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If you’re new to the role of deacon, or gathering helpful tools for those who are joining the council, you’ll find plenty of helpful resources on The Network.
For New Deacons
- A recorded webinar called "Getting Started as a New Deacon" presented by Donn Hansum
- A recorded webinar called "Be an Effective Deacon in Today’s Church" presented by Bernita Tuinenga
- An article called "So Now You’re a Deacon" written by Karl Westerhof
- A book recommendation for The Deacon’s Handbook, an instructional handbook to the office of Deacon, written by Connie Kuiper Van Dyke and Lori Wiersma. Several excerpts of this book are also included in articles in the Deacons section such as "Deacons' Meetings", and "Handling the Money".
- A book recommendation for The Deacon, written by CRC church planter, Rev. Cary Holbert regarding deacon training.
The webinars listed above are available to view or to download from Vimeo, so deacons can view them at home and discuss them in a follow-up meeting, or watch them together at a meeting. The content could also be used to help shape a fresh presentation. (See all Deacons webinars)
For New or Experienced Deacons
The Deacons section of the Network has a guide--someone who is taking the lead on posting helpful content. The current guide, Jack Kooyman, is the Executive Director for The Holland Deacon’s Conference and the part-time chaplain for Workplace Chaplains U.S. at two factories in Zeeland, Michigan. He writes faithfully, providing challenging, inspiring, and encouraging articles for deacons. Here is a sample of some of the free resources that have been posted recently on the Deacon’s Network that might be helpful to you:
- A booklet of 12 devotionals to be used at monthly deacons meetings.
- Guidelines for Benevolence, a useful 9 page tool for understanding, developing, and implementing an effective benevolence ministry.
- A copy of the study, Diakonia Remixed: A Biblical Perspective on Diakonia by Dr. Mariano Avila
By subscribing to the Network Weekly Email you’ll receive updates on what’s been posted on the Network.
But it's also a two way conversation. As a deacon, you can post a question, a reflection, or a resource that's been helpful to you in order to get advice and answers or to strengthen others. By using keyword searches and the filters on the right hand side of the screen you can find articles, Q&A's, and discussions that relate to topics of interest.
Whether you’re a new or experienced deacon, check out what the Deacons section of The Network has to offer and how you can engage to encourage others!
Comments
Thanks for the great resources!
And deacons can be more effective when they partner with other community transformation folks in their town--Communities First Association is a great resource for developing local partnerships http://archive.cfapartners.org/ and for additional training materials http://archive.cfapartners.org/tool/
Janice - If you'd like, you can post it here on The Network as a resource for deacons. See here for instructions on how to post.
Let me suggest, also, my new book, Not Just a Soup Kitchen: How Mercy Ministry in the Local Church Transforms Us All. It is based on over 40 years' experience at Northside Chapel and Madison Ave. CRC in Paterson, and Tenth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia. The appendix has other worthwhile resources plus a chapter from the out-of-print Servant Leaders by Ben Vanderzande.
A great training program for Deacons in Classis BCNW & BCSE:
The BC Leadership Development Network (LDN) continues to provide transformative, biblical leadership education for current or potential church and ministry leaders in our BC CRCs. We meet at Fleetwood CRC, nine Saturdays/year, in conversation around scriptural text and church/cultural context. Is it time for you to join the conversation? For next year's dates, tuition, and application forms, check our website at bcldn.ca or contact our program facilitator, Wilma van der Leek at [email protected]. Applications are due August 30, 2019.
Thank you for sharing this! I'd love to post this as an event if you are interested :) Feel free to reply below or email [email protected] if you'd like to get the word out further!
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