January 23, 2020
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A Biblical Vision for the Third Third of Life
This article by Syd Hielema is part of The Third Third of Life Toolkit—a collection of resources for ministry to and with people ages 55 and over.
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February 24, 2019
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Coaching Corner: When Was Your Team’s Last Sabbath Prayer Retreat?
During the past four weeks I’ve led four Sabbath prayer retreats: two for church councils on different ends of the continent, one for a CRC Classis, and one for the staff of a Christian High School.
August 3, 2018
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The “Heart Songs” Project
Imagine three years from now: as the project continues, more than 100 heart songs will have been shared. Worshipers will see the heart of Jesus beating in one another through fresh eyes.
June 14, 2018
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And Then He Said, 'When Will You See a Spiritual Director?'
Like all Christians, ministry leaders face daily challenges and difficulties. Spiritual direction can help us meet those challenges in the spirit of Psalm 139.
June 6, 2018
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Grandparents Discipling Grandchildren
Grandparents can have a huge impact on the faith of their grandchildren. Here are some ideas for strengthening those important discipling relationships.
April 17, 2018
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Shrinking the Denomination
Faith formation cohorts promote faith nurture and help “shrink” the denomination in important ways. Find out more below!
November 3, 2017
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Alejandro's Driving Lessons: Reflections on Refugees and my Faith Formation
About a year ago, as Venezuela was beginning to deteriorate into violent chaos, I prayed for God to expand my borders. A short time later, he brought refugees Alejandro and Sandra into my life.
October 23, 2017
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I’m Reformed — Who Cares?
My Reformed roots have blessed me, and continue to bless me, in too many ways to count. I’ll name just three.
October 15, 2017
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I'm Embarrassed to Be a Christian
We often end our youth group year by inviting the teens to write down questions they’re struggling with. This past spring I was shocked by the composite question that topped the list.
August 22, 2017
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Offering the Gifts of Sturdy, Gentle Graces: Reflections After Charlottesville
After a week which included a public display of racial hatred, the murder of a young woman, and the shameful failure of a president to name evil for what it is, how do we respond?
May 24, 2017
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Blessed by the Blessings of Others
I’ll never forget the professor who read Psalm 13 and tied it to his lifelong struggle with depression. The sanctuary was so quiet as he spoke that it seemed like everyone was blessed in glimpsing the blessings he received from this short but powerful Psalm.
March 8, 2017
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Being a Committed Community
Strengthening our commitment practices, including the practice of profession of faith, calls us to name the idolatries that tempt us and intentionally embody a different way of being.
December 5, 2016
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Where Does Jesus Live in Your Church - Part 4
“Niceness” is not a Christian value. Friendliness is a Christian value when it goes beyond niceness and leads to something deeper. In being hospitable, I welcome the guest in such a way that I am changed, too.
November 16, 2016
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The Trouble With "Authenticity" as a Faith Formation Goal
We are living in a cultural season in which a kind of “stand alone authenticity” is celebrated and encouraged everywhere. It’s a false idol that needs to be discerned, named and rejected.
November 8, 2016
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Where Does Jesus Live in Your Church? - Part 3
In my 62 years as a member of the CRC, I’ve noticed that we tend to describe people either in terms of the opinions they hold or the stories they share. And these two are very different.
October 28, 2016
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Where Do You See Jesus in your Church - Part 2
When a congregation repents well, its culture will lean towards humility, teachability, hospitality, and a healthy vulnerability that shares how the Lord’s power is made perfect in its weakness.
October 25, 2016
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Where Do You See Jesus in your Church - Part 1
When is the last time you and other leaders in your church formally reflected on this question, “Where does Jesus live in our church?”
October 12, 2016
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Confessing My Sin in Trumpland
At this fork, I find myself praying prayers like these: “Lord, the news cycle has helped me to see the great pit of fear that lives inside me. I feel paralyzed and confused. Pierce my fear with the power of your Spirit...”
October 7, 2016
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Tenderness and Tears
As the US election date draws nearer—a date being closely watched on both sides of our border—my prayer is that the Christian voice will increasingly become shaped by tenderness and tears.
August 17, 2016
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The Preaching Tag-Team Challenge
Do you long to see teens and young adults more solidly connected to your church? Are you a preacher or do you belong to a church that has a preacher? If so, I invite you to take the “Preaching Tag-team Challenge.”
June 28, 2016
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Homosexuality and Holy Uncertainty
I wonder if we in the CRC are called to be somewhere along that seven-mile stretch of uncertainty concerning homosexuality; I believe that I am.
June 14, 2016
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Kathy's Question: "Why Do You Hate Me?"
I was struck dumb, my mind racing. What had I done or said to evoke such a question? I don’t remember how the conversation concluded. But I do remember its impact on me.
June 2, 2016
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Three Minutes of Grace
During our morning worship, anyone could offer to read a Psalm and describe how the passage had significantly shaped his or her life. Imagine the impact of these testimonies on the community.
May 20, 2016
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Preaching to Bless Children and Teens
I know from experience how difficult it is to prepare and deliver those kinds of sermons. I’d suggest three approaches for preachers and their support communities to strengthen such intergenerational preaching.
May 19, 2016
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A Murder Trial and Faith Formation
In a very different and much more subtle way, the court also experienced a different story of faith formation: the formation of the grieving community. It’s not my place to describe what they are going through, but I am deeply struck by two things...