This is a public forum to share ideas, ask questions, and reflect on being a pastor in the CRC.
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The Leadership Paper defines “character” as that which generates trust on the part of followers. As you read this article, ask yourself, “How does that definition of character affect the following building project and my own work?”
As we dig into “conviction,” the second leadership trait that congregations can develop, we switch to a new image—a ship on a voyage. Here’s the story.
In a provocative discussion on “competencies,” the CRCNA’s Leadership Development Team claims we “should not overstate the distinction between character and competence.” Yet the echo of competency rooted in character sounds often.
Engage your right brain for about 1250 more words as you read a recently discovered and freely translated verbatim of a meeting of the Central Jerusalem Wannabe Temple Worship Committee.
James C. Dekker, pastor of Covenant Christian Reformed Church in St. Catharines, Ontario, remembers that he never was able to practice personal devotions faithfully until he suffered his own mini-death and found hope from Christ’s resurrection from once-broken colleagues.
How do you determine the balance between too much or too little organization? Leaders need to understand their mission and clearly see that the structure and organization assists in accomplishing ministry.
A review of Donald Miller's Blue Like Jazz: Nonreligious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality (Nashville, Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2003) and Searching for God Knows What (Nelson Books, 2004)
The following is a sermon given at a funeral for a 19-year-old who took his own life (see blog post).
“Tony” was a maddeningly complex person, whose story I rehearse in the light of Paul’s own autobiographical revelations in Philippians 1:12-26, 2 Corinthians 4:7-12 and Romans 8.
“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." Luke 6:38
A book review on Preaching with Conviction: Connecting with Postmodern Listeners by Kenton C. Anderson.
It’s Sunday morning. Nobody talked much on the way to church today. Mom and Dad had words. But the kids were quiet. They knew better than to speak up when the air was thick with the tension of an argument.
A book review on the Truth Decay: Defending Christianity Against the Challenges of Postmodernism by Douglas Groothuis.
As stewards, we are in charge of everything God has given to us—our money, our time, our talents, our homes, our families—everything!
With decades-long help from books, friends, and the Scriptures, I am realizing that thoughtless consumerism is daily paying us ever more mini-deaths. How long can God’s world survive our consumerist acquisitiveness?
This is the last article I plan to post in this series on leadership. I hope that the honest and heartfelt stories count as a helpful, popular, accessible contribution to our conversation and actions about leadership and leaders in the CRC.
How many pastors does it take to change a Christian Reformed church? The best and right answer is probably “None.” But that hasn’t kept many of my ilk from trying. Some try wisely, some foolishly. We all pray we’re faithful to God in building up the church and serving in God’s world.
What’s to debate? Isn’t it a given that congregations be healthy? The issues are complex and crucial. At stake is not merely survival of local congregations, but also the direction of the CRCNA in the 21st century.
In “Leadership: A Working Definition,” the Christian Reformed Church’s Leadership Development Team calls its fourth leadership principle “confluence.” Let's explore “confluence” by using the following river metaphor.
Today more ministers live in their own houses than ever before. But not all. Local situations vary. But where pastors live in church-owned housing, consistories do well to think about their retirement days.
Salesforce, like Google Apps, is available to non-profits for free. I am writing this article to tell you about how I've set up Salesforce for our church to track membership and our offerings.
As you start your role, you are called to first understand the current situation and develop relationships with those involved in areas of ministry where you will be serving.
Salesforce, like Google Apps, is available to non-profits for free, so I truly am not selling anything. I am writing this article to tell you about how I've set up Salesforce for our church to track membership and our offerings.
There’s nothing wrong with occasionally using another preacher's work when one’s own well is dry. How can preachers give due credit honestly and not awkwardly?
This brief guide is intended to be an introductory checklist for pastors, pastoral care workers, elders or deacons when you visit families or individuals.