https://network.crcna.org/ The Network en Fri, 26 Apr 2024 11:51:37 +0000 Thu, 22 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/lets-talk-about/hip-hop-heidelberg-part-v-salvation-streets Hip Hop Heidelberg Catechism, Part V: Salvation on the Streets (by Reginald Smith)   SALVATION:            GOD THE SPIRIT     Reginald Smith https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/lets-talk-about/hip-hop-heidelberg-part-v-salvation-streets Thu, 22 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/hip-hop-heidelberg-part-iv-salvation-streets The Heidelberg Catechism has been divided into three sections: sin, salvation, and service (or guilt, grace, and gratitude). The traditional titles for the questions and answers were renamed and reframed to fit the urban context. Reginald Smith https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/hip-hop-heidelberg-part-iv-salvation-streets Thu, 07 Dec 2023 05:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/hip-hop-heidelberg-translating-catechism-streets-part-iii The salvation section introduces the rescue plan of God found in Jesus Christ. The road of deliverance takes us through many stops on the salvation train. Reginald Smith https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/hip-hop-heidelberg-translating-catechism-streets-part-iii Wed, 25 Oct 2023 04:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/young-adults/hip-hop-heidelberg-translating-catechism-streets-part-ii Hip and Hop and the Heidelberg Catechism: Part 2   By Reginald Smith   Reginald Smith https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/young-adults/hip-hop-heidelberg-translating-catechism-streets-part-ii Wed, 11 Oct 2023 04:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/hip-hop-heidelberg-translating-catechism-streets-part-i What does a text written by two white dead guys who lived in Europe over 568 years ago have to say to urban young people? Much, if it’s translated from the streets. Reginald Smith https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/hip-hop-heidelberg-translating-catechism-streets-part-i Wed, 04 Oct 2023 04:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/lets-talk-about/danger-spiritual-implicit-bias In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.  In him was life, and that life was the light  Reginald Smith https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/lets-talk-about/danger-spiritual-implicit-bias Mon, 31 Jul 2023 04:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/specialized-communities/multicultural/resources-diversity-sunday-2023 The CRC’s Diversity ministry (now part of Thrive) was established to affirm and support CRC congregations as they work toward becoming more inclusive environments, welcoming the calling and use of gifts in people of various Reginald Smith https://network.crcna.org/topic/specialized-communities/multicultural/resources-diversity-sunday-2023 Thu, 20 Jul 2023 16:47:56 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/finding-calm-uncontrollable-storm When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake, where they got into a boat and set off across the lake for Capernaum. Reginald Smith https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/finding-calm-uncontrollable-storm Fri, 02 Jun 2023 04:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/racial-reconciliation/progress-progress “...who despises the day of small things...” (Zechariah 4:10) Reginald Smith https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/racial-reconciliation/progress-progress Mon, 13 Mar 2023 04:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/racial-reconciliation/charleston-church-shooting-and-suspended-vengeance Dylann Roof wanted to start a war. On June 17, 2015 Roof felt his white race was losing the battle in maintaining the white Southerner’s way of life, the way of life where black people knew their place. Reginald Smith https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/racial-reconciliation/charleston-church-shooting-and-suspended-vengeance Tue, 31 Jan 2023 05:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/racial-reconciliation/apply-today-healing-hearts-transforming-nations Are you at a loss for how to handle conflict in your family, church, and community? Reginald Smith https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/racial-reconciliation/apply-today-healing-hearts-transforming-nations Sun, 18 Dec 2022 19:16:19 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/specialized-communities/multicultural/dehumanization-human I am convinced that the diversity work of the Christian Reformed Church is the humanization of God’s work in the world. Let me explain. Reginald Smith https://network.crcna.org/topic/specialized-communities/multicultural/dehumanization-human Sun, 27 Nov 2022 15:16:22 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/racial-reconciliation/rwanda-why-i-changed-my-mind-about-race-relations When I arrived in Kigali, Rwanda, in October 2022, it was in the dark of night after a 17-hour flight from Grand Rapids with stops in Detroit and Amsterdam. Takia, a small-framed young Tutsi woman, found me in the airport. Reginald Smith https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/racial-reconciliation/rwanda-why-i-changed-my-mind-about-race-relations Tue, 08 Nov 2022 14:28:18 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/specialized-communities/multicultural/diversity-notes-synod-2022 The Office of Diversity supports leaders representing Korean, African American, First Nations, Chinese, Southeast Asian, and Pacific Islander communities. Together, these groups represent about one-third of all CRCNA churches today. And they are growing! This is change! Reginald Smith https://network.crcna.org/topic/specialized-communities/multicultural/diversity-notes-synod-2022 Thu, 14 Jul 2022 13:42:53 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/leadership-development/leadership-teams/discipleship-and-disasters “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rains fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock." (Matthew 7:24-25, NRSV) Reginald Smith https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/leadership-development/leadership-teams/discipleship-and-disasters Thu, 02 Jun 2022 12:57:52 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/specialized-communities/multicultural/pentecost-fire The day of Pentecost was known as the day of harvest. According to the Old Testament, the Pentecost was one of the three major festivals where Jews expected something new to happen. Pentecost represented the first fruits of the harvest of God’s salvation. Reginald Smith https://network.crcna.org/topic/specialized-communities/multicultural/pentecost-fire Thu, 05 May 2022 13:47:49 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/specialized-communities/multicultural/my-racial-education Chicago made up its mind about me. As a kid, I took weekly trips downtown and watched people of every hue. Wandering through Marshall Field department store, I noticed the security guards who kept a close eye on me. These guards made up their minds about me. Reginald Smith https://network.crcna.org/topic/specialized-communities/multicultural/my-racial-education Tue, 22 Mar 2022 13:58:55 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/specialized-communities/multicultural/california-dreaming A Note from Reggie Smith, Director of the CRCNA Office of Diversity: Dear Friends, Reginald Smith https://network.crcna.org/topic/specialized-communities/multicultural/california-dreaming Thu, 17 Feb 2022 16:06:36 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/just-because-you-can-alternative-american-contempt-and I was a little bored watching an NFL game last week and began flipping channels for something more interesting. I stumbled upon MLB Network where the 2013 film "42" was showing. Reginald Smith https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/just-because-you-can-alternative-american-contempt-and Tue, 11 Jan 2022 00:31:55 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/specialized-communities/multicultural/young-king-david-and-todays-diaspora Some years ago, when I was a pastor, someone told me that even though I was chosen as pastor by their congregation, I was not their pastor. The words shocked me. The person remained a member of my church but never allowed me to pastor them. Reginald Smith https://network.crcna.org/topic/specialized-communities/multicultural/young-king-david-and-todays-diaspora Mon, 13 Dec 2021 20:39:21 +0000