deacon/deacons
Diakonia Remix
Posted on May 13, 2013, 10:30 am | 3 comments
Topics: Synod
By far, the issue with greatest coverage in the Agenda is that of a Study Report out of the Office of Deacon Task Force.  I really recommend reading it for yourselves as I believe the report is a model of how these things ought to be laid out.  It is confessional, conversant in the relevant threads of church polity and winsome to boot.  Read more »
Agenda for Synod Review (May Contain Spoilers)
Posted on April 16, 2013, 11:43 am | 15 comments
Topics: Synod
THIS YEAR-- dear brethren & sisteren, I have done it.  In a feat of institutional fortitude, I have thoroughly skimmed the entire agenda, even marking pages for further consideration.  So you might ask yourself (with apologies to the beautiful Hebrew Seder) “How is this year unlike every other year?”  Well, dear reader, this year I am your official Synod blogger! Read more »
People Coming to Jesus Because the Church is Reaching Out to Them
Posted on June 29, 2012, 11:33 am | 1 comment
Topics: Community, Global Mission, Missional Church
How do improved seeds, funding from the Manitoba Council for International Cooperation, and work from a World Renew staff member help a local church to grow? Read more »
Disabilities and Deacons: Catalysts For Change
Posted on June 26, 2012, 2:52 am
Topics: Advocacy, Congregation, Church Education, Roles
Deacons are catalysts for change and it's only natural that that would include working for justice in our churches for people with disabilities.  Join us for Part 3 of our 4 part series exploring the connectedness between Disability Concerns and Deacons. Read more »
Living Confessionally in Covenant
Posted on June 23, 2012, 11:54 am | 51 comments
Topics: Synod
The voice vote was unanimous and, apparently, enthusiastic. I (along with my committee colleagues) was a little stunned. After all this time and after the near rancor of last year’s discussion at Synod—now unanimity and applause? Whatever! And most of all, thanks be to God. Read more »
Disabilities and Deacons: Defining Disability
Posted on June 18, 2012, 8:55 am
Topics: Caring
About 20 percent of the population in North America lives with a disability. To minister well with people who have disabilities, we need to understand the wide range of disability and the ways in which all of us can unintentionally exclude people with disabilities from the life and ministry of our churches. Read more »
Disabilities and Deacons: Hand in Hand?
Posted on June 12, 2012, 2:19 am | 1 comment
Topics: Community, Advocacy, Congregation, Church Education
People with disabilities are often marginalized in our communities and our churches.  Join Mark and myself over the next four weeks as we explore how what disabilities are, what they might look like in our midst, and how Deacons can be a catalyst for justice for people with disabilities. Read more »
Helping Without Hurting: Getting Started
Posted on May 29, 2012, 8:00 am | 3 comments
Topics: Global Partnerships
When Helping Hurts has become a classic book for those who work with the poor or in missions. It's been the subject of a blog post and a webinar here on the Network. The one question that keeps coming up, both at the conferences and when I talk with those who have read the book, is "What do we do now?" Read more »
When the Servants are Governors
Posted on February 7, 2012, 8:56 am | 1 comment
Topics: Roles
Getting the roles of governance and ministry mixed up is the crippling confusion in many councils. For deacons, the role confusion can be even more painful and debilitating. Are deacons primarily decision makers? Or are they ministers of benevolence and mercy? Are they sometimes both? Read more »
Diakonia Remixed: Terms for Deacons
Posted on December 12, 2011, 4:45 pm | 9 comments
Topics: Synod, Roles
Melissa Van Dyk mentioned the results of the Diakonia Remixed survey in her blog post and raised some questions concerning terms for deacons. The task force would like to take the opportunity, in this blog post, to preview some of our work and hear your feedback regarding terms for deacons. Read more »
The Medicaid Reference Desk
Posted on October 11, 2011, 7:59 am
Topics: Caring
This tool will help people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and people who care about them find out what Medicaid (a U.S. assistance program) can offer them. Read more »
Mini Workshop for Deacons on Disabilities
Posted on July 21, 2011, 1:19 pm
Topics: Caring
The Deaconal Ministries Canada newsletter for June, 2011, features an article "Caring for the Care-Giver" and a mini workshop for deacons to use for a brief, practical training on getting started in ministry with people with disabilities in a congregation. Read more »
Pentecost! Synod! Deacon!
Posted on June 14, 2011, 12:52 pm
Topics: Deacons
Pentecost!  Synod!  These words go together – or they ought to!   And CHURCH, and INCARNATION.   And without the Spirit, what would incarnation be?  What could be more incarnational than... Read more »
Alive? Welcome to Council!
Posted on June 1, 2011, 2:00 pm | 4 comments
Topics: Roles
It seems like there is a leadership crisis in many of our churches, specifically relating to our council roles of deacon and elder. Many congregations are struggling to find individuals who are able or willing to step into these roles. What’s going on? Why is this happening? Read more »
Helping People with Disabilities Find Jobs
Posted on May 9, 2011, 3:36 pm
Topics: Caring
With the unemployment rate of people with disabilities between 50 and 85 percent, deacons can serve people with disabilities in their congregations well by helping them find jobs. Here are some ideas from an employment specialist. Read more »