Finding time for the normal activities around the role of deacon is hard enough. So how do we find time to coordinate with other churches?
The benefits of collaborating with other churches and their resources, as well as connecting with regional resources to benefit local ministry, is a well recognized benefit of collaboration. It does mean being intentional about it. Perhaps designating that connecting responsibility as the function of one of the deacons will lessen the pressure on the others.
There is a long history of diaconal collaboration in the CRCNA and RCA. This issue of For Deacons looks at the work of Volunteers In Service as an example of how this can be successfully done, and also provides links to other resources to encourage collaborative ministry for greater impact.