Community
Hey Canadian Churches - Grant Money Available!
Posted on May 13, 2013, 12:38 am
Topics: Community
If you are a Canadian CRC church seeking to engage your community you may qualify for an Operation Manna grant to help your congregation complete a Community Opportunity Scan, develop a new or grown an existing community ministry! Applications are due by August 15th. Read more »
Christmastime!
Posted on December 25, 2012, 8:33 pm | 1 comment
Topics: Community, Congregation
It's Christmas Day!  How did your deacon team share the joy and hope of Christ's birth with those in your congregation and community? What did you try to do to make this season reflect more truly the greatest gift we've ever received - Jesus - God become man? Read more »
The Poverty Line
Posted on November 20, 2012, 3:04 am | 1 comment
Topics: Community, Congregation
We, as deacons, are called to a ministry of mercy.  With the recent economy financial poverty has become more prevalent. The movie "The Line" shares the stories of people living at or below the poverty line in the US, and inspires us to rid ourselves of wrong assumptions and judgements.  Read more »
Church is Boring!
Posted on November 1, 2012, 1:16 pm | 5 comments
Topics: Community
Have you ever heard someone say, "Church is boring?"  How do you explain that the church is about more than entertainment? 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: 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 »
The Mercy Of Hospitality
Posted on May 15, 2012, 1:05 am | 2 comments
Topics: Community, Roles
Showing hospitality can take many different forms as it's expressed through different people and in a variety of situations. Lately I've been thinking about hospitality as an act of mercy. Mercy for the person who is alone. Mercy for the person who feels uncomfortable in a social setting. Mercy for the person who needs assistance. Read more »
Truth And Reconciliation
Posted on April 17, 2012, 2:46 am | 2 comments
Topics: Community
As the church we have the responsibility to act justly - yet we often shy away from complex justice issues.  In Canada, a new initiative is seeking truth and reconciliation for those Aboriginal persons and communities that have been affected by attending residential schools. How should we respond as individuals, churches and a denomination? Read more »
Deacon People
Posted on January 26, 2012, 11:56 pm
Topics: Community
The church is made up of people.  Deacon teams are too.  I'm thankful for the people who serve our congregations, and today we hear a brief reflection from an everyday deacon - someone like you!  Read more »
Christmas Initiatives - What Does Your Church Do?
Posted on November 22, 2011, 1:09 am
Topics: Community, Congregation
  We are entering the Christmas season and, as deacons, there are a lot of different initatives that we can undertake to help spread the hope and joy of this time.  As we engage in these converations among our teams it can be helpful to brainstorm and share best practices from other congregations, so, let's do just that! Read more »
Companioning Case-Managers, Not The Experts
Posted on November 8, 2011, 2:50 am
Topics: Community, Roles
When we offer help to someone we can have the crazy notion that we need to fix the whole issue ourselves.  We would do more for those we offer assistance if we understood our role as referring folks to the resources of our broader community, without abandoning them. Read more »
Listening in on a Conversation
Posted on October 25, 2011, 8:31 am | 1 comment
Topics: Community
What should the church be doing, then, if government effort seems to have little effect, except maybe for providing ongoing relief? How should the church shape its own response? Can the church actually REDUCE poverty and dependence on programs that help? Even just in our neighborhood? Seems like that’s the ideal... Read more »
As Easy As A.B.C.D.
Posted on October 18, 2011, 2:32 am | 2 comments
Topics: Community, Roles
We want to help people.  We want to do the right thing, the good thing, the Godly thing. Often we discover that we need to learn how to help well.  ABCD is a method of offering assistance which empowers those we are serving and, as it continues to grow in popularity, it's worth paying attention to. Read more »
What's Needed?
Posted on October 11, 2011, 10:59 am | 1 comment
Topics: Community, Congregation
As we head into the holiday season, we need to be aware that need doesn't stop.  It also doesn't increase exponentially.  How can we inspire our congregations to engage with those in need in a meaningful way?  And why has Stephen Colbert called Christians out on this? Read more »
People, Not Projects
Posted on September 27, 2011, 2:44 am
Topics: Community, Roles
We love to do good. Sometimes though, our desire to do something good leads us to turn people into projects. In the latest issue of Partners, a diaconal newsletter, Linda Weening shares a story of assistance which may make you think about how you speak with those you serve. Read more »