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.
Vibrant
Staci
Scott
Andrew
Keith
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.
We are looking for insights on changing our current model of Elders to shepherding and administrative....looking for feedback from different churches on the pros and cons.
The U.S. election is bringing deep anxiety, incivility, and fear to U.S. congregations. How do leaders navigate this moment?
Many assume that supervising the minister is elders' work. Not so fast! What about the other people on the team—the deacons?
While we value membership in the CRC, are there any scripture passages that can be used to support membership?
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.
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.
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.
As regions across the US and Canada begin reopening, what leadership challenges are pastors and councils engaging?
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.
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.
Here is a compilation of resources for elders as they try to navigate the 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.
Are we approving one's profession of faith, as though we're giving it a pass-fail grade? Might we instead recognize and welcome?
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?
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?
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.
Have you ever served your church as an elder? Are you currently an elder? Say "hello" in the comments below!
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?
Here are ten of the many workshops offered that elders will find helpful in their ministry.
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?
Here's a list of best practices describing how churches can make connections with local community mental health services.