Resource Browser Page
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| January 12, 2010 |
Stephen Ministers Expand Pastoral CareCongregation A group settles into a meeting room at Fleetwood Christian Reformed Church on a Tuesday evening. They greet each other warmly. They are the Stephen Ministers of Fleetwood CRC in Surrey, British Columbia. |
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| January 12, 2010 |
In Tough Times, Ministry Remains FocusCommunity Like many churches, Imlay City Christian Reformed Church, about 25 miles (40 kilometres) northeast of Detroit, Mich., is not exempt from these difficult financial times. Come the New Year, things may get even tougher, since several of its members are connected to the auto manufacturing industry, which is struggling. Layoffs are looming.
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| January 18, 2010 |
8 Responses Deacons Use in Weak EconomyCommunity It’s a harsh fact of life that when the economy tanks, many people get pitched out of work through no fault of their own. The consequences for them and their families can be devastating: economic hardship, loss of self-respect, emotional upheaval, overstressed and overstretched relationships, hopelessness, and despair. |
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| January 20, 2010 |
Kill the Deacons First!Roles It’s said that during the persecution of the church by the Roman empire, the soldiers often would kill the deacons of the church first. They did this because the deacons were so powerful in bringing new members into the church through their compassionate witness. |
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| January 22, 2010 |
The Diaconate StructureRoles Advice for Experienced Deacons: provide a good orientation to new deacons. You’ll reduce stress and increase job satisfaction if you provide new deacons with clarity about structure, roles, and responsibilities. Be sure to look for gifts of service AND administration as the following excerpt from the Deacon’s Handbook explains. |
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| January 22, 2010 |
Deacons' MeetingsRoles So, what do I do first? Go to meetings; make a plan; schedule offerings. The Deacon’s Handbook gives you enough in these two-and-a-half pages to get you started. It’ll show you the big picture in clear and practical steps. |
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| January 22, 2010 |
Handling the MoneyRoles Of course there’s the job of handling the money. How to do that, not just efficiently, but also responsibly? What to record? How to ensure accuracy? How to ensure accountability? You’ll find clear and simple procedures in this excerpt from the Deacon’s Handbook. |
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| January 22, 2010 |
Working with VolunteersCongregation, Getting Started Volunteers to help you! Yes, you need to think about how to identify and harness the gifts of the congregation to help the deacons do their work. This is very important both for the deacons (who will need help!), AND for the members of the congregation who need to use their gifts in ministry as we’ll discover in this excerpt from the Deacon’s Handbook. |
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| January 22, 2010 |
So Now You're a DeaconGetting Started You got roped in. Or maybe you are now a deacon as a result of a prayer you’ve been praying for years. Are you feeling just a bit uncertain? Doubtful? Skeptical? Are you wondering if missing three dozen evenings with your family over the next three years will be worth it? |
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| January 26, 2010 |
How's Your Spiritual Health?Spiritual Health Prayer and Bible study – of course! But time management? Setting boundaries? Staying healthy spiritually and emotionally is vital for those who serve. Here’s brief but golden advice to help you with this top priority in your diaconal life. |
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| January 26, 2010 |
Stewardship 101Stewardship The question you want people in your congregation to be asking themselves is “How can my whole life show that Jesus is my Lord?” That’s different than asking, “How much money do I have to give to the church?” Learning to be a good steward of all God has entrusted to us is part of our sanctification and reflects our spiritual walk with God. Your goal is to... |
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| January 26, 2010 |
You Have Gifts!Congregation, Roles Understanding your particular giftedness will allow you to focus your primary energy on using the gifts you have in effective ministry while permitting yourself—without guilt!—to say no to other opportunities that may take you away from deploying your gifts. The key to determining whether you are using your spiritual gifts effectively is to assess if you are being fruitful and feeling fulfilled in your ministry. |
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| January 26, 2010 |
The Power of a Mission-Focused ChurchCommunity, Congregation A mission-focused church is always looking for ways to reach beyond its own needs and spread the Good News wherever God gives the opportunity. Mission-focused ministry flourishes in a church culture that says, “We are here to serve.” That sounds simple, but it becomes more complex in situations where the needs of the church conflict with the needs of those outside your church. |
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| April 6, 2010 |
The Deacon in Today's ChurchGetting Started The office of deacon is a unique and divine calling within the church. Although you were chosen by members of your church, you have been called and appointed by God himself to this role. The Christian Reformed Church regards the office of deacon as being of equal standing with the offices of elder and pastor. Although serving... |
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| August 17, 2010 |
Overture 16 Task Force on Office of DeaconDeacons ... encourage revitalization of the diaconate and its role in the community. ...to encourage, empower, and educate churches and broader assemblies to structure their diaconal ministry in ways that.... |
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| September 14, 2010 |
Money and Ministries of MercyDeacons In the past two years’ flurry of news headlines about the world’s financial meltdown, little attention was given to the work of deacons in the church. But their work is exactly what our world needs. In many ways the meltdown was caused by a lack of biblical imagination about what money is, and how it should be used (and not used). In their intervention and prevention work, deacons offer exactly the ministry and message our world needs... |
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| January 11, 2011 |
Deacons in LeadershipRoles Have you ever heard someone say that elders are to rule, and deacons are to serve? What in the world do you make of this odd separation of functions in the body of Christ? You may be asking, “What does leadership have to do with my ministry as a deacon? Isn't it the elders and the pastors who lead by ruling?” The more common portrayal of deacons is... |
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| July 15, 2009 |
Deaconal Prophets, Prophetic DeaconsDenomination I am not used to thinking of Amos and Micah when I think of deacons! But there's that phrase right in the CRCNA form that "charges" the deacons: "Be prophetic critics of the waste, injustice, and selfishness in our society...." AND, "be sensitive counselors to the victims of such evils..." "Let your lives be above reproach." An amazing echo of...
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| August 3, 2009 |
TransformationSpiritual Health Could this be the moment? I get a little uneasy when I hear people talking so glibly about "kairos moments". So I hesitate to even suggest one may be upon us, BUT....Consider this cluster of stuff that has sort of congealed in my consciousness recently: there's the employment and foreclosure crisis as background to remind us of... |
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| September 1, 2009 |
On the RoadSpiritual Health "We are always on the road..." John Calvin. That's a Calvin quote from the Christianity Today of September 2009. When I read Meehan's book on Calvin, I was surprised to discover that Calvin had lived a chunk of his life on the run, fearing persecution, worshipping in caves sometimes.
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| November 24, 2009 |
Oh My Aching Comfort Zone!Spiritual Health Oh my aching comfort zone! This morning my file folder ripped and a bunch of stuff filed out onto the floor. There was an article by Plantinga on how do we know if we are REALLY -- I mean REALLY -- real followers of Jesus. What it comes down to is whether I'm willing to pay the COST. Do my "good deeds" COST me something? |
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| January 18, 2010 |
I Do, God Helping MeRoles I admit I wasn't taking this as seriously as I should have been. Greg called one day saying my name was up for nomination to deacon. Would I prayerfully consider keeping my name in the ring? I went through the common process of debating the time constraints and responsibilities with the opportunity for church leadership. You know... |
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| February 26, 2010 |
Christians and Money ConferenceStewardship Registration is now open for the Christians and Money Conference, sponsored by Barnabas, Calvin Seminary, and the CRCNA. Now in its 4th year, organizers have decided to expand things a bit by simulcasting the conference to four... |
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| March 15, 2010 |
Taming the PounceGetting Started Pouncers squash ideas. Have you ever been the squasher? the squashee? A young person expresses an opinion, idea, or wish that's a little edgy or goofy or scary. An adult pounces on it to make sure it gets "fixed" before it goes too far. A spouse... |
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| March 22, 2010 |
Perfect Storm?Community Gargantuan federal deficits, increasing taxes, growing global competition, tapped out consumers, threats of inflation, corporations making profits but not hiring, banks making profits but not lending, continued unemployment, waves of foreclosures... |
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| March 29, 2010 |
A Dream or A Vision?They all filed in together at the last minute - just before the Minister himself appeared. They were all in dark suits, white shirts, and ties. Black shoes with lots of eyelets. Or was that just one especially old consistory member? Elders and deacons... |
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| April 5, 2010 |
Synod to Get Overture on DeaconsDenomination Deacons as agents of transformation in church and society! This overture to Synod continues an excellent dialog! The overture from Classis Grandville is asking Synod to create a task force to look hard at the ways the office of deacon could be made stronger and more strategic for... |
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| April 13, 2010 |
Stories That Touched My HeartCommunity Today I discovered the Reformed Church in America's (RCA) booklet entitled "The Ministry of the Deacon" by Betty Voskuil. It offers a brief but helpful look at the biblical concept of deacon, and the working out of the concept in the history of the RCA. Voskuil notes that... |
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| April 20, 2010 |
Can Deacons Really Lead?Congregation This question haunts me. I hardly dare to raise it. But so much depends on the answer. I'm afraid to raise it - afraid of the issues and feelings it might call forth. In a nutshell, I am hopeful, but cautiously hopeful. Deacons DO lead, lots of them. But where there is... |
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| April 26, 2010 |
Deacons Stepping Up?Roles Jeff Brower's post, "Deacons - Priests or Kings?" is a gem. Wish I had written it. It stimulates us to think about deacons and their authority, their relationship to the Kingly dimension of Jesus' identity. But it also reminds us of a 43 year old report to Synod - where the "unfullfilled" nature of the deacons' role is acknowledged! What's happened since? |
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| May 12, 2010 |
Deacons By the ThousandsStewardship How many deacons are there? Several thousand? I just can’t get this picture out of my mind – what a powerful resource to lead the CRC into a time of new energy and effectiveness! |
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| May 17, 2010 |
What Does It Take?Spiritual Health Would it be possible for two deacons to agree to meet regularly for prayer, for study of diaconal Bible themes, and for mutual encouragement? I wonder what God would do |
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| May 24, 2010 |
Deacons, What Works?Getting Started Deacons, what's working? What excites and motivates the deacons in your congregation? Or, what blocks them? Share a story with us. |
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| June 1, 2010 |
How Can a Church Unleash Its Deacons?Spiritual Health Is there any regular and routine setting in which the deacons are asked HOW they have ministered to the poor, and to the wealthy during the past month? Is the congregation regularly encouraged to tell stories about how they’ve lived out diaconal service? Are worship services planned regularly with references to diaconal messages, functions, roles, office? Is there a story to tell? |
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| June 7, 2010 |
Daring All Deacons!!!Getting Started When is a deacon like a doodle bug? In an entirely unReformed tactic, I dare you, in fact I double-dare you, to be the first deacon to post a story on this site. What do you have to lose? |
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| June 14, 2010 |
What Kind of Help Helps?Getting Started I once had a boss who was in the habit of copying a page or two out of a book, and then giving it to me, saying, "Here, I think you'll find this helpful". He left me to imagine what situation or behavior of mine he was trying to help! |
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| June 22, 2010 |
Synod Addresses Deacons' Structure and Mandate.Denomination Synod wants to rethink deacons! The challenges of today's world demand that the ministry of deacons be renewed and strengthened. Churches and classes need to be allowed to structure diaconal ministry to address these issues: |
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| January 11, 2010 |
The Compassionate CongregationGetting Started This book from Faith Alive includes first-hand stories, practical advice, and resources to help churches care for people in a wide range of difficult situations. Includes sections on AIDS, Alzheimer's disease, depression, troubled relationships, single parenting, substance abuse, and more. |
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| January 11, 2010 |
Workshops by Diaconal Ministries CanadaGetting Started Training resources for key components of diaconal ministry, designed to provide understanding and growth for participants in diaconal ministry. The workshops are the result of much research and discussion. They are interactive and require time and effort to complete. Clarity and focus in diaconal ministry is the outcome. |
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| January 11, 2010 |
CTS Forum on MoneyStewardship Need devotional thoughts? Here's some! Thoughts on stewardship, generosity, and contentment. |
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| January 11, 2010 |
Nomination Process SampleGetting Started From start to finish, one congregation's deacon nominating process complete with tasks and timeline. |
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| January 12, 2010 |
What's A Deacon to Do?Getting Started A video from the Reformed Church in America about the six dimensions of being a deacon. |
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| January 12, 2010 |
Books for Church LeadershipGetting Started Want to go deeper? Resources for office bearers from Faith Alive. |
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| January 18, 2010 |
How is Your Church Engaging the Community?Community A helpful checklist and discussion questions designed to assist you in checking your church's relationship to the community. |
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| January 18, 2010 |
Denominational IntroductionA general introduction to the Christian Reformed Church in North America. |
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| January 21, 2010 |
Offering CalendarDenomination Use this online calendar, printable calendar, worksheets, and guidelines to help you plan the offering schedule for your church. |
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| January 21, 2010 |
Ministry Shares - Overview and FormsDenomination Need to explain ministry shares to someone? Here's a resource. |
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| January 21, 2010 |
The Deacon's HandbookGetting Started Everything you need to know about being a deacon, all in one little book from Faith Alive. |
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| January 21, 2010 |
Offerings - How to Handle the MoneyGetting Started One congregation's procedure for ensuring integrity in handling offerings. |
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| January 21, 2010 |
Deacon RolesGetting Started, Roles A one-page example of one congregation's role descriptions for elders and deacons. |
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| January 21, 2010 |
Deacons' MandateGetting Started One congregation's mandate for Deacons. |
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| January 26, 2010 |
Biblical Reflections on the Essentials of Being a DeaconRoles This is a reflective, richly biblical, and very challenging set of reflections on the dimensions of the role of the deacon from the Holland Deacons Conference. It could be the basis for a set of devotions at deacons' meetings; it could serve as a discussion guide... |
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| February 4, 2010 |
The Community Opportunity ScanCommunity Does your church know its neighbors? This resource from Diaconal Ministries Canada will help you to see where God is already at work in your community, to help you understand your community, and to reveal ministry opportunities within it. |
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| May 24, 2010 |
The Church As Community AssetCommunity Dr. Amy Sherman unpacks the concept of the church in its community as a preview of the coming Kingdom attractions. |
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| June 8, 2010 |
Operation Manna and Muffin MorningsCommunity Learn how a CRC diaconal resource in Canada works with local congregations, resulting in delightful community involvement. |
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| January 24, 2011 |
Signs of Community TransformationCommunity Looking for a short but richly packed starting place for a conversation about how your church might get engaged with community transformation? You couldn't find a better place to look than in this 2 page list of questions and bullet points by Jay Van Groningen. |
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| February 1, 2011 |
The Church as Community AssetCommunity The Kingdom has already begun to break in - Jesus said so. The church is called and empowered to be sign and foretaste of the coming attraction. How? By becoming a kingdom community asset. Sherman discusses what this means through three dimensions of the church's life - visiting the poor and needy, making strategically foolish investments, and exercising "being there" authority. WE are life-imparters, resource allocators, and servant minded authorities who've earned the right to exercise authority by being incarnationally present. Sherman rocks the Kingdom vision. |
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| January 11, 2010 |
Diaconal Ministries CanadaGetting Started A CRC ministry that inspires, equips and encourages deacons, churches and their partners in transforming communities with the love of Christ. |
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| January 11, 2010 |
Communities First AssociationCommunity A CRWRC partner organization that helps deacons, churches, and communities engage in wholistic, long-term, and structural responses to poverty. |
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| January 11, 2010 |
CRWRC ChampionsCommunity Most CRWRC Champions are members of a Christian Reformed Church. Their primary responsibility is to promote CRWRC within that church and to encourage involvement. |
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| January 11, 2010 |
Faith Alive Christian ResourcesGetting Started The publishing ministry of the Christian Reformed Church and Reformed Church in America. |
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| January 11, 2010 |
Volunteers in ServiceCommunity Created by local Deacons of the Christian Reformed Church, Volunteers In Service enables churches to be Christ's servants in their communities in West Michigan. |
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| January 11, 2010 |
Kid's Hope USACommunity 74 CRC congregations are partnering to give hope to at-risk elementary school children through caring relationships. |
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| January 11, 2010 |
Barnabas FoundationStewardship A non-profit organization building a network of partners committed to reaching and helping the less fortunate all over the world. |
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| January 18, 2010 |
Charity NavigatorStewardship How to find a charity you can trust using a big scale rating of a broad range of charities. |
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| January 20, 2010 |
Kalamazoo Deacons ConferenceCommunity CRC regional deacons' resources, programs, events and opportunities to serve community needs. |
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| May 24, 2010 |
All Nations CRC Diaconal Work in WorshipCongregation How a small congregation in Nova Scotia incorporates diaconal work into worship. |
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| July 26, 2010 |
Resources for CRCNA DeaconsA treasure trove of CRCNA resources for office bearers, including many tools for use by deacons. |
