The "charge to deacons" in the CRC includes a phrase, "weigh the needs of causes and use the church's resources discerningly." What is the best criteria or questions used to weigh the needs of causes?
[Q&A] How do deacons "weigh the needs of causes and use of church resources discerningly?"
Thu, 09/29/2011 - 11:35
Thu, 09/29/2011 - 12:17
Wow, what a great question! I love that you're engaging with the charge to deacons and have a desire to faithfully live into that calling!
A good starting place may be found in a resource created by Diaconal Ministries of Canada, it's called Guidelines for Benevolence. It's a helpful tool to work through as a deacon team, to get a sense about who you feel called to serve, what your community may need, and how you as a team are equipped to serve. Having a good idea about who/what God is calling your team to, is part of the discernment process, and may provide you with a starting point as you "weigh the needs".
I'd love to hear thoughts from other deacons on how their deacon boards/teams handle this!
Thu, 09/29/2011 - 12:33
thanks, Melissa. I want to clarify: does the word "causes" refer to ministries or agencies?
Thu, 09/29/2011 - 13:31
Or do you think the word "causes" means "people"? I'd hate to think someone would call me a "cause". hmm...
Thu, 09/29/2011 - 13:48
I usually think of "causes" as anything that we can give support to... so, yes, I would consider people as causes for the purpose of understanding the charge to deacons- though I too don't like the word choice - perhaps we can blame it on outdated language!
Thu, 09/29/2011 - 19:53
The denomination has already done some of this work for deacons. See the "Nondenominational Agencies Evaluated for Support 2012" in the booklet at http://www.crcna.org/site_uploads/uploads/Ministry%20Shares%202011%20booklet.pdf.
