Being a deacon involves a lot more than passing the offering plate. Let's discuss all aspects of being a deacon.
Diaconal Ministries
Jodi
Janice
Jerry
Melissa
It is not the deacons’ task to be “lone rangers.” In Acts 6, “the Seven” (deacon prototypes) had to have wisdom and the Holy Spirit to manage their new ministry. They needed help, as do we...
The Chalmers Center is releasing Helping Without Hurting in Church Benevolence on Oct. 6. Learn how to effectively navigate the moment when someone asks the church for financial assistance.
Many deacons learn and make mistakes as they go. I certainly did when I was first a deacon in the mid-1970s. Many deacons don’t know what they are doing and don’t know where to turn for help.
Instead of functioning largely as "lone rangers", the approved changes invite deacons to equip and provide opportunities for members of the congregation to participate in diaconal work.
Church leaders (especially deacons) will find this information helpful in assisting congregation members who need home remodeling for better accessibility.
Synod 2015 voted to include deacons at future Synods, along with expanding the role of the Office of Deacon.
If you're a deacon, elder, or pastor in the CRC, I encourage you to read the full report of the Task Force to Study the Offices of Elder and Deacon. Additionally, I've shared other resources to dig deeper!
In the absence of deacons, the full voice of the church is not heard, nor is the full ministry of the church under discussion. We await the outcome of synod’s deliberations with interest.
Does acknowledging God’s grace in our individual, sinful lives change our posture of serving? Would we be able to serve with a prideful, self-righteous, arrogant attitude if we believe in God’s grace?
I am not sure I’ve ever heard a deacon speak up at classis. We will soon be able to test whether this is simply a failure of my own perception.
Here is an updated version of a job description for deacons in the CRC. Use it as a template to develop or update a job description for deacons from your congregation and in your particular setting and context.
In sincere love, Christ reaches out to the unfortunate and the helpless, the lonely and the hurting. We must practice that virtue with him.
If you’re in the Toronto area, join us on Saturday, March 28th, for the launch of a new workshop and online toolkit to help churches hear and respond to the biblical call to become neighbours to refugees.
The book Not Just a Soup Kitchen shows how genuine care and friendship in times of being overwhelmed by circumstances can have lasting effects.
76 years ago a humble deacon from Neerlandia, Alberta, clearly expressed his concerns and challenged his church to examine the importance of the role of deacons. Check out his letter...
This book is a useful resource for deacons, as well as anyone else engaged in mission and/or ministry with those on the margins of society. Check it out!
While simply sending deacons to meetings of Classis and Synod will not create change on its own, it is part of a new future.
I'm sharing a story of an experience in Grace CRC's food pantry. I'd like some feedback on any aspect of this story.
Although I feel excited to celebrate this God-given sacrifice, I also find myself struggling with the outpouring of material giving at this time of year. When I reflect, I wonder if present giving outweighs presence giving.
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.
I am curious if anyone has experience providing individuals in financial trouble with interest-free loans as a ministry of benevolence. If so, could you share what you have learned from doing this? Are there legal issues I'm unaware of?
According to Karl Barth, "Deacons cannot be expected to meet all the material needs of society, but they should be permitted to look deeper into the roots of the social issues causing those needs." This and other insights by Barth are shared with us by Dr. David Guretzki in this online article.
Faith & Finances is a biblically integrated financial education curriculum designed specifically for low-income people.
Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith...
Has your church found it difficult to get people to serve as Deacons and Elders? Here's how one CRC congregation changed and improved their process for selecting and equipping deacons.