November 2, 2020
310
0
3 comments
Of Donkeys, Elephants, and Other Animals
The U.S. election is bringing deep anxiety, incivility, and fear to U.S. congregations. How do leaders navigate this moment?
Results 1-25 of 342
Sort by
September 17, 2020
572
3
2
Who Supervises the Minister? The Answer Might Surprise You...
Many assume that supervising the minister is elders' work. Not so fast! What about the other people on the team—the deacons?
September 16, 2020
164
1
1
Biblical Foundation for Membership?
While we value membership in the CRC, are there any scripture passages that can be used to support membership?
September 15, 2020
626
4
2
Alcohol, Addiction and the CRC Pastor
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.
July 8, 2020
401
0
0
Your Lament Sermon Was Great, A Therapy Session Might Be Even Better
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?
July 7, 2020
460
0
0
The Complaint and COVID: Just a Value Trying to Find a Voice
Wise leaders understand that complaints are often values statements in disguise.
June 29, 2020
964
0
0
7 Theological (and Practical) Reopening Resources for Churches
We’ve curated a list of excellent reopening resources for churches to help you navigate both the practical and theological aspects of beginning to gather in person again.
June 15, 2020
637
0
0
Dear Pastor, If You've Got Everyone Else, Who's Got You?
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.
June 14, 2020
2390
3
0
Eight Things for Church Leaders to Consider as Things Re-open
Here are some things church leaders may want to consider in the new season of partially-gathered church.
June 12, 2020
105
0
0
Leadership and COVID-19: Resources for Pastors and Councils of Partially-Gathered Churches
As regions across the US and Canada begin reopening, what leadership challenges are pastors and councils engaging?
May 20, 2020
1125
3
1
COVID and Council: The Conversation You’re Dreading Is the Opportunity the World Is Waiting For
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.
May 12, 2020
3207
2
22
When to Reopen Church? (And When to Re-Close)
I've heard of councils struggling with the question of how and when to re-open. Sadly, I've also heard of this issue causing pain and division.
March 24, 2020
920
0
0
Elders and COVID-19
Here is a compilation of resources for elders as they try to navigate the Covid-19 environment.
March 23, 2020
479
0
0
Revised: Suggestions for Elders in a Covid-19 Environment
How do you provide spiritual leadership in an environment in which you can't meet with people face to face? Here are some suggestions.
February 9, 2020
274
2
2
Must We "Approve" Profession of Faith?
Are we approving one's profession of faith, as though we're giving it a pass-fail grade? Might we instead recognize and welcome?
January 22, 2020
230
0
1
Elders Serving After Sin
If someone has committed a public sin (eg an affair), are they eligible to be an office bearer in the future or do certain sins prohibit someone from serving in office for the rest of their lives?
September 17, 2019
665
1
7
Elders and Conflict
I recently received an email from an office bearer who was heading into a council meeting; the third meeting devoted to a particularly thorny issue. What would you say to her?
September 12, 2019
612
0
0
Council Devotions: A Year's Worth of Great Conversations
Does your church council talk regularly about the spiritual health of your congregation? Here is a set of twelve devotionals that will lead your elders and deacons to focus on your church's flourishing.
August 30, 2019
457
1
31
Any Current or Past Elders?
Have you ever served your church as an elder? Are you currently an elder? Say "hello" in the comments below!
July 25, 2019
399
1
6
What Do You Wish You Had Known When You Were First Installed?
I've been wanting elders and deacons to weigh in on this question: What do you wish you had known when you were first installed in office?
June 25, 2019
411
1
0
Why Elders Should Go to Inspire 2019
Here are ten of the many workshops offered that elders will find helpful in their ministry.
April 9, 2019
80
0
1
Should We Apologize for Excommunication?
Assume that 50 years ago a consistory excommunicated a member for engaging in snowmobile races and missing church on Sundays. Should we apologize for church practices that we would no longer engage in?
March 20, 2019
443
0
4
10 Ways Churches Can Partner With Mental Health Services
Here's a list of best practices describing how churches can make connections with local community mental health services.
February 7, 2019
29
6
6
How Does the Church Minister to the Wealthy?
The church does a great job embracing the poor, the downtrodden, refugees, the homeless. But we haven't quite figured out how to minister to those who are wealthy.
October 25, 2018
95
1
1
Do You Know What You're Doing?
Elders and deacons sometimes enter their work with great eagerness but little awareness of what they are supposed to do. What comes next? Frustration.