I served World Renew in various capacities from agronomsit in Bangladesh to Executive Director-US. Currently I am providing consultation to the CRCNA, helping implement the decision of Synod 2015 that strengthened the role of deacons in the CRC and also has them now seated at Classes and Synod. I am also involved in the work of racial reconciliation at Madison Square Church in Grand Rapids. My passion is to see the church carry out more effectively Christ's call to be agents of transformation in a hurting world.
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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.
In the context of today's world the mandate of mercy and justice that is at the heart of the call on the office of deacon is both profound and challenging. We need to keep the call in front of us as deacons to continue to live into it more fully
Tom Sine, Christian author and futurist, has a list of questions for a new book he is writing. Help him with his research by answering his questions.
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 short interview, Dr. Steve Timmermans, Executive Director of the CRCNA, reflects on the refocused expectations of deacons laid out by Synod 2015.
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.
One of the mandates for deacons is "Be prophetic critics of the waste, injustice, and selfishness in our society, and be sensitive counselors to the victims of such evils." How has your church or diaconate lived into this mandate?
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.
Very helpful suggestions!
What a great practical help to deacons as they give leadership to this critical issue. Thanks Erin and Ron!!!
What a neat way to help a church re-focus. Another word that is used is "with". How can we do ministry "with" our community or context where God has placed us? A resource guide for approaching...
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...
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...
Bryan,
There are two things to consider from my perspective. The first is making sure there is a credible audit trail that ensures that in fact funds are being appropriately approved and...
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...
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...
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...
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.