GLA Newsletter Advent 2013
Better together ….. in mission. Send stories to gla for future issues
Dan Brink and I (Carl Kromminga) started collaborating on sermons more than 30 years ago. Our churches in Chicago were only about 15 minutes apart. Since we both enjoyed doing sermon series, we got together to talk things over. There was a chemistry between us that made it work. We are both verbal processors who work better when we dialogue about a theme or a passage of scripture.
When we started to this, I would often get a dozen donuts from the Roseland Donut shop and we would manage to eat all of them! Now that we're older, we stick to healthier food! But we hope that our messages still provide spiritual nourishment to our congregations!
(“Another better together story” ed)
MISSION TOOL BOX: The Timothy Leadership Training Institute - an accomplished and comprehensive training tool boxfor the local and global mission - will offer a one week training,January 20 – 24 in Houston TX. In one year you can become a Master Trainer. Check it out at
CRC HOME MISSIONS: CRHM.org has some great resources for churches in mission. Check this one out on Hospitality:
WORSHIP SYMPOSIUM: For many pastors, worship leaders, musicians and key worshippers the yearly pilgrimage to the snowy plains of Grand Rapids to attend the worship symposium has been a heartwarming and inspirational experience. The event takes place Jan 30 – Feb 1, 2014
CLASSIS GLA EVENT CALENDAR
LDT Meeting: January 7, 11 AM Ministry Center
CLT MEETING: January 9, 11:30 AM New City Office
TEAM REPORTS Due for agenda: January 7, 2014
CENT MEETING: January 21, 6 PM Ministry Center
RCA-CRC MEETING: February 19, 2014
CLASSIS MEETING: February 25, 2014 Fountain Valley
CARE AND KINDNESS CONFERENCE March 21,22
COMMUNICATIONS:Send your outreach and evangelism stories to for inclusion in the GLA newsletter. / PREACHING SEMINAR
with Dr. Fredrick Dale Bruner
January 15 & 16, 2014. We are delighted to have Professor Bruner lead the annual preaching seminar this year. He will explore the main preaching themes of the Gospel of John - the Word of grace and truth from John 1; seeing is believing from John 9; the crucifixion of Jesus from John 19; and the resurrection from John 20. Dr. Bruner’s award winning commentary on the Gospel of John will be available at a greatly reduced price. Rev. Scott Hoezee (director of the Calvin Center for Excellence in Preaching) will lead discussions on various topics relating to preaching - the four page steps, show don’t tell, and will preach a sample sermon on John 20 – the resurrection. The seminar promises to germinate a life transforming Lent and Easter sermon series. Even in preaching we are better together. The seminar will be held in Bethany CRC in Bellflower.
SABBATICALS FOR PASTORS
The deadline forLilly Grant applications is April 9, 2014. There are 125 grants available each year. For the application go to
SUSTAINING PASTORAL EXCELLENCE
LEAD teams can apply for Peer Learning grants. The deadline for a peer learning grant is May 1, 2014. Sample grants and the application form can be accessed at
$750 IS AVAILABLE TO YOU as a Pastor
Continuing Education Grant Application Form
Pastor-Church Relations – CRCNA
(Submit by April 1, August 1, or November 1)
Check it out
Discover all the factors that grow CRCs at Number One:
“The church is well-connected to the community, and they are accepting of people from all
walks of life, which is reflected in their worship services.”