Deacons, Church Order and Community Transformation
In January 2016, the leadership of the CRCNA posted an announcement to all the CRC churches in the US. The announcement drew attention to the changes Synod 2015 made in the Church Order.
Being a deacon involves a lot more than passing the offering plate. Let's discuss all aspects of being a deacon.
Here 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.
In January 2016, the leadership of the CRCNA posted an announcement to all the CRC churches in the US. The announcement drew attention to the changes Synod 2015 made in the Church Order.
Here's a PowerPoint presentation about the changes in church order made by Synod 2015. It explores how these changes can enhance the role of deacons at all levels of the church — local, regional, and beyond.
What if, as deacons, we actually took the time to sit down and listen to the people we are trying to serve? This could potentially change the entire way churches engage with their communities!
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.
This is a seven-lesson series designed to help participants deepen their biblical understanding of Christian mission and community development.
Few churches would say they aren’t interested in sharing God’s heart for their community. This workbook provides those tools and resources that will help you imagine your community the way God sees it.
This book will help you discover the difference between relief and development ministries, and assess your church’s programs.
When is a case management program appropriate? This book will help you assess the needs, gifts, calling, and hopes of the participant; develop a Development Covenant between mentor and participant; and follow up and evaluate the process.
This book will help you determine whether your church programs adequately recognize and utilize the gifts that God has already placed in the people you serve.
This workbook will help you understand the role of the church in strengthening community, discover what your church’s reputation is in the neighborhood, and more.
How does a church organize neighbors to work together toward their common goals? That is the focus of this workbook.
This book will help you learn what your church can do to tackle injustice in your community.
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.
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.
This 3 minute video does a very nice job of explaining and highlighting the what, why, and how of Asset Based Community Development (ABCD) for local congregations.
Wondering how your church will meet the needs of its members and community? You can lead the way to create a system of response and hope.
What are you doing to check-in on your church and community members? Here are some resources, and we would love to hear your stories.
As we wonder about schools and their reopening plans, are congregations involved in crafting creative community solutions and ideas to make education for all students a fair and equitable priority?
Is it time to evaluate if the Christmas giving project you’ve ALWAYS done, is, well, just? Find a Q&A and 3 principles to help you create more just Christmas giving opportunities.
The best ways for us and our churches to give at Christmas, or any time, is by discovering and building on the gifts and skills of people and communities.
This series of 6 webinars explores ways churches can be better neighbors.
If you missed the Welcome to the Neighborhood Series, we've got good news for you: you can still watch!