge. If you are scheduled to lead devotions at the next council meeting you may be wondering: What can I bring that will help people leave work behind and draw their full attention to the life and ministry of our church? Dave Den Haan https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/deacons/council-devotions-years-worth-great-conversations Thu, 12 Sep 2019 13:42:59 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/books-crc-rca-authors/coming-glory-hope-now-life-after-death "The Coming Glory: Hope Now for Life After Death" (CrossLink Publishing, 2019) is a new book by Rev. Paul Swets that provides a straightforward and pastoral explanation of the hope that we find in scripture concerning death. Dave Den Haan https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/books-crc-rca-authors/coming-glory-hope-now-life-after-death Thu, 13 Jun 2019 15:11:05 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/new-resource-help-churches-support-grieving-pastors Some time ago I was led to think seriously about pastors who experience significant loss while they are in ministry. I was talking with a pastor, and he shared with me the story of his wife’s death some years before. Dave Den Haan https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/new-resource-help-churches-support-grieving-pastors Tue, 11 Jun 2019 14:03:12 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/hospitality/getting-great-start-welcoming-your-new-pastor A HEART-WARMING QUESTION A few months ago a church elder emailed Pastor Church Resources to ask if we had any advice for their church on how to welcome their new pastor. What a wonderful question! Dave Den Haan https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/hospitality/getting-great-start-welcoming-your-new-pastor Wed, 01 May 2019 15:17:59 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/regional-pastors/regional-pastors-bookshelf-new-copernicans “Where have all the young adults gone?” Dave Den Haan https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/regional-pastors/regional-pastors-bookshelf-new-copernicans Tue, 19 Mar 2019 17:06:40 +0000