Webinars
Let's connect — in real-time! — about ministry.
CRC Communications is pleased to offer these webinars to learn, share, and grow together. They're free and it's easy to join — all you need is a computer with speakers or headphones. Register for as many as you'd like and invite others in your church to do the same. To suggest other topics, drop us a line.
Click the tabs below to view webinars that are:
Proposed - See what's cooking and add your vote! If it gets enough votes, we'll line it up.
Scheduled - When there's enough interest, it's scheduled and open for registration.
Archived - Video recordings in case you missed the live event.
FAQs - Including how to check that your computer is webinar-ready.
Our webinars are loosely organized into four series:
Equip & Engage: Practical training for volunteers and staff engaged in your church ministries.
Ministry & Mission: Topics relating to our mission locally and globally.
Church Essentials: How we 'do church' - including communication, administration, vision, and more.
Dig In: Keeping our minds sharp, our Bibles open, and our hearts ready learn.
12 votesLogin to Vote! |
The Coming Revolution in Student MissionsThe big question in student missions is not, “Where is the youth group going next summer?” It’s, "How do we weave Christ’s global perspective into the relationships and programming of our youth ministry?" Another one is, "How do our students help heal hurting people and take hope to broken communities?" Students want to leave the church building Sunday morning knowing that their congregation is active in the community and the world. They want to see how their faith in Christ impacts the hungry, homeless...down the street and in the developing world. Student involvement in missions may not involve planes, trains or automobiles at all. With facebook causes and flash mobs students are moving toward passion and hope, advocacy and education (in many cases they are the teachers). While going on a trip is certainly a valid method for cultivating a mission heart, there are many other ways they can be involved. Every Christian student should be able to answer the question, “How are you involved in missions?” Every church should be able to answer the question, “How do you involve students in missions?” Let's explore those questions together and ask God to lead us to transforming answers. Our presenter: Since age 21 Jerry Meadows has formally served churches with an emphasis on youth ministry. For 13 years he was a Pastor of Students and Families and then supported youth leaders and churches for 6 years as Executive Director of a regional youth ministry network. Before coming to Youth Unlimited as their Mission Program Director, Jerry had the privilege of working for CURE International where he structured the short term mission office to mobilize professionals and teams to Africa, Latin America and Central Asia. Jerry is now the Mission Program Director at Youth Unlimited. |
12 votesLogin to Vote! |
Ministering with People who have Mental IllnessesDo you care? Of course you do! But sometimes our care can miss the mark when our understanding is lacking. In this webinar we will look at how to take first steps in walking beside someone with mental illness. Various forms of mental illness will be introduced such as anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, and bi-polar disorder, and suggestions will be given for what people in the pew can do to respond in love. Responding to threats of suicide and setting boundaries also will touched on. Our presenter: Rev. Mark Stephenson is the Director of Disability Concerns, a ministry of the Christian Reformed Church in North America. Before this call, he pastored two congregations for 17 years. He and his wife Bev have four living children including Nicole, their oldest, who lives joyfully with severe multiple disabilities, and Mark’s mother has late stage dementia. |
12 votesLogin to Vote! |
Getting Going in Helping without HurtingWhen Helping Hurts has been paradigm-shifting for many churches; however, we’ve also heard the response, “Now what? How can we help without hurting? We are afraid to do anything!” This workshop will briefly review the concepts from When Helping Hurts and dive right in to the 5 principles for helping without hurting, which are included in the new edition of the book. We’ll also share tools and resources for putting the principles into action in both local and global contexts. Our presenter: Wendy Hammond, Church Relations Manager for the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee, is a certified sixteen:fifteen church missions coach and chair of the board for Communities First Association. |
11 votesLogin to Vote! |
Is Everyone Really Welcome to your Church?Many church leaders think of people with disabling conditions only in terms of their needs. Therefore, these leaders miss out on the blessing God gives eagerly to churches that fully engage people with disabilities in the life and ministry of the church. This webinar will explore the biblical foundations for engaging people with disabilities in church life and the blessings and benefits that come to churches that do so. This webinar was previously titled "Blessed By People with Disabilities" and was scheduled for April 25. We are in the process of re-scheduling. Our presenter: Rev. Mark Stephenson is the Director of Disability Concerns, a ministry of the Christian Reformed Church in North America. Before this call, he pastored two congregations for 17 years. He and his wife Bev have four living children including Nicole, their oldest, who lives joyfully with severe multiple disabilities, and Mark’s mother has late stage dementia. |
10 votesLogin to Vote! |
Safe Church Policies: Let's Create OneAny policy must consider the local situation; yet certain elements are common to our churches. This webinar will address the key componants of a safe church policy and help give you the tools needed to create a safe church policy for your church. Our presenter: Bonnie Nicholas is Director of Safe Church Ministry for the CRCNA. She has served on Domestic and Sexual Violence Coordinating Councils in two counties, bringing to the table a voice from the faith community. Bonnie has facilitated many groups for women and is also the author of Bethesda, Come to the Water, a Bible study guide for women (available from Faith Alive Christian Resources). |
10 votesLogin to Vote! |
A Compassionate Journey: Walking Alongside People with Disabilities and Chronic IllnessesThis webinar is an invitation to practice compassion by walking alongside people with chronic illnesses or disabilities as they experience major life changes, adjust to their new reality, and move on to experience growth and well-being. Our presenter: Rev. Mark Stephenson is the Director of Disability Concerns, a ministry of the Christian Reformed Church in North America. Before this call, he pastored two congregations for 17 years. He and his wife Bev have four living children including Nicole, their oldest, who lives joyfully with severe multiple disabilities, and Mark’s mother has late stage dementia. |
9 votesLogin to Vote! |
Ministering to Parents of Children with DisabilitiesParenting a child always presents challenges, even more so when that child has a disability. Churches can respond in effective and not-so-effective ways to parents who have children dealing with disabilities. During this webinar, we will consider parents' emotions and challenges, as well as effective and less effective responses toward families dealing with disability Our presenter: Rev. Mark Stephenson is the Director of Disability Concerns, a ministry of the Christian Reformed Church in North America. Before this call, he pastored two congregations for 17 years. He and his wife Bev have four living children including Nicole, their oldest, who lives joyfully with severe multiple disabilities, and Mark’s mother has late stage dementia. |
8 votesLogin to Vote! |
Autism and Children's MinistryYou want to include children with ASD in Sunday school and other church ministries, but it’s hard to know where to start. This webinar will give you the tools you need! From understanding the basics of ASD, to employing strategies for including individuals with ASD, to managing difficult behaviors, you’ll learn how to form an action plan and get started. Our presenter: Nella Uitvlugt is Executive Director of Friendship Ministries, an interdenominational organization dedicated to sharing God’s love with people who have intellectual disabilities and enabling them to become active members of God’s family. Nella has a degree in special education from Calvin College, leads a Friendship program in her church, is past president of the Religion and Spirituality Division of the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, serves on the leadership team of the National Council of Churches in Christ Committee on Disabilities, and is on the Advisory Committee of the CRCNA Disability Concerns Committee. She consults with pastors and congregations on topics concerning the spiritual needs of people with intellectual disabilities. |
8 votesLogin to Vote! |
Starting a Friendship MinistryWe’ll provide you with an overview of how to get a Friendship ministry started in your church and point you to the tools you need to take the next steps! Our presenter: Nella Uitvlugt is Executive Director of Friendship Ministries, an interdenominational organization dedicated to sharing God’s love with people who have intellectual disabilities and enabling them to become active members of God’s family. Nella has a degree in special education from Calvin College, leads a Friendship program in her church, is past president of the Religion and Spirituality Division of the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, serves on the leadership team of the National Council of Churches in Christ Committee on Disabilities, and is on the Advisory Committee of the CRCNA Disability Concerns Committee. She consults with pastors and congregations on topics concerning the spiritual needs of people with intellectual disabilities. |
7 votesLogin to Vote! |
What Friendship Mentors Need to KnowWhether you’re thinking about becoming a Friendship mentor but you’re not sure it’s the right role for you, or you’ve been involved for a long time and want to think more deeply about your role, join us for this webinar. We’ll talk about what a mentor’s role is, give you tips for communicating effectively with your friend, discuss how to deal with difficult behaviors, and suggest ideas for growing your friendship. Our presenter: Nella Uitvlugt is Executive Director of Friendship Ministries, an interdenominational organization dedicated to sharing God’s love with people who have intellectual disabilities and enabling them to become active members of God’s family. Nella has a degree in special education from Calvin College, leads a Friendship program in her church, is past president of the Religion and Spirituality Division of the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, serves on the leadership team of the National Council of Churches in Christ Committee on Disabilities, and is on the Advisory Committee of the CRCNA Disability Concerns Committee. She consults with pastors and congregations on topics concerning the spiritual needs of people with intellectual disabilities. |
6 votesLogin to Vote! |
The Role of the Church in Preventing Family AbuseWhat is the role of the congregation and its leaders in providing an atmosphere of safety, in preventing domestic abuse, and in providing safe opportunities to find help to those who have been hurt by abuse? This webinar will address the importance of understanding abuse dynamics, how it may be hidden in our churches, and the value of partnering with local resources. Our presenter: Bonnie Nicholas is Director of Safe Church Ministry for the CRCNA. She has served on Domestic and Sexual Violence Coordinating Councils in two counties, bringing to the table a voice from the faith community. Bonnie has facilitated many groups for women and is also the author of Bethesda, Come to the Water, a Bible study guide for women (available from Faith Alive Christian Resources). |
4 votesLogin to Vote! |
How to Get a GO Team GoingIn this webinar we’ll unpack what a Global Outreach (GO) Team looks like, qualities that make up an awesome team, how it can ignite a fire for missions, and steps to get started. Practical examples from other CRC’s will be shared. Our presenter: Trish De Jong is a Missions Resource Consultant with Christian Reformed World Missions, walking alongside congregations to become even more intentional, strategic and healthy in their global outreach. |
1 votesLogin to Vote! |
Keeping Our Youth Engaged in the ChurchThere's good news and bad news. Which do you want to hear first? The good news is that the youth of today who are being raised in the church are serious about their religious faith. I've heard it over and over again that they want to be a part of their church. Our youth want to be encouraged and heard. The bad news is that nearly half of our college-aged students are leaving the church that they were once a part of. In this webinar we will discuss ideas that can help parents and leaders keep our youth engaged in the church. Our presenter: Lee De Groot is from Hull, IA and Hope CRC has been her family's home church since 1989. She believes her most important calling is being a mom to her 5 children. As Youth Coordinator for MINN-I-KOTA Youth Ministries she has the privilege of meeting, working with, and encouraging the youth and their leaders in 50 different churches in MN, SD, and IA. Over the past five years Lee has shared her life journey and God's amazing grace to many large and small groups. This is what she has to say about herself and today's youth: "Even at my age I love spending time with our youth! My most valuable experiences have come from opening the doors of my home to many kids over the past 25 years, whether it is for a few hours between activities or for a couple of months or years because of family/life issues. II Corinthians 1:3-5 and Hebrews 10:25 are my life verses and I believe that MIK and Youth Ministry is a perfect fit because it is about spending time with, walking alongside, and encouraging our youth and their leaders." |
6/6 12:00pm ESTRegister |
Atonement ConfusionThis webinar was previously scheduled for May 2, 2012. Please make note of the new date. One of the reasons that evangelism is often more privileged than 'community development' or 'seeking justice' in terms of the church's understanding of its mission has to do with our understanding of what happened at the cross. When we think of Jesus' death on the cross and what he accomplished there as somehow distincet form and unrelated to his Kingdom proclamation and actions, we get stuck. This webinar will discuss this issue and suggest that a more comprehensive view of the atonement can lead to a more comprehensive mission for the church - something we desperately need in our day and age. Our presenter: Roy Berkenbosch is Director of the Micah Centre and Interdisciplinary Studies at The King’s University College in Edmonton, Alberta. He has worked in Bangladesh with CRWRC and is currently Pastoral Advisor to the CRWRC Board. He also serves on the steering committee of Micah Challenge Canada and Canadian Peacemakers International. |
6/27 12:00pm ESTRegister |
Are You a Welcoming Church?Being a hospitable congregation goes far beyond just having a friendly greeter at the door. Everything you do says something about who you are. Is your website visitor friendly? Do you have a plan for welcoming guests? Are you consistently communicating with your members so they feel like a valued part of your congregation? Every time someone encounters your church, whether it’s through the web or in-person, you have a chance to be hospitable to them. In this webinar, we'll look at principles and best practices for being a welcoming church. Our presenter: Jerod Clark is the project leader for Church Juice, a ministry of the Christian Reformed Church that helps train and consult with churches on how to use media better as an outreach tool. |
1/1 1:00am EST |
Additional Webinars for MinistryYou may also be interested in: - church education webinars from Faith Alive Christian Resources |
Held on 5/16/2012Watch Recording |
Be an Effective Deacon in Today's ChurchDo you want to settle for being an average deacon who only responds to immediate needs or do you want to fully embrace your calling as ministers of mercy? Many deacons today are not trained and prepared to fulfill their role in the church. Join us as we identify the main roles of the deacon, discuss how deacons can be more effective with benevolence needs, as well as learn how to encourage good stewardship of time, talent and finances in the congregation. Even though this workshop is geared to deacons, other church leaders may find it helpful. NOTE: there were 2 times when we experienced a loss of audio from the presenters and those times were from 9:35 - 11:45 and 24:40 - 25:40. Our presenter: Bernita Tuinenga and Dave Ellens are Co-Executive Directors of Volunteers In Service (VIS) in Grand Rapids, MI, a position they have shared since November of 2010. VIS’ primary focus is to equip deacons and churches to be more effective, Connect community needs with faith-based volunteers, which results in a caring church that transforms lives in the name of Jesus. |
Held on 5/9/2012Watch Recording |
Called to Be An Elder? Now What?Now you are ordained by the church to provide spiritual oversight to the body of Christ. What does that involve? How is that carried out in today's culture? How can I serve in an office that I feel "unqualified" for? Together we will explore the nature of spiritual leadership in the church. NOTE: The audio portion of the video excerpt that was shared is not part of this recording. Please go to My House Shall Be Called a House of Prayer cued to 10:07 to watch the video excerpt that was shared in this webinar. Our presenter: Rev. Andrew Beunk is the Lead Pastor at the New Westminster CRC in Burnaby, B.C. Andrew enjoys working with and equipping leaders. He has led several Elders workshops at the annual Ontario “Day of Encouragement”, and is currently serving on the Board for the B.C. Leadership Development Network. |
Held on 4/25/2012Watch Recording |
Children at the Lord's TableYou can keep the conversation going, share tips with other churches, and more. Just visit our Discipleship & Faith Formation discussion forum and post a question or discussion starter. Is your congregation reflecting on Synod's decision to welcome children to the Lord's Supper? Are you looking for a process to do that with warmth and integrity? Moving with your congregation through the change and challenge of this new opportunity for nurturing the faith of children requires thoughtful, intentional planning. It doesn't just happen! Join us to explore the roles of the pastor, elders, and parents in this significant process - and equip your congregation to move forward with joy. Our presenter: Rev. Thea Leunk is pastor of Eastern Avenue CRC in Grand Rapids, MI. Pat Nederveld is a children's writer/editor for Faith Alive Christian Resources and a member of the Synodical Faith Formation Committee. |
Held on 3/21/2012Watch Recording |
Church Renewal: The Journey of 3 Lands and 2 RiversOften congregational renewal attempts fail to rejuvenate a church, sometimes resulting in frustrated and disillusioned congregations. In this webinar we'll visit an old metaphor to help us understand the elements necessary for healthy and lasting renewal. Our presenter: Jack Tacoma is a Ministry Specialist with Home Missions in Eastern Canada and a member of the Regional Resource Team. Jack's work involves coaching churches toward renewal. |
Held on 3/14/2012Watch Recording |
Walking Alongside Our Muslim NeighboursIn this session we'll examine some of the basic beliefs and practices of Islam and learn why loving Muslims is biblical. Included are real life examples from an ongoing North American ministry to Muslims. Our presenter: Greg Sinclair is the Training Coordinator for AMAM (Advancing Ministry Among Muslims), a multi-agency CRC initiative to encourage outreach to Muslims in North America. Greg was a missionary for 9 years to an unreached people group in West Africa, and previously pastored a CRC church in Alberta. |
Held on 3/7/2012Watch Recording |
Discipling and Enfolding New ChristiansIs your church ready to disciple, mentor and enfold new Christians? Do new believers quickly become an integral part of your church family? This webinar will present basic principles of discipling and enfolding which will help you embrace the new people God is sending to your church. It's perfect for pastors, church leaders, those involved in outreach, and anyone who wants to become better equipped to disciple new believers. Our presenter: Hilda VanderKlippe works for Christian Reformed Home Missions in the area of evangelism and church planting. She has been involved in discipling new Christians for many years. Hilda lives with her family in the Niagara area of Ontario where she attends The Village, a new church that regularly welcomes and enfolds new believers. |
Held on 2/29/2012Watch Recording |
The What, Why, and How of Safe Church MinistryThis webinar will provide an overview of CRC Safe Church Ministry and discuss the reasons why abuse prevention and response is critical to the life of our churches. In addition, we'll briefly look at how Safe Church Ministry is changing and discover the ways it can help provide opportunities for powerful, transforming ministry to individuals and churches. If you're a church leader, pastor, or someone interested in Safe Church Ministry, please join us. Our presenter: Bonnie Nicholas is Director of Safe Church Ministry for the CRCNA. She has served on Domestic and Sexual Violence Coordinating Councils in two counties, bringing to the table a voice from the faith community. Bonnie has facilitated many groups for women and is also the author of Bethesda, Come to the Water, a Bible study guide for women (available from Faith Alive Christian Resources). |
Held on 2/15/2012Watch Recording |
Touch Your World Through Prayer: Praying for God's Global MissionMissionary giant Hudson Taylor said, "When we work, we work. When we pray, God works." Discover ways to mobilize your church to pray for both local and global missions. Our presenter: Bill Thornburg is a former Nigeria missionary and currently serves as a Missions Resource Consultant for World Missions. Bill helps provides missions education and resources to local churches. Steve Van Zanen serves as Director for Missions Education and Engagement. |
Held on 2/8/2012Watch Recording |
The Network - Connect with Others About Ministry"I wonder how other churches do this?" How many times have you heard that question, or asked it yourself? Now there's a way volunteer and staff ministry leaders can connect with each other to compare notes, encourage each other, and talk about the nuts and bolts of various church ministries. The Network is built on the idea that often the best help comes from people who are doing similar work and have struggled with similar questions. In this webinar we'll take a tour of the site and look at examples of the connections being made. Plus we'll uncover tricks to getting the most out of the site, and ways to quickly tap into the collective knowledge and experience of fellow church members across the CRC. Our presenter: Jonathan Wilson is the Community and Content Manager of The Network. |
Held on 2/1/2012Watch Recording |
The Web is Your Church's New Front DoorNOTE: This webinar is a repeat of the January 25, 2012 webinar of the same name. Although the presentation itself is repeated, the Q&A session at the end is different. To hear the audio in the video clip that was shared click here. When people are looking for a church to attend, most will check out their options online before ever walking through the physical door of a church. On average, they’ll check out up to a dozen sites before visiting a church in person. What does your church website say about you? Learn about web strategies: from planning and designing to content creation and updating. We'll talk about making your website visitor friendly as well as useful for members. Our presenter: Jerod Clark is the project leader for Church Juice, a ministry of the Christian Reformed Church that helps train and consult with churches on how to use media better as an outreach tool. |
Held on 1/25/2012Watch Recording |
The Web is Your Church's New Front DoorNOTE: This webinar was recorded on January 25, 2012 and then a repeat session was held on February 1. Although the presentation itself is repeated, the Q&A sessions at the end of each webinar are different. To hear the audio from the video clip that was shared click here. When people are looking for a church to attend, most will check out their options online before ever walking through the physical door of a church. On average, they’ll check out up to a dozen sites before visiting a church in person. What does your church website say about you? Learn about web strategies: from planning and designing to content creation and updating. We'll talk about making your website visitor friendly as well as useful for members. Our presenter: Jerod Clark is the project leader for Church Juice, a ministry of the Christian Reformed Church that helps train and consult with churches on how to use media better as an outreach tool. |
Held on 1/1/2011Watch Recording |
Global Mission Webinars ArchiveYou may also be interested in earlier recordings from the Global Missions Webinar series. Our presenter: various |
Before the Webinar
What equipment will I need?
You just need a basic computer with speakers or headphones. During the presentation, audio will come through your speakers/headphones and the visuals will appear on your screen.
Will my computer work?
Our webinar provider, WebEx, offers a test meeting you can join to make sure your system is ready to go. If prompted, download the WebEx client (a small tool that allows you to view the webinar). Once you see the “Congratulations” slide you’ll know that your system is ready for the real webinar. Enter the test meeting now.
How do I register?
Visit www.crcna.org/webinars and click the link of the webinar you’d like to attend. On the next page, find the “Register” button near the bottom of the page. Fill in your name and other required information and click “Submit”.
Once registered, you’ll receive an email that contains the link you’ll need to click to join the webinar. That link is very important, so be sure to keep this email for the day of the webinar.
Joining the Webinar
How do I join the webinar?
On the day of the webinar, find your registration email. Shortly before the webinar is to begin, click the link in that registration email to join the webinar. Make sure your speakers/headphones are on and wait for the webinar to start.
Troubleshooting
Can’t Join
- Try this System Check Tool.
- If prompted, accept the download of the WebEx client (depending on your browser and pop-up settings, a prompt may appear as a small yellow bar across the top of the web page).
- If your browser is using outdated Java or Flash plugins, you may also be prompted to update those.
Can’t Hear Audio
- Check that your speakers are turned on or that your headphones are plugged into the correct jack.
- Check that your computer volume isn’t muted.
- Turn up your computer volume.
-
Adjust volume on the WebEx Audio Broadcast Panel (see image).
- If you accidentally closed that panel, you can re-open it from the top menu item: Communicate > Join Audio Broadcast
Can’t See Presentation
- If you have several applications open, make sure the WebEx application is on top. Close or minimize unnecessary applications.
During the Webinar
What’s on my webinar screen?
During the webinar, you’ll be viewing the “Event Window” (see image). The Event Window has it’s own set up menus at the top and the main portion of the screen is divided into two parts:
- left side - content such as slides, videos, etc
- right sidebar - separate panels for Q&A, chat, polls, and more
How to I adjust volume?
Simply adjust the volume of your computer and/or speakers. You can also adjust volume on the WebEx Audio Broadcast Panel (see image). If you accidentally closed that panel, you can re-open it from the top menu item: Communicate > Join Audio Broadcast
What is Q&A, and how do I use it?
Use the Q&A tool to send questions - at any time! - to the presenter. The host will compile those questions and, during or after the presentation, pose them to the presenter. Or, in some cases, your question may be answered in writing by another staffer.
If attendance is high, we can’t promise we’ll have time to get to every question. But we’ll try and in many cases we’ll provide you with an opportunity to keep the conversation going after the live event ends.
What is chat, and how do I use it?
Chat is a quick messaging tool we can use to send notes to all participants. You may also use it for quick messages to us like “please speak up”. If you have questions for the presenter, please use the Q&A tool, not chat.
What is a poll, and how do I use it?
Polls are a great tool for getting input from all the webinar participants, much as you might do a show of hands at a live workshop. When the host opens a poll, you’ll see the question appear in your sidebar. Select or type your answer and submit.
