Being a deacon involves a lot more than passing the offering plate. Let's discuss all aspects of being a deacon.
Andrew
Diaconal Ministries
Doug
Ken
KeithWrite your own blog post to share your ministry experience with others.
In this short interview, Dr. Steve Timmermans, Executive Director of the CRCNA, reflects on the refocused expectations of deacons laid out by Synod 2015.
Worship resources have been sent to Canadian churches for the NewGround Offering Sunday (formerly Operation Manna), scheduled for Sunday, May 5, 2019.
We are excited to announce that as of March 1, 2019, the Operation Manna Program was renamed NewGround. Learn more and discover ways to get involved today!
The Operation Manna Program of Diaconal Ministries Canada has been helping churches establish vital community ministries across the country for over 35 years. Read our official Press Release regarding big changes coming to the program!
The Extreme Weather Shelter operated by Gateway Church in Abbotsford, B.C., has offered over 160 individuals a dry place to rest this winter. So, is it making a difference? This is part 3 of this series!
Through a partnership with Volunteers In Service, churches are given the opportunity to connect with neighbors who have been referred for assistance. This article shares several powerful stories of impact.
When Gateway CRC decided to host an Extreme Weather Shelter in their building, staff and volunteers knew there would be a lot to learn. Here are some learnings they wanted to share!
We hope this story inspires churches to trust God and follow Him into their communities, despite the risks and the unknowns.
I asked him if I could share the good news of Jesus Christ. Ken looked at me with such a desperation in his eyes and a longing of hope to hear this good news.
Prayer is how we commune with God and it plays (or should play!) a huge role in our daily lives and in our relationships with others, as well as our work in His Kingdom. Here at Diaconal Ministries Canada, we want to encourage, equip and empower deacons to make prayer a regular part of their ministry.
A letter regarding what is new and happening with Disability Concerns!
Back in June, Diaconal Ministries Canada posed the question, “Why are Deacons needed at Classis & Synod”. They were pleased to hear what other deacons and ministry leaders had to say and one particular email came from Ada Kloet. DMC Staffer Erin Knight had the pleasure of talking to Ada about her experience growing up in the CRC and also about serving as a deacon.
Mission statements are wonderful, aren’t they? They tell us exactly what an organization is all about. For First CRC in Brandon, Manitoba, they’ve been discovering that one way practical way for them to fulfill their mission is to partner with a community ministry where one of their members is already serving!
Since a deacon's mandate is to “lead and equip the church to minister to its members and the world in a rich diversity of ministries, awaken compassion, demonstrate mercy, seek justice, and collaborate with God’s Spirit for the transformation of persons and communities,” can they ever really ‘take a break’??
Our greatest hope for deacons (and all council members really) is that they will see these larger gatherings as much more than just ‘another meeting.’
This month on our e-Quip Diaconal Blog, we’ll be looking at Deacons at Classis & Synod, as well as Community Engagement. At first glance, you may wonder what these two things have in common. Well, both require TEAMWORK a.k.a. Collaboration!
In a society that puts huge value on Black Friday and Christmas as times of money and goods, Christians have to double down on our focus of deeper meaning and values being shown through our actions.
As I lay in bed, I thought about a discussion I had with a sister in the faith that highlighted just one of many paradoxes of poverty.
Imagine approaching a church as a total stranger and asking permission to use the facility for a memorial service and luncheon, within the next 48 hours. Two weeks ago, I was the stranger.
Last night was my first meeting as a deacon and I was extremely impressed with how the Lord has placed these men in this precious role in the church. I'm excited and ask for prayer as I trust the Lord in this new role.
Oftentimes what we are passionate about spills over in our conversations. Are we so passionate about our faith that we simply can’t help but share it?
I remember the turning point for Larry’s new faith journey. He had witnessed a model of service that was new to him—a church that showed it cared about those who are afflicted.
While the church has “capital D” elected Deacons and Deaconesses, it also has “small d” deacons—you. Together we possess a dynamic energy as the people of God.
We’ve all had moments where we’ve empathetically suffered with others to the point where it really did feel like we’d suffered the loss ourselves. What if Jesus empathized like this all the time?
A single parent has suffered loss—whether through death, desertion, separation or divorce. She/he will exhibit all the stages of grief but also needs to go on with daily life. Here are several ways a church can help.