Vol. 6: No. 1
February 14, 2018

Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute,
full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. Acts 6:3 (ESV)

This quarter's issue starts off with an article by Scott Pearce about his first year as a deacon. Then Ron de Ru talks about the transformation of his presbytery's PDC and the combined summit/meeting they held to kick off their work together. Followed by other diaconal reports and resources.

We welcome you to contact us with your stories or experiences to share in The Mercy Minute.

My First Year as a Deacon

by Scott Pearce
Church of the Covenant OPC, Hackettstown, New Jersey

Scott Pearce, 3rd from the left in the back row; his fellow deacons are in the front row.

EXCERPT:

In my first year as a deacon, our diaconate was faced with a variety of new situations, and it surprised me at first to hear my fellow deacons—all much more seasoned than me—say things like, “I don’t think we’ve ever had a situation just like this one,” or “I don’t think I’ve ever had to deal with (issue x.) before.” Some of them were heavy situations with urgency, and some were routine but unique in some aspect. It encouraged me to hear my brothers talking in such a way. For one, it made me feel like less of a “new guy,” but it also revealed to me that my fellow deacons were examining each case intimately and with personal care. There was no attitude of wanting to rubber stamp an issue or go through the motions in a cursory manner. I have been proud to serve alongside men who approach each widow, each offering, each food pantry visit, and each jobless congregant with love and attention...

Read the full article:

A New PDC in the Northwest

by Ron de Ru
Sovereign Grace OPC, Oak Harbor, Washington

The region and work of the Presbytery of the Northwest (PNW) is enormous and daunting. It extends from the southern border of Oregon to the northern border of Washington and from the west coast eastward to Idaho and Montana. Also included is Alaska, and even a congregation in Alberta, Canada!  

Until September 2016, the Presbytery Diaconal Committee (PDC) of the PNW consisted of one church's diaconate at a time, and the committee responsibilities would be "passed" from church to church, or diaconate to diaconate. However, at the encouragement of the Committee on Diaconal Ministries (CDM), the PNW made the necessary bylaw changes to draw together a PDC of 3 men from across the region rather than from one congregation.  Two new members were nominated, and one was a carryover from the previous arrangement.

During the first year of this arrangement, the committee was only able to meet a couple of times. One of the members developed health concerns and eventually had to drop out. The carryover individual was finishing his term, and this left only one remaining member.  A plea was made to the PNW and two things happened:  

1. The bylaws were changed to allow up to 7 members on the PDC.
2. And, 5 men were elected, which brought the total membership up to 6.  

What a wonderful answer to prayer! 

Combined Summit and First Meeting of the PDC:

A summit and first meeting of this new PDC was graciously hosted by Emmanuel OPC in Kent, Washington, and led by Pastor Randy Bergquist.  On Friday evening, Pastor Randy gave a talk entitled, "The Place of the Deacon in the Presbytery," the men enjoyed a meal together, and then we parted and stayed in host homes. On Saturday morning, Pastor Randy led devotions, then Dave Brown and Steve Rowe led a discussion on the PNW bylaws as they pertain to the PDC.  After lunch, we  proceeded with a formal meeting and elected a Chair (Mr. Stuart McKim) and a Secretary (Mr. Ron de Ru).  

We are looking forward to working together as a newly arranged PDC.  We have set ourselves some lofty goals, and covet your prayers as we take on the responsibilities of working for the kingdom in serving  "a cup of cold water" in the Pacific Northwest.    

Volunteer "Deacons" in Uganda

Readings in the
Reformed Diaconate

ReformedDeacon.com

ReformedDeacon.com is an online resource created by Tim Hopper, Deacon at Shiloh OPC (Raleigh, NC) and Chairman of the Presbytery Diaconal Committee of the Presbytery of the Southeast. 

Tim Hopper states:

"I started compiling a bibliography of readings in the Reformed diaconate, in hopes that it will be beneficial to others and in hopes that others will suggest other resources that I should read. I share it with you here."

Tim recently posted at the OPC Deacons Facebook page:

"I'm finally getting around to reading 'The Deacon' by Cornelis Van Dam that David Nakhla recommended so highly. This is the best book I've read on the diaconate. You and all your officers (and potential officers) should pick it up."

"Absolutely Incredible"

An article in the December 2017 issue of New Horizons, "Outreach After Hurricane Harvey in Houston, Texas," by Judith Dinsmore, revealed the large part that deacons are playing in the OPC relief efforts underway in Texas. 

Excerpt:

The process for outreach is “hospitality, meeting people, then seeking to seize those opportunities for material service." This measured progression is in stark contrast to the fast-paced, efficiency-focused aid that inundates a city after a disaster like Harvey. But it’s in line with the wisdom from experienced OP deacons who traveled to Houston to volunteer. “These deacons who are coming to us, OP deacons, are absolutely incredible. They are showing us as pastors and showing us as church folks what it means to really minister in Christ’s name down here in disaster response,” Regional Home Missionary Mark Sumpter raved...

Read the full article:

Being the Hands and Feet of Jesus

Recent team of hurricane relief volunteers from Reformed Mission Services (RMS)

• OPC volunteer Site Coordinator, Jeff Davis, routinely starts each day off by having a short time of devotions with the volunteers. 
• This sets the tone for the outreach aspect of this ministry which is focused on being the hands and feet of Jesus. 
• This leads to occasions almost every day for evangelistic conversations and times of prayer for those being helped.

VIDEO:

Click below to see the extent and variety of the work being accomplished by volunteer teams in Houston, and watch a brief VIDEO of the RMS team, pictured above, at work.

3 ways for deacons to participate in hurricane relief work:

1. If your church has diaconal funds that could be used to sponsor the travel and meals for those in your congregation who wish to volunteer, make this known.
2. Organize a team of those within your church whom you know to have the time or talents to serve as volunteers. 
3. Serve as a volunteer yourself!