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Vol. 5: No. 3
August 16, 2017
Renewed Zeal and Vigor to Serve
OPC National Diaconal Summit III
June 15-17, 2017
Wheaton, Illinois
Thank you, brothers, for sending your deacons to the OPC's 3rd National Diaconal Summit in June 2017!
Appreciating the sacrifice and expense required for deacons to take several days off work and travel to Chicago for a conference, the Committee on Diaconal Ministries was very thankful for the 208 men who attended.
According to the feedback we've received, the men went away well-fed (physically and spiritually) and with a renewed zeal and vigor to “show forth the compassion of Christ in a manifold ministry of mercy toward the saints and strangers on behalf of the church.” (Book of Church Order XI:1)
May Christ use the training, networking, and encouragement received at this summit for the benefit of His church and for his glory through the faithful labors of the diaconate!
A Servant's Summit: Deacons as Visitors
Ms. Jamie Dean, National Editor of World Magazine, and member of Matthews OPC (Matthews, NC), was invited to attend the OPC National Diaconal Summit in June 2017 to serve as reporter. Jamie's excellent review of the summit, "A Servant's Summit: Deacons as Visitors," appears in the August-September issue of New Horizons.
2017 Summit Videos Available On-Line:
- True Religion is Diaconal.........Nathan Trice
- Jesus is the Great Deacon.........David Apple
- The Refugee Opportunity.........David Nakhla
- Everyone is a Deacon.........David Apple
- Why the Office of Deacon.........David Apple
2017 Summit Binder Contents On-Line:
Contents of the summit binder (except Attendee List and hymns) are available on-line at the link below.
Contact Janet Birkmann at janet.birkmann@opc.org
if you would like to receive a finalized version of the
Attendee List.
2017 Summit Photo Gallery
Members of the Committee on Diaconal Ministries at the Summit:
Lendall Smith (on platform), Al Zarek, John Voss, Ron Pearce,
Chris Sudlow, Nathan Trice, David Nakhla
Keynote Speaker
Dr. David S. Apple
Devotional Speaker
Nathan Trice
David Nakhla
Speakers
Lendall Smith
Chris Sudlow
Registration
Plenary Sessions
Fellowship Time
Hymn Singing
Welcome Barbecue
Afternoon Workshops
Snacks
Q & A
OPC National Diaconal Summit III
Diaconal Resources
The Spiritual Nature of the Work of the Deacon
by Carl Carlson, Deacon, Amoskeag OPC, Manchester, New Hampshire
"The deacon is marked by strong character combined with a servant heart. He gains biblical wisdom instilled by listening to the Word preached, studying the Word, and participating in training . . . . He is not a mere business manager or case worker, but a steward of all the church’s temporal gifts. He uses those gifts to enable those under his care to fulfill their chief and highest end: glorifying and enjoying God."
The Deacon
by Cornelis Van Dam
Book Review by David Nakhla
"I commend this book especially to those who serve as deacons or who train deacons. A recurring theme in the book is that the primary objective of the ministry of mercy is to remove impediments that prevent people from sharing in the joy of deliverance that ought to characterize those who have been set free—set free to serve God and their neighbor.
"May this book lead Christ’s church to grow in its appreciation for the gift of deacons as they help us in our spiritual journey."
Facebook Group
Remember to check out the new OPC Deacons Closed-Group Facebook Page! The page is closed to all but OPC Officers in order to encourage openness and ensure privacy.
The Mercy Minute, a quarterly newsletter of the Committee on Diaconal Ministries, is intended to keep OPC deacons informed and encouraged in their labors. It may include opportunities for networking or training, describe the work that a local diaconate or presbytery diaconal committee is engaged in, or bring attention to a need in the OPC.
The Mercy Minute is sent to all OPC officers with whom the CDM has had contact, in hopes that it will be forwarded on to additional deacons.
Officers who would like to be added to the distribution list are encouraged to email such a request to the Editor.
