https://network.crcna.org/ The Network en Sat, 20 Apr 2024 03:00:04 +0000 Mon, 27 Mar 2023 04:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-practices/neighbors-bookshelf I have too many books. That is the opinion of some people and even people who are close to me and love me. My family recently bought me a t-shirt with the following testimony: “I rescue books trapped in the bookstore. I’m not a hoarder, I’m a hero!” Julius Medenblik https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-practices/neighbors-bookshelf Mon, 27 Mar 2023 04:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/running-mud-life-lessons-farm I grew up alongside the muddy Mississippi River on a family farm in Fulton, Illinois. Spring time would bring rain showers and rain showers would bring mud puddles and mud. Julius Medenblik https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/running-mud-life-lessons-farm Tue, 28 Jul 2020 15:34:16 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/racial-reconciliation/martin-luther-king-jr-april-4-1968-50-years-ago I am the seminary president of an institution that is located in a denomination, city, state, and country that struggles with race relations and racial reconciliation. Julius Medenblik https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/racial-reconciliation/martin-luther-king-jr-april-4-1968-50-years-ago Mon, 19 Feb 2018 18:13:13 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/medenblog-what-do-you-take-granted This is a time of year for giving thanks and making memories with family and friends. This is also a time of year when people make certain promises to NOT take (fill in the blank) for granted. And yet, we do. Julius Medenblik https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/medenblog-what-do-you-take-granted Tue, 26 Dec 2017 15:05:38 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/pastor-prejudice The summer is a time of transition for many churches and pastors. For over 25 years, I have been an observer, participant and now resource person for pastoral search teams. Julius Medenblik https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/pastor-prejudice Mon, 07 Aug 2017 01:23:09 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/why-go-seminary-hoop-hurdle-or-vital-necessity It's the time of year when students are still deciding whether to do a last-minute application for seminary. They wonder about finances. They wonder, “Is God really calling me?” They may be deeply involved in church life and even have their own fruitful ministry and wonder whether Julius Medenblik https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/why-go-seminary-hoop-hurdle-or-vital-necessity Fri, 07 Jul 2017 12:47:44 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/last-lectures-commencement-and-calling On May 20, Calvin Theological Seminary will hold a commencement service honoring 126 graduates who completed various certificate and degree programs. We join together to give thanks to God for these students and this significant step of training and formation for them. Julius Medenblik https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/last-lectures-commencement-and-calling Mon, 22 May 2017 00:20:33 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/church-renewal/navigating-cobblestones-christian-leadership-difficult I am writing this article from Wittenberg, Germany, on a Reformation Tour with supporters of Calvin College and Seminary. I just walked (and almost tripped) over some of the same cobblestones where Martin Luther and Philip Melanchthon walked. Would 1517 qualify as a difficult time for l Julius Medenblik https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/church-renewal/navigating-cobblestones-christian-leadership-difficult Mon, 17 Apr 2017 00:36:53 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/community-engagement/getting-sand-your-shoes It feels good to be back in Florida and it feels good to have a little sand in my shoes. Julius Medenblik https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/community-engagement/getting-sand-your-shoes Wed, 01 Mar 2017 18:29:47 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/when-were-you-last-filled-awe Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. Acts 2:43 Julius Medenblik https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/when-were-you-last-filled-awe Wed, 01 Feb 2017 14:07:50 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/what-do-you-treasure The colorful paper that so carefully surrounded each present under the Christmas tree became a mound of chaos that was disposed of into a garbage bag. A few days after opening presents, our lives move on. What seemed so important becomes just a memory. Julius Medenblik https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/what-do-you-treasure Thu, 29 Dec 2016 14:18:39 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/sorrow-joy-and-gratitude I got off the plane in Tokyo looking for a quiet place. I had been in the air for seven hours, and I knew that the Chicago Cubs and Cleveland Indians had played the 7th game of the World Series during my flight. Julius Medenblik https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/sorrow-joy-and-gratitude Wed, 30 Nov 2016 15:57:40 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/candidacy/not-our-doorstep-our-homes-world-here-calvin-seminary Have you heard the phrase “The world is at our doorstep!”? In just a few words, it conveys an increasingly familiar phenomenon – the globalization of our world. (Cue the Disney song, “It’s a small world after all!”) Julius Medenblik https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/candidacy/not-our-doorstep-our-homes-world-here-calvin-seminary Thu, 03 Nov 2016 13:43:25 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/candidacy/141-years-and-counting On September 25, 2016, Jackie and I were privileged to attend the 20th Anniversary Service for New Life Christian Reformed Church in New Lenox, Illinois. Julius Medenblik https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/candidacy/141-years-and-counting Tue, 04 Oct 2016 15:08:11 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/leadership-development/necessary-link-leadership How was your summer? Fast! Julius Medenblik https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/leadership-development/necessary-link-leadership Mon, 12 Sep 2016 18:49:34 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/candidacy/long-obedience-same-direction This year, before the presentation of 47 candidates to the synod of the Christian Reformed Church of North America, I was privileged to celebrate, encourage, and commend the candidates with a brief address. To the 2016 candidates for ministry, I read the following: Julius Medenblik https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/candidacy/long-obedience-same-direction Tue, 05 Jul 2016 14:24:47 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/candidacy/edge-commencement-blessing-and-challenge Commencement is one of the most highly anticipated events of the academic year, and this year it did not disappoint. May 21, 2016 marked a wonderful day! Julius Medenblik https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/candidacy/edge-commencement-blessing-and-challenge Mon, 06 Jun 2016 14:02:44 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/friend-scripture-dr-arie-leders-last-lecture What would you say if you had one "last" opportunity to say it? A number of years ago, I saw a PBS program in which Carnegie Mellon University Professor Randy Pausch gave his "Last Lecture." Dr. Julius Medenblik https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/friend-scripture-dr-arie-leders-last-lecture Tue, 03 May 2016 14:13:37 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/holy-discontent “Are we there yet?” Those words take me back in time to when my children – and if I admit it even my younger self – called out plaintively from the back seat of a car. “Are we there yet?” Julius Medenblik https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/holy-discontent Thu, 31 Mar 2016 15:15:58 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/specialized-communities/prison-ministry/email-opened-prison-doors Like you, I get a number of emails each and every day. Most get trashed or archived, some get a brief response. I try to deal with them as they come, much like the Whack-A-Mole game: keep them under control and start the routine all over the next day. Julius Medenblik https://network.crcna.org/topic/specialized-communities/prison-ministry/email-opened-prison-doors Mon, 29 Feb 2016 16:07:31 +0000