Coach's Corner

A resource page for verified DMC Diaconal Coaches

Welcome to the Coach's Corner!

It’s important for you, as a Coach, to be familiar with our website and the resources we provide to deacons and churches. This is why we have provided links to pages on our website so you will know where things are.

The resources we provide on our website are just ‘the basics’ to get diaconates started – the resources, workshops and toolkits below are for you as a Coach to help deacons go deeper!

Have a suggestion for a resource you’d like to add or share here? Can’t find something? Does something look out of date? Please let us know!

Quick Links

Events

Upcoming Events For Coaches

Annual Coaches Retreat
“A great leader is one who makes those around them better.” -Dana Brownlee

Each of you is a leader and a mentor. In some circles, this would mean that each of you must be an ‘expert’ in your field in order to equip and inspire deacons across Canada so that they can equip and inspire their congregations.

At Diaconal Ministries, we don’t believe leaders have to be experts. Experts have all the answers, or at least the resources and techniques to find them. As a Diaconal Coach, your role is to guide, support, and mentor deacons (and churches) as they find “the answers” themselves.

Since none of us are experts, this also means that we never stop learning. Learning together is one of the best ways to enhance and improve the work we are doing together to inspire, equip, and empower deacons across this country.

Orientation

What is Diaconal Ministries Canada?

Get to know more about Diaconal Ministries and how we work with and for deacons in Canada. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram too!

A handout explaining who we are, how we work with deacons and churches, and it also includes questions to ask at your next deacon’s visit!

Get the PDF HERE.

At NewGround, we believe that churches are uniquely positioned to lead with love and walk alongside their neighbours with purpose and compassion. Rooted in Christ’s love (Ephesians 5:2), we equip deacons and churches to follow His example — offering themselves as a blessing to their communities.

Through our grants and coaching, NewGround helps churches break new ground — not only in the soil of their neighbourhoods, but in the hearts of people who long to see restoration and justice.

NewGround was formerly known as Operation Manna (OM). Read a recap of how OM was rebranded and what NewGround offers churches today! Get it HERE.

Get to know our staff team and board members HERE.

So who are the amazing Coaches you’ll be joining on this journey?

Find out HERE! 

UPDATED Calendar coming soon!

Take a look at our NEW Brand Usage Guide to help explain how we can promote the work of Diaconal Ministries Canada clearly and consistently.

This includes our updated logos – there are now 3 variations to choose from! Also our branded colours and fonts for both DMC & NewGround. 

It also contains helpful tips for Coaches and Staff on how to use/share our resources and the language we use when talking about our work and organization.

HERE is a link to our updated Diaconal Ministries’ logos.

*PLUS!*

Here is our suggested Email Signature for coaches. Please use this (or a slight variation of this) when communicating with deacons, churches, your classis, and others in your official capacity as a Diaconal Coach!

Questions? Comments? Email Erin, the Communications Coordinator – eknight@crcna.org.

Orientation

What Is Your Role?

Get to know more about your role as a Diaconal Coach and how to do it well.

As a Diaconal Coach, you have a vital role in equipping and encouraging deacons in your classis/region. They need you!

Get your Job Description HERE.

Here is a suggested email signature you can include when sending communications to deacons and churches.

SAMPLE:

[Insert Digital Signature if you have one]

Jerry Terryberry
Diaconal Coach for Classis Juniper
Diaconal Ministries Canada
555-555-5555

Check us out online!
Website: diaconalministries.com/
Facebook: @diaconalministries
Instagram: @diaconalmin
YouTube: @diaconalministriesca

Here is a handy resource guide you can give to deacons to outline what we offer them and their churches:

  • Online Version (With links)  – Coming soon
  • Paper Version – Bring this along to every visit and workshop!

Here is a helpful chart of the SIX (6) key focus areas you can equip and encourage deacons to work in.

  • Growing as Leaders in God’s Kingdom
  • The Role of a Deacon
  • Mercy/Benevolence/Compassion
  • Engaging Communities
  • Living Stewardly
  • Service & Justice

(This is part of your new resource binder and you should have received a copy of every PDF on this chart. Don’t have one? Email our office: dmc@crcna.org)

Here is a helpful guide as you start connecting with deacon teams and churches.

Check out this helpful handout that gives ideas on how to be the best Coach you can be!

(This cheat sheet is always being updated so check back regularly as we continue to learn and try new ideas!)

Plan your work – work your plan!

We tell deacons to do this so we should be doing it too!

Part of your role is connecting with the Chairs from each church in your classis/region.

HERE is a handy spreadsheet of every church in Canada and the Chair of Deacons (or main contact person) at that church.

PLEASE HELP US KEEP THIS UPDATED! It’s important that we are getting the right information to the right people at the right times!

(REMEMBER: This is a living document and every change you make is saved instantly. Be careful not to delete anything as several people/agencies rely on this list.)

Skill Development

Technology Help

Here are some general things you’ll need as a Coach.

The ABC's of Coaching & Having Good Conversations

Workshop led by Helen Van Beilen, October 2022

Timesheets & Expenses

Timesheets & Expenses

Tracking your time and expenses as a Diaconal Coach is vital to our organization. We want to ensure you are paid for your time AND it helps us track what work is being done with the various churches. Much of this information informs our Strategic Plans, Annual Reports, as well as our reports to Classis.

A form explaining all of the finance procedures you’ll need to know as a Coach!

Visit this Google Folder for all of the updated timesheets and expense forms and other documents you’ll need.

Since you have VIEW ONLY permission for these documents, please “MAKE A COPY” so you can create your own version and submit your time, expenses, etc. (We don’t want anyone saving their information on the original documents/templates.)

Questions? Reach out to Bea, our Finance Coordinator, at dmcfinance@crcna.org.

Fill this out to receive your reimbursements electronically.

You only need to do this once unless your banking information changes.

Leadership Development & Administration

Resources

Growing as Leaders in God’s Kingdom

The E-Quip Blog features news, stories, and events related to transformational ministries. 

Have a story to share? Submit it here.

CRCNA Offering calendars, Deacons’ offering schedule worksheet, Bulletin announcements, Ministry logos and more. Click here

Role Of The Deacon

Deacon 101 Workshop

This workshop is designed for new deacons to learn about their role, but also for experienced deacons to be refreshed and to share their insights with those who are new. Incoming deacons will be inspired to actively engage in their diaconate, appreciate previous diaconal work done by the church, and be given a chance to share their aspirations for future endeavours. At the end of the workshop all participants will emerge with more of a unified understanding of their role as deacons and be more familiar with Diaconal Ministries Canada and how it can support their diaconate.

NOTE: For the Google Slides, go to “File” and then down to “Make a Copy” so you can open your own version in your Google Drive. This allows Coaches to edit their version, add their name, etc and it’s ready to go each time you lead a workshop! (It also keeps our original version in tact!)

We will no longer be using “Ron’s Video”. The team has been working on a new one and will share it soon!

NOTE: For the Google Slides, go to “File” and then down to “Make a Copy” so you can open your own version in your Google Drive. This allows Coaches to edit their version, add their name, etc and it’s ready to go each time you lead a workshop! (It also keeps our original version in tact!)

For Ron’s Video, if you wish to use it offline and/or have your own copy on your computer, click the button below (but note it will download automatically!).

Deacon Chair Conversation

This online gathering was designed for Deacon Chairs in order to offer an opportunity for Chairs to learn from each other on relevant issues that many of them are confronted with, to set the groundwork for the Chairs to network together, and to give the local diaconal coach an opportunity to share about upcoming events, etc.

Community Engagement 

Community Engagement

Promote the four (4) key activities of the NewGround Program:

  • Community Opportunity Scans
    A church looking to go deeper in community engagement and development needs to know their neighbourhood and city! What are the gifts and abilities? What are the challenges and where are the gaps? As churches lean into finding where God is already at work and how they can join him, they are not only working for transformation, but they are pursuing justice and mercy!
  • Community Ministry Grants & Support
    Churches who long to create or grow sustainable community ministries that address injustice and show God’s great love are encouraged to apply for our grants and support! We help them not only financially but also through Coaching Conversations on fundraising, board development, volunteer recruitment and more!
  • Youth Justice Project (YJP)
    Deacons can equip and encourage the next generation of justice-seekers through the YJP. Deacons are called not to take ministry out of the hands of their congregation but to animate them to follow God’s leading and show and share the love of Christ to everyone everywhere!
  • Deacon Scholarships
    The Deacon Scholarship is probably the best kept secret of NewGround. We want to help deacons grow and learn in all areas of ministry; through workshops and webinars, through reading and study and in using whatever tools they need to help equip their congregations in ministry. Each CRC in Canada can receive up to $250 per year to do this!
  • Intro to Community Partnerships – Contact your RMD (Rachel or Mark) for workshop info. This is an introduction to a full Community Opportunity Scan.
  • ABCD Flourishing Together Cohort – Contact Rachel for more information on when the next cohort is starting.
  • Community Opportunity Scans – Contact your RMD.
  • Having Nothing, Possessing Everything; Finding Abundant Communities in Unexpected Places (by Michael Mather)
  • Everywhere You Look; Discovering the Church Right Where You Are (by Tim Soerens)
  • The Art of Neighbouring; Building Genuine Relationships Right Outside Your Door (Jay Pathak & Dave Runyon)
  • The New Parish; How Neighborhood Churches Are Transforming Mission, Discipleship and Community (Paul Sparks, Tim Soerens, and Dwight J. Friesen)

Stewardship

Stewardship

Read – An Overview of Stewardship (PDF)

A helpful PDF which gives a great introduction/overview of stewardship. (This is taken from the online Stewardship Course!)

A 5-week book/bible study on “What Do I Owe” by Rolf Bouma. Check it out HERE. Contact your RMD for more information.

See the work being done by our partner, Christian Stewardship Services

Check out the Network for articles, resources and more!

A self-guided online course has been put on the CRCNA’s Learning Portal: Biblical Stewardship: Living as Stewards of God’s Goodness.

Why not walk a diaconate through all or one of the modules?

Learn more here.

Benevolence / Mercy

Benevolence / Mercy

*Don’t forget! Proper record-keeping and policies are essential to a well-run benevolence ministry! These resources will help deacons be more consistent year-to-year despite constant turnover.

Contact your RMD (Rachel or Mark)

    • Helping Without Harming in Church Benevolence (in-person)

    • Developing Benevolence Guidelines Workshop (in-person or online)
  • When Helping Hurts (by Steven Corbett & Brian Flikkert)
  • Helping Without Hurting in Church Benevolence (by Steven Corbett & Brian Flikkert)

  • Toxic Charity: How Churches and Charities Hurt Those They Help (And How to Reverse It) (by Robert Lupton)

  • Charity Detox (by Robert Lupton)

  • Becoming Whole (by Brian Flikkert & Kelly Kapic)

  • Strategic Compassion: Reuniting the Good News and Good Works in the Fight Against Poverty (by Barry Slauenwhite)

  • What Every Church Member Should Know About Poverty (by Bill Ehlig & Ruby K. Payne)

Justice / Service

Justice / Service

Does the diaconate you’re working with long to equip their congregations to love their neighbours in tangible ways and work toward just, public policies?

Justice; An Everyday Spiritual Journey (For Deacons): 
This workshop unpacks how the bible talks about peace, justice, and mercy, identifies how exploitive structures cause injustice, and explores how advocacy & reconciliation can bring change and healing. This tailored version is designed for diaconates.

  • Becoming Whole; Why the Opposite of Poverty Isn’t the American Dream (Brian Flikkert, Kelly M. Kapic);

  • When Helping Hurts (Brian Flikkert & Steve Corbett)

  • The Four Pivots; Reimaging Justice, Reimaging Ourselves (Shawn Ginwright) *Warning: Some profanity

A handout listing every justice activity in the CRCNA all in one place! Coming soon!

Diaconal Ministries Canada