Being a deacon involves a lot more than passing the offering plate. Let's discuss all aspects of being a deacon.
Diaconal Ministries
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TimHere you'll find resources posted by individuals, churches, and ministries. Add comments, give a 'thumbs up', or post your own. Can't find something? Use the chat box to let us know.
Bates Place Neighbors is the community center through which First CRC in Grand Rapids is building relationships with neighbors. This newsletter is a great example of how it is done and how progress is being made.
This post provides a reminder of the resources available for orienting new deacons as churches begin a new program year.
Here's a review of Brian Fikkert and Kelly M. Kapic's recent book, A Field Guide To Becoming Whole. The book and field guide are helpful in understanding where traditional responses to poverty have missed the mark.
Does your church council talk regularly about the spiritual health of your congregation? Here is a set of twelve devotionals that will lead your elders and deacons to focus on your church's flourishing.
Best Christian Workplaces Institute is an employee engagement ministry "dedicated to helping Christian leaders and organizations achieve their full potential." Here are some great resources they have shared.
The summer 2019 issue of For Deacons focuses on the call that is at the heart of the office of deacons. Find stories of deacons living out the call, as well as tools for deacons eager to live out the call.
Bridge of Hope Church in Sioux Center Iowa recently attended a workshop focused on the role of deacons as leaders in the life of the church. Here's what happened.
As the deacons at New Life CRC in Geulph, ON, set out to define their vision, they resonated with the words of Synod 2016 calling deacons to be not only servants, but catalysts.
Since 2015 deacons in the CRC have been asked to live into a new level of leadership. The May 2019 issue of For Deacons includes resources designed to help deacons live into this leadership mandate.
In this newsletter, the role of deacons in exercising their justice mandate is explored. Find helpful links and resources on an area of ministry that is urgent for today's world, but can be daunting to initiate.
This article reviews the functions that flow out of the 'oath of office' deacons take when they are installed in their role. Find suggestions and numerous links as to how deacons can faithfully fulfill this leadership function.
This article helps a diaconate think through how to respond to their call to "be prophetic critics of the waste, injustice, and selfishness in our society" and provides helpful links to a host of resources.
This article serves as a quick resource for deacons thinking through their response to their justice mandate. Find links to key resources for orientation, as well as helpful worship resources!
This issue of For Deacons looks at the benefits of doing ministry together at a regional or classical level, principles to use, and an example of how Volunteers in Service is making this work in Grand Rapids, MI.
This issue of For Deacons reflects on the role deacons play and suggests resources for orientation to the office as well as providing a well recognized approach to engaging the neighboring community.
No matter what ministry team you lead in the church, recruitment is likely your least favourite task; aka a necessary evil. Take heart—we're here to help!
This article gives a brief history of Volunteers In Service. VIS is an example of diaconal cooperation between churches.
An online and/or downloadable presentation that serves as an orientation and training resource for deacons.
This paper, that comes in pdf form, was referenced in the 2013 Diakonia Remixed Report that led to the seating of deacons at all the CRCNA assemblies in 2015.
This article articulates the leadership calling of Deacons at all levels of church governance and ministry. It relies heavily on the 2015 Diakonia Remixed report.
The voice of the Deacon is needed at Classis and at Synod. Diaconal Ministries Canada gives us seven reasons why this is true.
This video resource is a great tool for Deacons and Community Engagement Teams as they educate their church membership on how to be meaningfully involved in community.
In this webinar we explore ways to alleviate poverty while helping, rather than unknowingly harming, people who live in poverty. You’ll discover practical strategies to partner with your local and global community in overcoming poverty and injustice.
Whether you are a deacon looking for ways to connect with community or a team commissioned to do the same, these resources will help you through the planning and programming.
Deacons often are looking for ways to organize the functions of their mandate. This post looks at how to organize the functions and provides helpful links to additional resources.