https://network.crcna.org/ The Network en Fri, 19 Apr 2024 22:57:16 +0000 Wed, 28 Mar 2018 17:27:10 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/holy-week-meditations-ungrateful-party-guests Sandwiched between the triumphal entry of Jesus riding into Jerusalem are a string of parables in Matthew’s gospel.  Ryan Pelton https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/holy-week-meditations-ungrateful-party-guests Wed, 28 Mar 2018 17:27:10 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/writing-spiritual-habit Everyone must write. Not for money, fame, or notoriety. Most professional writers know none of these things. I want you to write for deeper and more existential reasons. Ryan Pelton https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/writing-spiritual-habit Wed, 03 Jan 2018 14:48:27 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/worship/general-worship/prayer-prepare-heart-you-gather-worship Do you prepare to worship? The kid’s are going crazy. You’re tired. Anxious. Overwhelmed. How can we prepare the heart for gathered worship? Ryan Pelton https://network.crcna.org/topic/worship/general-worship/prayer-prepare-heart-you-gather-worship Wed, 12 Jul 2017 14:41:09 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/prayer/prayer-and-artsame-process-same-goals Franz Kafka was a prolific author of novels and short stories from the nineteenth century. In an interview, Kafka connects religious devotion (prayer) to art: Ryan Pelton https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/prayer/prayer-and-artsame-process-same-goals Wed, 12 Jul 2017 13:57:40 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/death-and-color-carpet Death sneaks up on you. It does not ask permission. No one can escape it. Death doesn’t care if you are Paleo, healthy, vegan, tall, short, black, white, brown, Italian, Indian, young, old, from Canada or the Caribbean, it comes for all. Ryan Pelton https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/death-and-color-carpet Thu, 11 May 2017 13:46:49 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/he-bore-it-all-me-poem-johnny-cash He Bore It All for Me by Johnny Cash   He bore it all for me He bore it all for me When I was lost A painful cross He bore it a Ryan Pelton https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/he-bore-it-all-me-poem-johnny-cash Wed, 12 Apr 2017 17:04:37 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/church-planting/6-lessons-learned-church-planting In a couple weeks our church celebrates six years of existence. It feels like yesterday when my family packed up and moved to urban Kansas City to start a new church. The last seven years we’ve experienced high’s of high’s and low’s of low’s planting a new ministry. Ryan Pelton https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/church-planting/6-lessons-learned-church-planting Wed, 24 Aug 2016 17:56:13 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/life-paradox The dictionary.com definition for paradox is:  Ryan Pelton https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/life-paradox Wed, 13 Jul 2016 15:07:18 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/church-planting/what-kingdom-focused-prayer “Kingdom-focused prayer is not mere instinct but it is Spirit enabled; not man-centered but God-centered; not self-serving but Kingdom-serving; not sentimental but Scriptural; not solo but concerted; not timid but bold; not passive resignation but proactive cooperation. Ryan Pelton https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/church-planting/what-kingdom-focused-prayer Tue, 19 Apr 2016 18:56:40 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/church-planting/celebrating-ordinary-and-five-years-church-planting This weekend our church celebrates four years as a church in Kansas City. Ryan Pelton https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/church-planting/celebrating-ordinary-and-five-years-church-planting Thu, 25 Sep 2014 15:34:32 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/prayer/2-words-needed-every-prayer-life There are times reading the Bible when particular words, phrases, and sentences penetrate my heart and mind in ways others don't. Ryan Pelton https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/prayer/2-words-needed-every-prayer-life Thu, 04 Sep 2014 14:38:16 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/gospel-driven-productivity Our job as pastors is a mixture of cruelty and humor. Ryan Pelton https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/gospel-driven-productivity Wed, 27 Nov 2013 14:13:36 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/gospel-affects-everything A couple weeks ago we held our membership class. In this class we discuss our rich Reformed heritage, creeds, confessions, and how the gospel affects all of life. Did you catch the last part? How the gospel affects all of life... Ryan Pelton https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/elders/gospel-affects-everything Tue, 15 Oct 2013 10:25:18 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/unnecessary-pastor I am writing this blog post from my upstairs bedroom. Tonight is Tuesday which means 15-20 adults and another 10 kids will descend on our house for community group. Ryan Pelton https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/unnecessary-pastor Thu, 25 Apr 2013 11:06:34 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/creating-culture-generosity When the subject of money is brought up in the local church people get antsy. Money and giving have become bad words inside and outside the church. Ryan Pelton https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/creating-culture-generosity Thu, 07 Mar 2013 12:06:12 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/thinking-evangelist A pastor has to wear many hats. Ryan Pelton https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/thinking-evangelist Thu, 26 Jul 2012 15:51:32 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/your-church-structured-mission Imagine being part of a church that grew from 120 to over 3000 people in a few weeks? It sounds thrilling and exciting. Until you begin to realize you now have a lot of discipleship, care, baptizing, and teaching to do. Ryan Pelton https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/your-church-structured-mission Thu, 21 Jun 2012 14:22:15 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/hi-i-am-pastor Hi. My name is Ryan. I am a pastor. According to statistics I am a sad breed. Pastors are the most depressed, lonely, burnt out, over worked, underpaid, fat, and unhealthy people on the planet. Our families are a mess. Our finances are a mess. It is hard to have friends. Ryan Pelton https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/hi-i-am-pastor Thu, 24 May 2012 14:29:07 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/conversion-jesus-enough There is no greater thrill in ministry to watch a person move from death to life and put their trust in Jesus. We preach the gospel and pray the Holy Spirit illuminates hearts to respond to him in faith- and when people do it reminds us why we labor each day for the sake of the gospel. Ryan Pelton https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/conversion-jesus-enough Wed, 04 Apr 2012 15:20:12 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/antioch-church-model-healthy-churches My world as a pastor often involves asking the question: “Is our church healthy?” For other pastors this question may be more nuanced- but I know most churches continue to ask this question in some way shape or form. Ryan Pelton https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/antioch-church-model-healthy-churches Thu, 08 Mar 2012 15:13:47 +0000