https://network.crcna.org/ The Network en Sat, 20 Apr 2024 02:17:51 +0000 Tue, 17 May 2022 13:28:20 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/racial-reconciliation/standing-racism-gospel-thing-do Jesus came to give life and give it more abundantly. It was a promise he delivered by Crucifixion. Rudy Gonzalez https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/racial-reconciliation/standing-racism-gospel-thing-do Tue, 17 May 2022 13:28:20 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/racial-reconciliation/racism-and-sin-contempt Now the serpent was craftier than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. A true sociopath, he preyed on people, “Did God really say...” as he tempted Eve. She did not stand a chance. Rudy Gonzalez https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/racial-reconciliation/racism-and-sin-contempt Mon, 07 Feb 2022 11:19:36 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/racial-reconciliation/wheat-and-tares “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way. But when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared.” (Matthew 13:24-26 NKJV) Rudy Gonzalez https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/racial-reconciliation/wheat-and-tares Sat, 30 Oct 2021 17:21:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/racial-reconciliation/speaking-truth-about-racism-love One of the benefits of COVID is virtually visiting diverse congregations. It has been a blessing even after returning to in-person worship services. Rudy Gonzalez https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/racial-reconciliation/speaking-truth-about-racism-love Mon, 30 Aug 2021 17:16:10 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/community-engagement/fear-flukes-critical-race-theory Paul warns the Corinthians, “I am afraid…your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.”  (2 Cor. 11:3-4) Why are we so easily deceived? Rudy Gonzalez https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/community-engagement/fear-flukes-critical-race-theory Mon, 21 Jun 2021 16:40:45 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/racial-reconciliation/racism-and-gospel-impact In these turbulent yet hopeful times, may this be a gentle reminder to love mercy and act justly. The labels we use, such as biblical justice, social gospel, another gospel, critical race theory, Marxist, racist, woke, white fragility, gaslighting, etc. Rudy Gonzalez https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/racial-reconciliation/racism-and-gospel-impact Wed, 28 Apr 2021 15:41:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/community-engagement/jesus-unbelievable-message Jesus’ unbelievable message. But have Christians made it believable? Critics contend that Christianity and in particular Calvinism promotes tribalism and tribalistic[1] behavior.  Rudy Gonzalez https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/community-engagement/jesus-unbelievable-message Wed, 27 Jan 2021 15:05:14 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/specialized-communities/black-reformed/image-god-overcomes-racism This year has been a challenging year, so many tragedies on too many fronts. From our living rooms, we witnessed brutality and murder of black people followed by protests and counter protests. Rage and fear were on so many faces.  Rudy Gonzalez https://network.crcna.org/topic/specialized-communities/black-reformed/image-god-overcomes-racism Sun, 27 Sep 2020 17:11:51 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/racial-reconciliation/practical-practices-dismantling-racism One of the better known authors on genocide, Ervin Staub, lays out helpful practices for people interested in dismantling racism. Rudy Gonzalez https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/racial-reconciliation/practical-practices-dismantling-racism Wed, 15 Jul 2020 11:33:59 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/change-through-interruption The recent pandemic has interrupted church life. Pastors and church leaders quickly learned how to use social platforms like Facebook and Zoom. When the pandemic is over, will leaders return to what has worked in the past? Should they? Some should not.   Rudy Gonzalez https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/pastors/change-through-interruption Wed, 15 Apr 2020 11:42:43 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/leadership-development/missionvision/una-perspectiva-de-anti-racismo-de-harold Cuando la denominación abre las puertas a los grupos étnicos (minoritarios), no solamente abre las puertas a las personas, abre las puertas a sus problemas. Rudy Gonzalez https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/leadership-development/missionvision/una-perspectiva-de-anti-racismo-de-harold Thu, 19 Mar 2020 13:24:30 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/racial-reconciliation/antiracism-earth-it-heaven I'm beginning to believe that the racism topic is taboo for most Christians. White evangelicals predominantly refuse to have the conversation. Rudy Gonzalez https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/racial-reconciliation/antiracism-earth-it-heaven Tue, 17 Mar 2020 12:52:30 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/evangelism/overcoming-racism-answer-call-great-commission-race This is a portion of Rudy's bimonthly newsletter. To receive the full newsletter, including ideas for your congregation, suggested reading, and upcoming events, subscribe at bit.ly/racerelationsnews. Rudy Gonzalez https://network.crcna.org/topic/church-strategy-mission/evangelism/overcoming-racism-answer-call-great-commission-race Thu, 27 Sep 2018 21:04:21 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/racial-reconciliation/one-christ-race-relations-us-west-newsletter In light of the current events in Charlottesville…be ambassadors of reconciliation. The politics of our time are rife with hate. In contrast, God’s people are called to bring peace, love our neighbors, and be ambassadors of reconciliation. Rudy Gonzalez https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/racial-reconciliation/one-christ-race-relations-us-west-newsletter Fri, 25 Aug 2017 17:10:56 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/racial-reconciliation/ephesians-2-creating-one-new-humanity Reflect on Ephesians 2:15b-16, “His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.” Rudy Gonzalez https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/racial-reconciliation/ephesians-2-creating-one-new-humanity Fri, 30 Jun 2017 13:00:25 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/specialized-communities/seapi/overcrowded-boat-crc-pulpit-rev-matthew-le “I escaped Vietnam with my younger brother in Jan 1982. I remember 17 people piled into a small boat, 7 yards long and 1 ½ yards wide,” shares Rev. Matthew Minh Le. “To this day, I know Jesus saved me. Rudy Gonzalez https://network.crcna.org/topic/specialized-communities/seapi/overcrowded-boat-crc-pulpit-rev-matthew-le Fri, 19 May 2017 16:15:57 +0000