When a person chooses to live with God, there is a consequence. God chooses to transform her life. Knowledge grows. Faith increases. The fruits of the Spirit become evident. For all the differences between people, there is a similarity in the work that the Spirit does in our lives.
This website provides information and support for churches using Kid Connection--the kindergarten through grade six large group/small group curriculum from Faith Alive.
Kids think and act so much differently than adults that relating to them can be a challenge! The links below summarize intellectual, social, and spiritual characteristics of kids at various age levels, and offer tips for helping them grow in faith.
This book from Faith Alive includes first-hand stories, practical advice, and resources to help churches care for people in a wide range of difficult situations. Includes sections on AIDS, Alzheimer's disease, depression, troubled relationships, single parenting, substance abuse, and more.
A World Renew partner organization that helps deacons, churches, and communities engage in wholistic, long-term, and structural responses to poverty.
This is the website for the Barnabas Foundation which provides guidance and assistance to Christians to help them grow in their understanding of biblical stewardship.
A CRC ministry that inspires, equips and encourages deacons, churches and their partners in transforming communities with the love of Christ.
CRC congregations are partnering to give hope to at-risk elementary school children through caring relationships. Visit this website and see how this is done.
Volunteers In Service enables churches to be Christ's servants in their communities in West Michigan by providing the training and resources they need to answer the call to serve others.
This form can be used for situations when children and youth leave the community for a church-related activity or youth are gone overnight for an event.
If you’re a doer like me, you’ll find it easier to check things off the list than be still to pause for prayer. Like Martha in the kitchen, nothing that we do is as important as the relationship we’re cultivating with God.
Recognizing our various roles, considering what is required by them, and accepting their limitations goes a long way to keeping appropriate boundaries in the church’s life.
Every community has its habits. They are so ordinary that no one either questions them or names them. But for someone walking into the room for the first time they are the first encounters into a new world. What are you supposed to do as a first-time elder?
People need intimacy, not answers—that is what we must remember when we are trying to comfort someone who is hurting.
Here is the most recent Form of Subscription, along with some supplemental material found in the church order.
The church order has a number of articles that outline some of aspects of eldership. I have put the basic Articles of the church order in together for your information.
The Presbyterian Church of Canada provides their elders with training. This site gives you a window into their training and provides a number of very useful resources.
To be called as an elder is to take on a new role in your relationship to the congregation. It is important to reflect on your new role and face some of its demands and limitations.
In our just in time culture, just in time learning has come to work of elders. Very few churches have a program of preparation in which people are enrolled prior to their call to be an elder. Which means most elders start the work of eldership feeling unprepared for the challenge of the work. Learning needs to happen on many fronts. Just by reading this, you are seeking information and encouragement for the challenges you face.
Do I really have what it takes to be a spiritual guide to the people I meet?
I have never written a blogpost before and had to be told what it was. I'm still not sure. But what I am sure about is that I believe this idea of "Network" is a pretty good one. So I'll learn what it takes to be a guide for this "Pastors" section. I won't be alone, I hope. I am looking forward to other colleagues, interested persons, perhaps aspiring pastors to help make this little website helpful, informative and participatory for our callings as pastors.
A book review on the Truth Decay: Defending Christianity Against the Challenges of Postmodernism by Douglas Groothuis.
While most information online becomes out-of-date quickly (especially information about technology and websites), this article from The Banner provides timeless tips to keep in mind while designing your website.
In all areas of life—from home repair to healthcare—prevention simply makes good sense. Why not put a little effort today into prevention if it means we can avoid big problems—and expensive cures—in the future?
I have often found very helpful articles and books on this site. They have provided leadership as church consultants.