May 6, 2020
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4 comments
Request Forms for Benevolence?
We want to keep track of money allocated to those in need but feel it's not necessary to ask for extensive information from them. How does your church keep records?
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April 16, 2020
144
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Ideas for Thanking COVID-19 First Responders?
Do you have any suggestions for creative, effective, and appropriate ways to thank COVID-19 first responders?
June 18, 2019
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CRCNA Affiliation With International Needs Canada?
I'm wondering if the CRCNA has any affiliation with International Needs Canada? Should we support another Christian community development agency other than World Renew?
June 18, 2019
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Policies for Counseling?
We have a church/diaconate hoping to help cover the cost of counseling for those who request it and want to formalize the process for consistency and fairness. Got any suggestions?
February 21, 2019
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Can Church Treasurer Write Checks on Deacons Behalf?
Can we have the church treasurer write checks on the deacons behalf?
October 9, 2018
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What Is Your Church’s Best Practice Around Tracking Ministry Outcomes?
Will you share your church's best practices around tracking ministry outcomes resulting from your visioning process?
November 14, 2017
35
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Activities for Seniors Christmas Dinner?
Our deacons are planning our annual seniors Christmas dinner and we are looking for a simple and interactive activity. Any ideas?
January 30, 2017
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Simple and Confidential Database for Tracking Congregational Visits?
Does anyone have a good suggestion for a simple and confidential database to track visits with members of their congregation?
July 25, 2016
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Creating a Congregational Resource Database of Best Practices?
The congregation where I presently serve as an interim pastor would like to create a congregational resource database. What's been your experience? What rules need to be put in place?
December 28, 2015
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Do Training Materials Exist for Potential Deacons or Elders?
At our elders meeting we were discussing the need to provide leadership training for potential elders or deacons that haven't yet felt qualified or inspired to serve. Do materials exist?
December 14, 2015
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How Does Your Church Transition New Deacons Into Their Role?
It's Ministry Question Monday and today's featured question is: "How does your church transition new deacons into their role?"
February 14, 2014
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How Does Your Church Transition New Deacons Into Their Role?
I would like to offer a roundtable on this topic in the Chicagoland area. Some churches may have retreats? Maybe some other ideas about length of time? Any other ideas welcome!
August 27, 2013
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Caring for Both Children and Senior Parents — How Can We Support?
One of the diaconates in the area of Alberta I serve as a consultant is asking for ideas on how to support those who are part of the 'sandwich generation.' In other words those who find themselves raising children while at the same time caring for elderly parents.
February 20, 2013
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What kind of ministry activities are churches doing in their local communities?
The ServiceLink office is doing some research on how local churches are engaged in ministry to those in their communities. Are members of churches involved with local food banks, homeless ministry programs, refugee involvement etc. Are churches encouraging members to participate in special ministry events? What does that look like?
January 29, 2013
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Is it about the % we give away, or the $ we spend?
The interesting discussion in this other thread got me thinking... From God's perspective, I wonder if it's less about how much I give away and more about how much I decide to keep (for my wants and self-perceived 'needs'). If so, then the issue of what does/doesn't count as a tithe becomes secondary. Should we focus on the % we give away, or on the $ we spend on our lifestyles? It seems we tend to focus on the %.
January 20, 2013
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Does our taxes paid to the government used for entitlements qualify as part of our tithing?
Does paying taxes in our Christian society for entitlements example welfare,old age security,food stamps,unemployment benefits and so on , qualify as part of our tithing or does the church not consider this to be part of servicing gods people that need help?
April 18, 2012
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How to do elder/deacon orientation and hand-off?
In June, our congregation will elect new elders and deacons. As deacons, we have recently begun talking about ways to effective transition the tasks of retiring deacons to those who remain and those who will be joining, and to orient the new deacons to the office and its responsibilities. Rather than trying to continue going it alone, we were hoping that some folks out here on the network would have some good ideas on how to do transition and orientation effectively.
November 22, 2011
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What can you do when your church is not meeting its budget?
It is mid-November, and your church is experiencing a significant shortfall to its budget. How can you make the urgency clear to the congregation, and also point out membership obligations?
September 29, 2011
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How do deacons "weigh the needs of causes and use of church resources discerningly?"
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?
September 14, 2011
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Where can I get help for my church to do a financial audit?
The deacons at our church our looking into having our financial records audited. Is there anyone in west Michigan who has had recent experience with this. Are there any Denominational agencies that work specificaly with churches.
August 19, 2011
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Where can I get samples of or information about doing gift surveys at my church?
Hi, I was wondering if anyone out there does gift surveys in their churches and how do they work. And are there any samples I could look at? Thanks Grace Strobosser
May 16, 2011
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What Should Be Included in a List of Best Practices for Deacons?
If you are an active or retired deacon, what kinds of things do you do on a regular basis in your service for the church?
May 5, 2011
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Is it right for the congregation to vote on the annual church budget?
Does your church congregation vote on the annual church budget? Church Order is really vague and church practice seems to be extremily diverse. If your congregation votes on the budget how do they become familiar enough with it to "own" it. Thanks..
March 19, 2011
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What guidelines should a church have for helping those in need?
Our church receives a lot of requests for assistance. We regularly make food dishes and food and gas vouchers available. We make funds available to help pay bills. The requests for assistance come for our members, friends/neighbours of our members and from those outside our church. As deacons, we sometimes struggle with regard to how to distribute the funds collected in ways that maintain our accountability to the congregation. We currently have some 'understood' guidelines in terms of funds distribution but nothing in writing. There must be churches that have written guidelines - we would...
January 4, 2011
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How should a church distribute support to the denominational family and as well as to other causes?
In our congregation the deacons meet in November to set the offering schedule for the following year. Using the deacon's helper resource, sifting through the pile of offering requests received throughout the year and sensing the heart of God in the congregation, they prayerfully discern what causes to support. This year, a question was raised to our deacon team about the causes they had chosen to support. The question was this: when we as members are already contributing through denominational and classical shares to specific ministries, why are we also designating many of our weekly...