Diakonia Remixed

Seen any deacons at synod lately? Not many will be found there, not in any official capacity anyway. Yet the Christian Reformed Church has long recognized that its very calling is to be ‘diaconal’ – that is, a ‘servant people’ and that deacons are called to help equip the whole church for works of service, as Paul writes in Ephesians 4:11-13.

Recognizing that church polity needs to keep up with both our theology and with the growing opportunities for ministry in the world, Synod of 2010 appointed the Office of Deacon Task Force. The task force was mandated to review the articles of the church order relating to the office of deacon in the local church and at major assemblies, as well as recommend resources that encourage the revitalization of the diaconate and its role in the mission of the church.

While the task force mandate is focused on church order provisions, we also recognize that the larger context to which the church order addresses itself is the ministry of the church in ever more challenging times. For that reason, implicit in the mandate is the revitalization of the diaconate, and perhaps even a reconceptualization of that essential office. Hence the name we’ve given our task force: Diakonia Remixed.

The task force has begun its work with great expectations and invites all members of the CRC to join in the task by praying, visiting our website, suggesting resources, and filling out the survey that will help us assess the current state of diaconal ministry.

Please visit the task force website at www.crcna.org/diakonia and complete the survey now.

Deacons, elders, pastors, and anyone interested in offering their assessment of the current state of diaconal ministry in the CRC are invited to take the survey.