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.
Family,
Biblical reflection,
Community development,
Travel
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.
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.
Through Bates Place, First CRC of Grand Rapids is making strong connections to community. One way to do that has been through a joint community garden project. Local television covered the work.
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.
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.
Gillian, a great reminder of what is essential when engaging our neighbors. The Lupton Center builds on the practices you suggest. The Lupton Center has done a great job of defining helpful...
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...