Our Annual Report is here!

Each year, our Annual Report is meant to inform and inspire. Inform deacons and churches about who we are, what we do with and for them, and how our work is making an impact. We also hope it will inspire deacons and churches to see what others are up to in their churches and communities.

The theme for this past year’s report was SYNERGY. When we settled on this theme, I had joked with Ron, our National Director, that way (way) back when I was younger, I thought the word synergy was a made up word. Kind of like the word ‘ridonculous’; I thought it was taking two words and mashing it together to make a point. So imagine my surprise when a few years ago I discovered it WAS, in fact, a real word with a pretty awesome definition!

The interaction or cooperation of two or more people to produce a combined effect greater than the sum of their separate effects.

I don’t think this could describe Diaconal Ministries – and how we work – any better. It also encapsulated how we saw diaconates work together with their churches and their community members over this past year: in their diaconate meetings and local churches, during workshops and trainings, in coaching sessions and consultations, and as they got out into their local community. Does working together come with challenges? Yes. We know it isn’t always easy. But we saw deacons choose to stay united and committed to their ministry, even if it came at a cost. And together, they displayed God’s love to a broken and hurting world.

To weave this theme throughout the report, you may note that many of the pictures have lines through them, splitting them up to mimic a puzzle – but together it makes the complete picture. Even if a portion of the photo is in the background or not quite as clear it is still there, it still matters, and it is part of the bigger picture.

What We Do

Because we know a diaconate has an ever-revolving door, our Annual Reports always include a brief history of how Diaconal Ministries got started and a breakdown of how we equip and support deacons. 

We take our marching orders from the Charge to Deacons, read to them when they are installed as office-bearers. To simplify this robust mandate, we divide the deacon’s ministry into four (4) focus areas – Community Engagement, Stewardship, Benevolence, and Justice – plus Leadership Development.

We aim to connect with every single church at least once per year via phone calls, emails, invitations to workshops or trainings, and at classis meetings. We offer the same opportunities to churches – both east and west – but with contextualized material and resources.

How We’re Funded 

Our main funding is from Diaconal Ministry Shares that Canadian churches contribute each year; these are invoiced to each church in August. These are distinct and different from denominational and classical ministry shares. It’s important to note that we receive zero funding from the CRCNA and every dollar given to our ministry is spent in Canada for Canadian CRC’s.

Our NewGround Program

NewGround supports churches in their efforts to start or grow community ministries. (Some of you may still remember it as Operation Manna. It was renamed and expanded in 2019.) The program provides funding (grant money), coaching, and resourcing to help churches build strong connections with the people and places in their local communities, offering practical and spiritual support, particularly to the marginalized or under-served populations.

We had 6 partners last year and some of their stories are on pages 11-12.

By supporting NewGround, churches in Canada are multiplying their Kingdom impact, empowering fellow CRC congregations, and advancing ministries that bring justice, mercy, and hope to communities. 

Thank You For Your Ongoing Support

We do hope you’ll take time to read through our report. Diaconal Ministries has been around since 2001 and since then it has been our honour and privilege to walk alongside Canadian deacons in the Christian Reformed church. Our aim is to help wherever, whenever, and however we can and we hope this comes out clearly in this annual report.