Andrew Ryskamp
I served World Renew in various capacities from agronomsit in Bangladesh to Executive Director-US. Currently I am a member of the Community Engagement Team of Classis Grand Rapids East. In that capacity I help churches implement asset based approaches to community engagement, as well as encourage advocay on issues impacting disadvantaged commmunities in West Michigan. My passion is to see the church carry out more effectively Christ's call to be agents of transformation in a hurting world.
Posted in: GOOOOOOOAAAL!
It is a good story to encourage goal setting. Do you have examples churches that have set goals and created accountability around those goals? I would love to see some samples of both goals and the accountability structure, especially around community engagement.
Posted in: Get Out!
Dave,
This is a neat story. It is what is needed to make our churches relevant to their context. Here is a related post that underscores some principles of good community engagement by folks who have demonstrated their effectiveness.
Posted in: What Do You Call Your Benevolence Ministry?
It may be helpful to clarify the purpose of the Benevolence Fund. Some churches restrict benevolence monies for membership only and then contract with a community organization for emergency needs that come from non-members in their community. If it is only for internal use a designation such as The Deacon Fund, or Emergency Assistance, or simply Assistance Fund might do. When it comes to emergency funds for the community again the purpose is important. If you advertise that assistance is available I would make sure it is intended only for crisis help and then with clear guidelines. In such a case a name like, Emergency Assistance, might be most helpful.
Eager to hear what others have to suggest.
Posted in: Homeless on the Church Campus
There are other churches that are dealing with similar issues. I spoke at a meeting of Classis Pacific Northwest https://www.crcna.org/churches/classis/classis-pacific-northwest , and there were at least two churches in the Classis dealing with homeless people on their campus. Contacting Stated Clerk Rob Jansons, listed in the link, may be a good way to find out which churches these are. I don't recall the specific churches at this time.
In dealing with a response a good thing to check out is to see what other neighboring churches are doing. Joining a joint response allows for a sending a unified message and perhaps a sharing of resources. Are there any Christian organizations in the area that are addressing homelessness from a well thought through approach? If there are see if they can help with some kind of joint working relationship.
Is your church able to develop its own response by establishing a community development approach that is guided by the deacons. A staff person dedicated to connecting to resources in the community and building community led responses is a great way to have a meaningful presence in your parish.
Feel free to connect to discuss this more fully.
Andrew Ryskamp
Diaconal Consultant to CRCNA
Posted in: A Deacon's Work is Never Done!
What a great reflection. In an era where we are encouraging continuity in office (i.e. recurring terms) it is important to build in sabbath and sabbatical options.
Posted in: The CRC Needs to Have a Conversation About the Gospel and Social Justice
The video would be a great way for a Council or a Diaconate to have a discussion on the place of justice in their church's programming. It would also serve well as a topic for an Adult education class.