Church Renewal

In Charles Olson's book, Transforming Church Boards into Communities of Spiritual Leaders, he asks: what if there is another way of looking at the work  of the church council?

Designed to equip churches for Spirit-led, group-engaged, mission-oriented discernment, the Crossroads Discernment Toolkit was birthed out of a unique collaboration between Resonate Global Mission and the CRCNA's Pastor Church Resources.

Self-identified North American church goers attend church, on average, just once per month. Providence CRC recognized this challenge and is choosing a proactive approach to keep people connected even when they not present on Sunday mornings.

I think we have failed to recognize the power that we have to form the Christian identity of the young people sitting in our pews. Won’t you consider giving young people a voice at the table?

As my exposure to congregations has increased, I’ve discovered greater creativity than I anticipated. Let me share a story about The HUB's creative approach to “doing” church.

Connecting with a public school links the church to the beating heart of the community. Here are a few ways churches can serve their local public schools. 

The Ultimate Frisbee community, like any other group coming together over a shared affinity, has its own special values. As we integrate into these communities, we have an incredible opportunity to live out our faith.

As I sit at the table, I have not said one single profound thing or come up with any solutions. But I am hearing stories, learning about the brokenness, and gaining a sense of the opportunities that exist. 

A few years ago Providence Church (Holland, MI) harnessed the energy of HGTV and remodeled a home while also raising thousands of dollars for a Uganda missional move. Here's a to-do list if your church is interested! 

Sunnyside CRC in Sunnyside, WA, discovered a powerful way to demonstrate the love of Christ to neighbors while also building deeper fellowship among believers.

Rock and Roll and Food Trucks was easily the largest outreach event that Faith Community has undertaken in the last twenty years. It grew out of the ideas and culture cultivated by the Church Renewal Lab. 

I was the only pastor there among people with graduate degrees in environmental science and ecology. When it was my turn to present, I unapologetically said that we are a church and are called to care for God's creation.