June 18, 2019
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A Budget by Any Other Name
My budget app snobbery provided fresh perspective on the simplicity of a personal budget.
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May 21, 2019
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I Gave Up My Cup of Joe for Lent… Here’s What I Learned
On Ash Wednesday I decided to give up my afternoon cup of coffee and thus began the longest Lenten season of my life.
May 14, 2019
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Finding Mission Through Financial Shalom
Faith Community CRC in Beaver Dam, WI has always found meaningful and creative ways to connect to their community in mission. Recently this required the church to decide whether their next pastor would be full-time.
April 16, 2019
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Don't Let This Creep Near You
It may already be too late. This creep is sneaky. Everyone is vulnerable, regardless of age, class, gender or race. I’m talking about “lifestyle creep.” It’s a thing—a very real thing.
March 19, 2019
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These Are My Thoughts on FIRE
No, my actual thoughts aren’t on fire. Instead, here are my thoughts on the FIRE (Financial Independence Retiring Early) movement that’s picking up steam and making headlines.
March 5, 2019
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A Legacy for the Kingdom or for Canines?
For better or for worse, what’s done now will tell your story later. Will your legacy reflect your Kingdom calling. . . or will it be fit for the dogs?
February 19, 2019
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Can These Bones Live?
“Sovereign Lord, you alone know.” You know these words because you've felt them. Overwhelmed and without recourse, you've remained open to the possibilities of what only God can do.
February 4, 2019
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My Wealth and My Neighbor
When it comes to generous giving, it's not "either-or" but "both-and." It's not just "my family" but "my family" and "my neighbor."
December 17, 2018
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Connect the Dots
Connect the dots is magical—at least for someone like me, who barely managed a passing grade in high school art class! In my work this past year, I've been connecting the dots between churches and Barnabas Foundation.
November 20, 2018
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Since When Does Winning $1.6 Billion Mean You’ve Made It?
Lottery records will keep shattering. Dreams about how to spend untold millions will continue to be spun by throngs. Does that mean the Church can’t grow believers who know better?
October 23, 2018
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Hey, Church...Wanna Hear a Secret?
In the past year since becoming Barnabas Foundation’s church communications director, I’ve realized many churches miss something critical that other Christian not-for-profits get. Let me share the secret.
October 18, 2018
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Financial Shalom Updates Program Guidelines
Financial Shalom supports CRC pastors facing a wide variety of financial challenges by providing grants of up to $4,000. The project recently revised some of the grant guidelines.
October 8, 2018
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Before You Talk About Money With Your Kids, Say This
Countless voices tell our children money makes the world go round. Parents must speak louder and say otherwise.
September 24, 2018
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A Lesson From Aretha Franklin for the Church
Few church members will receive fame and accolades the way Aretha Franklin did during her lifetime. But every believer, no matter how meager their circumstances, can learn a valuable lesson from her about important conversations with fellow believers and loved ones.
September 10, 2018
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How Generosity Crushes Greed
A fascinating classroom experiment at the University of Maryland illustrates an important truth. Even a handful of saints giving sacrificially can make a really big difference.
July 30, 2018
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Paying for Church Ministry…Who Decides? Me or My Millennial Friend?
Lecturing my millennial friend on the priorities of giving won't accomplish much. Truth is, he has a lot more to say about how and when church ministry will be paid for than I do.
July 3, 2018
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You’re the Total Package…but Are You Generous?
The uncomfortable truth is that something is missing if our prayers and serving and witnessing aren’t coupled with generous giving.
April 10, 2018
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The God-Shaped Life
Jesus' agenda is radical because it orients us to God in the first place so that our living is shaped by God's priorities, instead of our own.
March 22, 2018
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What Role Will Bi-Vocational Ministry Play in the Future of the CRCNA?
Letter from John Bolt, Chief Financial Officer, CRCNA about the bi-vocational ministry gathering happening April 24-25 in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
March 7, 2018
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Why I Am Bivocational (BIVO)
I am a bivocational (BIVO) church planter, and it's the best decision I've ever made in my 30-year ministry career. Here's why.
November 2, 2016
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On Being the “Vrouw Dominie”
Lots of ideas come to mind when people think “pastor’s spouse.” Playing the piano. Leading children’s worship. Making coffee. But I've never felt tied to these traditional expectations and it's made all the difference.
April 28, 2016
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I Am Blessed by Resting in God's Gifts
Are you satisfied with what God has given you today? Depending on your day, your employment status, your family situation or your tax refund, this may seem like a loaded question.
October 5, 2015
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Thoughtful Appreciation
None of the volunteers drew attention to themselves. So they didn’t get much attention. For this reason, churches need to be alerted. We agreed and gave it a name: Pastor and Ministry Appreciation.
October 5, 2015
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Pastor and Ministry Appreciation Month Is Here
Over the next few weeks, The Network wants to join with you in brainstorming simple and thoughtful ways to say “THANKS!” to the leaders in your church.
September 24, 2015
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Now Canada, too! Google Apps for Non-Profits
Great news - Google for Non-Profits is now available in Canada!