Equipping Deacons
When Church & Community Come Together
Over ten years ago, a group of people at John Calvin CRC began dreaming about how to combine the assets and resources of the church with their local community while addressing food insecurity and promoting wise, environmental stewardship.
Located behind the church, the Glenwood Drive Community Garden was born! Today this garden is a shared space for all who enjoy the beauty of nature; growing their own food, or just getting their hands dirty! Watch their 10th Anniversary video here…
Read MoreTop 10 Reasons to Attend our AGM this November 23rd
A little birdie recently told us that … sometimes deacons don’t like meetings. Really?! And! Apparently deacons aren’t alone in this! But the truth is, people don’t hate meetings; they just hate bad meetings. Would you agree?
So what makes a good meeting?
We think…
-a clear agenda/purpose;
-participants being heard/their input being valued;
-a clear start time and end time
-good food/refreshments are always a bonus!
Well, as far as we can tell, our upcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM) checks ALL of those boxes! Let us tell you more…
Read MoreWearing the Mark of Mercy
I am thankful that I was introduced to the writings of Tim Keller and highly recommend his devotional book: “A Year of Daily Devotions in the Book of Proverbs – God’s Wisdom for Navigating Life”. In it, he says that mercy isn’t just the job of the Christian: mercy is the mark of the Christian. This quote just stops me in my tracks. Wearing the mark of mercy is one of the most practical and beautiful ways that we can show the world that we are Christians. Sometimes I overcomplicate it, over-analyze the means by which I show it, or even find excuses why someone isn’t worthy of my mercy. This quote stops the noise in my head.
Read MoreNewGround Partnership Goes Beyond Financial Support
“I appreciate the support of NewGround for our ministry, Cross Town,” shared Greg Houldcroft at this year’s Annual Ministry Networking Day. “NewGround gives back to their partners; not just through grants but by pouring into the lives of their partners and its leaders.”
This is what has set the NewGround program apart for over 40 years. The annual Ministry Networking Day is a day that brings past, present, and potential community ministry partners and church partners together to listen, learn, celebrate, and collaborate!
Read MoreReconnecting Churches in Central Alberta with “Night of Encouragement”
Marg Hoogland, Diaconal Coach for Alberta North (Central Alberta) saw an incredible opportunity to get the churches in her area reacquainted – to her as their coach and with each other! She reached out to the churches in the Parkland area and discovered a strong thread among most of the churches: refugee engagement. And so began her plans for a “Night of Encouragement” on a cold winter’s night in February!
Read MoreOnline Course Redefines Stewardship
A brand new, self-guided, online stewardship course is now available to deacons and churches. We often say that everything we have is a ‘gift’ from God, but sometimes that thinking can lead us a little astray. When someone gives a gift, it’s not theirs anymore – it becomes ours, to use as we please. But stewardship isn’t like that…
Read MoreSharing Me-mentos on Valentine’s
A little kindness can go a long way. The Deacons at Bethel CRC in Listowel got creative and shared a small gift to their church in order to show them what being a deacon is all about!
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 MoreRetiring Diaconal Coach Shares her Top 10 Moments
Lucinda Klapwyk served the Edmonton area churches of Classis AB North as a Diaconal Coach for twelve (12) years. Lucinda “retired” from her position as a Coach this June 2022. At a recent farewell dinner for Lucinda, she shared with us her many memories and reflections. Here are her Top 10 moments as a Diaconal Coach…
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!
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