Being a deacon involves a lot more than passing the offering plate. Let's discuss all aspects of being a deacon.
Andrew
Diaconal Ministries
Melissa
Wendy
Stanley & Monica
So often we are innundated with magazine images about what hospitality looks like, however, Martha Stewart has it wrong! Hospitality is much simpler than popular culture would have us believe - and more enjoyable too!
Long evenings, vacations, quieted responsibilities often provide opportunities during the summer months for reading. If you haven't already decided on your book list, I thought I would give you some ideas to explore.
A Summary of Synodical Reports and Decisions Concerning the Delegation of Deacons to Major Assemblies
At Synod last week the Diakonia Remixed Report was discussed. Ultimately what was discussed on the Synod floor was different than what had been submitted by the task force. Here's what happened...
In a globalized world, those needs “are always close to us,” and we have the call and duty to respond to them in the name of Jesus our Lord. We could say that the biblical teaching leads to a simple but wide ranging fact: Our fundamental vocation is the "Deaconship (diakonia) of all believers."
I wasn't really paying attention to anyone or anything, I was already lost in the thoughts of my upcoming day, when suddenly my ears perked up. I listened intently because I wasn't sure if I was just imagining it. I wasn't - it was definitely what I thought it was...
If you are a Canadian CRC church seeking to engage your community you may qualify for an Operation Manna grant to help your congregation complete a Community Opportunity Scan, develop a new or grown an existing community ministry! Applications are due by August 15th.
This webinar will examine and discuss the Diakonia Remixed (Office of Deacon Task Force) report to synod, a report that re-visions the diaconal calling and calls for greater participation of deacons in the life of the church, including its major assemblies.
In the middle of a poorly run meeting a question I didn't want to answer bubbled up: "Have I learned more about how to be a good administrator than I have about how to be a faithful disciple through my congregation?"
This webinar identifies the main roles of the deacon, discuss how deacons can be more effective with benevolence needs, as well as learn how to encourage good stewardship of time, talent and finances in the congregation.
There are many ways God is revealed in our lives - however, we must be careful not to confuse God revealed with God himself! Too often we forget that things like the confessions and creeds were created to point us to a person, Christ, not to replace that person! As leaders we need to continually draw near to God, to know him more, so that we may lead his people as he would.
There are two webinars coming up which you might enjoy - Be An Effective Deacon in Today's Church (April 24th) and Diakonia Remixed: Preparing the Church For Larger Ministry (May 1st) - you can find the details here!
Both of these one-hour webinars are free. Questions for the presenters can be submitted in advance on the registration form and also during the live webinar.
Every day we make decisions that draw us near to God or move us away from him. How do we ensure that the choices we may with our finances are ones that honour God and help us to become more like him?
A Place at the Table shows us how hunger poses serious economic, social and cultural implications for our nation, and that it could be solved once and for all, if the American public decides that making healthy food available and affordable is in the best interest of us all.
Today the church is just one of many charitable organizations. With so many specialized charities and dying congregations, is giving to the church really the best option?
Most of us have debt. Student Loans. Car Loans. Mortgages. Credit cards. Lines of Credit. With all these regular payments our income is quickly depleted. Giving is not a priority. But should it be?
When it comes to financial stewardship many of us would like to have a clear answer to the question: "How much should I give?"
It was recently observed that although our weekly worship service attendance had increased steadily over the last few years—thanks be to God!—our weekly giving had not. Why? My mentor reminded me this isn’t necessarily a bad sign, as our church does bring in people with little if any church background. For some of those folks, giving to the church is a new thing, and must be taught. So that’s what I set out to do...
Financial stewardship is a topic we don't touch on frequently in the church, yet we deal with money daily! This week we're starting our journey into the questions related to tithing, giving and money in general.
The Diakonia Remixed report goes to Synod in a few months - have you read it? Been talking about it at your council or classis meetings? It's a good time to start preparing so that when it's time for the discussion!