The Network seems to have accomplished one of the most important things that it set out do: connect people and churches to enhance ministry.
While many people visit the CRC’s networking site to read blogs and articles of interest to them, an increasing number are comparing notes with each other. “It’s nice to get 10,000 page views per week,” says Tim Postuma, web manager for the CRCNA. “But the real goal is for people to connect and help each other do ministry.”
In The Network’s first year, CRC members posted over 3,000 comments and discussion topics. “This is the most connected the CRC has ever been online,” says Postuma
We emailed some Network users to find out what they most appreciated about the site.
Grace Hirte of Delavan CRC in Delavan, Wisc., says she appreciates “the discussion that is going on regarding music for worship.”
Bette Vander Giessen of Dundas, Ohio, says she has appreciated reading articles about Safe Church Ministry Teams. “I find that reading the comments which describe the struggles and victories in educating our church members is a most powerful tool to ‘recommit’ myself to the work of the Safe Church Team,” she says.
Church staff also benefit from The Network. “As a youth ministries coordinator who only works 12 hours per week, I often feel as though I don’t have enough time to explore what is out there,” says Rachel Bush of Ann Arbor (Mich.) CRC. “However, I do take the time to read all of the blog posts and check out the links provided by The Network. It’s just the right amount of input that doesn’t ‘monopolize’ too much of my time.”
Kory Plockmeyer, a first-year college chaplain, also uses The Network to help him in his work. He enjoys the blog posts that offer a “refreshing take on hot-button issues.”
The Network has also helped him to connect with veteran college chaplains so he can ask questions “and learn from the wisdom and experience of a whole host of other people who bring a different set of ideas to the table,” says Plockmeyer, who works on the campus of Michigan State University.
To explore and participate in The Network, visit www.crcna.org/network.
About the Author
Chris Meehan is a freelance writer and commissioned pastor at Coit Community Church in Grand Rapids, Mich.
