https://network.crcna.org/ The Network en Wed, 24 Apr 2024 11:01:07 +0000 Tue, 01 Jun 2021 13:41:22 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/life-changing-spiritual-discipline-wonder Nearly a half-century ago, when I was about 7, a moment of wonder changed my life forever.  Sandy Swartzentruber https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/life-changing-spiritual-discipline-wonder Tue, 01 Jun 2021 13:41:22 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/jesus-cooks-breakfast-ideas-sharing-sensory-bible-stories It just might be my favorite Bible story of all.  Sandy Swartzentruber https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/jesus-cooks-breakfast-ideas-sharing-sensory-bible-stories Tue, 23 Jun 2020 19:06:21 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/living-under-hopes-roof As we struggle through this global pandemic, people all over the world have been doing a lot of hoping. But if we’re honest, much of our hope is expressed in running internal monologues that sound like this: I hope nobody stands too close to me in the checkout line. Sandy Swartzentruber https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/living-under-hopes-roof Tue, 19 May 2020 15:41:58 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/does-worshiping-home-feel-awkward-youre-not-alone There we were, our little family of two parents and two college kids back home because of the pandemic, sitting around our TV on Easter morning. We were streaming the service from our home congregation, and we were all thinking the same thing: “This is awkward.”  Sandy Swartzentruber https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/does-worshiping-home-feel-awkward-youre-not-alone Tue, 14 Apr 2020 18:14:34 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/lets-talk-about/looking-job-these-7-things-will-help-you-nail-it So it’s time to launch a job search. Maybe you’re graduating from college or seminary or you’re exploring a mid-life career change. Maybe you feel God is calling you to a new pastorate, to a nonprofit organization, or to serve your denomination.  Sandy Swartzentruber https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/lets-talk-about/looking-job-these-7-things-will-help-you-nail-it Tue, 28 Jan 2020 16:40:04 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/sticky-web-how-intergenerational-small-group-changed-our In their very helpful Sticky Faith books, Kara Powell and Chap Clark of the Fuller Youth Institute recommend that parents identify at least five non-family adults who will support their children’s faith in a “sticky web” of caring relatio Sandy Swartzentruber https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/sticky-web-how-intergenerational-small-group-changed-our Tue, 07 Jan 2020 19:33:30 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/diy-advent-calendar There are few things that I enjoy more than looking for a craft idea that’s “just right.” It has to be something where the process is fun but not overwhelming, and the end result is visually pleasing and virtually fail-proof. Sandy Swartzentruber https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/diy-advent-calendar Mon, 11 Nov 2019 17:27:44 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/your-church-ready-age-tsunami I recently turned 54, and in the past year I’ve noticed a marked difference in how younger people address me. The sweet kid selling movie tickets asks if I want the senior discount. Sandy Swartzentruber https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/your-church-ready-age-tsunami Thu, 31 Oct 2019 16:32:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/twelve-ways-your-church-can-support-young-parents I’m not proud of this, but on my very worst days as an exhausted young mom I secretly wanted to slap people who flippantly told me to “cherish every moment.” Some days I was barely surviving, and cherishing the moments when I lost my temper or the kids were refusing to nap was not on my to-do lis Sandy Swartzentruber https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/twelve-ways-your-church-can-support-young-parents Tue, 01 Oct 2019 23:53:56 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/how-lesson-old-coots-could-change-your-churchs-coffee-hour A colleague recently shared a video that left me smiling for hours. Sandy Swartzentruber https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/how-lesson-old-coots-could-change-your-churchs-coffee-hour Wed, 28 Aug 2019 13:27:15 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/building-faith-picture-books As a child, I learned so many important things from picture books. From Thy Friend, Obadiah I learned about compassion and friendship. Sandy Swartzentruber https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/building-faith-picture-books Tue, 30 Jul 2019 15:13:51 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/free-family-advent-resource-teach-us-pray The Advent season is almost here! To help families anticipate the coming of Christ, the Calvin Institute for Christian Worship is offering a FREE download of the Advent section of the intergenerational prayer book Teach Us to Pray.  Sandy Swartzentruber https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/free-family-advent-resource-teach-us-pray Thu, 15 Nov 2018 19:14:53 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/preaching/sermon-prep-resource-you-wont-want-live-without Every pastor has a list of go-to sermon prep resources, but if yours doesn't include PreachingandWorship.org, you're missing out on something great. Sandy Swartzentruber https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/preaching/sermon-prep-resource-you-wont-want-live-without Wed, 14 Nov 2018 18:27:49 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/comprehensive-faith-formation-plan-preschool-through-high Faith Formation Ministries recently received a question from a CRC pastor whose church wants to develop a comprehensive discipleship/faith formation curriculum for their children's and youth ministries. Sandy Swartzentruber https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/comprehensive-faith-formation-plan-preschool-through-high Tue, 16 Oct 2018 15:45:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/sunday-school/forming-faith-through-art-kids Because Sherman Street CRC in Grand Rapids, Michigan, is full to the rafters with kids, we look for opportunities to involve them in worship in significant ways. They light the Christ candle each week, use rhythm instruments to help lead worship, serve as Scripture readers, and more. Sandy Swartzentruber https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/sunday-school/forming-faith-through-art-kids Thu, 12 Jul 2018 14:10:26 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/how-faith-grows-children-and-teens Faith is mysterious. No matter what we do in church or at home, we can’t make faith happen. But, like a farmer, there’s much we can do to till the “soil” that faith grows in. Sandy Swartzentruber https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/how-faith-grows-children-and-teens Tue, 16 Jan 2018 14:11:13 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/sunday-school/must-have-books-your-childrens-ministry Nothing reaches kids like a well-told story with eyeball-grabbing art. Ask Maurice Sendak. Or Oliver Jeffers. Or Jan Brett. Picture books change kids’ lives. So telling God’s Story to kids deserves the best combination of words and images we can cook up. Sandy Swartzentruber https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/sunday-school/must-have-books-your-childrens-ministry Tue, 10 Oct 2017 13:27:51 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/faith-formation-resources-your-fingertips Sometimes it feels like church ministries “just happen.” People arrive on Sunday morning and a meaningful worship service awaits them. They send their kids to Sunday school or youth group. They choose from a variety of other activities and programs designed to build faith. Sandy Swartzentruber https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/faith-formation-resources-your-fingertips Thu, 29 Jun 2017 15:19:48 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/making-profession-faith-day-remember A high school student was recently baptized by immersion at our CRC church. A galvanized steel horse trough held the water, which the church custodian had labored before the service to fill with just the right mix of hot and cold. Sandy Swartzentruber https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/making-profession-faith-day-remember Fri, 16 Jun 2017 13:04:26 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/discover-your-gifts-online-survey-now-free-crc How would life be different in your congregation if all members knew what their spiritual gifts were and wholeheartedly used those gifts in ministry? Really . . . think about that for a minute. Sandy Swartzentruber https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/discover-your-gifts-online-survey-now-free-crc Wed, 14 Jun 2017 12:18:22 +0000