Resource Browser Page
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Average Rating |
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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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| 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 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 |
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 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 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 |
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 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 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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| 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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| 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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| 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 |
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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| 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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| 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 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 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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| 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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| October 19, 2010 |
The Story Behind the Story - Three Practices Make a Great DeaconDeacons Recently I heard Jay VanGroningen of CFA talk about “good neighbors” – and then he kicked it up a notch by asking: And what makes a GREAT neighbor? That got me to thinking. We know what makes a good deacon… |
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| October 25, 2010 |
Deacon Henk: Reflecting on ChangeDeacons But Henk wasn't falling asleep. Just the opposite, he was having a moment of sharp worry, thinking about his friend whose home might be in foreclosure, thinking about his church, thinking about his denomination. Might as well worry big while you're at it! |
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| November 8, 2010 |
7 Factors in a Strong Diaconal AssemblyIt goes beyond the scope of "one at a time" mercy and benevolence ministry; together we address root causes and we conspire and act together to change the systems perpetuating poverty in our community. |
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| November 22, 2010 |
Why Would I Want to be a Servant?Deacons Jesus said, "I am among you as one who serves." The word he uses is the word for deacon. This is the pattern of Jesus' ministry. The attitude is as important as the behavior. |
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| November 30, 2010 |
Changing the Culture of a Meeting - Or a Church!Deacons Deacons often build their meetings around problems, needs, shortfalls, and concerns. In a way, that's their job, but the wise deacon has her attitude shaped by graceful abundance, rather than by anxious focus on the problems. So how can one deacon make a difference in how a meeting flows? |
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| December 6, 2010 |
Charity AND Justice for the PoorRoles Mary's song of hope becomes more challenging when it moves beyond charity for the poor to judgment: “…but he has sent the rich away empty.” How are we to participate in the kingdom activity of sending the rich away empty? I can’t say I have ever heard a sermon about that. |
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| December 20, 2010 |
Unholy ArthritisDeacons People just aren't as worried about my convenience and my schedule as they should be. People aren't committed to making progress at my pace. People aren't first of all concerned about how wonderful I am because I'm helping them. But the Holy Spirit is at work. |
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| February 7, 2011 |
A Listening MalfunctionCommunity Within minutes my guts started to knot up as he discounted what others were saying in order to push his ideas on the group. Leaders need to listen – nowhere more than in the Church |
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| March 7, 2011 |
The DEBT! The BUDGET! The POOR! The CHURCH!Deacons I have Jesus-following friends who disagree – strongly – about what the national budget should look like. I have conflicting convictions within myself! But does it have anything to do with deacons? |
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| April 18, 2011 |
Persuasive ListeningDeacons What would make a “persuasive listener”? Well, obviously it’s someone who has already listened well to God’s leading and is listening from within God’s presence. Listening from within God’s presence would attune me to the Spirit’s leading and discerning. |
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| June 6, 2011 |
The Hand-OffDeacons When it's transition time on the church council, how can it be as smooth and as affirming as possible? Relief for the tired retirees and honor for the incoming new members are just not adequate marks of transition! What does your council do to make transitions healthy and as pleasant as possible? |
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| August 2, 2011 |
Working For The Church While Your Family DiesSpiritual Health We eagerly enter into diaconal ministry, thinking our eyes are wide open. Often we are surprised to realize how much work a deacon does! As the tasks find their way onto our plates, we try to create space for them. But what is being sacrificed for “the work of the church”? |
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| August 22, 2011 |
The Offering As Worship In An Electronic AgeCongregation, Stewardship We know that giving of our offerings is an act of worship, yet with the advent of electronic giving methods one might begin to wonder how meaningful this part of our service is. How do we as deacons continue to create the space for people to enter into worship through their giving, even if it's done on a regular banking day? |
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| November 15, 2011 |
You Add, God MultipliesCongregation, Denomination, Stewardship "You Add, God Multiplies" is more than a catchy phrase, it's the reality of what happens when, as churches, we pool our resources to accomplish more ministry than we could do each on our own. Unfortunately there is a lot of confusion about what Ministry Shares are and what they do... |
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| December 19, 2011 |
How We EnterSpiritual Health It's been said that 90% of life is just showing up. I realized this week that HOW we show up is important. I think many of us (myself included) need to take a good hard look at the attitudes we are bringing to the table when we enter a particular situation, because it affects waaaaaay more than just ourselves. |
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| April 17, 2012 |
Truth And ReconciliationCommunity 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? |
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| September 11, 2012 |
Deacons - Be Known!Roles It's easy to assume everyone knows who the deacons are, or what they do in a congregation, however that's not the truth! And when people are confused about what a deacon is, or who to contact when there is a concern, your ministry will not fully attain all its potential. Here are 5 things you can do to be known in your congregation: |
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| January 15, 2013 |
Prayers For The PeopleCongregation, Spiritual Health We're called to devote ourselves to prayer. This year let's take that call seriously and intentionally pray for our communities knowing that God is moving, his kingdom is coming, and we have a calling to fulfill. |
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| March 1, 2011 |
Top 6 Reasons Why It's Good to be a Deacon NOWDeacons A need, a hunger, a challenge, a deadline.... what reasons would YOU add to this list of reasons why it's good to be a deacon NOW? I've come up with only 6! Who will see my six and raise me at least one? |
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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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| 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 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 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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| 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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| 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 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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| 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 21, 2010 |
Deacons' MandateGetting Started One congregation's mandate for Deacons. |
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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 |
Offerings - How to Handle the MoneyGetting Started One congregation's procedure for ensuring integrity in handling offerings. |
| Date |
Average Rating |
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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. |
