Fall Update and Encouragement: Colin Watson

As we began a new ministry year, Executive Director Colin Watson prepared a video with some updates about what is happening in the CRCNA, what resources and networks are available to you, and some things to consider as you make plans for the coming year. We are not alone in these challenging times; we are in this together, and under God’s care.

New Thriving Essentials Course

Be one of the first to experience and help shape a new course for elders, deacons, church staff, and lay leaders. Developed with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc, this online 4-session course helps your ministry leaders get on the same page with key paradigms about mission, discipleship, discernment, and leadership. Pilot testing starts now, 300 spots available. For details, dates, and to register, visit crcna.org/Thrive.

Go Local Opportunities

Interested in connecting with neighbors outside the walls of your church building? Resonate's Go Local is an opportunity to learn postures and practices for joining God in mission right in our neighborhoods. New cohorts for Go Local: Essentials start at the end of September and beginning of October. Want to learn more about Go Local before committing to join a cohort? Join Resonate ministry leaders for a preview experience on Wednesday, Sept. 29 (from 1 to 2:30 pm EST or 8 to 9:30 pm EST).

Disability Concerns October Learning Series

Disability Concerns Ministry is excited to share our NEW resource: Everybody Belongs, Serving Together. Join us every Thursday in October (8 pm EST), as we dive into this resource, inviting leaders in our community to speak on topics covered in this handbook. Learn more and register.

Sent to Churches This Week

• Bulletin Announcements
• Special Offering Spotlight: October 2021
• Updates: Synod and Pending Structure and Leadership Change

Network Blogs and Resources

Here are some posts shared in the past week:

• 7 NEW Church Positions
• New Resource From Resonate! Witness: Equipped to Share the Good News
• World Renew Offering Free Event for Leaders in Mercy and Justice Ministries
• Join Conversation on ‘Handing Down the Faith’ October 14
• 4 Books That Tell a Complex History of the U.S.

Free in the Digital Library

Grace Through Every Generation - This thought-provoking book by Rev. Scott E. Hoezee takes a warm, personal look at what the CRC has experienced over the past 50 years, the issues it has faced, and the people who have joined it. It also takes a look at the road ahead for the denomination.

CRC Weekly E-ditions

The Banner - September 20 - Taking Care of Our Kids During COVID, and more
CRC News - September 22 - CRC Candidacy Program Growing, and more
Resonate Prayer Points - Pray for ministry in North America and around the world
CRC Prayer Guide - Daily Prayer requests from around the CRC
Think Christian - See all the latest posts
Family Fire - See all the latest posts
Do Justice - See all the latest posts
Diaconal Ministries Canada - See all the latest posts

You can subscribe to the E-ditions from CRC ministries.

To make your life a little easier, we've assembled some of the key links pastors might need and placed them at crcna.org/pastors. If there is anything else we can do to serve you better, hit reply to let us know.