Equipping Deacons
A Message from the National Director
Racism. Recent events in the United States have once again raised our awareness of its existence there, but make no mistake about it: racism exists in Canada as well. Pausing to listen and pray… Racism. Recent events in the United States have once again raised our awareness of its existence in such a way that…
Read MoreLearning to Pivot
The word “pivot” has come up many times over the last two months due to the current Covid-19 pandemic. How has your church ‘pivoted’ during these last few weeks in order to love and serve your community in these challenging times? This post is in response to our “Top 10 Ways Deacons Can Help During…
Read MoreSpread Love…Wherever and However You Can
This post is in response to our “Top 10 Ways Deacons Can Help During COVID-19”, posted April 20, 2020. “Coronavirus Searches Lead Millions to Hear about Jesus” (Christianitytoday.com). The tagline alone immediately peaked my interest! My inner-evangelist leapt for joy at the prospect of millions securing a place in the loving kingdom. Our family has…
Read MoreTop 10 Ways Deacons Can Help During Covid-19
In this Easter Season, it’s good for us to pause and reflect on the fact that Jesus did not come to be served but to serve. As Christ-followers, we are called to imitate this – both wisely and efficiently and not as spineless, people-pleasers, pushed and pulled by every need we see. Now (and always), Deacons exist to…
Read MoreSpreading like Wildfire
While most of our conversations, meetings, newsfeeds and social media messages right now are related to the COVID-19 virus as it spreads around the world, the truth is, something else is spreading too. A message from Ron Vandenbrink, National Director of Diaconal Ministries Canada God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in…
Read MoreSigns of Hope in the Midst of Chaos
Diaconal Ministries Canada and World Renew partner to offer financial grants to churches and ministries during the Covid-19 crisis For Christians, the rainbow has long been a sign of hope – of promise. When Noah and his family disembarked the ark he built, after the waters receded, God made a promise – a covenant –…
Read MoreA Church on Mission
With a desire for spiritual renewal, Maple Ridge CRC initiated a Community Opportunity Scan in order to listen to their community, their church, and the Holy Spirit. Photo by Lina Kivaka from Pexels By Cindy Verbeek, Board Member of Diaconal Ministries Canada and Erin Knight Maple Ridge Christian Reformed Church is what you might call…
Read MoreSeeing the Unseen
For most of his life, Al Fielding suffered epileptic seizures. Through two local church communities and an encounter with God, he was healed — and now finds himself on his second term as deacon at Jennings Creek CRC. (Photo by Tim Fuzail from Pexels) “I always felt like God had no use for me. I…
Read MoreSparks Fly at Maritime Gathering
By: Karla Winham For over 10 years, a day of encouragement and equipping has been held in the Maritimes. This fall, on Nov. 8 and 9, members and leaders gathered for a time of learning, encouragement, and inspiration at John Calvin Christian Reformed Church in Truro, N.S. Participants worshipped together, heard presentations, attended workshops, enjoyed…
Read MoreThe Four “F” Words of Classis & Synod; Part 3 – From Faraway to Feasible
This month we are continuing our series on the four “F” words deacons may utter about classis & synod. When I say ‘we’, I mean Diaconal Ministries Canada and our good friend, Rev. Al Postma of Pastor Church Relations/Classis Renewal. So far we’ve covered “FOREIGN!” and “FORMAL!”. Our hope in writing these articles is to…
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