Whether you're a new or experienced elder, let's use this place to compare notes, share experiences, and ask questions about being an elder in the CRC.
Stan
Benjamin
Scott
Lloyd
KeithWrite your own blog post to share your ministry experience with others.
The stress of ministry during COVID is leading good pastors to consider leaving ministry altogether. They're burned out and exhausted. Here's how your council could help.
A conversation with an active Christian Reformed minister about addiction, grace, and how the pressure of life and leadership in COVID makes this the "perfect" time for a problem to come up.
Dear Pastor, in this moment of widespread loss and grief, could an hour of you talking honestly with your therapist help your congregation more than an hour of you refining your sermon on lament?
Wise leaders understand that complaints are often values statements in disguise.
A pastor and a professor encourage ministry leaders to embrace the grief work they may be tempted to neglect. They explain why good grief will help you, your congregation and your theology.
Here are some things church leaders may want to consider in the new season of partially-gathered church.
On May 20, Pastor Church Resources convened a panel not about the logistics of reopening but about the practices and postures that help congregations engage challenging conversations in hopeful ways.
In discussing and teaching about the Lord’s Supper, we commonly give most attention to the bread and the cup. But let's notice something else about the Lord's Super from I Corinthians.
"Do not judge, in order that you are not judged." Scott Clark examines Matthew 7:1 as it is the "go to" verse for many people, Christians and non-Christians alike.
It is possible that you might have forgotten the three marks of a true church according to the Belgic Confession?
Michael Kruger of Reformed Theological Seminary suggests that behind every issue is the question of: "What is your ultimate authority?" In today's anti-authority world, we are witnessing a "battle of authorities" between the authority of the self and that of the Bible and its Author.
A number of years ago a seminary professor made the observation that guilt is resolved on the cross, but shame is healed in relationship. Is your church willing to embrace veterans?
The 70th anniversary of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombing churns up deep emotions within me. It also is a good illustration of one of the issues Johnny, our imaginary returning veteran, may well be dealing with.
Veterans from America’s longest war have joined the veterans of earlier wars in our communities and churches. Their perspective has been shaped by their experience. Like everyone else, they have spiritual gifts. They also have needs...
For many people, the last three places they would want to be is a funeral, a hospital or a hospice care center. I think these are the best places you could go if you want to grow in faith.
My church is embarking on a journey of pastoral transition. Transitions are hard. My greatest dream for this process is that we take every opportunity to model grace and patience.
Even through times of deep depression, his ministry remained directed toward helping people in their struggles, encouraging them not to lose faith in God.
Youth is not always a time of innocence. Sins of our youth can be real. They can cling to us through subsequent years...
It's the same for all ages: we want to be liked. We are not proud of trying to look good. Still, the approval of people around us has its lure.
One striking difference between pastoring and social work is the function and role of supervision. Professional supervision consists of a candid review and empowering of both the social worker’s practice and personhood in order to practice ethically and therapeutically and “do no harm” to the clients. I believe that pastors need a similar kind of supervision.
On April 16-18, a first-ever Prayer Summit for our denomination will take place in Los Angeles, Calif. By way of the “Each Church Send One!” campaign, I am inviting — and strongly encouraging — your congregation to send at least one person to this event.
There is a journey of renewed identity that some churches experience. They remember fondly the fruitfulness in their land of the past. Then they cross the first holy river into the desert where, through prayer and holy conversation, they climb the jagged mountains to discover renewed vision. They cross deep valleys
I’m writing to ask for your help with an issue that affects all Christian Reformed churches. Faith Alive, as you know, is the publishing ministry of the CRC. But like many denominational publishers, Faith Alive is facing significant financial headwinds in today’s tough economic times.
The title may seem a bit crass -- and actually it is -- but that is precisely the question that I am asked most often as a stated clerk by elders: "How do we get rid of our minister?" I vividly recall the conversation from the chair of council who actually began our phone conversation with that question. I quickly learned that he was the one having difficulty with his pastor and he simply wanted him 'gone'.