Posts by Erin Knight
Building Community Ministries from the (new)Ground Up
For years, Bethany CRC in Fenwick, Ontario, was engaged in global missions work. Yet each time their teams returned, they wondered what missions might look like in their own backyard. The church had a huge heart for youth and was already running a summer kids camp. After much discussion and prayer, it was decided they would start by canvassing in various neighbourhoods in the nearby city of Welland, to invite children to come out to a free Saturday afternoon program in a downtown church. Rose City Kids (RCK) was born!
Read MoreOnline Stewardship Course Going Live January 2023
Deacons are to encourage their congregations to live stewardly. More practically, to ask the question: “How can my whole life show that Jesus is my Lord?” It’s no secret that deacons often struggle with carrying out this part of their mandate. Help is now here!
Read MoreThinking “Local” at Christmas
“We wanted to encourage our congregation to be generous both locally and globally and find ways to use their gifts and passions in ways that would contribute to the partnerships we were trying to establish with a few local organizations,” shared Jean DeBeer, former deacon, current World Renew Ambassador, and Diaconal Coach for Diaconal Ministries Canada. “Getting our church more ‘invested’ with a local Giving Tree is one way we as a church are growing our relationship/involvement with our community.”
Read MoreHamilton Church Plant Offers Unique Internship Opportunity
Are you looking to serve and learn alongside lifelong urban ministry leaders working out their faith in urban Hamilton?
New Hope, an emerging Christian Reformed Church in East Hamilton, Ontario, is hosting a unique internship for Classis Hamilton and surrounding churches which will launch this fall.
Flood Relief Efforts Continue in BC Thanks to new Coalition
While most of the country has moved on, relief efforts continue in the southern part of British Columbia as many still work to rebuild homes and businesses and feed their families. One church that has led the way is Gateway CRC in Abbotsford, setting up a Flood Response Strategy to help address the intermediate and long-term spiritual and material needs of local residents.
Read MoreSurvey Says…!
This past January, Diaconal Ministries Canada, along with World Renew Canada, launched our own National Survey that was sent to all Canadian deacons. By sharing their experiences and feedback through this survey, Diaconal Ministries would be able to measure its effectiveness and better support the work of Deacons. Here are some of the preliminary results!
Read MoreReflections from a Diaconal Coach
JoLyn Bolderheij worked as a Diaconal Coach in Classis Alberta South/Saskatchewan in the greater Calgary area. Last year she ‘retired’ from this position. Here is what she shared about her time as a Diaconal Coach with Diaconal Ministries Canada.
Read MoreCommunity Connections During Christmas!
Christmas may be one of the last holidays that crosses most religious and cultural lines; there aren’t too many individuals and families who don’t celebrate it in some way, shape or form. For many, it’s a time to come together no matter who we are or what we believe. Because of this, Christmas could just be the most perfect time of year to reach out and get to know your neighbours. Here are some great ideas we’ve compiled!
Read MoreOvercoming Spiritual Roadblocks; Devotion #11 – Eyes On Jesus
We fix our eyes upon Jesus because he is the author and the finisher of our faith. Jesus is our Redeemer, Saviour and Lord. As our attention is focused upon him, he will give us the guidance and direction we need to run the race well, and he sends the Holy Spirit to empower us to do what he calls us to do.
Read MoreHelping that HELPS During Christmas (and beyond!)
We all like to be helpful, don’t we? Opening a door for the elderly man walking with a cane, making a meal for a neighbour or friend when they are sick or just overwhelmed with life, lending a hand at the school fundraiser, and the list goes on. These kinds of ‘helps’ are wonderful and meaningful and are a wonderful way to bless another person.
So as we enter into the Christmas season, many of us are looking for even more ways we can help those who are less fortunate than us. But what if I told you that some helping doesn’t really help?
